Alien-Under-Cover (24 page)

Chapter 19

In Washington, Parnell stood in front of the scratched window in his office. Down below in the street, a few cars straggled along in what used to be a busy street. He watched one of the cars break down with the rest stopping when they couldn’t pass because of the overflowing trash bins stacked along the sides of the road.

He turned to look at the image hovering over his scuffed desk. The holograms were supposed to be solid but they never quite managed to perfect the technology. The faded cream-colored door of his office shone through the image.

As little as fifty years ago he would’ve had satellite technology at his disposal. Now he had to make do with spies stationed all over the country reporting to him. Until six months ago, they reported very little. Then a small area in the deserts of Colorado had suddenly turned green. He’d gone out there but all he found was green vegetation. A few months later, the dome appeared and he took another trip. And soon after, strange vegetation grew and exotic other-worldly animals roamed inside the dome. Where once there was only desert, now lush vegetation grew and a river flowed. Unknown, alien looking large animals grazed and some hunted other animals. While he watched, the hologram a blue, bear-like animal caught a deer in its paws and tore it apart with its teeth. The deer looked like a toy in its massive claws. Then the scene reset itself.

So far he’d managed to keep it out of the news. But with large parts of the country turning into desert, too many hungry people would rush to a source with lush vegetation and abundant animals. It had taken him ten years to get the Raiders numbers up to a level he could use. He’d been ready to take control, to instigate measures that would restore his country to its status as a world leader. Then out of the blue, a new faction appeared and destroyed his well-equipped camps. It wasn’t as if he had factories that could churn out weapons and other gear.

Parnell clenched his fist. No one would stop him from saving his country. He would find whoever was terraforming and use their technology. He looked around his office, sneered at the threadbare carpet--the corner office, supposed to come with money and prestige attached. He rarely had working air conditioning and his budget consisted of what he could seize from criminal organizations. He seemed to be the only one who realized what it meant that technicians who knew how to fix air-conditioning units were scarce, or that he had to seize money to have a budget. Sheep--he was surrounded by sheep.

He picked up the latest report on the Raiders. He’d gone to bed with the devil to save his country from sliding into the Stone Age. The Raiders were supposed to become his army, help him restore order. Instead, he had to waste his time looking for army boots. He gnashed his molars together. That crazy bastard Murdoch never cared about anything but putting boots on his men and finding some formula that probably only existed in his crazed mind. Whoever killed him did Parnell a favor.

He stared at the image above his desk. The builders of this dome were technologically advanced--thousands of years ahead of what was available now. The rest of the world might be blind to what was happening around them, but he could see humanity hurtling into the dark ages. His biggest enemy at this stage was complacency.

No one wanted to know that they were sliding back into the Stone Age. He tapped his desk in front of the hologram. This might be the answer. A common enemy.

It might even negate the need to deal with the families. He could stomach the Raiders but the mafia? He hated those entitled fuckers who acted as if he wasn’t fit to lick their boots. When his plans came to fruition, he’d wipe them of the face of the Earth.

His TC bleeped. “Accept call,” he said and watched the nature scene on his desk being replaced by the thick face of the new Raider leader. If the fat fucker said anything about army boots, Parnell would kill him.

“So, Parnell, I knew you would come to see the merit in my offer.”

The new leader of the Raiders smiled a smarmy, gap-toothed smile, obviously unaware of the previous arrangement. He’d learn soon enough who was in charge. This time Parnell would make sure the Raider leader followed his instructions. As long as he was of use and did as he was told, Parnell would keep him around.

“Let me tell you how it’s going to be,” he said and paused a moment to enjoy the way the broad face in the hologram fell.

***

In the corner of the depressing government office, Arn stood camouflaged. The Raiders had killed his mate but, ultimately, this man was responsible. Following the trail to this pathetic human had been easy. At first he’d planned on killing him. Slowly torturing him like he had with the other humans he’d interrogated. But now that he had time to think, he wanted him to suffer more than mere torture. Patriotism drove Parnell.

