Page 92 of All You Need is Alien Love
Besides, killing Adeline or Layne Madison is a last resort. We must try to take them alive so we can interrogate them for critical information. Adeline’s medical research while she was the Alliance mole remains a mystery that we have to unravel.
And as the Lex Luthor-esque mastermind behind all of this invasion insanity, Layne Madison is someone we have to extract as much intel from as possible to get a clearer sense of what led to all of this and more about his far-reaching network of accomplices. We sure as shit don’t want any other fools thinking they can come and take over my home planet!
“Okay, Mom, signing off now. I’ll let you know once victory is mine.”
“May the Force be with you,” she replies solemnly, and it’s exactly what I need to hear.
“May the Force be with you too,” I say before turning off the comm.
Right now, I have to focus on the task ahead.
I turn to Nirblob and see he’s swapped out his usual roller skates for a pair of thigh-high black boots and a new freaking cape.
“How on Earth did you fit all of that in there?” I blink at the small backpack he’s wearing.
He grins at me. “Trade secret, mi amigo. The patent is pending on this invention, so I can’t disclose anything just yet.”
That makes me chuckle. In retrospect, I should have realized that Nirblob was a genius inventor. Even when I recall the time he briefly held me captive on his ship, I remember being surrounded by all kinds of unusual and interesting technology. Back then, I assumed it was stuff common to his species. Now, Isuspect a lot of it was stuff Nirblob had created himself, like his early prototype for a Lord Vardox tentacle belt.
I should have recognized just how talented my new friend is sooner. Right now, I’m thanking my lucky stars that he’s put his creative talents to work for us.
I have a feeling Nirblob might finally be able to convince Kai to be his friend after all this is over. That would make me so freaking happy.
New friendship mission unlocked!
“Let’s go nab these dickbags. I’ve got an epic honeymoon to prepare for.”
We make our way to the smaller landing vessel and when we’re within range, Nirblob whips out his holotablet and, in moments, a door in the ship opens and a ramp descends.
He pockets the tablet and swaps it for his Slime-O-Matic Paralyticator, then stands in a supercool James Bond pose. If James Bond wore a cape and thigh-high boots. “I’ll cover the rear.”
I nod, leading the way inside with my own weapon at the ready. We move fast and stealthily as we board the vessel. Exiting the small cargo hold, we turn down a narrow hallway and I hear voices up ahead. Inching closer, I eventually raise my hand to pause our movement.
I peer around a corner and spot Adeline in her uncanny Serleena alter form. Seriously, I swear she has to have seenMen in Black 2! It’s hard to believe she used to wear the face of a gentle older woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Osairans have taught me that the adage,appearances can be deceiving, goes to whole new levels with them.
Right now, our two baddies appear to be arguing, but Layne Madison is holding a phaser in one hand and I need to be careful.
I can’t make out what they’re saying and the angle isn’t good for me to try to take a covert shot from where I stand, especially since poor Kai is strapped down in a medical chair and unable to duck and cover. However, my control vanishes in an instant when Adeline pulls out a hypodermic needle and injects Kai with a substance.
Oh,hellfucking no. I come charging around the corner, full of fury.
And promptly trip over my own feet, falling to the ground.
Thankfully, this appears to be my alien superpowers at work; I end up avoiding a blast from Layne Madison’s phaser. And from the smoking hole in the wall of the ship above me, I seriously doubt it was set to stun.
Asshole.
“River!” Kai cries, struggling against his restraints.
“I’m okay, babe,” I say, chagrined.
So much for my epic heroic rescue. It played out so much better in my mind.
“Drop your weapon,” Adeline says calmly, holding the syringe like a knife in front of Kai’s face. Layne Madison keeps his phaser aimed at me, a cruel smirk on his douchey face.
Well, son of a phaser fucking bitch.
I really should have waited for a more opportune moment to appear like a kickass superhero saving the day. In my head, I was going to look so valiant and cool. But in reality, I messed up.
