“Sounds great! Did you do something with his wife?” Meg asked.
Charlie swallowed his coffee before he choked. “No, nothing like that. We did what we could and got his body back for her. It was rough.”
Meg’s face scrunched and her glasses shifted. “I don’t know how you could face that. If there were any chance I’d end up overseas, I’d take a nice safe job in a university somewhere. Combat and death are not for me.”
“Don’t think about it. Your brain is needed elsewhere. And if you’re too tired tonight and don’t want to play, don’t worry about it. This isn’t a high-pressure thing. You’ve got your own job to do.” Ike finished off his coffee.
“True. More experimenting to do. It’s just hard when I can’t be sure it’ll work. But don’t think you’re getting out of sex.”
“What’s the weapon? Charlie said something about a dust.” Henry shrugged.
“Basically, yes. The aliens’ biggest protection is their skin. It can change to mimic elephant hide or grow fur if they’re cold. It’s genetically engineered to protect them in any situation. It’s not shocking given the history of the wars the Keelons wage and what we’ve learned from the refugees. Breeding for males that are difficult to hurt makes sense.”
“And your weapon attacks the skin?” Ike asked.
She nodded. “Yes. Exterminators use chemicals that break down the exoskeleton of certain bugs. So I applied that concept to the alien skin. If it can change that easily, I just needed to find something to interrupt that shift and cause pain and damage so it can’t go back together. That way, if we’re attacked, we can defend ourselves.”
“Defense is important,” Ike agreed.
“Hopefully, the abduction activity goes down. I’ve heard the abduction numbers are up but not normal.” Meg chewed her lower lip. “I don’t get the detailed reports, but I’ll do what I can.”
Ike’s phone buzzed, and he looked at it. “Actually, there is something on the list for you today. We’re getting a delivery.”
“On the holiday break?” Henry asked.
“National security never rests. Did you request anything?” Ike asked Meg.
“No. I have no idea what it could be. I don’t have any staff to handle bigger experiments or testing right now.”
“The notes say we’re to keep things contained and under observation until there are further instructions. But it is to be delivered to your lab.” Ike shrugged. “That’s the military way. We’ll get it set up. There’s some sort of containment area that needs to go in. This takes priority so you’ll be seeing a lot of us today.”
Meg sighed. “That part I don’t mind, but sometimes I hate this top secret crap in my job. National security is important, but we’re all on the same team. My security clearance isn’t enough?” She rolled her eyes.
“We’re delivery guys today. Don’t take it personally. Plus you could go to a think tank or university, I’m sure. No drama and maybe more money,” Henry teased.
“You’d miss me too much. You three wouldn’t fit at either place. Plus, those places require more sucking up and office politics than I can handle.” She gave them a big smile before heading off. “I’ll see you guys later for the containment setup. Drop off the package when it gets here. Suspicious seems to be the theme for this holiday. I’ve got work to do.”
Chapter Four
Ike, Henry and Charlie plus a few others walked into the lab and began setting up a mobile containment unit. Plastic walls that went from floor to ceiling and a seal ensured it was airtight.
“What the hell are you doing to my lab?” Meg walked from her office and lifted her glasses as if she didn’t believe her eyes.
“Containment facility.” Ike shrugged. “We warned you.”
“What are we containing? A mountain lion?” She propped her hands on her hips and walked inside and out.
Ike smiled but quickly made his expression go to neutral again. He loved her view of the world and fearless approach. She’d do just fine if she was dropped in enemy territory, and she’d be bored in a university setting. She belonged with them.
“It’s supposed to be locked and clean. Get out of the way, Meg.” Henry ushered her back as the men fitted the door to the frame and made sure it sealed tightly.
“Testing.” Charlie hit a button and colored smoke escaped from one of the corners.
Ike sealed it off, and they watched for more breaches. “Looks solid. Air it out, bring in the equipment and I’ll let Meg set the lock code.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Not yet.” He nodded to the keypad.
She popped in a code and tested it. They backed away from the door as the men brought in four cots and chairs. One table and a few boxes followed.
Ike nodded to the three add-ons who’d helped. “That’s all. Thanks, guys.”
The men nodded and exited.
“Sorry, they don’t know what’s going in here. We can’t let more people know than absolutely necessary.” Ike sighed.
“Wait a second. The plane with our delivery hasn’t touched down.” Charlie moved in and kissed Meg softly.
She blushed and looked around as if her staff was there. “Hi.”
Ike felt a little guilty about overlooking affection, but he had a job to do. He’d make it up to her later. Charlie and Henry were better at shifting from personal to business. When Meg went over to kiss Henry, Ike braced for the arousal.
She approached him. “Is it against the rules?” she asked.
He smiled. “You don’t follow the rules all the time. I like your boldness.”
Meg kissed his chin and slid up to tempt his mouth. The shot of need grew in him, and Ike didn’t back away.
“No one ever called me bold before. I’m stubborn and difficult. A nerd with conviction.” She grinned at him.
“You’re no nerd.” Ike knew her appearance fit the definition. She wasn’t a beauty in the way humans defined perfection, but she was unique with sharp features and by no means unattractive.
“So what’s going in here? People? I’m not a babysitter.” Meg walked around inside.
Ike knew she’d figure it out. He didn’t want to have to say it.
“It’s going to upset her,” Charlie whispered to Ike.
“We can’t change it.”
Henry moved close. “Tell her the truth and let her experiment on us.”
“Are you crazy?” Charlie’s jaw dropped. “We’re not getting tortured. There has to be another way.”
Ike held up a hand. “Stop. We aren’t volunteering for anything until we know the plan for the guests. It might have nothing to do with her experiment.”
