Alien vs. Alien

audition for Crazed Shooter #2.
    “So,” I finished, “I have to be honest when I tell you that alien invasion was just me spitballing it, because Casey gave me the idea. Besides, there’s no way in the world I can believe that anyone in Club Fifty-One is in the know about anything other than how to be conspiracy theorists.”
    “Maybe not, but whether they were guessing or actually know, they’re right,” Morgan pointed out.
    Franklin looked worried. “They had high-level assistance the last time they surfaced.”
    “It’s safe to assume they do now, as well,” White agreed. “However, unless you have Club Fifty-One personnel identified on base, we’d now like information from you, since, one way or the other, Missus Martini and her Club Fifty-One contact are correct and we’re being invaded.”
    “And, I’d like to know what you did with Mister Joel Oliver and the other people we sent here for safekeeping.” We’d already lost Jeff, Chuckie, and, apparently, a colonel. I didn’t want to lose anyone else.
    “They’re here, at least most of them,” Franklin said. “I’m just not confident we can or should share this with them.”
    “Well, all of them are aware that there are aliens on Earth. If they weren’t aware before this afternoon, they’re sure aware now. And I think they all may have information we need, even if they don’t realize theyhave it.”
    All three men looked at me. “Even I’m having a challenge with that one, Missus Martini.”
    “They’ve seen things, and maybe they don’t realize they’re important things, but we know the questions to ask, or at least, I think I do. Can we do this with the others, though? In part because I want to reassure myself they’re all alive and well and actually here.”
    Franklin rubbed the bridge of his nose. “We have a security failure if I simply read anyone and everyone in on what’s going on.”
    “Colonel Franklin, that ‘security issue’ wheeze is what got us into at least half of this mess already. I promise to swear that I threatened you with Decapitation by Peregrine in order to make you speak, should, you know, any of us be alive tomorrow for anyone to care about it.”
    “Good point. Considering what’s heading for us, I’m more concerned about someone leaking what’s coming and causing mass panic.”
    “Mister Joel Oliver will keep whatever we ask him to in confidence.”
    “He’s not my main worry,” Franklin said. “Your Club Fifty-One people are a much bigger concern. But, fine. Why not end my career in a spectacular way and have the shortest command of this base in Air Force history?”

    Yi

CHAPTER 61

    W ITH THAT EXCITING Pronouncement of Doom, Colonel Franklin led us to a door opposite the one we’d entered his office through. This door connected us to a larger room that had clearly shared the same decorator as Martini Manor.
    The room was filled with nice, comfy-looking, and also expensive-looking furniture. The art on the walls was tasteful and only somewhat military. While this room had no windows, there was a fully stocked wet bar with nice crystal. A big door leading to another room was emblazoned “Executive Washroom.”
    “This is where the President hangs out when he has to visit, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.” Franklin sounded mildly impressed. “I’ve been given to believe you haven’t read any of your briefing materials, Missus Martini. Or should I be calling you Ambassador under the circumstances?”
    “Oh, Colonel, under these circumstances, feel free to call me Kitty. And I haven’t read the Briefing Books of Boredom. I’m just a really good guesser.”
    I took a look at the room’s occupants. Happily, the Gower girls and the Barones were here, as were Tito, Armstrong, and Oliver. Sadly, Bellie was also here, perched on, of all people, Oliver’s shoulder. Mona and her men were here as well, as was Buchanan, who looked relieved to see me. We even had a newcomer to today’s festivities—William, who was Walter’s older brother and the best imageer we had after Christopher and Serene.
    “Nice to see you, Will.”
    “Happy to be here, Ambassador. Commander Reader pulled me from the Festival and assigned me to your team for the duration of this situation.”
    “Works for me.” There were, however, a few key bodies missing. Bodies I’d sort of hoped would still be around. “Where’s my mother, James, and Airborne?”
    “Chief Katt went back to the White House,” Morgan