Page 21 of Alien's Eternal Mate

“Entered the what?”

“The ruins. The ancient structure the village is built upon.”

His gaze lit up with understanding.

“Oh, you don’t remember that, either? The Ancients left many tricks and traps behind, because someday they are coming back for their vessel, and they don’t want a bunch of Masari clogging up the works.”

“Masari? Is that what our species…I mean, our people are called?”

“Yes, we are the Masari. Our Tribe is the Starlost. There’s a story why but no one has ever bothered to tell me how it got the name.”

I was curious, but not as much as I was about the ruins.

“I must get inside.”

Lo stepped onto the path ahead of me.

“In that case, allow me to be your guide. I’ve explored more of the Ancient temple than anyone else. Anyone that made it back out alive, that is.”

I faced him squarely and narrowed my gaze.

“Show me.”

FIVE

CARTER

The three moons lit our path better than a torch or flashlight could have hoped to. The central moon, the largest, had a blood red hue. The smallest blue moon was also the brightest, while the middle yellow moon had a patina of black craters marring its surface.

“I usually wriggle through a hole over there, but no way will you fit.” Lo gestured to our right. “I know you can make it through this way, though we may not get very far.”

“Why not?”

“There is a rectangle on one of the walls I suspect might be a door, but I’ve never been able to get it open.”

We picked our way over a field of shattered stone and loose gravel. My tail moved instinctively, helping to keep my balance. If I’d have attempted to scale the crumbling patch of turf in my human body, I’d have broken an ankle or worse. But Lo and I made it to the top with ease.

“Here it is. Watch out for Suckerbats.”

“Suckerbats?”

He formed a circle with his hands and caged his lips.

“Yes, they attack themselves and then they suck your blood. One or two isn’t’ dangerous but they can swarm you pretty quick. It’s how I lost my eye.”

I flinched, and then looked at the cave entrance with more respect.

I had to duck my way under the stone arch. I felt up above me and touched smooth metal between the rough rock. The cave had grown up around the crashed ship. It had been there for an astonishingly long period of time.

It was nearly pitch black inside, but Lo put his hand on the wall and energy pulsed through the hitherto hidden circuitry, providing illumination.

“The power works in here, but that door won’t open.”

I could not see the door he spoke of at first, because it was only visible as a thin rectangular seam on the wall. I ran my fingers over its surface until I discovered a slight depression. I felt about and discovered a small stud I depressed with my finger.

A squarish, foot wide section of wall slid back, revealing a circular input panel. I had no idea what the characters meant, but they were probably alphanumeric.

“Whoa, how did you do that?”

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