“Right, because they’re under her care and she was kept back from holiday leave for an experiment she can’t complete without a lab rat, or four, to test on.” Charlie shook his head.
Meg stalked out of the enclosure. “No! No way.”
“What’s wrong?” Ike asked.
She pointed at it. “There are four cots. You’re bringing back the aliens for me to test on. I’m not going to hurt people or animals or anything.”
“Relax, Meg. We don’t know your orders yet.” Henry rubbed her shoulders.
“I won’t do it.” She folded her arms.
Ike shrugged. “We don’t make these decisions or give you orders, Meg. But the aliens you had here last year are the people to be housed there until further notice. If you can think of another way to test your dust, it might spare people pain.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not your choice or your plan. When did I start killing the messenger?”
Charlie hugged her. “You think of us personally now. More than friends or co-workers.” He kissed her neck softly.
The heat in the room went up, and Henry moved in and kissed her mouth. “You’re brilliant. You can figure out a way to avoid hurting people and still get the info you need.”
Ike wanted to jump in, but they’d have to stop. The flight was due to touch down any moment. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Meg. This might have more to do with the abduction increases. If one of the aliens volunteers to be your guinea pig, that’s different. They were fleeing their own people and crashed here. It’s in their interest to be able to defend against the Keelons, as well. They might have ideas or suggestions. So don’t jump to conclusions.”
Meg leaned on Charlie then stepped toward Ike. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek that made him feel valued in a new way. “What was that for?”
“You made me stop and think. I tend to go in one direction full-steam ahead, and while I’m usually right, sometimes I miss something in my hurry to find the answer.” She moved into his personal space and kissed him deeply. “How long do we have?”
Ike’s phone went off, and he picked up it. “Sorry. The flight just landed. You stay here.” He kissed her hard on the lips one last time before forcing his brain to the work at hand. Four aliens were being treated like prisoners. True, Ike and his crew had been raised by the government and socialized as human. But according to all reports, these four men had never hurt a human or caused any problems.
Their only offense was making one of Meg’s colleagues their mate. The government refused to allow it. The men were furious, and Ike had to sympathize. If anyone took him from Meg, he wouldn’t tolerate it. Ike and his crew had enough knowledge of Earth to run or make life hell for the military until they got their way. The new aliens had no advantages, but it’d been a year since they crashed. Ike hoped this would be a good thing and Meg’s fears wouldn’t come to pass.
* * * *
Twenty minutes later, Ike and his guys returned with four aliens who looked as human as her men did. Meg recognized the four, and they smiled at her. They were dressed in white jumpsuits and triple handcuffed. Her blood pressure spiked at the restraints. Their strength was superior, but the government wanted to act as though they could control them. The men were also very thin and pale.
“Are you guys okay?” she asked.
Regon, their leader stepped forward. “We’re fine, Dr. Lyle. Don’t worry about us. Is Liz here?”
The men were all looking around, and Meg felt bad.
“I’m sorry. Liz is off for the Christmas holiday now. She went to visit her parents. But she’ll be back in about a week.”
The men looked disappointed, but Regon nodded. “But she is coming back?”
“Of course. She still works here. She’ll be thrilled to see you.” Meg glared at Ike. “Take those off.”
“Once they’re inside,” Ike said.
“Have they been exposed to some contamination?” she demanded.
“Doubtful. We’ve been at another military facility. The flight was not long. But this has some privacy and that is appreciated. The walls aren’t clear.” Regon studied the enclosure.
Meg frowned. The pod was private but small for four men. “Okay, well, it’s set up by a bathroom so you can freshen up and change. I imagine you’ll want to rest. I’ll check on you in a few hours and have some food brought down. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thank you.” Regon smiled slightly.
Henry went inside with the men and removed the handcuffs.
Meg glared at Ike. “How can you tolerate that?”
“Orders. We don’t know the whole story.”
“Well, thank you, but I know those men. A year ago, they were parked not far from there while they recovered from a crash. At that time, there was need to contain and observe them. They’re harmless men in love with Liz—oh God, Liz!” She grabbed her phone.
“No!” Ike grabbed it.
“I’m just going to tell her they’re back. She’ll be thrilled. The poor girl was heartbroken when they were taken away. I’m amazed she didn’t quit.” Meg couldn’t believe Ike was so anti-romance.
“If she’d left her job, the odds of her ever seeing them again would have been absolutely zero. I love how impulsive and passionate you are. And how much you care about your friend.” Charlie hugged her. “Calm down, Meg. They’re not going anywhere. Let them settle in.”
The scent of Charlie soothed her. Meg knew the caution was smart, but she hated to see aliens being punished because her government was cruel. “Those men are refugees, not prisoners. I know they needed to assimilate to our world and we had to be sure they weren’t out to hurt us, but don’t you think a year is enough?”
Ike moved in. “The abductions have only increased. Maybe the aliens want those four back. Maybe they are part of a plan and don’t even know it. We don’t have enough information about them to conclude anything. We won’t make this any harder than it absolutely has to be. Whatever they want—to eat, movies or books, and exercise time in the gym—is all fine with me. I’m not trying to make it worse.”
Meg frowned but nodded. “Just like prison.”
Henry stepped out of the enclosure and closed the door behind him. “They’re doing okay. Fresh clothes, showers but they look exhausted. Let them sleep, Meg.”
She hugged Henry then Ike. “I’m sorry. I hate this. I hate that I made something that could hurt them.”
Ike held her, and she felt secure.
“You aren’t out to hurt them but to protect them. They were running from something. Let’s just go in your office and calm down in private.” Ike walked her that way.