The Arrival by Adair Hart Read Free Book Online Page B

launch them.
    The Torvatta took off toward the first of many red dots. When the Torvatta approached the first satellite, Evaran stood and turned toward the entrance. “I need to place my UIC on the satellite. U4, maintain pace with the satellite and then close the gap.”
    “Affirmative.”
    Jake wrinkled his eyebrows. “You don’t have some type of beam for that?”
    “I do not yet, and yes, U4, I know it is on the list.”
    Jake looked at U4, who had faced Evaran and raised a finger but then lowered it. Having to manually line up with each satellite and place a small device was tedious and seemed ineffective to him. Interface beams were common in the Seceltor Empire. It was obvious Evaran could easily put one in place, but maybe he was backlogged with other priorities.
    The left front screen switched to show the light-blue entrance ramp outside the Torvatta. It was extended out, and Evaran had walked to the edge of it. The satellite was just within arm’s reach of the end of the ramp. Evaran reached outside the shield and placed his UIC on the satellite.
    Jake had figured that the shield provided some type of atmosphere, but the effect of exposed flesh to the rigors of outer space should have kicked in, yet Evaran appeared to be unharmed. He turned to U4. “How is his hand surviving with no cover?”
    “Analysis. Evaran’s suit can withstand the environment.”
    Jake shook his head. “No, I meant his hand. It’s outside the suit.”
    U4 faced Jake. “Analysis. Incorrect. It is one layer of the suit.”
    A chill went through Jake. He knew Evaran was not human, but this made him seem like something not even alien. His eye caught the front right screen displaying information at a rapid pace, similar to what he saw on the bar at Jells.
    Over the course of the next half hour, the Torvatta had accessed twelve satellites.
    Evaran had come back in and sat at his command chair. His hands flew across his ARI as the front right screen adjusted to his motions. He gestured at Jake. “Earthlings use a multiple name system. Do you know the second or third part of your name?”
    “Melkins, and my real dad’s name is Robert,” said Jake.
    Evaran placed his hand on his chin. “Do you recall any mention of a location?”
    “Denver, Colorado.”
    A global map appeared on the right front screen, with a smaller nested window showing a listing of people with the name Robert Melkins. The map zoomed in to Denver, Colorado, and four red dots appeared.
    “Analysis. There are four Robert Melkinses in the Denver area. Two are under the age of thirty. Removing them now,” said U4. She swiped at the front console interface, and two of the red dots disappeared.
    Evaran studied the map. “Interesting. What do we know of them?”
    “Analysis. The first Robert Melkins exists in an apartment complex on the east side,” said U4 as a picture of the complex popped up. “He is fifty-four and lives alone. Area has a high crime rate relative to the surrounding areas. Caution is advised.”
    “And the second?”
    “Analysis. The second Robert Melkins lives in a small house, twenty-five point two miles away to the west,” said U4. A picture of the house in the woods and a long driveway winding through a small patch of forest appeared.
    “That’s a lot of detail,” said Jake.
    Evaran rubbed his chin. “The amount of information on Earth’s infrastructure, people, and technology is quite large. I am unsure why that is. I suspect someone or some group is keeping tabs on Earth’s populace in secrecy.” He gestured at U4. “Take us to the house.”
    “Affirmative.”
    The Torvatta descended toward the house. After a few moments, U4 found a small area to land where a field met a forest.
    Evaran stood up and studied his ARI. After punching a few controls on it, he pressed a button on his center belt. A projection in the form of a blue pinstripe suit appeared around him. “I believe this will suffice. U4, I will keep in contact with you