by Robin Roseau
"You're late," I said. "I've been waiting."
"It's Posey's fault," Violet said. "Blame her while you hug me." And so we hugged, and once her lips were near my ear, she said, "You're fine. If he's hanging around, he's well out of sight."
We separated. "I ate, so I don't care of you're hungry," I said. "And now I'm crabby, so I hope you didn't want to shop."
Violet sighed. "It's Posey's fault, I swear."
Then I sighed. "Fine. But I've eaten and am bored. What are you going to do about it?"
"Whisk you away, of course."
And they did just that.
* * * *
"Who was that jerk?"
"We don't know," said Azalea.
"Come on. He must have been Tested by now," I said. "He's not in your records?"
"We'll never catch up on Testing," Bluebell said. "And we need more women than men, so we Test them at a rate of two to one."
"Have I seen him before?"
"We're still scanning your recordings," Azalea said. "It's going to take some time. We should know in a few hours."
"Find out if he's been following me at the mall."
"I started there. No hits. If it wasn't entirely random, then someone else was watching you, but we haven't seen anything obvious. Skye, humans can be very, very good at this."
"Or it could be entirely random, exactly what he said," Violet suggested. "He saw you, thought you looked intriguing, and when he saw you at the mall, decided to make a try."
"Everyone raise a tentacle who believes that."
They didn't think I was funny.
* * * *
But nothing more came of it, or so I thought. It was a week and a half later that I received my next bit of human attention, although I didn't recognize it at the time.
It was another reception. Someone was always hosting a reception. This one was hosted at the German embassy in Washington. As usual, I followed Amaryllis around, but as she occasionally did at these events, she turned to me and said, "Perhaps you would care to mingle." I was never sure if she was getting rid of me to have a private conversation or was simply freeing me to attempt to enjoy the event without being on duty.
But when the ambassador tells you to mingle, you mingle.
And so I roamed, collecting a class of soda as I did so. In one corner, a string quartet was playing, so I stopped to listen for a while.
A woman stepped up to my side, listening to the music as well.
We were dressed in black cocktail dresses and heels. My hair was down; hers was up.
She turned to me, looked me over once, smiled, and then turned her attention back to the music. But a moment later she turned to me and held out her hand.
"Anita Graves," she said.
"Skye Andrews," I said. We shook briefly.
"You're with the BP ambassador."
"Yes," I said. "I'm her human puppy dog."
Anita laughed at that, then sobered. "Please tell me that was a joke."
"I suppose I shouldn't do that," I said. I gestured. "I still find myself overwhelmed at these events."
"It's fine," she said with a smile. "I'm not offended. But what is your real title?"
"You know, I don't know. Intern? Mainly I follow her around and occasionally teach her a little English idiom. It's easy work if you can get it."
"I bet you do more than that," Anita replied.
"I believe this is the first time we've met. What is it you do, Anita?"
"Minor assistant to the undersecretary of knobs and widgets," she replied. "My title is far fancier than yours, but I must admit, being a human puppy dog makes your title rather unique."
"Oh, I'm sure that's not your title."
She sighed. "Assistant to Senator Grimes." She sighed. "He makes me attend these events when his wife can't, which is far too often."
"I don't know. It's a nice party." I gestured again. "All these intriguing, well-dressed people. Everyone is so polite. If only I were a little older so I could grab a class of wine."
"You can, you know."
"I'm not 21 yet."
"So? We're in Germany."
"Excuse me?"
"We're in the German embassy. That means we're in Germany. I don't know the drinking age in Germany, but it's a lot younger than 21. You could grab a glass if you wanted."
"I didn't think of that. Shoot. Now I have to decide what my boss would say if she saw a glass in my hand. I think I better play it safe."
"I suppose it's hard to guess how the ETs think."
"It has been for me, but I've been learning a lot."
"That's what an intern is supposed to do."
"It goes along with seen but not heard," I suggested.
We smiled at each other for a moment.
"What are they like?"
"The BPs? Tall."
She laughed. "Come on. What are they like?"
"Very passionate," I said. "Ambassador Amaryllis really seems to care about what happens here."
Anita turned, and so I turned with her. I followed her gaze, and she was watching Amaryllis. "What's she like as a person?"
"Would you care for an introduction?" I asked. "You could find out for yourself."
"Oh, no," she said. "I'm just making conversation. And the senator would have me hung out to dry if I was introduced to her before he is. And no, you shouldn't offer. There are protocols, and an intern does not introduce a senator to the alien ambassador."
"I suppose she doesn't," I agreed.
"But come on. You must be able to tell me something juicy."
"I'm sorry. In spite of following her everywhere, I've only been here two months, and she hasn't done anything juicy, or at least not while I've been with her."
"Do you really follow her everywhere?"
"Well, she does take privacy for some things, and she sends me home at night."
"So you're in the meetings with her and the other ETs."
"Yes, but before you ask, you should consider something. Do you think they speak English with each other?"
"Oh, I should have thought about that."
