Close Encounters by Katherine Allred Read Free Book Online Page A

functioning at its usual level, I walked to the door and looked out.
    Crigo was stretched out on his side beneath a flowering vine, lazily cleaning his paws. His stomach was rounder, a bulging ball that marred his normally sleek lines, and he was awash in contentment. But that wasn’t what made me do a double take.
    Including Junior and Ghost, five Buri males squatted in a half circle around my porch, all looking hopefully at the door.
    Normally, Alien Affairs tries to limit first contact with a low technology group to simple observation for a few cycles by trained xenologists so as not to influence or disrupt their culture. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that luxury with the Buri. Time was a limited commodity if we wanted to save them, and my need for information necessitated getting as close to them as possible as quickly as I could manage. Disturbing their culture was small potatoes when compared with losing the entire species.
    I sighed. “Max, how much of the amberberries in chocolate sauce is left? I think I’ve created a monster.”
    “Not much, Kiera. We are overstocked with Zip Bars, though.”
    “That will do.” I went to the food unit and punched in my request. Zip Bars are high-energy rations. You could live for a month or more eating one a day. It helps that they taste wonderful too. They’re made from compressed zipple nuts and amberberries, coated in caramel and covered in chocolate. All of which hides the taste of the super nutrients mingled with the other ingredients.
    I scooped up the individually wrapped bars and carried them to the porch, handing one to each Buri. In unison, they lifted the bars to their noses and sniffed. Thanks to my reflexes, I managed to stop them before they took a bite, wrapper and all.
    Patiently, I showed a Buri with white streaks in his dark brown hair how to unwrap the bar before he ate it. The others watched, then mimicked the action, their eyes closing in bliss while they chewed.
    As they ate, I covertly studied the male with the streaks. He appeared to be in good physical condition, but he had an aura of age about him, so I dubbed him Elder. He caught me sneaking glances at him and grinned, holding out the Zip Bar and nodding in what I assumed was thanks.
    I was waiting for them to finish, and mulling over my plans for the day, when Max interrupted me. “Kiera, one of the Dynatec crew is approaching.”
    “Who is it?” I straightened and turned toward the path.
    “Second Lieutenant Claudia Karle, the woman you asked about yesterday.”
    “Is she armed?”
    “Only with a hand laser and belt knife. And I detect no recording equipment on her person.”
    “Okay. Let her through.”
    The Buri were just finishing off the Zip Bars when the bushes at the head of the path rattled and Lieutenant Karle stepped into view. At the sound, all five males lurched to their feet, spears at the ready, lips curled back from their teeth.
    Karle plowed to a stop and raised her hands. “Whoa. Didn’t realize you’d have company. Maybe I’ll just come back later.”
    “No, it’s okay.” I pushed my way between Junior and Ghost, and started forward. I hadn’t taken two steps before Junior’s hand clamped down on my shoulder, bringing me to a halt.
    I turned to face him, smiling and radiating tranquility and calm. “She’s not going to hurt me,” I assured him with a serene tone. “She couldn’t, even if she wanted to.”
    He hesitated, glanced at Elder, and then dropped his hand. All the Buri moved away to take up positions at the edges of the clearing, watching Karle with suspicion.
    “Whew.” Karle wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead. “They had me worried for a second there. You sure didn’t waste any time making friends with them.”
    “They like my cooking,” I said. “What can I do for you, Lieutenant?”
    “I have a few minutes before my team is ready to go, and thought I’d drop by and introduce myself.” She grimaced.
    “There are only six females in