Close Encounters Read Online Free PDF Page A

Guilt surged to the forefront of his emotions. “The Buri are too aggressive. They won’t let us near them. The only way to obtain samples would be to stun them first, and since there are so few of them I didn’t want to risk it.”
    I caught a movement in my peripheral vision and saw Redfield’s eyes widen. “Agent Smith, there’s a rock cat coming out of your ship.”
    I gave him points for his lack of panic. Frisk, on the other hand, had gone rather pale, so I addressed my answer to the doctor. “That’s Crigo. If you don’t bother him, he won’t bother you.”
    As though to prove my point, Crigo trotted by, nose to the ground as he examined every bush and blade of grass, paying no attention to the Dynatec camp. Behind me, the ship hatch closed, and Max lifted silently from the ground.
    “Where’s he going?” Frisk was having a hard time watching Max and keeping an eye on Crigo at the same time.
    “The ship? He’s going to the other side of the lake to set up my work area.”
    Frisk stiffened. “I thought you’d work out of our camp.”
    “Sorry, Captain. I need to be close to the Buri, and they obviously don’t care much for your crew.” I’d already spotted the youngster from the holo, lounging against a tree at the edge of the jungle. “Do they always watch your camp so closely?”
    “Always,” Redfield answered before Frisk could respond.
    “And several of them usually follow the mapping team when they go out.”
    I nodded. “He doesn’t seem too excited about a new ship landing.”
    “We have supply drones come in once a month. They’re used to seeing ships land and take off.” The doctor made an odd little hand gesture at the end of his comment, kind of a “come here, stay away” movement in abbreviated form. If I weren’t so good at reading body language I’d have missed it.
    I was contemplating his meaning when Frisk interrupted us. “How long do you expect this to take, Smith?”
    “I have two months before I’m required by law to render a decision, Captain, and I expect my research to take every second of that time limit.” I smiled. “But even if the Buri really are dying out, you’ve got a long wait. The ones I saw on the vids looked pretty healthy. Who knows what their natural life span is? You could be looking at another hundred cycles or so before you’re allowed to open up the planet for trade and colonization.”
    “I expect you to keep me updated on any discoveries you make.” Waves of dislike oozed from Frisk, and I arched a brow.
    “Expect all you want, Frisk. I make my reports to Alien Affairs. What you’ll get is my final decision. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get started.”
    With a nod to Redfield, I strolled toward the jungle. Crigo fell in beside me, his walk graceful, ears constantly twitching. “Like this place, do you?” I murmured.
    He gave a low chuff of agreement, his head swinging curiously in the Buri’s direction. The youngster wasn’t lounging anymore. He was standing at attention, nervously fingering a spear as we drew nearer, his gaze shifting from me to Crigo.
    “I don’t think he knows what to make of you,” I told Crigo. “Why don’t you act like you’re heading for Max?”
    The rock cat cast a longing glance toward the jungle, then turned left. He wouldn’t go far. In spite of his surly attitude, he viewed me as an unruly kitten. One he felt free to discipline when required, but was also obligated to protect.
    The youngster watched him go, then turned back to face me. A hundred feet separated us, and I took two slow steps in his direction. On the off chance they were telepathic, I broadcast waves of friendliness, warmth and curiosity. Nothing. He didn’t so much as twitch, just stared at me with his big auburn eyes.
    “Max,” I subvocalized. “Are you recording this?”
    “Recording.” His voice came from the tiny chip embedded behind my ear. It was both a communication and tracking device, and it allowed Max