Alien vs. Alien

charges, always ensure at least two pairs remain present within the palace grounds.” He shook his head. “They’re really not clear on how things are here, are they?”
    “Or they’re being deliberately obtuse for reasons we still don’t know.” Alexander I could almost buy not being able to get his head around the whole “we aren’t royalty” thing, but it was a stretch.
    I was clear that Councilor Leonidas was Alpha Four’s version of Chuckie and Winston Churchill rolled into one. Councilor Leonidas I knew for sure understood our position within Earth governments, probably better than anyone else in the Alpha Centauri system. I was positive he understood it better than I did. “And whoever wrote that clearly knows what the Defense Attaché position is all about.”
    Pierre nodded. “Mine reads, ‘The Concierge Majordomo’s position within the household is both honorable and perilous. These birds will assist you in your duties while protecting your person at the same time.’ They certainly are focused on the whole attack bird idea, aren’t they?”
    Len and Kyle exchanged a look. “Our cards say almost the same thing as Pierre’s, only they didn’t mention job titles.”
    “Amy, make sure you grab Richard when he’s done with Christopher and find out just what kind of jobs these birds are intended to do.” Jeff’s Commander voice was back on full. “I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but something that’s entire job is protection isn’t necessarily friendly.”
    The Peregrines gave him a group hurt look. A couple of them looked ready to cry. “Wow, you hurt their feelings, big time.” Whoops.
    “Excuse me?” Jeff said, very carefully.
    Gave up. “I can see their expressions.”
    “What?” Jeff was clearly verbalizing everyone’s question.
    “Um, I feel like I . . . know what the Peregrines are thinking.”
    “It’s like you’re on drugs. They’re birds. They have no expressions. I’m not convinced they have thoughts.”
    “Bellie’s a bird, and you’re convinced she has thoughts.” The Peregrines all bobbed their heads. “See?”
    “What does that prove?” Jeff asked. But he sounded nervous. “I think that’s a bird behavior thing. Bellie does it all the time.”
    “Yeah? Well, I think it’s because she’s trying to nod yes.” I looked at the Peregrines. The full flock bobbed their heads. “Can I get a bird amen?” Peregrine wings all flapped, there were several coos, and even a couple of hoots. “Can I get a
real
bird amen?” Peregrines hooted and flapped. They enjoyed the impromptu revival meeting.
    I looked around the room. Apparently only the Peregrines and I were finding this amusing.
    “Wow,” Chuckie said finally, breaking the horrified human and A-C silence in the room. “You’ve become Doctor Doolittle.”

    Yi

CHAPTER 28

    “I BELIEVE IT’S HER TALENT,” White said as he and Christopher rejoined us.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Talent. Many A-Cs do have them, I believe you’re aware.” White seemed amused.
    “True enough. But I’m not an A-C.”
    White coughed while everyone else looked slightly uncomfortable. “No, you’re not. You’re also not a human any more, either. And you’ve always been good with animals.”
    “Well, sure, but the cats and dogs have been my family’s pets for years.”
    He pointedly looked at the Poofs. “And yet, the Royal Pets don’t really obey anyone. Other than you. Supposedly Poofs will only obey their owners. And the head Poof.”
    “Harlie’s the head Poof.”
    “True enough. However, I’ve seen Harlie do whatever you want, whenever you want it, unless you weren’t phrasing your request in a way that would ensure Jeffrey would remain safe.”
    “It’s a nightmare,” Jeff said. “Fine, let’s worry about this later, and by later I mean tomorrow.”
    “Wait, we haven’t seen what Christopher and Chuckie’s cards said.”
    Christopher looked as though his world was still spinning. Amy took the card out of his hand. “Congratulations on your recent nnuptials. We wish you many happy years of fruitful marriage and hope these birds will serve you well as you take your place within Earth’s hierarchy.”
    “That’s nice.”
    Amy shook her head. “There’s more. That first part was on the front of the card. This was on the back. ‘As the Primary to His Royal Highness, we would like to warn you that we fear a threat against our mutual friend from a common enemy. Please take