Alien in the House

ticket.”
    Things started to click into place. What a pity I hadn’t had this conversation with Caroline two days ago. Reminded myself that I’d tried to have said conversation. Mentioned to myself that I should have chosen to use Kelly’s Batphone privileges and would not make that mistake again in the future. Should we have one. “Caro, who are the other pro-alien reps? The influential ones?”
    “There are a few, but unfortunately, some of them have passed away in this last year.” Almost asked her why she hadn’t told me this before, but remembered that Caroline and Michael had missed Vance’s big Reveal on the Rooftop, and Michael had only really gotten up to speed tonight. And Caroline had been paying attention to the senatorial side of this thing, where no one had yet to be killed.
    “Name them. Please.”
    “Bowers, Holmes, Callahan, Porter, and Delarosa.”
    “So, does that mean we have no more pro-alien representatives in the House?”
    “Well,” Caroline said with a little laugh. “Jeff’s in there now, so there’s one for sure.”
    “I need to talk to Senator McMillan. Right now.”
    “Uh, okay. Hang on.”
    Covered the phone while Caroline spoke to McMillan. “Mister White, we need Raj and Rahmi back, pronto. The hell with the Dingo’s hideout.” White nodded and pulled out his phone.
    “Hello, Ambassador? What can I do for you?”
    “The bills you and Armstrong are worried about, there’s a line in all of them that’s basically saying that no alien can ever go against any U.S. law and such, correct?”
    “Yes. How did you know?”
    “Long story we have no time for. There are bills just like those going through the House.”
    “Yes. I heard Caroline’s side of your conversation. She listed most of those in the House who were planning to use their influence to get those bills shot down or returned to committee.”
    “Right, they’re all dead. Which of all of them was the most influential? Holmes?”
    “Well, I’d say that Wendell was, yes. But Edmund Brewer was as well. He was a junior congressman, but he had a good ability to sway. And he was hugely pro-alien. You’ve lost a good friend in more ways than one today.”
    “Yeah, I’m picking that up. He didn’t kill himself, by the way. So, Caroline didn’t sound like you all think the Senate’s going to shoot down those anti-alien bills.”
    “There are less of us, but not all constituents in all states feel comfortable with the new world order. There’s quite a lot of clamor for restrictions, if you will.”
    “Those aren’t restrictions, though. Those are laws that will force the A-Cs into slavery to the government.”
    “I agree. It’s why I oppose them, as does Senator Armstrong.”
    “If they pass, the President could veto. What happens if he does?”
    “If they pass in the first place, they’ll probably pass again to overturn the veto. It would be very bad for the President, either way, honestly. If he doesn’t veto, he’s lost the trust and support of all of the A-Cs. If he does veto, he’s going against the wishes of the majority of the country. At least that’s how it’ll be spun in the media.”
    “If they pass, the A-Cs will have to leave the U.S., if not the planet.” Because I wouldn’t let them stay, and neither would the rest of the leadership.
    “Well, that’s better than it could be, honestly.”
    “Really? What’s a worse option than exile?”
    McMillan was quiet for a moment. “War.”



CHAPTER 90
    “S ENATOR, I need to ask you three questions.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “First off, the other representatives that are dead, are they all pro-alien in some way?”
    “Honestly, no. At least as many virulently anti-alien representatives have passed away, and there were many undecided or neutral also who we’ve lost in this year.”
    “Interesting. Secondly, is there any one person who could influence enough of the House and Senate to ensure that these bills die without issue?”
    “Lillian Culver. Her clients are incredibly influential, so her views hold great sway.”
    Awesome. My best option to save the day was Joker Jaws. Did it get any better than this? Sources said that it probably did. “Don’t tell me, let me guess—Guy Gadoire would be number two on the sway list, wouldn’t he?”
    “Why do you think Senator Armstrong spends time with them?”
    “You don’t.”
    “I do when I need to make certain things happen.” Well, at least I could comfort myself that