Dangerous Evolution by Gregg Vann Read Free Book Online

back up the steps.
    I began reviewing Val’s personal files as Stinson and I walked to
the hangar, noticing immediately that one folder in particular was crypto-sealed.
The amount of complex coding screamed: Do not access ! I set my pad to
auto decrypt—to virtually pry it open if possible.
    While the pad worked its magic, I went through Val’s
correspondence. Unfortunately, nothing stood out. There was no trace of the
exchanges between the Sentients and Miss Evans. In fact, the blank spots in her
normal communications pointed to purposeful deletions, apparently by her own
hand. I closed the pad in frustration as we rounded the corner to the shuttle
hangar.
    There was a loud commotion ahead.
    “No! Stop! I’m not going to tell you again…STOP OR I’LL FIRE!” It
was Sergeant Tanaka’s voice.
    Uh…oh… We started running toward the screaming.
    We found four of Stinson’s security detail, pointing their guns
at…oh hell—one of the Sentients. It was just standing there, but there was genuine
menace in its bearing.
    “Enough!” I barked, and they all turned to look at me, including
the Sentient.
    “Commander Malik,” Tanaka said,” this ma…perso…. this thing attempted to board the ship.”
    The possibility of a war, starting right here in this hangar, flashed
before my eyes.
    “Stand down, Sergeant.” I was closer to the Sentient now, and
could feel an electrical energy in the air. I could also see tiny sparks moving
quickly across its body, as if they were building into something larger.
    Tanaka look confused. “NOW! I said!” He lowered his weapon to his
side—the others did as well.
    I walked up to the alien and calmly asked, “What can I do for you…?”
    Which one was it?
    “Del,” it said.
    “Del. Thank you, yes. What’s going on?”
    “I will accompany you to Harrakan Station,” it replied matter-of-factly.
    “What… why ?” I was caught off guard by the frank statement. “It
would be chaos if you were exposed to the general public; there would be a
total panic.”
    “I have already established my ability to assist in your
investigation. You wouldn’t have even known about Harrakan without my help.”
    “I already knew about Harrakan, but your information about
the energy signal was welcome. But why do you need me and my ship?”
    If a biomechanical being could sigh, I think I witnessed it. “As you
point out, Commander, I cannot function unnoticed in a human environment. You
can. This approach is expedient and mutually beneficial.”
    “Maybe, but I can’t have someone…um…let’s just say operating
unilaterally. It would impede my investigation, and possibly damage my attempt
to find Miss Evans.”
    The flickers of light slowed, receding back into the Sentient’s
body. The static energy in the air diminished greatly in response.
    “I understand, Commander. I will place myself at your disposal for
the duration of the trip. I will follow your directions— if you will
follow my advice.”
    Was it serious?
    “How do I know you’ll do as I say?”
    And how will I control you if you don’t?
    His mechanical eyes extended slightly, focusing in on my face.
“You have my word, Commander. Is there no trust in your culture?”
    “There is, but it’s usually earned, not given. You will do as I
tell you, without question or dissent?”
    “Yes.  But any orders contrary to my mission will be ignored. This
should not affect appropriate instructions. Woz will remain here with
our ship in case Val Evans returns.”
    “Alright,” I said. “I can see some possible benefits to bringing
you along.”
    A lasting thaw in Human-Sentient relations being chief among them.
    Stinson and his security force stared at me; each face carrying
the exact same question: Have you lost your mind?
    Enjoying their discomfort more than I probably should have, I
asked the Sentient, “Can you shed any further light on your work with Miss
Evans?”
    “No,” it stated flatly.
    Well, it was worth a