Arn smiled with savage enjoyment. He’d been concerned when he realized the Zyrgins had found Earth, determined to stop that parasitic race from taking over this planet. Now he would help them conquer this backward planet and watch Parnell’s anguish when he saw his people enslaved to the Zyrgins. Then he would go after the other human.

The one who would pay the blood debt for Arn’s dead mate.

Zacar had beaten Murdoch to death and for that Arn owed him a debt. He didn’t know why the Zyrgins did not reveal themselves yet but he could aid them and confuse Parnell. While the man chased purple aliens who he believed were terraforming Earth, those green parasites could enslave the human race. Arn dropped the camouflage.

***

Julia opened her eyes and would have screamed if she could. Agonizing pain stabbed into her head. Someone held her hand. The pain in her head was so overwhelming that she barely felt the hand that held hers. Agony occupied her senses.

“What happened?” she mumbled.

Zurian leaned over her and stroked her hair out of her eyes. “You fainted from my kiss. The doctor is on his way.”

Her head hurt so much she couldn’t even laugh. “You terrible kisser, you,” she tried to tease but her words emerged hoarse and frail.

The door made a soft noise and the doctor stepped inside. Her eyes closed against the light in the room

Zurian grated something and the doctor grated back.

She managed to lift her lashes and saw the doctor run his silver gadget over her head and shoulders.

“Am I going to die?” she asked, only half joking. She never thought a headache could make her nauseous and set her whole body shivering.

The doctor held the scanner in front of her eyes. “According to my readings nothing is wrong with your head. I believe humans sometimes suffer from headaches. They are called migraines. Does the light hurt your eyes?”

“Yes.”

Zurian grated something and the light dimmed. She almost moaned in relief.

“You will remain in bed for three days. I will give you an injection and you should feel better immediately,” the doctor said.

“I’ll gladly just lie here. Don’t think I can move anyway, but I tell you it’s your alien technology in my head that’s causing this.”

The hand holding hers jerked. Zurian and the doctor started that grunting conversation again. Whatever the doctor injected her with brought almost instant relief.

The doctor left and she stared at Zurian. “I suppose you’re going to make me stay in bed for the whole three days.”

“Yes.”

She touched his shirt, trying to find the seam where it magically opened. “If you join me in bed, you won’t have to worry about me getting up and playing with your equipment while you’re gone.”

He stood. “You will stay in bed. I have locked all my equipment away.”

“I’d laugh in your face but my head is still a little sore.”

“You will rest now.”

“All right.”

She closed her eyes but opened them again after a few seconds. “Are you going to stand there like that the whole time I’m sleeping?”

He stood with his feet planted wide and his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes unblinking on her. “Yes.”

“All right, then.”

For the next two days she stayed in bed and didn’t even mind Zurian feeding her all her meals. Her headache eased each time the doctor injected her but would come back stronger a few hours later. They told her everything would be fine but she knew they didn’t believe that. The doctor kept scanning her head and they never left her alone. Zurian was always there and, the few times he had to leave, Natalie came to sit with her.

***

Julia woke. In three short days, she’d learned not to make any sudden moves. This morning the headache had dimmed to a dull throb. She knew Zurian wasn’t with her. His presence tended to fill a room with atmosphere. Her eyes shot open and she nearly cried in relief when she saw that, instead of the doctor, Natalie was sitting in the chair beside the bed.

Julia didn’t need to be alone with that flame wielding maniac.

“What are you doing here? Not that I’m not glad for the company.”

“Zurian asked me to stay with you. There seems to be some problem with their equipment and they’re literally checking everything.”

Julia sat up, relieved the headache remained a dull ache. Maybe she was getting better at last. “Somehow, I had the weird idea that alien technology never got bugs,” she told Natalie.

“I suspect it’s the stuff they got from the last supply ship. Zacar gave me a gadget that makes lovely coffee but he took it back and had the doctor look me over.”

“I didn’t know they got supply ships.”

