Touched by an Alien

checked a couple of times, but we were even with him. All the way down. The ground came up faster than I wanted, though. “That’s okay,” Jerry said, as I gasped. “You’re all right. Pull back now, just a bit … a bit more … get ready, you’ll hit the earth momentarily.” We did and started to bounce. “No problem, just relax while you pull a bit back.”
    The rear wheels were down and seemed to be staying that way. “Just a tiny bit forward, like you’re trying to put a doll onto the top of a house of cards.”
    Christopher was muttering behind me, but I ignored him and did what Jerry said. The front wheel was down. “Now brakes, that’s right, a little more but not too much, you’re not making a pit stop at NASCAR.”
    The jet slowed gradually and came to a halt. Christopher pointed out which buttons to hit and switches to flip to turn everything off. We opened the hatch and climbed out.
    One of the pilots was there to help me down. He looked pretty buff under his uniform, had a blond crew cut, seemed about twenty-two, and had captain’s bars on his uniform. “Thanks.” I looked around as Christopher climbed out. “Where’s Jerry?”
    The captain grinned. “Jerry Tucker. Pleased to meet you, Miss Kitty.”
    My jaw dropped. “How the hell are you an instructor at Top Gun?”
    Jerry winked. “My daddy always says that the best thing you can do when someone’s terrified is make ’em think you’ve taught plenty of others how to do whatever it is they have to do.”
    “So, how many people have you talked out of the air?” Christopher asked.
    Jerry grinned again. “Counting Miss Kitty here?” We both nodded. “One.”
    Christopher started to laugh. In fact, he laughed so hard he almost fell down. “Captain Tucker,” he managed to gasp out, “when you’re done with your training, please let Centaurion Division know. Believe me when I say we can use a man like you on our team.”
    Jerry gave me another wink. “Happy to, Commander. Especially if there are more ladies like Miss Kitty in Centaurion Division.”
    I put my arm around Jerry’s shoulders as the two other pilots came over. “Jerry, my love, trust me when I say that Centaurion Division is a single man’s dream world.”
    “You’ll show me around?” he asked with another chuckle as he put his arm around my waist.
    “You’re pawing Commander Martini’s girl,” one of the other pilots told him.
    Jerry shrugged. “He’s not here.”
    “However,” Christopher snapped, back to business, “he’s about to be murdered, so, you know, maybe we could stop the flirting and get a move on.”
    Jerry shook his head. “Too much caffeine isn’t good for a man, Commander.”
    “Can I keep him, Christopher? Can I?”
    Patented Glare #3 made a surprise reappearance. “Sure. Discuss it with Jeff.”
    “He’ll like him.”
    “Not if he keeps his arm around your waist, he won’t.”
    “Spoilsport.” I removed myself from Jerry’s side. “Thanks again, but we have to get moving.”
    Jerry shrugged. “We’re coming with you.” He looked over at Christopher. “By order of Angela Katt.” He looked back at me. “Your mother said to tell you she outranks everyone here, so do what you do best.”
    “Cause trouble?” Christopher said with a sigh. “She’s great at that.”
    I managed to refrain from making any comment. Other than one. “My mom outranks your dad. Deal.”
    “He’s not military,” Christopher snapped as we started off toward the Science Center.
    “Shouldn’t we be running?”
    “Not if we want the flyboys with us.”
    I thought about it. “I could hold your hand and Jerry’s hand. Maybe the others can link up, too. You’ve all told me it’s transferred through touch.”
    Christopher looked at Jerry, who was grinning. “Sounds like a great idea.”
    The pilots weren’t thrilled about holding hands, but Christopher made it clear that this was an order, not a suggestion. The other pilots were introduced as Lieutenant Chip Walker and Captain Matt Hughes. They both looked around twenty-five. “Are you sure you guys want to do this?” I didn’t want to lose another man. I could still see Cox’s plane explode if I allowed myself to think about it for even a second.
    Hughes nodded. “Whoever’s taken over this facility helped murder Bill. Yeah, we’re coming along.”
    “Glad to have you with us,” I said softly.
    He gave me a small smile. “We all saw you and heard you, when Bill died.