Alien vs. Alien

you.”
    “No. Thank you. For still doing your job better than anyone else.”
    Walter looked proud. “Thanks, Chief.” He nodded to the other men, then zipped off, presumably heading to his Mini-Command Center attached to his rooms.
    “You sure this is okay, Mister White?”
    “I’m sure that Walter’s points were well made and accurate.” As he spoke, a platoon of Security A-Cs trooped up from the basement. “Head to the third floor. Our Head of Security’s there and he’ll tell you what to do.” They nodded and hypersped off.
    As they did so, I felt someone watching me. Looked aro"2em">
    The two I knew were named George and Gracie did the head bob thing to me, then headed off. I knew they were going to join Walter in his Command Center. Han and Leia, who belonged to Chuckie, shot me very worried looks, then wandered off. I knew without asking they were on patrol. I also knew without asking they were worried about Chuckie and conflicted as to whether they should stay at the Embassy or go in search of him.
    Tito rejoined us, big medical kit in hand. His Peregrines, Brad and Angie, followed him into the room. I managed not to ask aloud if they were coming along or merely guarding us while we were still on premises. It turned out I didn’t need to speak. Brad gave me a long look and somehow shared that they were going to stay here once we left.
    I didn’t drink any more because A-Cs were deathly allergic to alcohol and I never wanted Jeff unable to kiss me. But right now, I really wanted to go to a bar and tell the guy behind the counter to make me a stiff one and keep ’em coming.
    “Where are we heading?” Armstrong asked.
    I thankfully pulled myself away from the contemplation of my mental breakdown and back to the matter at hand. “That, Senator, is the question of the moment.” I pulled out my phone. I had no texts or missed calls. Specifically, I had no texts or calls from Jeff or Chuckie. I felt my worry spike.
    Now that things were sort of handled and I sort of knew something of what was going on, taking a moment to think might be wise. This, of course, meant taking a moment to run my yap some more. Never an issue.
    “You know, I want to ask one of Amy’s insightful questions again. Why did Senator Armstrong get the new set of dirty pictures today of all days?”
    “Because they’re going to put whatever their plan of action is into effect today,” Buchanan said without missing a beat.
    “Right, no argument. But . . .”
    “But, Missus Martini?”
    Armstrong’s eyes narrowed. “You’re asking not only why today but when today, aren’t you?”
    “Yeah. They gave you time to get out of the One World Festival and get over to us.”
    Buchanan jerked. “Which they expected him to do.”
    “Right. They expected a different reaction for the first set of phony porno pics, but this time they knew he was going to come right to us.”
    “Right to you,” White corrected. “You’re who he went to before.”
    “So they’ve anticipated my actions well,” Armstrong said. “But why send me away from the Festival?”
    “Why did they try to keep you away from the President’s Ball? My guess is that whoever it is still feels they can convince you to do what they want. Either because you have similar leanings anyway, are already up to your neck in it all, or because they can force you via blackmail.”
    “So, do we go to the Festy, are alrival?” Buchanan asked. “Or do we go after Mister Joel Oliver like he’s expecting?”
    Considered the facts as we knew them. “Whatever’s going on there, everything’s been done to keep me and the senator away. I say it’s high time we crash that party and see what’s so special about it.”

    Yi

CHAPTER 49

    “I SUPPOSE TAKING A GATE IS OUT,” Tito said.
    “I think we want to be able to get away. And I don’t even know if anyone would give us a floater gate without Alpha Team’s permission, especially since we’re not in any danger we know of.” And I was positive Alpha Team wouldn’t give said permission.
    “My car is down the street,” Armstrong said.
    “How trustworthy is your driver?” Buchanan asked.
    Armstrong shrugged. “Yesterday I’d have said completely. Today, I have no idea.”
    “We could take one of our limos and be on our way.” My worry about Jeff and Chuckie grew. I sent a text to Jeff, asking him where he was and what he was doing.
    “I don’t want to leave my driver,” Armstrong said. “Not only is