We chatted for a few minutes, and then Anita wandered off with the words, "Must mingle."
It seemed like such an innocuous conversation, and not remotely the first of its kind, and so I didn't report it to anyone. This time, I was wrong.
* * * *
It was the second Saturday in August before I learned more. I was out, of all things, buying school supplies. I didn't need much, but Violet and Posey were both working, so I'd taken the time to pick up a few things. I also grabbed a book and stopped for lunch.
I shouldn't have been surprised. I really shouldn't have.
Anita and Koby together sat down at my table. I'd been deep in the book, so I hadn't noticed their approach, but they certainly startled me when they sat down.
"Keep your voice down," Koby said. "We're just here to talk."
I stared for a moment then closed the book and pinged Azalea. As soon as she came online, I looked at each in turn. "Is Koby King even your name?" I asked. "And Anita Graves?"
"You don't need to know our names," Koby said.
I took a deep breath and held it for a moment, then let it out. I was buying time.
"Let's see what they want," Azalea whispered into my ear.
"So, no names," I said. "Who are you?"
"Americans," said Anita. "Are you still an American, Skye?"
"Are you still human?" Koby asked.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You've become awfully chummy with the aliens," he said. "How many of them are you sleeping with?"
"I don't see how my private life is any of your business."
"Let me handle this," said Anita to him. She turned back to me. "We're with the American government."
"Ah. That tells me very little. Perhaps you'd care to tell me what portion of the government."
"You don't need to know," Koby said.
"Got identification?"
"What?"
"I asked if you have identification. Because in another 30 seconds, I'm going to stand up and start screaming at the two of you to stop stalking me. That will bring the manager. I will remain loud until either you leave or security arrives. I will then accuse you of stalking me and impersonating a federal agent. So either produce some government identification, or I'll presume you're continuing to lie."
"You don't want to do any of that, Skye," said Anita. "Trust me."
"Trust you? Seriously. You're suggesting I trust you. You aren't acting trustworthy."
"We're with a portion of the government that doesn't exactly carry identification," she said.
"Ah, so you are suggesting you are with one of the intelligence services," I said. "Because if you were FBI, you could produce identification."
"Where are your loyalties, Skye?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"We want to know what the ETs are really doing here. We think you know. Why don't you tell us?"
"You're not serious. Do you honestly think they tell me anything privately that doesn't get discussed publicly? Or at least with our political leaders? Go ask the president. I'm sure she knows far more about what they're doing here than I do."
"Skye," whispered Azalea. "I don't have anyone who can get there in less than an hour. See what else they'll tell you, but don't go anywhere with them."
I crossed my arms. "I tell you what. Koby, you're a dick. I'll talk to Anita if you walk away. I don't ever want to see you again."
"That's not how this is going to work," Koby said. "We can take you in-"
"So now you're threatening me? What is it you think I've done?" I looked at Anita. "I might answer your questions, but not with him sitting here. Take it or leave it. If he's not walking away in ten seconds, I start screaming."
"Koby, go."
"But-"
"She's right. You're a dick. I'm sure Skye will do the right thing, but not with you sitting here pissing her off."
Koby glared at her for a moment but then, without a word, climbed from the seat and stormed from the restaurant. I turned to watch him go, and once he had disappeared entirely, I turned back to Anita. "So, is he going to go stake out my car and make me disappear?"
"Skye, that's not why we're here," she said. "But you're on the inside. You're living with a family of them, and you're working for their ambassador. You told me you follow her everywhere."
"And I told you they don't speak English when they don't want me to understand what they're talking about."
"You speak Catseye."
"I speak some Catseye," I said. "And they know it. How many languages did the ambassador speak the day they arrived? Do you honestly believe they don't have several others to pick from?"
"You must have gotten something. Come on, Skye. I need to go back to my boss with something."
"Everything I've seen suggests they are here for exactly the reasons they've stated. They've been cleaning up our messes."
"That's not all they're doing though, is it?"
"I don't know what you want. I really don't."
She stared into my eyes. I stared back.
"You promised you would answer my questions."
"You haven't really been asking any. Or you have, but you don't like the answers. Look. They are our friends. They're certainly my friends. What do you want from me?"
She stared into my eyes for a minute then stood. "Nothing, I suppose." She stepped past me, but as she did, she set her hand on the back of my neck, and I felt a prick.
"Ouch!" I said, slapping my hand to the back of my neck. "What did you do?"
Anita turned and knelt down. Her tone changed to one full of concern. "Skye? Are you all right? Talk to me."
Whatever she used went to work fast. I tried to stand up, but Anita pressed me into the chair, wrapping her arms around me so my struggles were feeble.
"Azalea," I said. "She drugged me, Azalea. Help me!"
Ambassador
"Tell the President a member of my staff has been kidnapped," snapped Amaryllis. "I will be landing on the White House lawn in thirty minutes."
"If your staff member has been kidnapped, you should inform the FBI immediately."
