Alien Attachments (4 page)

Jared laughed. “I did that the first time I got in too. ’Course, that was after I tried to push it into the wall. Amazing, huh?”

“How does this work?” Dani sat next to Jared. As soon as her bum hit the cushion, they shot off down the tunnel. She let out a short squeal and grabbed the seat cushions. Her pulse shot up a notch. “Are you steering? Where are the seat belts?” she managed to croak out.

“Autopilot. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe.”

“You do realize those are some seriously famous last words, don’t you? Hindenburg? Titanic? Ring a bell?” She forced a smile, hoped it looked better than it felt, and tried to relax.
So not happening.
She decided to settle for breathing and watched the walls fly past. They were smooth, like someone had melted out the core, which, as far as she knew, wasn’t possible. Then again, floating cars weren’t possible either. Her swimsuit cover billowed up from the breeze so she let go of the seat long enough to tuck the gauzy fabric between her legs. “You mentioned summoning something.”

Jared hesitated a moment. “Guess the cat’s out of the bag now. Be kind of hard to explain this vehicle. Not to mention the gents at the bar. We need an EP. Stands for Earth Protector.”

“Earth Protector? You’re kidding right?”

“No. Pretty much what it sounds like. Cliche as it may be, we are not alone in the universe.”

Dani held Jared’s gaze. She’d heard what he said, but couldn’t process the words. They sat on her brain like little beings, patiently waiting to be let in.
Knock, knock.
Dani let out a nervous laugh.
Maybe if I ignore them, they’ll go away.
Jared didn’t blink.
Or maybe not.

“So you’re not an EP?”

“Nah, I’m human, just like you. I’m what they call a Support Agent, or SA for short. I do what I can for Ian and the other EPs, but I’m based with Ian.”

“So you’re a spy.”

“Support agent, not secret agent,” Jared said. “Although, we are a secret.”

“You’re a spy for aliens.”

“Stop it. It’s not like that.”

“Wow,” Dani said, letting it go. “Ian is an alien? As in E.T.?” Dani’s fingers ached from gripping the seat cushion. She forced herself to let go. She remembered his smoky green eyes and the touch of his fingers on her shoulders and neck. Something similar to, but oh so different than fear, shot through her.
What did you do to me?
“And here I was, ready to buy into the whole Chinese pressure points voodoo crap. Not so much, huh?”

Jared shook his head, grinning. “Not so much. Though, I’m surprised how far he went with you.”

“How did you know––” She broke off when she realized he was talking about her healed wounds. “Pretty amazing stuff.”
To say the least.

“He was only supposed to help with the pain. Not sure what’s up.”

The cruiser had none of the usual sensations when riding in a vehicle. No hum of the engine or vibrations from the contact between ground and car, and yet the tunnel sped by uncomfortably fast. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, the only clue they were moving was the breeze causing her hair to swirl around her face. She reached up and wiped some strands out of her mouth. Jared sat so nonchalantly wiping his nose, he might as well have been on his couch at home, watching TV. She changed the rhythm her fingers tapped out and thought about all the science fiction movies she’d watched
.

“Okay, so, Ian—does he look like he looks?”

“What?”

“You know, is he really some ten-armed slimy thing wearing a fake skin?”

Jared laughed. “I’m pretty sure what you see is what you get with these guys.”

“How many are there?”

“If you mean EPs, there’s four. Just got a new one in fact. Haven’t met her yet myself.”

“Got a new one, huh? What did he do? Pick her up at an alien yard sale?”

“Ha, ha,” Jared said.

Dani jumped as the cruiser made a slight course adjustment. “So what do you do?”

“Anything I can. Help them blend in and provide human cover when necessary. And always keep my eyes open. Did you get a good look at those boys back at the bar?”

“Yeah. The funky legs and blue blood?” She flashed back to the bar. “And their arms too, now that I think about it. Who are those guys?”

“They’re aliens. Not nice aliens, either.”

“Clearly not related to Ian. I mean, he’s hot, even by
Vanity Fair
standards.”

Jared looked up from his phone and grinned. “The boys in the bar are Torogs. They aren’t supposed to be here.”

“What do they want?”

“Generally, they come for two reasons. First, there’s a mineral they want here called carnium. They use it in FTL ships—”

“Whoa, wait.” Dani lifted her hand. “FTL? As in ‘Faster Than Light?’”

