Alien vs. Alien

Patented Glare #1. “The moment Tito shared what was going on, Doreen said that if anyone was going to actually pretend to be the Ambassador in charge, it was going to be the one person with actual experience. She said to tell you that she has no issue returning to her regular position within the Embassy once things are normal, but until then, she said she’s taken over the diplomatic responsibilities.”
    “What did Paul say about this?”
    “You mean our Pontifex? Our Pontifex was politely told that, while he is indeed a member of Alpha Team, it’s more of a figurehead position, and as the religious ruler of our people and the vessel for ACE, he’d be sitting in his chair, under guard. He’s allowed to speak, I think, but only when spoken to. ACE, by the way, can butt in whenever, not that I think that’s going to happen. Before I was told to leave, Paul was allowed to share that ACE still seems distracted and distant.”
    “Works for me.” Well, the part about ACE didn’t, but hopefully we’d solve ACE’s problems, too. “So, Serene, Doreen, Claudia, and Lorraine is four. Who’s the fifth gal in the A-C Girl Power Club?”
    “My wife. And I can’t thank you enough for that.”
    “How is Amy being one of the ones in charge my fault?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. ‘Kitty’s not the only one who can handle an emergency or keep things going. Get out of here and do something useful and let those of us who understand crisis management handle the civilians.’ So, basically, thanks to you, my own wife kicked me out of the Dome.”
    I managed to keep a straight face, but it took effort. “But they let Tito stay?”
    “They like me better,” Tito said, as he rejoined us. “Glad you brought the gate along. I’ll ask how later.”
    “Abigail and Naomi are hella awesome is how.”
    “What about Captain Morgan?” Franklin asked. “Is he returning as well?”
    “No.” Tito was also having trouble keeping a straight face. “We have a lot of single girls over there, for a variety of reasons. It was requested that he remain to help protect them and to ensure we had U.S. Military presence and advice.”
    “Wow, awesome spin.” Nice to know Morgan met Dazzler requirements.
    “Captain Morgan was deemed particularly necessary because all the single women were recruited into active duty,” Tito added with a rather wicked grin. “Supposedly our Head of Recruitment authorized it.”
    “And I want to know when, where, how, and why you did that.” Christopher sounded pissed off and a little impressed.
    “I’m sure I did authorize it, but it’s all a blur. Been so very, very busy and all that. But back to our missing captain. Are you saying the ladies liked Captain Morgan more than you, Tito?”
    He laughed. “Nope. But he’s fresh meat.”
    “Excuse me?” Franklin asked, sounding shocked and a little worried.
    “A-C women prefer brains and brain capacity over anything else, Colonel. So, be happy, you have a smart guy as your adjunct.”
    “It’s called being sapiosexual,” Tito added. “And it’s a definite perk that comes with working for Centaurion. Unlike Christopher, I was given the choice of staying or going. Serene’s close but not due yet, and there are plenty of doctors there, including Melanie and Emily, who are heading up whatever the other gals aren’t, assisted by Magdalena,” he said to White.
    “And yet you chose to come back to help us?”
    “I went to the bathroom before I came back, just in case. But everyone having moved back to the Embassy was the deciding factor.”
    “You are the smart one, I’ve always said so. But not to worry—the Gower girls left Hacker International’s bathroom to be destroyed with the rest of the bunker.”
    “Confirming their intelligence.”
    “Too true. How’s Jamie?”
    “Fine,” Tito said with a grin as Christopher snorted.
    “Why does Christopher find that question funny?”
    “Because Serene told me that as far as helpers went, Jamie was always more useful than I am. Jamie’s sitting with her Uncle Paul, along with Aunt Lucinda and Uncle Alfred and your father, and she’s having the time of her life.”
    “Sorry Serene thinks Jamie’s more useful than you, Christopher.”
    “I had to demand to be given a good-bye kiss. From Jamie
and
Amy.”
    “Awww. She doesn’t seem to miss her mommy, and I’m not acting all down about it. Besides, I’m sure the girls are all just focused on doing their jobs and averting