Alien vs. Alien

ladies. Under the circumstances we are, have been, and likely will be in over the next few weeks at least, I have to insist that no one in Centaurion Division is allowed to throw what I’d consider an overly excessive party. kessw week”
    “And why is that?” Lucinda asked haughtily.
    “Because a huge formal affair leaves all of Centaurion exposed and in danger in ways we can’t afford to risk at this time.” The way Chuckie said this indicated the No Parties Rule was in full effect and would be enforced by the U.S. military.
    “My son might have something to say about that.” Lucinda sounded even haughtier, if such were possible. She also glared at Alfred, clearly expecting his support on this one.
    “He might, but it won’t matter,” Chuckie replied calmly. “I outrank all of you.”
    “You have no rank within Centaurion Division,” Alfred said, wisely supporting his wife.
    Chuckie laughed. “I don’t need a rank. My position within the C.I.A. ensures that I control all of Centaurion Division. I don’t like to constantly remind all of you of such,” his eyes and voice went icy, “but with one word I can make your lives miserable in the extreme. Now, this discussion is over, because if one more person tries to suggest Centaurion needs to throw a big party, I’m putting Centaurion officially under C.I.A. control.”
    Lucinda opened her mouth. White spoke first, however. “Agreed, Mister Reynolds.” He looked at his sister. “You’re done. Complain to Alfred, in private, but we cannot afford for the C.I.A. to feel forced to exercise their authority.”
    Lucinda looked over at Jeff. “You’re not going to argue with him?”
    Jeff shrugged. “I’m no longer the Head of Field, remember? You can argue about this with James and Paul, but I can guarantee they’re going to back Reynolds.”
    I wasn’t sure what the next words were going to be or who would say them. But I decided it was time to toss out some diplomacy. “Hey, I’m starving. What say we eat whatever delicious meal Lucinda’s prepared?” It was sure to be delicious—she was a great cook.
    The others quickly took up the “I’m hungry” chant. Lucinda smiled graciously at me. “Well, since our guests are ready to eat, I suppose we can table any further ideas about the reception for a time when we’re not in a state of emergency.” She got up and headed for the kitchen.
    Everyone else looked at each other. It was clear no one really knew what to say. I didn’t want us discussing the only state of emergency I knew about, which involved naked pictures of me and Chuckie. I could tell Amy and Christopher didn’t want to talk about weddings or receptions or anything remotely similar. Chuckie had his “you owe me” expression going and I knew it would be a bad idea to try to make him come up with a legitimate state of emergency excuse. I’d used up my only idea already.
    “I smell meatloaf,” Tito announced as if nothing untoward had happened, thankfully breaking the uncomfortable silence in the room.
    Jeff groaned. “It figures.”

    Yi

CHAPTER 7

    C HUCKIE GLANCED AT ME. “I think you should help your mother-in-law in the kitchen.”
    I was about to ask when, in all the years he’d known me, my helping in a kitchen had ever been a good idea, when Jeff nodded. “Yeah, please do, baby.”
    The idea of arguing appealed to me, but I decided to do as asked. Surely they both had a reason for this request.
    Sure enough, they did—I trotted into the kitchen to hear the sounds of someone crying quietly.
    Lucinda had her face buried in a dish towel. Okay, this wasn’t good. I went to her and put my arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry we can’t have the party.” It was a lie, but sometimes you had to tell a whopper to make someone else feel better.
    She shook her head, face still buried, shoulders still shaking.
    “Um, sorry you and Amy had a fight. She just really wants you to like her.” This was true, though Amy probably wasn’t going to be pleased I’d told Lucinda so.
    Lucinda took her face out of the towel. “I do like her.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly in that way you do when you’re trying really hard not to lose it again. “I don’t understand why Richard isn’t insisting on this party. Just because he’s retired as Pontifex doesn’t mean he should be ignoring things.”
    Things. Not traditions. “Um, what things, exactly, is Richard ignoring?”
    Lucinda heaved a sigh. “The