Alien vs. Alien

Dome. Tell them they’re going to a tea party.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want the kids excited or acting like kids who don’t want to go to a girly thing, not crying. Ask Denise to pack some extra clothes and diapers and such for Jamie. Ensure
all
the pets, including my dogs and cats, go along as well.” I hoped he’d realize that “all” included Poofs and Peregrines.
    “Can’t wait,” he muttered. “What about Jeff’s bird?”
    What about Bellie? Reality said I didn’t like her and she didn’t like me. Reality also said that if any animal was going to stress out the folks in hiding, it was going to be her. Of course, reality additionally said that if I left Jeff’s bird to die, he’d never forgive me. Reality also said that if Bellie tried anything with me, she was going to be dinner.
    “Keep her at the Embassy. I’ll get her and take her with me. Have her stay with either Tito or Walter, depending on which one she likes best, until I get back.”
    “Why?”
    Nice to see he was still focused on asking the big questions. “Because she has intel, and lord knows when she’ll want to share it, but those of us in active roles need to hear it, and not filtered through from those in hiding.”
    “Whatever. She likes me better than Tito or Walter.”
    “Then you score Bellie-sitting duty. Get everyone, Denise an. She d her kids and Doreen, Irving, and Ezra in particular, moving. I want Pierre with them.”
    “Why?”
    “Because out of every adult I’m going to send over, Pierre’s the one who’s most likely to come up with things that will keep everyone calm and focused on the fun of the moment, versus the terror. If he wants to bring ‘picnic’ supplies, let him. I don’t think we want them sending for take-out and such.”
    “Good points. Should I escort them?”
    “Yes, then get yourself back to the Embassy. Leave Bellie in our room, in her cage, until you’re back, and don’t let anyone say anything about this in front of her.”
    “Why not?”
    I resisted the impulse to give a sarcastic reply. “Because she’s a freaking parrot, and the last thing we want is her blurting out where we hid everyone in front of the wrong people.”
    “Oh.” He sounded embarrassed. “Right.”
    “Get moving. I’ll meet you at the Embassy if we don’t time out to go back together.” We hung up, and I dialed again. “Lorraine, how goes it?”
    “Fine. You sound stressed.”
    “Nice to see maternity leave hasn’t slowed you down.”
    “I love my little Ross, but I’m also kind of bored.” I heard Claudia chime in that she felt the same way.
    “Awesome, you’re together, and with the kiddos. I have just the cure for boredom, too. I need you two to pack up diaper bags for an extended stay of possibly a couple hours and possibly a couple days. Pack some extras for Jamie, please and thank you.” Sure I’d told Christopher to have Denise do the same, but extra diapers, food, and clothes weren’t going to be a bad idea.
    “We’re at DEFCON Worse?”
    “And this is why I call you. Yes, we are.”
    I heard Claudia in the background. “Claudia wants to know if they’re after our kids.”
    “You know, you two are so much smarter than the rest of us.” Well, they were Dazzlers. Dazzlers had it all when it came to brains.
    “We’re not surprised, really,” Lorraine said. “I’ll tell you why later.”
    “Ross and Sean are already manifesting hybrid talents?”
    “You’re smart too. Okay, where are we meeting you, and who else, if anyone, should we bring?”
    “Your mothers, if they’re around, and your dads, if they want to go. Serene and Bryan, regardless of whether they want to go. Any other families with hybrids newly arrived or coming. Other than those in our Embassy, who are likely already there waiting for you.”
    “Gotcha. So, where is it they’re waiting and we’re going?”
    I considered playing the innuendo game, but figured that time was really of the essence and decided to just go for it. “The Dome.”
    She was quiet forgame, a moment. “You’re really worried, aren’t you?”
    “Yeah, I am.”
    “Okay, I won’t tell anyone else where we’re going until we get there.”
    “Have Gladys do your gate transfer.” I looked at White. He nodded emphatically.
    “On it. I’ll bring med kits, too.”
    “Always a good plan.” Hung up and considered. There were four other hybrids out and about. Three of them I knew I needed and probably wouldn’t be able to