Alien Proliferation

Centaurion’s not the only group with lobbyists. I’m sure Gaultier has a lobbyist or two, and I’m sure they’ve become good pals with the A-C Diplomatic Corps.”
    “Probably,” Mom said. “I’ve mentioned I can’t stand Robert Coleman, right?”
    “At my wedding, yeah. I hate his wife a lot more. Look, they may be A-Cs, and maybe they’ve learned how to fake it better than the rest of them, but the entire race literally cannot lie, at least believably to humans.” I knew Chuckie disagreed, and I also knew he was probably right, but now wasn’t the time to focus us all on finding the A-C liars, since it was clear to me that we knew who the main ones were anyway.
    “It makes them vulnerable to lies, though,” Walker said slowly. “I mean, look at the Pontifex.”
    “Richard. We need him. Gladys, any sign of Herbert Gaultier?”
    “No, Commander. Which is why I haven’t alerted you. We’re still searching. Should I assume you want me to send the Pontifex to you?”
    “Yes, thanks. Tell him it’s extremely urgent.”
    “He already knows. He’s been on the com with me since your call from the bathroom.”
    “Nice. Mister White, please hyperspeed down here.”
    “At your beck and call, Missus Martini.” No sooner had his voice died on the speaker than he was at the door.
    “Why is it you hyperspeed faster than the Security guys?”
    “I’m in better shape. I told you when we first met, I can perform at active agent levels.”
    “Good, we may need you to come along with us.”
    “Kitty, are you crazy?” It looked like Hughes was speaking for everyone. “Every scheme is designed to put the Pontifex in danger. He was already at risk, remember?”
    “Well, see, the thing is—”
    “As Commander Martini has been saying, this is an elaborate plan to make billions of dollars selling a dangerous and severely undertested drug.” White sounded calm, which was good. I wondered if he was clear on how much danger his son and nephew were in and figured he was. “As such, I was never in danger. You all were supposed to think I was in danger, so you would continue to work to find the nonexistent mole.”
    “Mister White, thank God you’ve come.”
    He nodded. “I’ve also already alerted Alfred. As of yet, he has not received a request for patent rights.”
    “Where are his daughters and, more importantly, their husbands?”
    “Sylvia is here, and Clarence, as you know, is in solitary confinement. Jonathan is with Marianne at the Martini estate. The other three told their wives they were at the Embassy.”
    “So they’re either hostages or in on it.”
    Naomi closed her eyes. “Can’t get it out of Clarence. He’s really into the purity of the race thing, though. He seems to believe Al Dejahl is going to rescue him.” She opened her eyes. “Right after Al Dejahl kills Richard and takes over as the new Sovereign Pontifex.”
    “Wow, usually they want to kill Richard to just not have a Pontifex any more. Mister White, you’re moving up in the elaborate ruse world.”
    “Truly, I’m thrilled. However, this entire plot seems to me to be centered around you, Missus Martini.”
    “As flattering as it won’t be, why so?”
    “The threats were all to people in your orbit. I am in that orbit, let me remind you.”
    I thought about it. “Gladys? What do you think?”
    “Beg pardon? You want my opinion?”
    “Yeah. Because you’re sort of our A-C God in the Machine.”
    “I’d suggest calling the real one.”
    I looked at Naomi and Abigail. “Duh.” Said in unison. Too busy to care.
    I closed my eyes and concentrated. ACE, can you hear me?
    Yes, Kitty, ACE is here. Please hurry.
    Hurry to where, ACE? I think we know what’s going on, but we don’t know where you all are.
    ACE is not with the others.
    What do you mean? Where’s Paul?
    Paul and ACE are together. They attacked Paul and ACE first, because of ACE , he wailed. Paul is unconscious, and ACE must stay with Paul or Paul will die.
    ACE, they’re the evil ones, not you. Don’t blame yourself. Where do they have you and Paul stashed?
    In an airless chamber.
    Managed not to scream, either out loud or in my head. Why?
    So ACE would be unable to help the others.
    ACE, where are you all? Are you in Paris?
    Not any longer. ACE and Paul are in something that is moving. It stops, then starts again.
    And the others?
    The only thing ACE and Paul saw before the attack was a circle with letters in it.
    A-B-C?
    Yes.
    I’m on my way,