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The Alien Embrace - Pt 2
by Frances Pauli
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The following is an excerpt from The Alien Embrace - Pt 2.
Hilary stood with two of her assistants at a panel to the left of the warbler’s enclosure. A rectangular, black case lay open on the counter, completely obscuring the screens and controls. The three bent over it in the stance of those inclined to conspiracy. It was Hilary who held the rifle, but they looked up as one when Jo entered. She froze, gaped at the weapon and struggled to find any words that seemed remotely appropriate. Hilary stared for a second in her direction, then turned pointedly away. The weapon’s steel barrel flashed as she moved. She spoke without inflection, “It’s a . . . ” “Gun,” Jo interrupted her “Tranquilizer rifle.” Hilary continued. She removed several small items from the foam insert inside the case. One by one, she placed the bright red, feathered darts in a neat row along the counter’s surface. “You’re going to shoot it?” Jo demanded. “Physical examination is the only avenue we haven’t explored.” “Hilary.” Jo’s voice trembled, causing the older woman to cease her action momentarily. She turned wretched eyes in Jo’s direction. “It’s all I’ve got Jo,” she said. “The captain.” “Run and tell him then.” Hilary slammed the case shut and slung the rifle up onto one knee. “Tell your captain and see what he can do for you.” She wrenched back the bolt and stuffed a dart into place. The way she spat “your captain” revealed everything. Jo watched her friend’s hands shaking as she closed the chamber, saw her lips pressed tight and white against each other. How had she missed it? She’d believed Hilary had warned her away from the captain out of concern. She'd hoped to ease the tension between them, but the jealousy in Hilary’s voice was unmistakable. What had she said? “Can’t help but like him.” “Hilary, please.” No words would fix this damage. Jo’s voice sounded pathetic. “Your captain,” and there it was again, “already pulled the plug, Jo. Did he tell you about that over lunch?” “What are you talking about?” As bad as Jo felt, the nasty note in Hilary’s tone was hard to ignore. She felt her own hackles rising. “He’s been placating us, allowing us our play time.” Hilary grimaced, allowed the disgust to drip from her lips with each word. “The mining crews were dispatched two weeks ago. They’re due here in three days, Jo. That means he sent his final report in weeks before you tried that stunt with the Embrace.” “How?” The floor rocked slightly under Jo’s feet. “Why?” “Who knows? He bought himself a few weeks of quiet.” Hilary swung the rifle up onto her shoulder. “And all his supposed concern for your safety was just . . . ” “Just what, Varitan?” The captain spoke, low and slow, just over Jo’s shoulder. She felt him standing there, his form massive in the doorway behind her. “Just an act,” Hilary finished. Excerpt from
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