“That’s the one.” Jared said. “How else do you think they’d get here? The other reason is for sport.”

“What kind of sport? Basketball?” Dani pretended to make a hoop shot.

Jared shook his head. “Very funny. More like hunting.”

Dani bit the side of her lip before saying, “I get the feeling they don’t hunt animals.”

“Depends. Do you consider humans to be animals?”

“Some.”

“Yeah.” Jared chuckled. “Fortunately for us, the Cavacents like our people as well as our planet. The Sandarians are happy to let them keep the peace as long as they can mine the FTL mineral. Overall it’s a good thing for us because…
War of the Worlds
? It could happen. I don’t know all the details but I get the impression we humans would be in a heap of trouble without the Cavacents around. Apparently some distant relative of Ian’s was awarded Earth Protectorate for some great deed in the empire’s military.”

“And now we have an empire.” Dani’s head started to spin.

“An empire, a Galactic Trade Organization they call the GTO, and some kind of council. Gets complicated. I’m still sorting it out. What I do know is things aren’t going well.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the empire isn’t a peaceful place right now.”

Dani rubbed her temples then fingered the scar below her eye. There was barely a trace of the gash she’d had less than an hour ago. She looked at Jared, then at the tunnel flying by.
I must be hallucinating. It’s the only answer.

“It’s all real,” Jared said as though reading her mind.

“Why are you answering all my questions? Isn’t this top secret or something?”

Jared took his time to reply. “There are a number of humans who know about the EPs and Sandaria. I trust you.”

“What if Ian doesn’t?”

“Then you’ll forget everything I’ve said.” He went back to inspecting his phone.

“Just like in the movies, huh?”

“Just like in the movies.”

A loud boom echoed down the tunnel from the direction of the bar. They exchanged a glance and Jared punched a few numbers into his phone. “We’re okay for now.”

Dani leaned over to see his screen. It showed a live cam feed from the back room of the bar. The alien dudes just blew something up. As the smoke cleared, she got a good view of them.

“Those guys are seriously freaky.” She couldn’t turn away. Like driving by a car crash, she had to watch. The way their arms and legs moved was totally wrong. The bottom part of their legs could move in any direction. The squishy bit at the end reminded her of a camel’s foot. “That is so unbelievably bizarre, Jared. It doesn’t look like they should be able to stand.”

She leaned closer. “Their arms have the same weird joint, don’t they?”

“Yeah, not quite the same range of motion though. And they only have three fingers and an opposing digit.”

Dani shook her head. “You shot them and they seem fine now.”

“They regenerate fast. You basically have to take out the brains to kill them, but you need more power than an Earth gun.”

Dani burst into nervous laughter. “Ha! They’re zombie creepoids. Zomboids! Unbelievable.”

“Kinda interesting when you think about it. Makes ya wonder how many of our legends and horror stories are based on actual events. These critters and others have been visiting Earth for hundreds of years.”

“Makes sense,” Dani said.

The zomboids were staying put for now but they’d done a number on the room. Shattered bottles and shredded bags of pretzels littered the small space.

“Trust me, you don’t want to get anywhere near those boys. They’re slow at first. Their reflexes aren’t great from a stand still but once they get moving, watch out.”

Dani resisted the urge to pull her hair again. She’d end up bald at this rate.

Jared leaned forward and put a hand on her shoulder. “Your reality changed today. Going to take time for all this to sink in.”

“That’s for sure. It’s exciting, though. I feel like a kid being told there really is a Santa Claus.” Dani sat back and closed her eyes.
I hope you’re looking down on this from somewhere, Dad. You were right. Aliens are real.
They ascended an incline but the cruiser stayed level. She turned, looked over the back, and gasped. This was no small rise. “So where is our great Earth Protector? Don’t see much protecting going on. Aside from you, of course. Thank you very much by the way.” She gave him a heartfelt grin.

“I wish I knew where he was, and you’re welcome.” They both winced as another boom echoed around them. Jared glanced at his phone and frowned. “We’re still good but I’m starting to wonder how long that’s going to last.”

“How can you tell?”

Jared’s display showed thick, gray smoke. “The door has sensors. If it’s breached, an alarm will go off here.” He nodded at his device.

