Page 50 of Close Encounters of the Hot Kind

"That's the weapon?" Aileen steps closer. "He looks like you."

"He's Grolgath." I pull her back. "Enhanced. Augmented. And completely unpredictable."

The pod's cover begins to retract with a pneumatic whine. More steam billows out, obscuring our view of the creature within. A massive hand presses against the glass.

"We need to get out of here." I push the others toward the exit. "Now."

The glass shatters. Through the fog, golden eyes snap open.

A black scaled blur rockets past me, shoving me aside like I'm made of paper. The impact sends me sprawling against the console as Garros bounds up the stairs three at a time.

"Stay here!" I sprint after him, taking the steps two at a time. My boots clang against metal as I emerge into the restaurant's basement.

The boiler door hangs open, torn from its hinges. Footprints in the dust lead upstairs. I follow them through the kitchen, past upended shelves and scattered ingredients.

Outside, pedestrians scream and point at something moving too fast to track. A car swerves, tires squealing. The shadow of Garros' massive form disappears down an alley.

I race after him, my lungs burning. The alley opens onto a busy street. Humans mill about, going about their daily routines. No sign of a seven-foot alien warrior.

My compad beeps. The bioscan shows nothing unusual - just normal human readings. I spin in a circle, searching faces in the crowd. Any of them could be him now.

Back at the restaurant, Aileen and her parents wait by the basement door. Their faces fall when they see I'm alone.

"He's gone." I slump against the wall. "And he can look like anyone now. A perfect shapeshifter with combat augmentations and superhuman strength."

"We have to find him." Aileen grabs my arm. "Before he hurts someone."

"How?" I gesture at the street outside. "He could be anyone, anywhere. And we have no idea what he wants or what he'll do next."

"So we just unleashed an unstoppable alien weapon on Chicago?" Sam's voice cracks.

"Not just Chicago." I close my eyes, defeat washing over me. "The whole world."

CHAPTER 17

AILEEN

The smart watch on my wrist buzzes, its screen flashing red. "West. About six blocks."

"Are you certain?" Varak peers at his own device, his perfect human disguise flickering for a split second.

"As certain as these glorified compass things can be." The street lights cast strange shadows across the empty sidewalk. "You know, most guys just take a girl to dinner and a movie."

"I apologize for the unconventional nature of our evening." Varak's golden eyes catch the moonlight. "This may not be the last time such... interruptions occur."

"What, you mean chasing shape-shifting super soldiers through Chicago isn't your idea of romance?" The watch buzzes again. "Getting closer."

"Aileen, if you wish to end our association-"

"Hold up." I plant my feet, forcing him to stop. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No, I merely want you to understand-"

"The realities of the situation?" My voice rises an octave. "Like how my boyfriend's an alien secret agent who fights other aliens? Or how my family pizza place sits on top of some kind of ancient alien weapon vault?"

"Those exact realities, yes."

"Well tough luck, spaceman. You're stuck with me now." The watch buzzes more intensely. "Besides, looks like our target's heading toward Navy Pier. At least we'll have a nice view while we chase him down."

---