Alien Salvation by Tracy St.John Read Free Book Online Page B

soon swung open a
door at the top, letting in sunlight and the sea breeze. She smiled
at someone on the other side. Bacoj filled his gaze with the gentle
sight. She really was a pretty girl. Again he felt the urge to know
her better.
    “Here I am, back safe and sound.” She
stepped onto the roof of the building.
    Propping his laser rifle against his
shoulder, his fingers well away from the trigger to appear as
harmless to the Earthers as possible, Bacoj followed her out. Two
elder Earthers looked up at him, their eyes wide. Their gazes moved
to include Vax and Japohn as they joined the group.
    Lindsey’s mother’s elfin features were
pinched with hunger, but she was lovely anyway. She looked to be
aged at about the middle of her life, much like a Kalquorian
slightly over 100 years of age. That meant she was probably near 50
Earther years. She and Lindsey didn’t resemble each other except
for the chestnut-colored hair. Her expression was open and kind,
and she stuck out one hand to him. “Hello Kalquorians.”
    It took Bacoj only a moment to recall
the Earther custom of shaking hands. His paw swallowed her delicate
fingers, and he carefully pumped her hand once before letting her
go. She was so tiny! If Lindsey had been this small, he wouldn’t
have had sex with her, no matter how much he wanted to. He’d have
been afraid he’d break her.

    “Do they speak English?” The mother
looked at Lindsey, and Bacoj realized belatedly he hadn’t greeted
her. He’d been too shaken by the woman’s insubstantial appearance.
She needed feeding, desperately.
    “They can talk a little. Bacoj, Japohn
and Vax, this is my mother and father, Tara and Aaron.”
    Bacoj bowed. “Honor for meet you Tara
and Aaron.”
    He looked at the father. Lindsey had
gotten her larger frame from Aaron, along with his broader
features. They shared the same rounded nose, the same strong chin.
Aaron looked markedly older than Tara, his handsome face lined with
worry, his once-dark hair more gray than not. He was slightly
stooped, no doubt from the injury to his back Lindsey had told them
about. Right now, Aaron stared at each Kalquorian in turn, the
suspicion in his expression obvious. His arm curled protectively
around Tara, and he took Lindsey’s hand to tug her
close.
    Bacoj was impressed. Injured, wasted
from hunger, and outnumbered by men twice his heft, Aaron still
left no doubt he’d defend his family with his last breath. Bacoj
bowed again, according him the respect he deserved.
    Vax spoke, stepping forward. “Food. You
eat.”
    Tara bestowed her sweet smile on him,
and Bacoj was amused to see Vax blush. “We’re very hungry. Thank
you for your kindness in bringing us food.” Her forehead crinkled
in concern, and she gently touched the brace encasing his arm. “You
are hurt, Vax.”
    Vax set the food container down,
ducking his head so his long hair hid his embarrassed face. “No
bad. Find doctor in search party.” He straightened and nodded at
Lindsey’s father. “Search party doctor help Aaron injury when we
tell. Send to you.”
    Lindsey cocked an eyebrow. “Search
party? Who did you lose?”
    Tara waved her daughter’s curiosity
off. “Let’s have some of this good food our new friends have so
kindly supplied. We can talk while we eat. I’ll get some plates.”
She left the rooftop, disappearing into the darkened
stairwell.
    Aaron finally spoke, his voice
grudging. “Thank you for your help. I wasn’t sure what to expect
from your kind. It’s rumored you bombed our cities.”
    Lindsey answered for Bacoj, much to his
relief. Their language was so complicated, and Aaron’s demeanor let
the Dramok know he would be quick to react to any
misunderstanding.
    “No Dad, their invasion prompted our
psychotic government to blow us up themselves. I hate to say I told
you so, but there you have it.”
    “That’s their account.” His bushy brows
beetled.
    “I’ve talked enough with them to
believe what they say, and they are