Alien Coffee by John H. Carroll Read Free Book Online Page B

coffee while listening intently. Buffy had come in quietly, but
didn’t say anything as he sat down.
    “Other than that, it is boring here
for the most part. The time is worth it because the research is so
fascinating.” She crossed her legs and took Jillian’s hand into her
lap with both of hers. “I’m a spoiled brat, but I graduated at the
top of my class because I’m very good at science and I enjoy it.
The data coming in here is extraordinary and I’m spending most of
my time studying every detail.”
    “You’re not a spoiled brat, and I’ve never
suggested it,” Buffy interjected. “I have the utmost respect for
you, but I worry about your drug use and casual disregard for
rules.”
    “You’re not my daddy . . . or my mommy, so
don’t waste your time,” Nyxulla responded defensively. “Do you have
the device?”
    Buffy didn’t respond immediately. The two
aliens stared at each other for a moment. Nyxulla blinked first.
Jillian thought the BEM had an unfair advantage in the contest with
no eyelids to cover the enormous compound eyes. “I have the
device.” It turned to Jillian. “Stand up and I’ll attach it.”
    Jillian did so nervously. She held her arms
up and remained completely still while the alien deftly put a
silver utility belt around the waist of her blouse. The device was
on the left side while small pouches lined the rest of it. What
shocked Jillian was that there was a ray gun hanging down her right
hip. When Buffy stepped back, she tentatively touched it.
    “It’s already set to transform its target
into emo bunnies, so all you need to do is pull the trigger. I’m
certain that giving a human advanced weaponry won’t turn out badly
at all,” Buffy told her sarcastically. “However, it’s unlikely
you’ll have to use it and you’re under strict orders not to unless
you feel there is no other choice left to you.”
    “Whose orders?” Nyxulla challenged with a
raised eyebrow.
    “Mine,” Buffy told her firmly. “Do you want
to explain to Hub Command why we’re letting humans play with ray
guns and turn each other into emo bunnies?” Nyxulla shook her head
immediately. Buffy turned back to Jillian. “Most of the pouches are
empty. There’s a first aid kit with two bandages in it.” He pointed
to a pouch on the front of her belt. Then he pointed to another.
“This has five ration pills. You can take one per day and it will
give you all the nourishment you need in case you get stuck in the
jungle for any reason.”
    “Wait, the first aid kit only has two
bandages?” Jillian asked incredulously. “So I’m fine if I get a boo
boo?
    “They’ll heal most injuries,” Nyxulla replied
with a grin. “Just press it anywhere and let it do its job. You can
use them on any race. There’s a molecular analyzer in each
one.”
    “They’re expensive, so don’t use it for
anything less than a life threatening injury,” Buffy warned. “You
also have a localized tracer that will enable us to track you in
this area, but isn’t strong enough for you to be noticed by anyone
who could get us in trouble. The invisibility device enables you to
see anyone else using one, an extremely important feature. Another
key piece of equipment in one of the pouches on the back of the
belt is a universal interpreter that translates all languages
recorded by the Amalgamation. Here is an earpiece and button
speaker for direct conversation, just put the button on your
collar.”
    “Does that include human languages?” Jillian
asked. She placed the small blue button that was the speaker
against her collar and it fastened itself. Then she put the silver
earbud in her left ear. Somehow it stuck in her ear canal without
being uncomfortable. Even better, it didn’t interfere with normal
sounds.
    “Including many that died out millennia ago,”
Buffy answered with a nod.
    “It’s unlikely that you’ll need to translate
those though,” Nyxulla said wryly.
    “We’re nearing the crash site,”