Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(59)

"Anybody trying to take it apart will be met with the same results," she warned.

"I like this." I turned the weapon in my hand. There were markings on the barrel that I couldn't read. I wondered whether she could read them before deciding I didn't want an answer to that question.

"You still mad?" she asked, her face tilted upward to mine.

"No." I leaned in to kiss her. "You did the right thing."

"Good. You can go play target practice now, if you want," she said.

"I have a better idea," I mumbled, setting the gun aside and reaching for her.

"I was hoping you would," she responded dryly.

*

Corinne

"My cabbage is feeling neglected?" Ilya breathed against my neck.

"Um-hmm," I sighed as he nibbled sensitive skin. "I thought you were leaving me for a pistol."

"Never." His fingers tickled my ribs gently as he pulled the hem of my T upward. "Do not suggest such a thing again. It was only a mild flirtation."

"Mild? Your hands were all over it."

He bit back a laugh. "Come," he pulled me toward our bed.

*

Notes-Colonel Hunter

"Look-they're using too much power," James set his tablet in front of me. We were at the office late, deciphering information Matt's team in Bogotá had sent, complete with specs on the rockets my team handed over before their untimely faked deaths.

Too, the squatters at the Seattle facility were drawing more power than appeared normal as they settled into their new hiding place. Corinne sent information earlier when the Baikov clone made his trip up the mountain.

Whatever the plan was that Prentice and Baikov discussed, it wasn't hinted at anywhere. The technology used in the Colombian rockets was also a mystery-nobody had seen anything like it.

A few theories swam through my head, but I didn't know how to search for information without alerting Askins and his cronies. Resolving to ask Matt about it, I studied the graphs on James' tablet.

"Who knows what they're doing and the taxpayers are picking up the tab," I grumbled, comparing charts on the power usage while we'd been in residence to that of the ones now using the facility.

Theirs was higher, for some reason.

"James," I said, lifting my gaze to him. "I want to talk to Corinne tomorrow. I know she can get in there without being seen. I need to know what these f*ckers are doing."

"I'll make sure the call is safe and you're not disturbed," he promised.

*

Corinne

Opal and Nick's hunting party had no results, but I think they enjoyed letting their alter egos out for a stretch. Nick certainly appeared happier when they returned after midnight.

"No scents?" Ilya asked the proper question as Nick foraged in the fridge for leftover food.

"Nothing," Opal answered for him as he handed her a container of leftover steak. Apparently, the shift in their bodies required extra sustenance. Ilya and I made sure the food was heated, fresh bread toasted and drinks supplied as both settled at the kitchen island to eat.

"So they're staying inside for now," Ilya took a seat at the island. He and I had risen after our lovemaking session, just so we'd be available when Nick and Opal returned.

"I can't imagine that the creatures aren't feeling cooped up," Nick said, stuffing a large piece of steak in his mouth and chewing.

"I felt cooped up and I'm not like them," I said.

"You had a way out," Ilya observed. "I admit I was not happy about that."

"Coolest way to travel," Nick said, washing down steak with a bottle of imported beer. "I don't like flying much. Corinne getting me somewhere? Works for me."

"How does it work-do you know?" Ilya asked. I was surprised he hadn't asked before.

"Do you have a dollar?" I asked.

"Why do you need a dollar?" he rummaged in his pockets for money before handing me a crumpled five. "Will this work?"

"Yeah," I said, laying the five on the island and smoothing it out as best I could. "Now," I said, "here's where I am." I tapped the left end of the bill. "This is where I want to go," I tapped the right end. "This is how I get there." I folded the bill in half so that both ends were together.

"Fuck me," Nick breathed.

"Looks like it takes power and talent to do that," Opal observed.

I shrugged at her, not wanting to explain more than I had already. Ilya took the five from my hand and unfolded it, then folded it again.

"Does it stay folded?" he asked.

"No, that would cause problems," I said. "I'm only folding the minutest amount of space possible. A pinpoint, at most, and it springs back immediately."

"This falls into the next to impossible category," he muttered.

"Honey, look at us," I said. "All of us fall into that category."

"Truth," Nick pointed his fork in my direction.

"What's on tap for tomorrow?" Opal asked, cutting another piece of steak into a manageable bite.

"I think Auggie will call and ask me to get into the facility," I said. "Just so he can see what's going on."