Alien vs. Alien

out of the Dulce Science Center and was technically Walter’s boss. “Building is being scanned. I also checked the sensors and scanners Mister Reynolds installed in the tunnels. No sign of any infiltration there. No alarms have been triggered.” Walter sounded tense. “Chief Martini, what would you like me to do?” This was Walter’s way of saying he had no clue. Which was fine. I’d accepted long ago that most men didn’t like to admit when they were scared and clueless.
    Jeff sighed. “No idea, Walter. Sit tight for the moment.”
    The Poofs hadn’t stopped growling. I sniffed. Nothing. “Walter, flood, fire, electrical issues?”
    “No, ma’am, Chief. Again, I’ve checked. Have Dulce Security on com with us now.”
    “Gladys, how goes it?”
    “Fine, Chief Katt-Martini. Dulce Security lives to serve, at any hour of the day or night. Chief Martini, have scanned the building, nothing shows as wrong.”
    “Gladys, everyone, and by that I mean every man, woman, Poof and other animal, is up and freaked out. We’d all like to get back to bed. Any chance of that?”
    “No idea, Chief Katt-Martini. Scans show nothing.”
    “I woke up with a feeling we were going to be attacked. Then the Poofs woke up. And the dogs. And so forth. Something’s going on.”
    “I agree with Kitty.” Christopher was on the group com now. “I woke up, too, before Amy, Toby, or Mignon.” Toby was Christopher’s Poof and Mignon was Amy’s. Amy had given her Poof a French name—mignon meant cute in French. I had no argument with the name, but Jeff felt it was only slightly less silly than Poofikins. “But they woke up soon after, and both Poofs went large and are at full alert.”
    Chiefs, have inquired,” Walter said. “Only Consul White and Chief Katt-Martini were awakened before the Poofs or other personnel.”
    “What would wake up me and Christopher but not anyone else?”
    “Good question, baby. I have no answer.”
    No sooner were these words out of Jeff’s mouth than a bright glow showed under our door. Bellie started shrieking her head off—loudly enough that we could hear her through the soundproofing. And every Poof, including the one with Jamie, went large and toothy.

    Yi

CHAPTER 24

    T HERE WAS A THUD OUTSIDE the door and the glowing stopped. “Everyone else just get a package shipped via Creep Out Express?”
    “Yes. Confirmed, Chief. Unidentified objects outside all inhabited bedroom doorways. Including guest rooms.” Walter sounded tenser than I felt.
    “Only the inhabited ones?”
    “Yes, confirmed.” Gladys also sounded tense. “Impenetrable to our scanning equipment.”
    “They’re from outer space.”
    “Why?” Jeff wasn’t arguing, just asking.
    “We can scan everything else.”
    “What if it’s from my stepmother or Al Dejahl?” Amy sounded freaked out but also very angry. Couldn’t blame her. LaRue Demorte Gaultier and Ronaldo Al Dejahl were not our favorite people.
    “Why would whatever it is wake me and Christopher up, first?” I really wanted this answered. Unfortunately, I had a feeling one of us was going to have to do something besides cower behind a door.
    “Have put all personnel onto the com, Chiefs.”
    “Thanks, Walter.” Jeff took a firm hold of my hand. “I don’t want anyone trying to be heroic right now. That’s an order, and it applies to everyone, including anyone who thinks they report into the C.I.A. before Centaurion Division.” Clearly he was worried about Chuckie, Len, or Kyle being overly brave in this situation.
    “Fine, but I’d like to know how you expect us to get out of our rooms,” Tito said. He didn’t sound as scared as everybody else. Then again, one of his many hobbies was being a professional cage fighter. Tito didn’t scare easily, ever.
    I started to get angry. There was something in here, threatening everyone, threatening my baby. Jeff’s hand tightened on mine. “Baby, keep it together. You feel as angry as the Poofs.”
    Something kicked in my brain. If the Poofs were angry, not afraid, why would that be? “Mister White, do Poofs have natural enemies?”
    “Not that I know of, Missus Martini. However . . .”
    “However, what, Richard?” Jeff was just this side of snapping, and that meant he was as scared as everyone else, because he rarely snapped at the man who was both his closest uncle and his former religious leader unless he was at the end of his rope.
    “Have you advised the Royal Family of Jamie’s