Read Alien Proliferation for Free Online

“Normally you’d be taking care of the cleanup portions.”
    Jeff shot me a “duh” look. “I knew who you were with.”
    Chuckie rolled his eyes. “Just the two of us and four people we can’t trust at all.”
    “Am I right that all four hate you and want Centaurion turned into the War Division?” It was such a safe bet—most people were intimidated by Chuckie’s brains, drive, and success and channeled that into hating him. And there was a much longer list of those who wanted us to be the War Division than those who didn’t. Every day it seemed as though the ones who didn’t got fewer and fewer.
    “In a nutshell.” Chuckie sounded like he always did when talking about people who didn’t like him—resigned. I knew there was hurt under there, too, but he hid it well.
    Jeff looked like he was going to say something nasty to Chuckie, but I glared at him, and he stopped himself. Possibly he’d picked up the hurt, too, but I wasn’t sure if he cared about it. “But are they in any position to be in on whatever the hell is going on?” he asked instead.
    Chuckie nodded slowly. “It’s possible. I wouldn’t put anything past Cooper. He wants my job and every job above mine, too. Cantu’s a slippery bastard. And Armstrong’s your typical politician on the rise. Cartwright I’m not sure of, but she works closely with the three of them.”
    There was a knock at the door, and Wayne and William came in. “We have what you wanted, Mister Reynolds,” William said, handing him a file. Wayne handed one to Jeff.
    “That was fast.”
    The brothers grinned at me as Jeff and Chuckie both sighed and shook their heads. “Hyperspeed,” Wayne said.
    “Oh.” Okay, had to give Jeff and Chuckie the “duh” on that one. I chalked it up to another space cadet moment and called the Poofs over to make myself feel better. I petted the cuteness bundles while Chuckie and Jeff both read through the files.
    “Good work,” Chuckie said finally. “I wish I could get field reports from my operatives this well-detailed.”
    Wayne and William looked pleased, but then they both looked at Jeff. He nodded. “Lots of good information here, thank you.” Both brothers visibly relaxed. “I appreciate the notes from the C.I.A. meeting, too.”
    “We recorded it as well, Commander,” William said, “per Mister Reynolds’ request.”
    Jeff raised his eyebrow at Chuckie. “You tape everyone?”
    “Just everyone I don’t trust. I’d like a copy of the recording.” Jeff nodded and William pulled out his phone.
    “Coming down to you now, sir,” he said, hanging up.
    Chuckie heaved a sigh. “I don’t think we have enough to go on definitively yet, but I’ll work on it.”
    “It’s the holidays. You’re allowed time off. The rest of your agency’s taking their two weeks, why not you?”
    Chuckie shook his head. “You know the saying—evil never sleeps.”
    “Yeah, too true.” I yawned. Wow. Nap time already. In addition to the other joys, I got tired out much more quickly these days.
    Jeff opened his mouth, but Chuckie beat him to it. “I’m going to get back to my office. I’ll be in touch on this, and I expect the same from you if you hit on anything. You get some rest Kitty. Gentlemen, Martini,” he said with a nod. He whistled softly, and Fluffy jumped up onto my shoulder, purred, rubbed, and then leaped onto Chuckie’s shoulder, did the purr and rub thing, then snuggled into his pocket. I managed to refrain from saying how adorable this was, but it took real effort.
    Before Chuckie could leave, William’s phone rang. He put up his hand. “Yes, got it.” He hung up. “Commander Martini, we have an issue with the recorded copy Mister Reynolds requested.”
    “And that is?” Jeff asked.
    William looked grim. “All the recordings have been destroyed.”
    That sat on the air for a moment. “How?” I asked finally.
    He shook his head. “We don’t know. All recordings for the past week have been