Page 34 of Alien Rescue

To her surprise he nodded.

No one in his right mind went out after dark in the big cities. Gangs and violent shootings kept most people indoors. Though with the alien at her side, she might brave it if it meant they could catch the traitors threatening to bomb human cities. Who threatened her family. Why didn’t they threaten the alien stronghold? She glanced at the door leading onto the roof, from the stairs inside the building.

“Will the shuttle be all right?” She could just imagine if someone decided to come up here and found a spaceship.

He followed her gaze and disappeared into the shuttle, to emerge with a piece of flat silver that looked like a large Band-Aid. He slapped it over the door and wall. As she watched, it solidified, making it impossible for anyone to open the door from inside.

He returned to her side. “You will always stay behind me if there is any danger.”

“Now wait just?” She was a professional; he wasn’t about to relegate her to being the little woman hiding behind her man. Or some arrogant alien.

“I am bulletproof.”

On the other hand. “Well, if you put it that way.”

“I do put it that way. When we find the thieve scientists, you will wait until I have scanned for traps and possible contaminants.”

She stood and squared her shoulders. “All right, lead the way.” She frowned at his broad back. “How can you be bulletproof?”

“Superior Zyrgin technology.”

Rose rolled her eyes, then turned when another shuttle landed, and she couldn’t be sure, but she thought it was the rude doctor who always managed to make her feel better, physically at least, who stepped out of the shuttle.

He and Zanr grunted at each other. She had to try and learn their language. She hated standing around, clueless about what they said to each other and what they said about her.

At last Zanr turned to her. “Come here, my breeder. Viglar will scan you and give you an injection to protect you.”

“Against what?”

Neither alien answered her. Before she knew his intent, Viglar pressed his injector, that looked like a pen, against her neck. Like the other times, she didn’t even feel a prick. She touched her neck and glared at him. “Give a body some warning, won’t you.”

“Do not speak to other warriors,” Zanr said.

At the same time the doctor said, “You are now insulated against the disease in this city.” She noticed he didn’t give Zanr one.

“What about Zanr?” She needed him healthy and able to find the people who wanted to bomb her family’s city. That’s why she was concerned, not because she had an unnatural attraction for the enemy.

Zanr pulled her farther away from the doctor and stepped between them. “You are not to speak to other warriors.”

“It was a simple question. No need to go all macho on me.”

“I am not macho, I am Zanr, and I will answer your questions.”

She tapped her foot. “Well, answer then.”

He eyed her tapping foot and then said, “We are immune to most diseases and were inoculated when we came to Earth as an added precaution.”

The doctor took out a filmy packet that looked like very thin plastic. He slapped one over Zanr.

“Added insulation against human disease,” he grunted at Zanr, and giving him another packet, got into his shuttle and flew away.

Zanr gently placed the packet over her, and the plastic expanded to cover her head and body. Before she could suffocate, it dissolved. “Nifty little trick,” she muttered.

She walked to the edge of the roof and stared out over the city. Zanr came to stand next to her.

“I’ve been thinking. Morgan always talked about a bar he liked here in New York. I think we should go there instead of just wandering around, hoping to find a clue. If I pretend I am alone and vulnerable, Morgan might show himself faster.” He’d love to lord it over her.

“I never wander aimlessly.” He stiffened. “This Morgan wishes to harm you?”

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