“Nice.”

“Time to call in some reinforcements.” Jared tapped his screen a few times. Although now she paid attention, it wasn’t your average smart phone. Whoever was on the other end, picked up almost immediately.

“We’ve got company on the island,” Jared said. “They’re trying to enter the tunnel from the bar.” Jared listened for a moment before nodding his head. “That’s right. We’re almost at the door to the compound and Ian is MIA.”

There was a pause while the person, or alien, on the other end talked.

“Okay. Thanks.” Jared hung up. “Help will be at the villa in a few minutes.”

“Good thing they’re close by. How many live on the Cat?”

“Only Ian. That was Marco. His base is in New Zealand. He just needs to get dressed before heading over.”

“New Zealand?”

Jared nodded, watching her.

She held his gaze, nodded back, and decided to say nothing. Clearly, she had a lot to learn. The craft slowed and the ground leveled off. Ahead, stood a circular door that was shaped like a bank vault. In the center was a smaller, human-sized entrance.

“Does this lead to Ian’s backyard or something?” Dani asked.

“Nope, right into the central hallway. Kind of a foyer without a front door.”

“He built his villa into the hillside?”

“They’re kinda big on tunnels. Makes sense for them. It’s a good way to get around the planet and they use them for mining the carnium stuff I told you about.”

The cruiser glided to a stop not more than five feet from the door.

Jared got up and nearly dropped the phone when it emitted an obnoxious sound. He pressed a button, silencing the noise. His face said it all. “We’re gonna have company kid, those Torogs are almost as fast as the cruiser here. Let’s go.” He leapt down and ran to the center door.

Dani followed him out, trying to stay calm. Jared searched for the elusive spot to open the door. As usual, there was no X.

Odd, increasingly loud, sucking noises came from the tunnel behind them. Goosebumps spread across her body. She turned to keep an eye on the tunnel.

“Jared, they’re coming. Please hurry.” She shot him a glance. He frantically slapped around the edges. Nothing happened so he cursed and tried the other side.

“Ah shit, Jared. Where’s the frickin’ X? The one that marks the spot, remember?” Her voice came out like a squeak.

“That would compromise security, kid.”

“How? You said it wouldn’t work for me.”

“Yeah, well it’s just because—because—” Jared kept slapping the wall by the door. “I don’t know why. Ask Ian.” Sweat dripped down his forehead.

“Oh, I’ll ask him all right.” The sucking sound got louder and Dani’s fear mounted.
Get a grip. Mad is better than panicked. It’s just another match…against aliens…no problem.
Dani shook out her arms and bounced on her toes. She pictured herself back at the gym, getting ready for a fight.
Time to get mad.
She kicked off her flip-flops and continued her warm-up.

Pluck, pluck, pluck.
The Torogs were moving fast when they crested the rise, but slowed when they caught sight of Dani and Jared. They emitted clicking and squeaking sounds as they made their way forward. Their squidgy feet worked like suction cups, allowing them to climb the hill and accounted for the odd sounds.

“They’re here,” Dani said.

Jared stepped in front of her, arms out.

Like that’s going to happen.
She stepped around him.

“Very gallant of you Jared but I’m not letting you face these zomboids alone. I know how to fight, remember? And thanks to some alien magic, I’m feeling pretty good right now.” Dani whipped her wrist around a few times, made a fist, and jumped into a fighting stance. “Ha!”

Jared grimaced. “Fine, but don’t let them get a hold of you.” He appeared calm except for the sweat trickling down his temple. The tunnel was comfortably cool. She rolled up her sleeves and tucked the top of her cover-up into the back of her bikini bottoms.
Never thought I’d be dressed like this in a fight.
She stole another peek at Jared. “And here I thought you were this sweet old bar dog, living a peaceful life of island bliss.”

“Who you calling old?”

Dani laughed. She had a major adrenaline rush going. There was a time in Brazil when some jerk tried to steal her camera gear. She’d taken him out in less than a minute, but the high lasted for weeks.

You can face fear, or feel it,
her dad used to say.
She shook out her arms.
Feel it, and it eats you alive. Face it, and you get to kick some ugly alien butt. Okay, he never said that. I wonder if they even have butts.
She gave another laugh and pondered the question. The leather covered their midsection and she wasn’t about to ask.