Alien Proliferation

myself.
    “I don’t think so. Your body’s adapted to it really well. I think it’s because the drug was originally based on what our people were working on for both human and A-C suspended animation. I think it’s a combination of both, and that’s why it’s not hurting you. I mean, if you consider becoming superhuman not being hurt.”
    “Dude, I consider it the most awesome thing ever, as long as I’m not gonna die from it in like a month or something and as long as it’s not hurting my baby.”
    “I looked at her, too. Jamie’s fine. She looks like Jeff inside, same cellular changes.”
    “Christopher, this is both the most interesting and most gross conversation I’ve had since Tito described how this happened to me. Where is my snarkmeister? I’d love a snarky comeback instead of Doctor McSteamy.”
    He managed a grin. “Too tired to snark. I just want out of here, so badly.”
    “I know, honey.” I stroked his head some more, and he closed his eyes.
    “That feels so nice.”
    A thought occurred. “Christopher, can you see the makeup of things that aren’t human? Like, can you tell if what you injected was pure or synthetic?”
    “Haven’t tried.” His eyes were still closed. “Where’s Jeff?”
    “Um . . . out.”
    Christopher’s eyes stayed shut. “Is he going to help Tim?”
    “Yeah. How did you know about that?”
    “Tim came to see me yesterday. Kind of following up on whatever I might have let slide because of being locked in here like an animal. He was upset that Alicia still wasn’t home, happy we still had a team at Saguaro International, that sort of thing. So I’ve been watching him. He’s okay, at least he was the last time I checked.”
    Made sure my voice was really casual. “Honey? How far is your range?”
    He opened his eyes. “Alexander and Councillor Leonidas are having some trouble, but not with each other. Otherwise, they and Victoria are doing okay. Jareen and Neeraj are expecting, but they don’t know it yet.”

 
    CHAPTER 39
     
    “O H, MY GOD. YOU’RE SEEING people in the Alpha Centauri system?” I managed not to shriek. Good, good. I was calm, cool, and collected.
    “Yeah.” He swallowed. “Is this the part where I make that horrible laugh and turn evil and then try to kill everyone I love, right before you and Jeff kill me to save the world?” He was serious, and trying not to cry.
    “Oh, honey, no.” I hugged him as best I could, stroked his hair, and kissed his forehead. “Having power is one thing. Using it unwisely is another. Honey, you’ve always been powerful. And all you and Jeff have done with that power is protect people and worlds, and you both could have taken over without even trying hard. Chuckie thinks you and Jeff were already genetic evolutionary steps.”
    “You mean mutations.”
    “I was trying for the positive, comforting spin. Besides, I’m a mutant, now, too.” I kissed his head. “I’m totally jazzed about it, by the way, especially since you said I’m not going to die from it and that Jamie’s safe.”
    He managed a weak chuckle. “Glad one of us is.”
    “Honey, this is why you were shooting up, remember?”
    Christopher heaved a sigh. “Yeah. Oh, and I don’t need you to mention what an idiot I was. I’m clear on that.” He was quiet for a few moments. “Kitty . . . I’m terrified.”
    “I know.” Stroked his hair while I tried to figure out how to say what I needed to without making him feel belittled. “Jeff was scared, too, when this happened to him. I know Serene was also. But they both got past it and learned to deal with new powers. You will, too.” I kissed his head. “How did you get the Surcenthumain?”
    “The what?”
    “That’s the drug’s official name.”
    “Never heard it before.”
    “How did you get it?”
    “I . . . don’t remember.” He sounded confused. “I remember watching Reynolds do some work with Abigail and Naomi. James was there, and he made a joke about how those two could probably shift galaxies if they had that Club Fifty-One drug. Reynolds got pissed and went into his antidrug rant. I thought it could be a good thing if we did it right . . . and then, I can remember the second time I injected myself.”
    “The second time?”
    “Yeah. Not the first. I remember being really pissed at Reynolds for something—I think he’d made some comment about Jeff getting to you in time because of the drug and that being the only reason he didn’t