Starfall: A Starstruck Novel by Brenda Hiatt Read Free Book Online Page A

beyond the fact that the Grentl are from a distant part of the galaxy. Repeated attempts to question the Grentl resulted in the device disabling one of the researchers. Six years later, a small team of Communications Engineers made another attempt at contact. They also had limited success, with a similar conclusion. At the Grentl’s request, I was next to interface with the device, at which time I imprinted upon it. The Grentl then cautioned that only I was to use it from that point forward.
    “In subsequent sessions, all but three initiated by the Grentl, I was able to learn more about them. By no means humanoid, the Grentl are a hybrid organic and energy-based life form that reproduces by fission. Their keen interest in the development of the colony of Nuath led me to believe they originally founded it for experimental purposes. The Grentl do not measure time as we do, sometimes treating a span of many years as though only days have passed since the previous communication. Also, they are wary of revealing too much about themselves to lower life forms, as they consider us.”
    “Wow. How did you learn all that, if they don’t like questions?”
    “Over time, my interactions with the device became reciprocal, allowing me to receive impressions from the Grentl much as they received impressions from me. I was never able to ascertain whether this was deliberate on their part or not. I felt it wisest not to ask.”
    So they wouldn’t block her from finding out more, I assumed.  
    “As with you, at first they were able to access the whole of my conscious memory. Over time I learned to limit the scope of what they received.”
    Ah! “Can you tell me how you did all that? I don’t want to piss them off or anything, but I really do need to get more information about what they plan to do. I’m not sure I can afford to wait until they contact us again. They might just…show up or something. We need to be prepared.”
    She paused for a long moment before answering. Maybe searching through the Archive?  
    “There is no precedent for the sort of message you received. Given the potential urgency of your situation, I will attempt to assist but it is possible you will be unable to achieve the same reciprocal communication I did. My son Leontine was never able to do so, nor to limit what the Grentl took from his mind. Therefore he relied primarily on data chips to transmit his reports.”
    “I understand. But I have to at least try.”
    Aerleas nodded gravely. “I concur. Keep in mind, however, that direct questioning of the Grentl is likely to end badly.”  
    “Got it. So…what do I do? Just grab onto the device again and wait for them to, uh, pick up?”
    “Essentially.” Still not a trace of a smile. “On the few occasions I initiated contact, that is what I did. On three occasions, they responded. On four others, they did not, though I waited for over an hour each time. When they did respond, it was within twelve minutes.”  
    I’d give it at least half an hour, then. “If they do answer, how do I get information from them without asking questions?”
    “Listen. Reach out with your mind. I grew better at this with practice.”
    I wondered if it would be anything like when I used to “listen” for Rigel’s thoughts. Pain lanced through me at a memory so precious, so…gone. Quickly, I asked another question.
    “When you did achieve that two-way kind of communication, what kinds of things did you, um, talk about?”
    “Their primary interest was the status of this colony: population, air quality, food and power reserves. At irregular intervals, they have specifically requested updates on these things. I initially shared that data directly, after absorbing it myself but later a data port was installed per the Grentl’s request and instructions to allow for more efficient transmission of numerical data. Consult one of the Grentl-cleared Engineers for further instruction on use of the data port should it be