Alien Nation (Katherine "Kitty" Katt #14)
Gini Koch
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It’s that time again—time to say “thank you” to the many people who make both writing and the career that goes along with it worthwhile.
Infinite thanks to Sheila Gilbert, the most patient and excellent editor anyone could have and same again to my wonderful agent, Cherry Weiner, neither of whom screamed “Finish the book already!” once, even though I’m sure they both wanted to multiple times. You’re the bestest in the Westest to my super critique partner, Lisa Dovichi, and the fastest beta reader around, Mary Fiore, both of whom, Lisa especially, screamed “Finish the book already!” multiple times. Couldn’t have made it through this particular challenge in deadline extension without all of you, and I’m grateful that I get to work with all of you all the time.
Love and thanks to Alexis Nixon, Kayleigh Webb, and the other good folks at Penguin Random House and everyone at DAW Books, especially Josh Starr, Sarah Guan, and Katie Hoffman for being excellent and awesome all the time. Same again to all my fans around the globe, my Hook Me Up! Gang, members of Team Gini new and old, all Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing, Members of the Stampeding Herd, Twitter followers, Facebook fans and friends, Pinterest followers, the fabulous bookstores that support me, and all the wonderful fans who come to my various book signings and conference panels—you’re all the best and I wouldn’t want to do this without each and every one of you along for the ride.
Special love and extra shout-outs to: my wonderful assistants, Colette Chmiel and Joseph Gaxiola for continuing to fight the good fight of keeping me reasonably calm, on schedule, and somewhat coherent; Edward Pulley for continually allowing me to steal Joseph away all the time with good grace; Al Barrera for doing such a great job of helping me with social media; Kathi Schreiber for many things including being the light at the end of the tunnel; Museum of Robots for making such awesome licensed products of my works; Chrysta Stuckless, Kevin Bowman, Craig & Stephanie Dyer, Jan Robinson, Marsheila Rockwell, Anne Taylor, Koleta Parsley, Missy Katano, Erica Singleton, MJ Nicholson, Lynn Crain, Terry Smith, and Richard Bolinski for lovely and delicious prezzies that always make me feel like the Queen of the World; Joseph Gaxiola, Edward Pulley, Brad Jensen, Kathi Schreiber, Al Barrera, Megan Nash, Julie Hargraves, James Wilson, Chris & Anette Hansen, Vicki Kung, Duncan & Andrea Rittschof, Javier de Leon, and Chris “Delicious” Swanson for help, sweat, and support at cons; Summer Brooks and Slice of SciFi for giving me things to review so I still get out of the Casa, into the world, and continue to experience popular culture; Doug & Gen Cook for the opportunity to be “home” and eating well while on book tour; Kelly Mueller for keeping me apprised of things I would never see or know about and therefore ensuring I know about them; Javier de Leon for being there and Robert Palsma for ensuring that he could be; Chris “Delicious” Swanson for awesome concert experiences; Scott Johnson for still having the best little B&B in San Diego and adding on best turkey meatloaf maker to his already impressive list of skills; Michele Sharik, Brian Pituly, and Brianne Lucinda for going long distances to see the me all the time; Adrian & Lisa Payne, Duncan & Andrea Rittschof, and Hal & Dee Astell for always showing up and making every event all the better for your presence; Dan & Emily “Amadhia” King for constant love and support; the Authors of the Stampeding Herd—Lisa Dovichi, Barb Tyler, Lynn Crain, Hal Astell, Terry Smith, Sue Martin, Teresa Cutler-Broyles, Phyllis Hemann, Rhondi Salsitz, and Celina Summers—I literally would not have finished this book without the competition with and support from all of you, and I’m proud to pound hooves with every one of you (psst, buy their books); and last but not least, Matt Rich, Mark Settell, and all the good folks at Right Toyota in Scottsdale for being the place I get the most writing done (true story) and for not only letting me stay at the dealership all day long, but encouraging me to do so even when my cars don’t need servicing.
Last in the listings but always first in my heart, thanks to my husband, Steve, who listened to far too many songs on continuous repeat without complaint, and our daughter, Veronica, and her brand new husband, Kenny, for giving me one of the best reasons in the world for being distracted. May you two be as happy as Kitty and Jeff and save the world all the time in your own ways.
“DON’T TREAD ON ME” is a great rock song from Metallica. However, it’s about to become the third rock from the sun’s theme song.
There’s never been a more exciting time to be living on Earth, by which I mean never have so many different alien species of varying intelligence and talent levels been more interested in our lonely little blue marble. It’s as if Earth just became the galactic vacation hot spot, formerly only known to a select few but now offering special getaway packages on the cheap.
Of course, it’s also nice that we’ve been invited into the galactic community as a whole. We’re getting help with interstellar ships and all sorts of weapons and other really cool stuff. I’m certain there’s going to be a price to pay that we can’t afford down the road, but right now, it’s all great.
Well, other than the fact that all the anti-alien hysteria is really ramping up. And, seeing as I’m married to the current Alien of Aliens—aka Jeff Martini, whose parents were born on Alpha Four of the Alpha Centauri system and who is now, despite his wishes, the President of these United States—that means we have a whole lot of hysteria going on worldwide.
On the plus side, much of that hysteria is focused on the Z’porrah, our very own dino-bird boogeymen from far, far away. They’re real, they hate us, and they make great fall guys. Of course, I know the price for this is also going to come due later on, right when we least expect it and can’t handle the balloon payment, but, as with so many other things, that’s a worry for another day.
On the not plus side, the rest of the hysteria is focused on us, on American Centaurion, Centaurion Division, and all of our various allies, especially those allies from other solar systems. So, you know, business as usual.
On the other plus side, we’re certainly living in interesting times. Yeah, I know, it’s a Chinese curse for a reason. But, as experience has enthusiastically taught me, things can always get worse.