Alien vs. Alien

the ones in the U.S.”
    Before anyone could reply, ask questions, or fret about our android situation, the hatch of the Z’porrah ship opened, and a beam of light came from it.

    Yi

CHAPTER 103

    W E ALL BRACED FOR ANOTHER ATTACK, but there was none. Apparently the beam of light thing was how the Z’porrah got in and out of their ships every time, even if they were only traveling about three feet.
    The six of us zipped down the stairs and over to the flying saucer. We were joined by a lot of Field agents. Reader and Tim were there as well. “Military’s on the way,” Reader said as we joined him.
    “Why aren’t they here already?”
    “Same reason we’re not looking forward to a nuclear winter—nothing would work.”
    I leaned against Jeff. ACE, are you there?
    Yes, Kitty, ACE is here. And Alexander is wrong. ACE does not wish to leave.
    I’m glad. Thank you for keeping us from destroying ourselves while trying to destroy the Z’porrah.
    ACE does not like the Z’porrah.
    Because they’re evil, or because what they do is evil?
    The Z’porrah are not evil. But the Z’porrah are wrong.
    About what? Silence. Do I need to know?
    Kitty does not need to know right now. The machines will work again now. ACE cannot always interfere.
    We understand. Thank you again for saving us.
    ACE only did some. Others helped ACE.
    Who? ACE was quiet, but he didn’t feel distressed. Time to guess. The Poofs?
    To some extent. Control of the Power Cubes is important. The Poofs did well.
    There had to be more. Thought about it. Jamie and the rest of the hybrid babies?
    Yes. ACE will not leave. ACE has many new penguins to care for, and these need ACE. ACE is happy to be needed.
    And loved, ACE. Never forget that.
    ACE does not.
    ACE? How did Jamie get to us in time?
    Jamie knew Kitty and Jeff and Christopher needed Jamie. There was a bit of evasiveness in his tone.
    Why did she come when she did? No reply. Thought about it. Did she come because I specifically mentioned her?
    In a way.
    Thought about it some more. Were you keeping her in the Dome and safe?
    ACE . . . did not want Jamie to go into danger until Jamie had to.
    So, did you let her go or did she get away from you?
    There was another long pause. Even ACE can lose concentration. He sounded embarrassed.
    It happens, even to the most watchful of parents, ACE. And she really did save the day.
    ACE is happy Jamie did well and that Kitty and Jeff and Christopher and all the others are still alive. ACE wishes ACE could have saved everyone. But ACE could not.
    He sounded so sad, regretful, and tired I wanted to hug and hold him, but that wasn’t really something I could do, unless I found Gower and hugged him, and that wasn’t quite the same thing.
    No, but ACE appreciates Kitty’s caring for ACE.
    Were you hurt?
    ACE would like . . . time to rest.
    Are you able to rest? Is it over?
    Yes. For now.
    Well, that’s all we can hope for, isn’t it?
    Yes. Kitty is wise. Kitty thinks right. ACE is always thankful for Kitty.
    And I’m always thankful for you, ACE.
    Felt ACE hug my mind, and then he was gone.
    Reader was barking orders, telling each Field team to take control of one Z’porrah. Wasn’t sure how many Z’porrah there were, but hopefully we had enough A-Cs to handle it.
    “Ambassadors Martini,” Armstrong’s voice boomed behind us. “There you are. Safe and sound, I see.”
    Armstrong wasn’t alone. White was with him, which was nice, but a number of other people who looked vaguely familiar were with him, too—meaning they were probably politicians I’d met but hadn’t really interacted with—which wasn’t. Fabulous. On the plus side, Oliver was with him as well, looking as though all his dreams had come true at the exact moment he didn’t have a camera on him.
    “Senator,” Jeff said a trifle suspiciously. “Good to see you.”
    “Better to see you,” Armstrong said. “Excellent work on the experimental aircraft. American Centaurion truly does amazing work. Doesn’t it, Mister Reynolds?”
    Chuckie stared at Armstrong for a good long few moments. I had a feeling that Chuckie’s answer was going to determine how hard the Powers That Be pressed for Centaurion to become the War Division. “These weren’t American Centaurion design,” he said finally. “These ships weren’t created in this 󀀅@solar system.”
    “If you say so.” Armstrong’s smile didn’t falter. He and Chuckie were having a stare down. Good luck to Armstrong. I’d