Alien Proliferation

looked ready to leave.
    “Not at all.” Chuckie rolled his eyes as Christopher hit him with patented Glare #3. “If ETD and P.T.C.U. personnel are targeted, it stands to reason we are so targeted in order to, once again, attempt to destabilize Centaurion Division. I want Alpha Team here, right here, until we have the Pontifex safely back.”
    “Reynolds, you don’t control Centaurion any more.” Jeff was ready to go again, I could tell.
    “Oh, Jeff, stop. And, Chuckie, don’t start. I’m just too freaking tired, and the baby’s going to need to eat soon, at least if my inflatable chest is any indication. Jeff, Chuckie’s right, let’s get Richard back and not risk someone else to do it. If he’s already safe, there’s no reason for us to go racing off to help finish the save.”
    “I’m going to get my father, sorry,” Christopher snapped. “I’m not going to be in danger.”
    “Sure you are.” Mom sighed. “Remember when you first met Kitty? They were trying to kill her to get to me. It’s an age-old plan—put the people the target loves in danger—and it always works.”
    “I foiled that one.” Just wanted it on record. Besides, Amy hadn’t heard about it.
    “Yes, yes, kitten, well done.” Mom shook her head. “You’d have thought she didn’t need constant praise still, but you’d be wrong.”
    “Humph.”
    “ Anyway ,” Mom went on, “Christopher, stay here. We’re pulling everyone in for safety. If you go running off, that means you could indeed get into trouble, and then more of us would have to run after you, and soon the entire facility’s running around out and unprotected.”
    Jamie started to cry. “Okay, everyone out. Conspiracy theories later. Jeff and I need a few minutes alone here.” Mom and Reader weren’t budging. I looked at them. They looked back. “Oh, fine. You two can stay.” I handed Jamie to my mother. “Enjoy the diaper check.”
    She smiled and took the baby over to the changing area. This room was, as all A-C facilities were, set up really nicely.
    Everyone else filed out, Chuckie staying right by Christopher. Amy looked lost. “Ames, you can stay, too.”
    “Okay, thanks.”
    Jeff sighed. “So much for that special bonding time between parents and baby.”
    I kissed him as he helped me lie down. “We’ll have plenty of time. But, Jeff?” I wanted to ask him to stay with me unless it was dire, but I felt that was being sort of needy and potentially risky.
    He kissed me. “I’m not leaving you and Jamie unless that’s the best way I can protect you two. Okay?” I nodded and felt much safer. He grinned. “More than anything else, you feeling that way makes me feel good.”
    Fed Jamie while Mom, Reader, and Amy all watched. It was kind of like being on my own reality TV show. Thought about something. “Gladys, you there?”
    “Yes, Commander Martini. What happened to the ‘com on’ shout?”
    “Figured it was still on. Could you please ask Serene to come in here?”
    “Okay.” Gladys sounded confused, but she didn’t argue.
    Serene arrived a minute or so later. She was only a few months pregnant, just barely showing. Lucky thing. She walked in the room and looked at Amy. “Oh, wow. You’re Kitty’s friend from high school, aren’t you?”
    Amy looked shocked. “Yes. Uh, have we met?”
    “No. I’ve seen your picture. Brian showed it to me.”
    “Brian?” Amy looked at me. “Your ex Brian?”
    “Yep. He’s married to Serene now. They’re good together.”
    Serene nodded. “I was going to convert to Catholicism, but Brian said he didn’t need me to, but he’s going to convert to our religion. He says he thinks it’s the right thing for the baby.” She looked around the room. “Hi, Angela. I’m so glad Kitty didn’t die.”
    That was Serene, sweet and blunt. “Me too,” Mom said dryly.
    “Serene, you’ve already covered one of my concerns. Do me a favor—I need you to be sure Christopher is who we think he is, and Richard, too, when he returns.”
    “Okay.” She concentrated. “Christopher’s in the hall. He looks really upset. What’s up with his eyes? He looks like he hasn’t slept in days.”
    “Yeah, that’s why I was worried. But it’s him, right?”
    “Right.” She was quiet. “Everyone here is who they should be, Kitty. But Richard isn’t here.”
    “He should be coming, soon. At least, I hope it’s him.”
    “Why?” Jeff asked. He didn’t need to elaborate.
    “Robotics. Yates was