"Tell the president to have the directors of the NSA and CIA with her when I arrive," Amaryllis continued. "And anyone else who oversees covert missions within United States borders. Tell Madam President if she is unable to receive me, I will assume the United States of America is declaring war on the Federation of Allied Planets and respond accordingly."
"I'm sure that won't be necessary, Madam Ambassador," said the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
"I land in 28 minutes."
* * * *
It was 40 minutes later when Amaryllis and Azalea stepped into the Oval Office.
"Madam Ambassador," said the President, already standing. "I am sorry to hear about your staff member, but I assure you-"
Amaryllis strode to the front of the president's desk and slapped a photograph down onto the desk.
"Murphy Ames, 32 years old. Sergeant, United States Marines by day, covert operative by night."
She slapped down a second photo.
"Meryl Richards, 25 years old. Not a member of the United States military, but she is a field agent for the CIA."
A third photo joined the first two. "Skye Andrews, 19 years old. Human, an American citizen, a student at Mount Holyoke outside Boston, and an intern on my staff, kidnapped in broad daylight by these two individuals."
"I assure you, Madam Ambassador," said the president. "You are mistaken."
"That my staff member was kidnapped, or that these two individuals are exactly who I say they are?"
"I cannot say whether your staff member was kidnapped," said the president. "And I do not know who these people are. But I assure you, no legitimate forces of the United States would kidnap your staff member, human or otherwise. Perhaps there is another explanation."
"Do I look like I don't know exactly what happened, Madam President?" Amaryllis asked in carefully clipped words? "Have I in the past been prone to hysterics?"
"No, of course not."
"We have been friends to humanity," said the ambassador. "We are here on a mission of peace. But if the United States of America wants war, I can promise you that we are not the ones who will lose."
"That is not at all what we want!" said the president. "But you must be mistaken. I would not have authorized such a mission."
"Perhaps you should ask these fine men and women if they can shed some light."
"George, what do you know about this?"
"Nothing, Madam President," said the director of the NSA.
"Gina?"
"Not a thing, Madam President."
"I see," said Amaryllis. She turned to Gina Larkin, the director of the CIA. "Ms. Larkin, how sure are you I do not know exactly where my staff member is? How sure are you that I can't also tell you -- and your enemies -- the names, locations, and current missions of every one of your agents, at home and abroad? How sure are you that I am bluffing? Or perhaps mistaken. Are you willing to gamble with the entire future of your country so you can question one 19-year-old intern? If there's something you want to know, you should try asking me."
The CIA director looked up into the alien face. She didn't like what she saw, and she gulped.
"Perhaps we require evidence," said Amaryllis. "Perhaps you do not recognize the photographs of everyone working for you. Would you like a few minutes to verify the identity of these two individuals?"
"Mr. President, perhaps I should make a quick phone call."
"Perhaps you should."
"Ms. Larkin, I have all the evidence I require to act. If you think you can cover this up by killing an innocent girl, you are deeply mistaken. Ask yourself how I have photographs of two of the agents involved. Ask yourself how I know their names. Ask yourself how much video I may have. Kill her, and America will no longer be a superpower by dawn."
The woman blanched but stepped away. While she did so, the president attempted to restore calm to the situation. Amaryllis ignored her.
Two minutes later, the CIA director turned around. "Mr. President, there was a small team that stopped to speak to Ms. Andrews. They report she grew ill and required assistance. There was no kidnapping, Mr. President."
Amaryllis opened her mouth, and a moment later, Skye's voice issued forth, clear and pure.
"You haven't really been asking any. Or you have, but you don't like the answers. Look. They are our friends. They're certainly my friends. What do you want from me?"
"Nothing, I suppose."
"Ouch!" [Slapping noise]. "What did you do?"
"Skye? Are you all right? Talk to me."
"Azalea. She drugged me, Azalea. Help me!"
Amaryllis loomed over the director of the CIA. "We have video. We have video of your agent slapping the back of Ms. Andrews' neck. We have video of Ms. Andrews then reacting to what was clearly sharp pain. We have video of your agents then collecting Ms. Andrews as she slumped, unconscious. We have video of your agents stuffing her into a black SUV. Now, I will give you one more chance, then we will retrieve my employee ourselves, and the United States of America will be at war with the Federation of Allied Planets."
"Gina!" screamed the president. "Did you kidnap a member of this woman's staff?"
"Madam President," said the director. "Perhaps an overzealous team leader-"
"That is bullshit! Does she look like she's bluffing?"
"I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding," said the director.
Consciousness
I groaned. I was seated, slumped over. I groaned again and slowly lifted my head then stared at my hands.
They were cuffed to the top of the table in front of me. When I looked down, my legs were cuffed to the chair. Everything I'd been wearing was gone, and I was dressed in some sort of hospital gown.
I lifted my head. I didn't have far to look. Seated across the table were Koby and Anita. On the table near Anita was a hypodermic needle. It looked empty.
I looked around. I was in a room. The walls and floor were concrete, and there was one steel door along one wall. The ceiling was high overhead, and there were three different cameras pointed at me.
