Aliens in the Sky Read Online Free PDF Page B

kidnap?”
    â€œIt means we have been taken against our wills,” Adam said. “Your teachers knocked us out with their weapons. I was dragged unconscious aboard this ship. Didn’t you see any of this happen?”
    Again the alien paused. He seemed to be thinking.
    â€œNo. I was told to stay below after we landed.”
    â€œBut you believe our story, don’t you?” Adamasked. For he sensed that the little alien did not approve of what had been done. Once more the alien took a moment before answering.
    â€œYou do not appear to be lying.”
    â€œWe’re telling you what happened,” Watch said. “We were attacked by your people.”
    â€œYou are not hurt.”
    â€œBut we are being held captive,” Watch said. “We want to go home.”
    â€œWe are going home.”
    â€œWe want to go to our home,” Adam said. “Back to where we were picked up.” He paused. “Can you help us?”
    The little alien lowered his head. “I am just a student. I am not in charge here.”
    â€œBut maybe you could talk to your teachers,” Adam said. “Explain to them that we are upset.”
    The little alien glanced over his shoulder. “They would not listen.”
    Adam was curious. “Are they listening to us now?”
    The little alien closed his eyes briefly. This was the first time they had seen his eyelids. They were faintly translucent, pretty weird looking. When he opened his eyes again, Adam thought he saw a faint spark in those black depths.
    â€œNo. They are not listening. They do not care about you two. Also, among my people, the young are better telepaths. My telepathic range is twice theirs.”
    â€œThat’s interesting,” Adam said. “I thought it would have been the other way around. Why are kids better at picking up and sending thought?”
    â€œWe have less stress.”
    â€œWe seem to be picking up speed,” Watch said. “But even going this fast, I don’t see how we’re going to reach your home planet in the next century. Can you explain how this craft works?”
    â€œThis ship first accelerates to near light speed. Then we convert our momentum to pure energy and use the power to jump through hyperspace. We can only make such a jump far from the gravitational pull of your sun.”
    â€œCan we cross many light-years in a single hyperjump?” Watch asked.
    The alien hesitated as if for once he did not understand the question. “Yes. We can travel any distance, if it is necessary.”
    â€œWhat does all this mean?” Adam asked Watch.
    â€œThat we’re in serious trouble,” Watch replied. “If we don’t reverse our course before the hyperjump, I doubt we’ll ever get home.”
    â€œWhen do we jump through hyperspace?” Adam asked the little alien.
    The alien consulted a small instrument fastened to his wrist. “Fifteen of your minutes.”
    Adam was aghast. “That’s so soon.” He tried to keep his voice steady, yet he spoke with passion. “Do you care about us? Can you help us escape?”
    The little alien may have tried to smile then because the tan flesh around his tiny narrow mouth creased. He probably shouldn’t have bothered. His expression looked anything but friendly. But Adam sensed his good intentions.
    â€œI care that your free will may have been violated. That is against the laws of our people. I do not understand how our teachers could have committed such a violation.”
    â€œYou should point that out to them,” Watch suggested.
    But the alien repeated his earlier comment. “They would not listen.”
    Adam was sympathetic. “Adults don’t listen to kids on your world either? It’s the same where we come from. We have plenty of smart things to say but we’re not even allowed to vote for president of our country.” Adam paused. He spoke in a whisper. “Do you