Alien vs. Alien

curve.
    “You hear anything?” I asked as softly as possible.
    “No,” White said.
    “We’re picking up the same general being readings,” Christopher shared. “Now we can make out four instead of two. Even though I know the new bodies are the two of you, I can’t tell based on my talents, and neither can Naomi and Abigail.”
    Figured I’d save stating the obvious—that we needed to figure out what these tunnels were made or lined with as fast as possible—for another time.
    Instead, I pondered our situation. A-Cs had advanced hearing as well as all the other goodies. Maybe my hearing wasn’t yet up to
Bionic Woman
standards, but White was well past the
Six Million Dollar Man
. Therefore, if he couldn’t hear anything, when we were sure there were two other things around the corner, it meant they’d heard us and were doing the same as we were—trying not to make noise while sneaking up on the enemy.
    White had like󀀅ly figured the same, as he put his hand on my arm and tried to move me behind him. I shook my head and waved my Glock. He didn’t seem impressed.
    “I can shoot who or whatever,” I whispered in his ear.
    “Or they can shoot you,” he whispered back. “I’d prefer no bloodshed on our side if at all possible.”
    Heaved a sigh I ensured I kept silent. Considered other options and checked my purse. Harlie, Poofikins, and Fluffy were all there, looking expectant. “Poofies,” I said softly, “can you let Kitty know if whatever or whoever is around this corner is going to be dangerous for Kitty and Richard to meet?”
    The Poofs looked at me, then at each other, then back at me. They mewled softly. I had no idea what they meant and found myself wishing I’d brought Bruno along for translation services if nothing else.
    “Kitty doesn’t understand.”
    Three Poofy sighs greeted this. I got the distinct impression they were all disappointed in me and thinking I was none too swift. Or else they didn’t understand me, which, while it seemed unlikely, was always possible. They didn’t budge, however.
    “Maybe go big and toothy? So whatever it is can’t hurt my Poofies?”
    Three Poof heads cocked to the side then snorted at me in a way that was both derisive and incredibly adorable. Clearly, however, this wasn’t an option they were thrilled with.
    Feeling like a catcher with three really stubborn rookie pitchers in front of me, I tried again. “Can you sneak over and see who’s there, and report back to Kitty? Or something, anything?”
    Poofikins jumped onto my shoulder. Harlie and Fluffy bounded around the corner. Now, with my most vague directive, was when they were choosing to listen?
    “No, wait.” I flung myself around the curve, dragging White, who was still trying to hold me back, along with me. I needed to be ready to back the Poofs if at all necessary.
    Of course, once I rounded the curve, I realized the Poofs were right—I was an idiot.

    Yi

CHAPTER 88

    “W HOA THERE, WONDER WOMAN. Still against the rules to shoot your boss.”
    “Kitty, Chuck’s signal is finally stabilizing,” Ravi said urgently in our ears. “I can see where they are.” He coughed. “Ah, they’re pretty much where we figure you are.”
    True enough, because we were staring at Jeff and Chuckie, who each now had a Poof on their shoulders giving them happy Poofy love rubs.
    “Fantastic. Thanks for that eleventh-hour confirmation, Ravi. For the record, this isn’t your finest moment, though your earlier moments make up for it.” Examined Jeff and Chuckie. They seemed ambulatory and I didn’t see signs of loss of limbs or even bleeding. “You know, if you two are actually okay, I think I’m going to kill you.”
    I put my Glock carefully back into my purse, removed the Bluetooth and dropped it in, then moved Poofikins back in as well. Took my purse off and handed it to White. Then I ran at top speed for Jeff.
    He caught me, picked me up, and hugged me tightly. “We’re okay, baby, I promise.” His hug felt normal, but I could tell he was holding something in his hand.
    “Define ‘okay,’ ” Chuckie said. “I feel like crap.” Looked over at him. Yeah, Chuckie didn’t look as though he’d had the best day ever. He was also holding something, and in such a way that neither I nor White could see what it was.
    “What happened and where the
hell
have you two been?” Okay, it wasn’t actually what I’d been planning to say, during all the time I’d been worried about