“That’s a new development and I pity the poor technician who sent them inferior supplies.”

Julia could imagine Zacar and Zurian both would be merciless. “Wait. Do you think my translator came from the supply ship that brought the faulty equipment? I don’t care what they say, I know that’s the reason for the headaches.”

“I don’t know if your translator came from the faulty batch. I’m sure they think the problem lies with it.” Natalie touched her temple. “Zacar has Viglar checking me over every day and he always scans my head.”

“And I suppose he refused to tell you why he’s doing it.”

Natalie shook her head and smiled a small, amused smile. “It used to drive me crazy, but I’ve figured out that protecting me is what drives Zacar. And he thinks he’s protecting me from worrying about the implant.”

“Do you think the doctor would be capable of harming me? I know he doesn’t like me.”

“Why would you think the doctor would harm you? Viglar is the mildest mannered of the lot.”

“He tried to burn me when I just got here.”

“What?”

“He would’ve cauterized my wound with a flame if Zurian hadn’t stopped him in time. Not a laser or anything civilized but a real flame.”

“That doesn’t make sense. Unless--” Natalie hid her face in her hands and her shoulders shook.

“You think it’s funny that he tried to burn me.”

That was not like Natalie at all. Julia was a little hurt that her friend could laugh at something like that.

“No, but I think it might be my fault. I told them about teasing and they just don’t have the right idea yet,” Natalie said, still laughing.

“Well, I didn’t think it was funny.” Julia slowly got out of bed and put on her robe. “I’m going to take a shower and then maybe we can walk outside. I’m getting cabin fever.” She quickly chose jeans and a sweater and walked to the bathroom, cursing the alien technology causing her to stumble.

“I can’t believe I’m this weak after only three days.”

“Actually, I have strict instructions to watch you eat breakfast and not to allow you outside. But I think being outside will do you good.”

Julia took a quick shower and, after one look in the mirror, took the time to put on makeup. She went back into her room and picked up her brush. “Why are the Zyrgins fascinated by our hair?”

“Zacar said none of the races in their galaxy had hair.”

“That’s just weird.” It would also explain why Zurian touched hers whenever he got the chance.

Julia shared breakfast with Natalie. Then they went outside and stopped when she saw the warriors looking ready for battle.

It felt good to be outside. Her head still throbbed but if she said anything, Zurian might make her stay in bed another day. “What’s all the excitement about?”

“Oh, I haven’t told you.”

“Told me what?”

“They think they found the agent in a camp not far from here. The Zyrgins are checking their weapons now. I think there’s something wrong with them.”

“With their weapons?”

“I think so.”

“Zurian didn’t tell me.” He might be meticulous in taking care of her but he never discussed their plans with her. Even news about Sarah she had to draw out of him.

“They only heard this morning. You were probably still--”

The TC in her pocket bleeped and they both jumped.

Julia took it out and frowned at it. “That’s, strange. It’s supposed to be blocked.”

A shadow fell over her and she looked up into Zurian’s furious eyes. “You should be resting.” He swung around and grated something at Azagor who came over. Zurian took the TC from her. She grabbed for it and he held it high out of her reach. “Hey, that’s mine.”

He gave it to Azagor who studied it. They grated something at each other and Zacar joined them as well.

“I wonder what got them this upset,” Julia said to Natalie.

“They’re pretty upset already over the problem with the equipment.”

Zurian handed the TC to her. “Answer on audio only. It is your cousin, find out what he knows and what he wants.”

She held it in her palm but no caller ID showed on the screen. “Activate,” she said. The TC hummed. “Who is this?” she asked.

“Julia, it’s Jack.”

“What do you want?”

She tried to sound confident and not scared out of her mind. She would never forget seeing her parents beaten. Jack might have guaranteed their safety but she didn’t know who he had become since she left the family. And seeing the aliens so spooked freaked her out. Somehow, she’d come to think of them as being invincible.

“I believe you are acquainted with a group of people I would--”