Invasive Species Part One Read Online Free Page A

that part yet,” the alien said.
    The redhead didn’t look like she believed it, but was getting angrier every minute she stood naked and wet in a room full of people in tubes.
    “Give her the clothes, bub.”
    The alien apologized to the woman having remembered that humans are embarrassed by their bodies on most occasions.
    “Pardon, Beth Bailey. I am impressed Derek Vogt has survived. He set off an alarm and almost killed us both. My calculations were wrong somewhere and I expected him to die.”
    Derek turned away as Beth Bailey slid into the garment. Hers was a pleasant pale blue that complimented her red hair, it was almost as if the alien had considered this when picking out her form hugging outfit.
    “This is insane,” Beth said. She glared at Derek as if this were all his doing and not the little alien standing next to her.
    “So what, she was the second best option to save the world after I died?”
    The alien shrugged, “She was the better option, but I had not discovered her presence until I was forced to look over the logs again. She just arrived.”
    Beth waivered. Her eyes rolled back and she just kind of rocked in place like a spinning top on its last few turns.
    “What’s wrong with her?”
    “Her imposter has made a connection.”
    Derek couldn’t let that happen. He jumped forward and punched Beth in the shoulder. Her eyes rolled back and she gasped for air as if she’d just remembered to breathe. She clutched her triceps where Derek struck.
    “Did you hit me?”
    “It breaks the connection.”
    “What?”
    “You just dreamed you were somewhere else, but if felt like you weren’t in control.”
    “Derek, is trying to tell you what I was going to get to in a moment, but it seems a connection was made and is owed some explanation.”
    The alien told Beth about the invasion, how all over Earth, people like Derek and Beth were substituted with aliens who acted as sleeper cells. Carrying out secret plans while maintaining the image of someone everyone knows and would never suspect. From time to time these imposters needed to tap into the source to continue their performance of the life they have stolen.
    “So now you have two of us,” Derek said. “What’s the plan now?”
    The alien looked at Derek and gave a single nod.  “Your battles have strengthened you. Otherwise you would still be useless in comparison to Beth Bailey.”
    “Gee, tell me how you really feel.”
    “My calculations do not produce an error if you two were to work together. You two have mutual attraction and would produce healthy and strong offspring.”
    “Whoa there, bub. I’ve got a girlfriend who I love very much.” Derek was trying to assure Beth he had no interest, as the disgusted look on her face was as obvious as an elephant in a hamster cage.
    “But she is more beautiful than your Melinda Richards,” the alien said.
    “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s just go save the planet.”
    “I have a fiancé,” Beth said.
    “See, that’s how things work on Earth. We respect each other and our relationships. We don’t just make calculations.” Derek smiled at Beth. “No offense.”
    “None taken. If this little bald guy is telling us the truth then there’s more pressing things at hand than standing here bickering.”
    “You have named me little bald guy and Bub. Perhaps I should give you a name I would enjoy hearing.”
    “Nope, after all that you’ve put me through. You’re either little bald guy or Bub. Take your pick.”
    The room screeched. Six oblong spheres shot out of the floor. They didn’t wait for an invitation. They fired on arrival. Beth ran behind a test tube, hiding behind some unhealthy man’s buttocks and hairy legs. Bub rolled into a ball, and with his big head made like a soccer ball. That left Derek.
    Derek wasn’t scared of these stupid things.  He wound up a fist and bashed the first three. The other three scattered away from him firing their burning little missiles with