Alien in Chief by Gini Koch Read Free Book Online

and Lucinda happy, so that was one for the win column. “Jeff, are you coming with us or do you have to stay up here?”
    â€œIt’ll depend on what we determine we’re doing about the Planetary Council.”
    â€œWe’re in a damned if we do and damned if we don’t situation,” Cleary said. He and Jeff started discussing the various options, with Buchanan and even the boys adding in. No one was thrilled.
    Considered the option they hadn’t. “You know, why don’t we just kill two birds with one spaceship?”

CHAPTER 7
    G OT THE ROOM’S ATTENTION with that one. All the men stared at me for a few long seconds.
    â€œExcuse me?” Cleary asked finally.
    â€œIf we have the Planetary Council arrive at NASA Base, it would make a statement that the Base is necessary, plus keep the Planetary Council out of D.C.”
    â€œThey want to chat with the President, I’m sure,” Jeff said. “I don’t think we want to drag Vince down to Florida for this.”
    â€œWhy not?” Cleary asked. “I mean that seriously. It’s his home state, too, and, frankly, I like the Ambassador’s idea.”
    â€œAnd if things get dull, we can always take them to Disney World.” The entire room ignored this statement. Always the way.
    â€œI’m not sure about the logistics, Gideon,” Jeff said, as if I hadn’t spoken. “And a spaceship over Florida is no better than a spaceship over Washington.”
    â€œHave them show up via the Alpha Five Transport System.” This one got the room’s attention, go me. “They’re all comfortable with that method, and as long as no one’s trying to stop them their trip here should be relatively smooth.”
    â€œYou just don’t want to be away from the action,” Jeff said. Accurately.
    Not that I was going to admit that. “I think we solveseveral problems by doing this all at NASA Base, and if Gideon’s with us, then he’s away from Stephanie. And The Clarence Clone is in Florida, too.” “Road Runner” by Aerosmith came on, as if to solidify the rightness of my train of thought. “Really, I think it’s road trip time.”
    Jeff sighed and pulled his phone out. He looked at Kyle. “Turn the music off. I don’t want to talk to the President with rock music screaming in the background.”
    â€œSpoilsport,” I muttered.
    Kyle grinned and sent a text, presumably because Jeff was dialing and Kyle didn’t want to use the intercom system therefore. The music stopped. Did my best not to pout. Failed, if Buchanan trying not to laugh was any indication.
    â€œHey Vince. Kitty’s suggested we have the Planetary Council arrive via phasing transport, meaning no spaceships. Yeah, I agree. Also, she’s suggested that they arrive at NASA Base.” He was quiet for a bit. “Yeah, that’s her thinking, too. It’ll allow us to easily activate TCC at the same time as well.” He chuckled. “I’ll tell her.” He hung up and turned to me. “Vince likes your plan.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYeah. He said that suggestions in these matters from the woman who averted the total destruction of Earth at least twice probably should be listened to.”
    â€œVince is my favorite. But I think it’s been more than twice.”
    Jeff heaved a sigh. “You can argue with him about it on Air Force One, baby. We’re flying down there. Tonight.”
    Let that sit on the air for a bit. Then found the right words. “No way in hell are we doing that.”
    Before Jeff or anyone else could argue, I quickly explained why it just wasn’t that simple. In part because we had a huge entourage if it was just going to be our family unit going to Florida. And seeing that it was us, there was no way that only Jeff, the kids, and I were going. Half the Embassy was going to want to go and, once Jeff let