Alien vs. Alien

trigger.
    Happily or un-, depending on which viewpoint you took, he dodged as anticipated. I fired again, lower. He had to leap out of the way. I moved closer and fired again. He dodged and backed up.
    “I want my men back, alive and unscathed.”
    “Too bad.”
    I did a rapid-fire technique Mom had taught me, and this time I hit him. It wasn’t a fatal shot in any way, but his side was bleeding. He shouted in pain. I tried not to let that give me a feeling of satisfaction. Failed.
    “I want them back, or I’m going to kill you, Clarence. This is a fifteen-shot clip, and I have a ton of extra clips in my purse. The Peregrines will keep you within range. So, tell me where Jeff and Chuckie are or prepare to bleed to death.”
    I did another rapid-fire technique and winged his arm and thigh. Mom was an awesome teacher, and apparently I was an apt pupil.
    Clarence looked shocked that he was hit again. “How are you hitting me?” The pain was clearly shocking him into moving at human speeds, which was helpful.
    “I’m good that way. And you’re going to be dead. Soon.” I fired at his head again.
    This time he dodged, turned, and ran. He was limping, so running at human speed.
    I ran after him. “Come back here, you coward!” I fired again at a nearby tree. I felt bad for the foliage, but hopefully Mother Nature would forgive me.
    Apparently the sound of my Glock going off again spooked him sufficiently, because Clarence flipped it up to hyperspeed and disappeared. I stopped at the edge of the trees and put my gun back into my purse, being careful to not let it touch the Poofs. Didn’t bother with the safety because, hey, why mess with my normal theme? Something nudged against my leg. “Bruno, my bird, is he still running?”
    Bruno cooed and warbled.
    “Oh? Good. Over the bridge already and not looking back. Excellent. A big well done goes to you and your flock, by the way.”
    I heard a lot of bird cooing and turned around to see about half the flock there, looking proud. “My Peregrines and Poofs rock.” Han and Leia were among the group. “Can you two find Chuckie?” I asked as White joined us.
    Much distressed warbling from them and the others.
    “What’s the status, Missus Martini?”
    “Clarence has done a real runner and is long gone. Hopefully Gladys can track him.”
    “I’m sure she can, at least for a while. Nice shooting, by the way.”
    “Thanks, I do my best. Han and Leia can’t find Chuckie, and they’re freaked. I think we need the Peregrines to go back to the Embassy, though.”
    “I agree. I believe that will be the likely next point of attack.”
    “Yeah. Clarence has confirmed none of us are there, and I supposedly had the Gower girls sent there. So,” I said to the flock, “you all need to go help George and Gracie protect Walter and the rest of the Security guys who are there. And maybe call in more. Bottom line—don’t let them take the Embassy.”
    There were warbles, coos, and caws. Several bird chests were puffed out, and not just by the males.
    “That’s right! We’re not gonna let them take
our
nest!”
    More caws and a variety of hoots.
    “Can I get a bird amen?”
    All the flock hooted and flapped their wings.
    “Can I get a
real
bird amen?”
    They hooted, flapped up into the air, and cawed all the way back down.
    “That’s what Kitty’s talkin’ about! Now, go get ’em. And be careful out there!”
    The Peregrines all flew around our heads and then disappeared. Other than Bruno, who nudged up against me and cooed in a questioning way. He sounded a little worried. “Oh, I know, Bruno. You’re my main bird man. I want you with me, so you did the right thing, as always. And you led an awesome and successful defensive maneuver.”
    He didn’t seem convinced I was pleased. I gave him a scritchy-scratch between his wings. He liked it, but it wasn’t enough, I could tell.
    “Gimme feather, down low.” I put down my hand, Bruno hit it with a wing. “Other side.” Did it with the other hand and other wing. “Victory salute, real slow.” Put both hands up, he flapped both wings against my palms. “That’s how we do it down in bird town!” Bruno looked pleased again, so all was back to right in the Peregrine World.
    I finished this to see White both looking pleased and like he was really trying not to laugh his head off. “Well done, Missus Martini.”
    “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t tell Jeff about this.”
    “I sincerely hope we can find him