“Thanks Daddy. Oh, this is so nice; I’ve missed everyone!”
“Now go put in your contacts then say hello to your mother; after that you can start hugging all your friends,” Samantha whispered to Catie.
Catie rushed to the restroom and put in the contacts, then she returned and made her entrance into the room. “Hey, everyone, what a surprise!”
Several of her friends waved at her, but left her alone as it was obvious that she was heading toward her mother.
“Hi, Mommy,” Catie said as she wrapped her arms around Linda.
“Hi, Sweetie. How are you surviving?”
“It’s been rough, but now that we’ve started classes, I think the hard part is over.”
“That’s what your Uncle Blake says.”
“Hey, Zane,” Catie said as he came over and handed Linda a drink.
“Hi, Catie, come by and chat when you’re free,” he said before he headed to the other side of the room.
“You don’t mind that he’s here, do you?” Linda asked.
“Hey, he’s your boyfriend, why would I?” Catie asked.
“It’s just . . .”
“Don’t worry about it, Mommy. Daddy and I are both glad to see you happy.”
“Good, now go ahead and visit with your friends.”
“Hi, Uncle Blake.” Catie walked over to Blake and Liz. “Hi, Liz.”
“Hey, Squirt. Break any knees lately?” Blake asked.
“Oh, so you heard about that?”
“It came across my desk,” Blake said. “Just part of the weekly update from Commandant Lewis.”
“You broke someone’s knee?!” Liz asked.
“Just tore the ligaments,” Catie said. “He’s fine.”
“What was going on?”
“Martial arts demonstration,” Catie said. “It got out of hand.”
“I’ll say. Did you get in trouble?”
“Not much!”
“There’s more to this than you’re saying, I want the real skinny,” Liz said.
“Maybe later,” Catie said as she saw Sophia heading her way. “Hi, Sophia.”
“I owe you one!” Sophia snarled.
“For what?” Catie asked, all innocent-like.
“You know what!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Catie said.
“Dad had the police look into it, but they couldn’t find anything,” Sophia said. “But I know you did it.”
“Did what?”
“Green, did you have to choose green?!”
“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” Catie said. “Are you here to get some dirt for your next book?”
“You know someone was going to write it sooner or later; at least I was a friend,” Sophia said.
“I know, but it was still a shock,” Catie said. “But, I forgive you.”
“Arr,” Sophia shook her head. “Okay, I forgive you too!”
“For what, oh, you mean being mad at you. Well, thanks,” Catie said.
“By the way, what’s with your hair?” Sophia asked.
“Just trying out a new look,” Catie said. “What do you think?”
“I like your normal look. This look doesn’t look as fun.”
“What was that all about?” Liz whispered to Blake.
“Apparently Sophia’s shower had some green food coloring in the water one morning. Dr. Metra cleaned most of it off for her, but she still had a light green tinge for a few days,” Blake said.
Liz started giggling. “I could have told her she was going to get nailed. Catie always gets even,” Liz said. Catie must have heard Liz giggle and looked their way, so Liz gave her a little wave.
“They couldn’t prove anything; they don’t even know how she pulled it off,” Blake said.
“Was the admiral pissed?”
“No, his attitude was no harm, no foul, and Sophia should have known better.”
“What about Pam?”
“Same thing. They both had a hard time not laughing, Sophia was being so histrionic about the whole thing.”
“I’m sorry I missed it.”
“I have several videos of her throwing a fit,” ADI said. “Two of the best are when she was still very green.”
“Oh, please send them to me,” Liz said.
“I will, but don’t share them with Catie.”
“Why not?”
“She and I are having a little disagreement,” ADI said.
“Oh, she didn’t tell you?”
“Something like that,” ADI replied
Chapter 14What About Earth?
“Have they told you any more about what this is all about?” Blake asked Marc as the two men and their ladies boarded the Lynx for their flight to Brussels.
“No, I think they’re planning to ambush us with the details. They don’t want us to be able to have a prepared response,” Marc said.
“Like that’s going to work,” Samantha said. “ADI will be able to analyze and provide options on anything they come up with.”
“Well, they don’t know about ADI,” Marc said. “She and I have been going through probable issues all week.”
“What about Blake?” Samantha asked.
“I’ve been getting helpful summaries,” Blake said. “And I do appreciate being left out of the nitty-gritty.”
“I assumed you would. Now let’s enjoy our flight,” Marc said. “We’ve timed it so we can have a nice dinner while in route. We’ll arrive right after their breakfast.”
“So, after a nice big dinner, we’ll arrive, check-in, and have a nap,” Jackie said. “Then we’ll be ready for the day. It’s exactly twelve hours difference between Delphi City and Brussels.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“What’s the final guest list?” Blake asked as he and Marc prepared to leave for the conference.
“The G20 plus us.”
“Who’s attending, their ambassadors, or the political leaders?”
“Brazil and Mexico are sending their ambassadors. Mainly, I think, to express disapproval at the late invite. I think the rest are sending the head of state.”
“Politics is so much fun,” Blake said. “Are you prepared for the roasting?”
“We’ll see.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“We expected just you, Mr. President,” the President of China said when Marc and Blake entered the conference room. Apparently, he had been elected as chairperson of the conference.
“Since you said this was about Earth’s defense, I thought bringing the commander of our space fleet would be appropriate,” Marc replied.
“You didn’t tell them I was coming?” Blake whispered.
“I like to provide a few surprises as well,” Marc whispered back.
“Very well, if you will give us a moment, we’ll rearrange the table to make room.”
“Thank you. I would also like to offer the use of our translation service,” Marc said. He held up the briefcase he was carrying. “It will do simultaneous translations for each of us and allow us
