Page 25 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"Mel? You require sustenance. I made... what Sam calls 'pancakes'."

His voice, deep and rough, sends shivers down my spine despite the hot water.

"I'll be out soon."

A pause. "You are troubled."

"I'm fine."

"Your scent-"

"Stop smelling me!"

A low rumble that might be a laugh.

"As you wish. But I will wait. As long as needed."

His footsteps retreat, and I sink lower in the water to hide my smile. Maybe being pursued isn't so bad after all.

CHAPTER 10

KRAMPUS

"Time for me to head out." I set down the empty plate, my third helping of this delightful creation called 'mac and cheese.'

"Where are you going?" Mel's fingers twist in her shirt hem.

"Going to pay your workplace a visit. See what those Grolgath are really up to."

"The Ayl-Lean building? But-"

"The more I know about Gregor's operation, the better I can protect you and the small one." I tap the death ray remote control on the table. "This will keep you safe while I'm gone."

Sam picks up a marker and starts drawing on my arm. "Is this like hide and seek?"

"Something like that, little one." The marker tickles against my fur.

"Please be careful." Mel's voice cracks. "Those things they had at the office..."

"Ha! Let them try their toys on me. The Grolgath should worry about their own safety."

The garage door squeals as I lift it. A sheet-covered lump catches my eye. One sniff tells me it belongs to Mel's formermate. The scent of engine oil and neglect wafts up as I pull the cover off.

"What's that?" Sam pokes her head around the door.

"A motorcycle. Or what's left of one." The chrome's rusted, tires flat. Nothing my tech can't fix. I pull a handful of nanites from my belt pouch.

"Can I help?"

"Hand me that wrench." I point to the toolbox. The nanites spread across the engine block, converting the Earth tech to something more useful.

Sam brings the wrench, then sits cross-legged next to me. "What are those sparkly things?"

"Tiny robots. They fix things." I disconnect the fuel line. "See that box of bolts? Sort out the silver ones."

"Like a treasure hunt!"

"Exactly." The engine purrs as the nanites finish their work. Much better. The bike now sports a quantum drive and anti-grav stabilizers. "Perfect timing with those bolts."

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