Page 74 of Malliko
“How are we different?” I asked and pulled a leg under me while turning in my seat to face him head on.
“Our brains have developed differently. An Eidron child would be considered a genius on Earth because they have access to the knowledge collected by the collective. We use telepathy as well as verbal communication. For obvious reasons we have a greater perspective on the Universe than you do.”
“What do you mean when you say they have access to the knowledge collected by the collective?”
“Just like we can connect to each other through telepathy, we learn early on how to connect to the archives of our ancestors and the data stored through generations. It’s comprehensive and overwhelming at first and so we gradually learn how to navigate such vast amounts of information.”
“Is it like being linked up to the internet?”
Malliko looked thoughtful. “I suppose you could compare it to that. It certainly gives us an advantage compared to humans but then, you’re also stronger in some areas than we are.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Humans are famous across the Universe for having the greatest range of emotions. It’s fascinating how your emotions guide you through life. We Eidrons don’t have the same highs and lows.”
“You can have my lows,” I said as if I was buying into his story of being alien.
Malliko didn’t reply to that but continued explaining our differences. “We are more advanced when it comes to technology. We control most of our machinery with a mind link. Our social structures are also different, and we don’t have families the way you do.”
“You don’t have families?”
“No. We live with one of our parents or change between them, but Eidrons don’t have mates the way humans do. Could be that our biological wanderlust prevents us from forming attachments like that. We are known among other species as the wanderers. Remember, I told you when you asked me what my culture was like.”
“But I thought you were talking about Lichtenstein.”
“Yes, well, I’ve never been to anywhere else on Earth than this city. At least not yet.”
I stared at Malliko. Part of me was waiting for him to start laughing and tell me it was a stupid joke, but he didn’t. Instead, he leaned closer and looked deep into my eyes.
“It’s frustrating that I can’t read your mind, Clara. What are you thinking?”
“Right now, I’m wondering why you’re telling me all of this. Let’s say it was true, then what would stop me from telling the news about you?”
Malliko kept his face impassive. “Go ahead and call the news. Tell them that you talked to an alien and see how interested they are.”
I knew he had a point.
“Also, Clara, I can use mind clouding to make you forget about what I just told you.”
“Mind clouding… What is that?”
“A manipulation of the mind. There are ethical rules about when it’s appropriate to use. As a soldier I learned to master techniques to deescalate potentially harmful situations. I was fortunate enough to have an Ugon Master as my mentor and no one is better than them.”
“Malliko, stop.” Brushing down my dark blue jeans I shook my head and held up a hand. “Or is that even your name?”
“It is.”
“I’ve trusted people when I shouldn’t have, and it’s cost me dearly. But I’m not naïve enough to believe that you’re from a different planet. You can’t be. That’s impossible.”
Malliko looked into my eyes. “Do you want me to make you forget about everything we just talked about? Do you want me to leave you alone?”
My lips rubbed against each other as I thought about his question. Instead of answering, I asked one of my own. “So, you’re really not with Tania?”
“I’m not. She’s an agent who helps me with practical details while I’m on Earth.”
“But the photo. You two looked so good together.”
“I’m not attracted to Tania, and she isn’t attracted to me. At least I don’t think she is.”
