turned inward for the first time. “This area is similar to what you might call a recycling center.”
The wall opened, and we passed through.
Two human people—well, at least they looked human, left their work areas and approached. One guy and one girl. The guy scurried toward me, stopping only an inch from my nose. I stepped back, but he inched closer. I went with it. Good politics and all, but there was no chance of getting a picture with the dude so close.
“Jessica Natalie Martinez.” Close-dude forced his left hand into the six inches of space between us. “We are honored to acquaint with you.”
I thought about correcting the handshake, but what did it hurt? I slipped my left hand into his and shook. “Hey, thanks, it’s nice to be here.”
His warmth startled me, like he had a fever. Not that I should have expected any different. I guess I was used to only David feeling that warm, and I barely had a chance to notice the kid’s heat before he pulled away.
I sighed, taking in their human-colored hair and average, department store clothing. If the kids were comfortable in their alien form, then why not everyone? The people back home would want to see aliens. The new Martians in their natural habitat, so to speak. I had to give the Erescopians kudos for their hospitality, though. They were probably trying to make me more comfortable.
I clicked on the video button as Close-dude described how they recycled pretty much everything on the ship. Very interesting stuff.
When he’d finished, I picked up what looked like a can of tuna fish from a messy pile on the table. I flipped the squished silver cylinder in my hand.
Close-dude gently took the container from me. “That is a secondary energy module. It is defective, and nearly drained of power, but could still run a small human city for a few months.” He set the can down on the table.
Whoa. Seriously? “So, it’s like a super battery?”
He nodded. “In your terms, maybe. To us, it is refuse. It could barely power a scout ship for more than a few hours.” A tone sounded, and he walked from the room.
Nematali turned to me. “Do you have any further questions about recycling?”
My eyes fell on the tuna can battery. Recycling? Nope. Knew all about recycling. But harnessing enough power to run a city for a few months in a pint-sized container? I was all over that.
This was the kind of technology General Baker must have been talking about. A few hundred of those cans at full strength could end the energy crisis. And they were going to throw it away?
“Do you like the module?” The girl alien fidgeted behind the table.
I pried my eyes from the battery. “Oh, umm, yeah. I’m kind of fascinated by it.”
She picked the squat cylinder up and placed it in my hand. “I have already spliced the outer casing for disposal. It’s harmless if you’d like to examine it.”
“Wow, you’re really going to throw it out? Seems like a waste.”
“It will be melted down and recycled, but to be honest, it is mostly meaningless in its current state.” She blinked three times, her gaze on the battery. “Would you like to keep it?”
No. Way. “For real?”
She nodded. “Since you seem captivated by it, consider it a token. A souvenir.”
My stomach tickled. “But won’t you get in trouble?”
A split opened in the wall beside her, and heat flooded the room. Deep red and orange embers glowed within. She picked up another can-like-thing from the table and tossed it through the hatch. The metal disintegrated instantly.
She shrugged. “Who would know? Enjoy it: a gift from me to you.”
Whoa. Three points for Jess. The general was gonna flip! And I didn’t even have to steal it! “Thanks so much. I mean, this is so cool.”
She tilted her head to the right. One eye narrowed before Nematali tugged me back toward the exit. “Come, little one. There is much to see.”
I slipped the battery into the bottom of my backpack and followed through
The wall opened, and we passed through.
Two human people—well, at least they looked human, left their work areas and approached. One guy and one girl. The guy scurried toward me, stopping only an inch from my nose. I stepped back, but he inched closer. I went with it. Good politics and all, but there was no chance of getting a picture with the dude so close.
“Jessica Natalie Martinez.” Close-dude forced his left hand into the six inches of space between us. “We are honored to acquaint with you.”
I thought about correcting the handshake, but what did it hurt? I slipped my left hand into his and shook. “Hey, thanks, it’s nice to be here.”
His warmth startled me, like he had a fever. Not that I should have expected any different. I guess I was used to only David feeling that warm, and I barely had a chance to notice the kid’s heat before he pulled away.
I sighed, taking in their human-colored hair and average, department store clothing. If the kids were comfortable in their alien form, then why not everyone? The people back home would want to see aliens. The new Martians in their natural habitat, so to speak. I had to give the Erescopians kudos for their hospitality, though. They were probably trying to make me more comfortable.
I clicked on the video button as Close-dude described how they recycled pretty much everything on the ship. Very interesting stuff.
When he’d finished, I picked up what looked like a can of tuna fish from a messy pile on the table. I flipped the squished silver cylinder in my hand.
Close-dude gently took the container from me. “That is a secondary energy module. It is defective, and nearly drained of power, but could still run a small human city for a few months.” He set the can down on the table.
Whoa. Seriously? “So, it’s like a super battery?”
He nodded. “In your terms, maybe. To us, it is refuse. It could barely power a scout ship for more than a few hours.” A tone sounded, and he walked from the room.
Nematali turned to me. “Do you have any further questions about recycling?”
My eyes fell on the tuna can battery. Recycling? Nope. Knew all about recycling. But harnessing enough power to run a city for a few months in a pint-sized container? I was all over that.
This was the kind of technology General Baker must have been talking about. A few hundred of those cans at full strength could end the energy crisis. And they were going to throw it away?
“Do you like the module?” The girl alien fidgeted behind the table.
I pried my eyes from the battery. “Oh, umm, yeah. I’m kind of fascinated by it.”
She picked the squat cylinder up and placed it in my hand. “I have already spliced the outer casing for disposal. It’s harmless if you’d like to examine it.”
“Wow, you’re really going to throw it out? Seems like a waste.”
“It will be melted down and recycled, but to be honest, it is mostly meaningless in its current state.” She blinked three times, her gaze on the battery. “Would you like to keep it?”
No. Way. “For real?”
She nodded. “Since you seem captivated by it, consider it a token. A souvenir.”
My stomach tickled. “But won’t you get in trouble?”
A split opened in the wall beside her, and heat flooded the room. Deep red and orange embers glowed within. She picked up another can-like-thing from the table and tossed it through the hatch. The metal disintegrated instantly.
She shrugged. “Who would know? Enjoy it: a gift from me to you.”
Whoa. Three points for Jess. The general was gonna flip! And I didn’t even have to steal it! “Thanks so much. I mean, this is so cool.”
She tilted her head to the right. One eye narrowed before Nematali tugged me back toward the exit. “Come, little one. There is much to see.”
I slipped the battery into the bottom of my backpack and followed through
Similar Books
