Alien vs. Alien

of all kinds.”
    “Good. Colonel, can we alert our Bases that we have both an attack by unknown parties on Andrews and an alien invasion heading our way?” The last of our assigned agents arrived, equipment in tow. They bustled about, getting more screens, phones, computer terminals and such set up.
    Franklin nodded. “We’re in a state of emergency, and as of right now, I’m the highest-ranking officer on site, so, yes, please warn all Centaurion divisions, bases, and personnel that we’re under attack.”
    “Advising Gladys now, Chief. She’ll get information out and personnel prepped.”
    “Thanks, Walt. Henry, let’s get eyes on Andrews and the One World Festival
if
it isn’t too much trouble, and, yes, I’ll keep on nagging until we have the visuals. Speaking of nagging, Eddy, I still want all the information I asked you for right before our enemies tried to blow us to kingdom come.”
    “Your wish is my command.”
    “I wish we could find Jeff and Chuckie alive, well, and unharmed. Make it so.”
    No sooner were the words out of my mouth than a weird beeping filled the room.

    Yi

CHAPTER 80

    “T ELL ME THE EMBASSY ISN’T being bombed. And I’m not kidding about that.”
    “We are not under attack, Chief,” Walter shared. “And I’m not kidding about that, either.”
    The biggest screen in the room—which heretofore had had the schematic of the world with all the dead zones and tunnels on it—flashed to much more active life.
    “We have action in th e D.C. area tunnels,” Big George shouted.
    “We have action in areas other than the tunnels,” Omega Red added as more beeping started. “France and Paraguay have gone hot.”
    “Ah, Kitty?” Henry said nervously. “What did you do?”
    “I didn’t do anything.” Well, I’d made a wish. “I wish the alien armada would go away without harming us or the Alpha Centaurion system. Make it so.”
    “Kitty, are you high?” Stryker asked.
    “No. Just in case I’ve somehow gotten super wishing powers, though, I figured I’d toss another one out there to the Powers That Be. Yuri, what do you mean about hot in terms of France and Paraguay? We’ve seen and are seeing the action onscreen, and it’s been hot there for a while now.”
    “Not what I mean. It’s a long explanation that I’m not going to try to give you because Chuck isn’t here to translate it for you. Suffice to say, we’ve got some electronic signals that aren’t normal.”
    “They match the ones Ravi isolated,” Henry shared.
    “Hone in and confirm locations, numbers, access points, and potential hostiles,” Franklin said.
    Before I could ask Big George what was going on in the tunnels, I heard a step behind me. I spun around to see Christopher standing there, Patented Glare #3 going strong.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “And how did you get in?” William asked. “The basement gate is secured because of the Embassy’s shield.”
    Christopher shared Patented Glare #4 with William. “I came in via the floater gate you have in this room. And, Kitty, I’m doing what I spent my life training for. You’re not the only one who can ‘resign.’ ”
    “But we need you managing things at the Dome.”
    He snorted. “The last time you were there? Sure. Now? Now I have five women running things.”
    “Claudia and Lorraine are taking over?”
    “Oh, yes, believe me, but they’re actually not the ones running the show.” He shook his head. “Commander Dwyer reminded everyone that with James and Tim off dealing with the superbeings and supersoldiers, she, as the Head of Imageering, was in charge.”
    “Serene countermanded you? Really? How did she say this?” I normally thought of Serene as sweetness and innocence on the hoof.
    “She didn’t exactly say it.” Christopher looked slightly embarrassed. “She snarled it. Over the intercom system.”
    “She’s very pregnant.”
    “And she’s apparently been watching you, because she pulled rank faster than I can run.”
    I could see White. He looked quietly pleased. “Okay, but how did the Security team handle it?”
    “You mean after they wet themselves? Trust me, when she’s angry, Serene’s really able to channel when she was crazy and trying to kill you and anyone around you.”
    “That’s my girl. But still, why are you here? You weren’t supposed to resign. We need someone to be the face of American Centaurion if everything goes to hell.”
    Christopher snorted again and switched to