Page 7 of Sky Song
Cricked nodded and sighed. “Maybe a little.”
“It will all seem small and unimportant one day.”
“Yes, one day.” Cricket finished the lemonade and stood up. “I better go to bed early before I hallucinate any more aliens.” Except she was so sure she’d seen someone.
“Are you going to be alright?” Paloma was watching her intently out of her startling eyes from beneath a fringe of thick dark curls.
“Of course. I’ve survived worse.”
“Yeah, I remember you telling me. You used to ride your bicycle home from work at midnight, uphill, with sleet pelting you in the face.”
“That was before the bike busted a tube. Then I had to walk.”
They both laughed, but it was a little insincere.
“When is the delegation leaving?” Paloma asked.
“In two weeks.”
“Not long. Stay the hell away from those aliens, you hear?”
Cricket agreed. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I’ve helped Dr. Ragberg out, and I’m no longer a part of their program.”
The door to the lab flew open to reveal Yanet.
“Emma! Dr. Ragberg is asking for you.”
Cricket lifted her head from a sample she was processing. “Why?”
“I don’t know, he doesn’t always tell me.” Yanet sounded put out. “He’s in the big room with the aliens, and he said to take you straight there.”
But of course it’s the aliens.Cricket cursed inwardly as she took off her protective clothes.
“Don’t forget to wash your hands from the contaminated piss,” Salty piped up snidely.
“Don’t wash them,” Kim countered. “Touch the aliens and get them infected.”
“I’m not touching anyone. And I was wearing gloves anyway.” She didn’t know why she wasted her breath on these two.
She followed Yanet to the now-familiar conference room with its massive medieval doors, blinding lights, and the gleaming table. The aliens were all there, but in a change from yesterday, the group was on their feet, mingling with the human doctors. The interpreter, wearing a garish shirt with a tropical motif, was lending his mediocre services to facilitate the aliens’ understanding of a 3D projection highlighting recent studies on improving trauma outcomes.
Dr. Ragberg immediately spotted Cricket, as if he was on the lookout for her. “How are you today, Emma?”
“Fine, thank you, Doctor. And you?”
“Very good, thanks for asking.” Like yesterday, he looked and acted uncomfortable.
“Our guests want another Earth story?” She motioned to the group.
“Not about Earth this time. They are getting ready for a sightseeing tour around Shadush.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
“You seemed to have built rapport with them yesterday, Emma, and you speak Universal so perfectly. How would you like to be their tour guide for the day?”
Cricket couldn't hide her surprise. “Me? But I’m not very good at Meeus’ history, I’m afraid.”
“No special knowledge is required.” He smiled encouragingly, sensing she would do it. “Deja is going, and she’s into all that history stuff.”
