Page 6 of All You Need is Alien Love (Tentacular Tales #4)
“Could the ideological zealotry be just another smoke screen?” Roxy asks.
“We do not have enough information at this time for me to make an informed hypothesis as to how all of this is related, but it is logical to surmise that Layne Madison is manipulating the members of the species purity movement to augment the first wave of his fighting force. I believe the Earth term is ‘cannon fodder,’” Catengi says.
River grins. “Heh. You were totally channeling Mr. Spock just then, my friend.”
Catengi blushes slightly.
“We need to remember that anything’s possible with Layne Madison,” Lu-Ren offers softly. “He’s been one step ahead of us from the start, causing confusion and misdirection everywhere he goes.”
My mom cracks her knuckles. “They clearly don’t know who they’re dealing with. Adeline worked here for years, but she was not in the innermost circle. We can use that to our advantage.”
River high-fives her. “I like how you think, Mama-in-Law.”
“Will we need to get the human military involved in this?” Zamir asks, his brow furrowing.
My dad nods. “Intergalactic HQ has already been in contact with the necessary parties, and I have teleconferences with several military leaders this week. They are all preparing for defensive protocols should an invasion on a larger scale than we are expecting occurs. While we doubt that’s likely, all scenarios must be considered in our preparations. ”
“Oh, shit,” River whispers, his face going pale. “So we are talking nukes, then.” He turns to me wide-eyed. “Maybe I should send Benji and a truckload of edibles to his fallout shelter in the desert.”
I gape at him. “His what ?”
“Benji has a fallout shelter?” Mal asks, looking stunned.
River nods. “After my parents died… uh, I mean, after we thought they were dead, Benji went through a bit of a paranoid phase for a while. Was convinced we needed to prepare for all worst-case scenarios.” He gives me a confiding look.
“He still had some kind of weird trauma over that Y2K thing that was before my time. Anyway, he made friends with this guy who built underground bunkers and he bought one.” River shrugs.
“Benji has spent money on weirder things, trust me.”
Mal blinks as he takes that in. “The man is a mystery wrapped in an enigma?—”
“And shrouded in a cloud of marijuana smoke!” River interjects with a massive grin.
My brother nods at him in full agreement, and I have to fight back a laugh.
Agent Catengi clears his throat. “I assure you—nuclear weapons would only be deployed as a last resort. However, considering the gravity of the situation, it’s not unthinkable. Humans often act before thinking, unfortunately.”
“Not good, not good, sooooooo not good,” River murmurs to himself, running his hands through his hair and making his already wild curls downright Medusa-esque.
Unable to hold back any longer— screw professional decorum —I reach over and pull him to me, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and inhaling his familiar scent.
“We’re not going to let it get to that.” I glare at Agent Catengi for freaking out my mate.
He sighs. “The Intergalactic Alliance will do everything in its power to prevent such a situation. Like I said before, Layne Madison and his supporters know the risks of nuclear attack and humanity’s willingness to use such dangerous weapons of mass destruction.”
I grunt. “He’s an asshole, but not a zealot or suicidal. I’d say he’s not going to risk his own hide, no matter what his end goal is.”
Catengi nods. “My superiors are also confident he’ll take the safer path to achieve his objectives.”
Roxy grips the edge of the table, her eyes clouded with concern. “Should we call in more support?”
Lu-Ren, who’s seated next to Roxy and holding her hand tightly, makes a noise of agreement.
My dad grimaces. “Unfortunately, this planet is quite a long distance from our defensive outposts. We have called for assistance from some of the farther-reaching intergalactic garrisons, but it remains unclear if that will be enough.”
“No matter what comes, this is our home now and we’ll protect it with everything we’ve got,” I add, my voice firm with conviction.
Earth isn’t perfect, but it’s where I found my life mate and where we intend to spend the rest of our lives. Aside from some occasional intergalactic adventures to satisfy River’s needs, of course.
My parents both give me proud smiles.
“Damn straight. Kai’s right,” Mom says. “We protect what’s ours and anyone who tries to mess with us better be prepared for the consequences.”
River pops up out of his chair like a wide-eyed jack-in-the-box.
“I know! Why don’t we recruit some additional assistance from our fellow extraterrestrials here on Earth?
I know a lot of folks who’ve come here are political refugees, but some of them have fighting experience, knowledge, or even connections that could help us. ”
My mother slaps her hand on the table and grins. “That’s my son-in-law for you. Brilliant idea, River.”
He winks at her. “Thanks, Mama-in-Law.”
My father nods slowly, his tone serious.
“In most situations, we would never call on our residents to take up arms or lend assistance when it could be dangerous. After all, our job is to protect them and their new lives here on Earth. But I believe the threat we are facing is an exception to the rule.”
“What are you thinking, River?” Mom asks, eyes sparkling.
“Why don’t we hold a town hall of sorts down at Vardox’s Cantina? We’ll bring together everyone who wants to help and formulate a plan to protect Earth. Coalition building for the win, I say!”
Mal shakes his head and smiles. “Strategizing at an extraterrestrial dive bar? Never a dull moment with you, River. I’m glad my brother found you to enliven his boring life.”
I scowl at him for a moment before turning back to River, who’s beaming at me, his face shining brighter than a supernova.
Dark matter and damn it, but I love him so fucking much.
Agent Catengi rubs his chin thoughtfully. “River’s idea has merit. Some of our fellow extraterrestrial friends here on Earth still have ties to powerful beings across the galaxy that could prove beneficial. We must pool our every resource if we’re going to thwart Layne Madison’s machinations.”
River reaches over and says, “You and Zugo, give me a high five, man.”
Agent Catengi stares at him for a moment before awkwardly lifting his gloved hand and tapping River’s with it.
My husband—galactic gods, that phrase never gets old—nods with satisfaction. “You’re learning, young padawan.”