Escape 3: Defeat the Aliens Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Yes, I killed recently. It happened when I joined other Humans and a Zipziptoe friend in our effort to enter a compound where these Buyers of thinking people resided. As I preceded my Human friend Bill along an entry hole cut into the building by our transport’s laser, I entered a room the beam had cut into. I saw a single lifeform hanging from the room’s ceiling. It was small and enclosed in a web.” The yellow glow about Time Marker expanded outward to three feet. “I carried a laser weapon, but I called to Bill, thinking the lifeform might be a child. He entered the room. The lifeform shot him with a laser, killing Bill. I instantly sent my Death Strike against the enemy lifeform. It . . . it was necessary.”
    Hungry Learner blinked slowly, then looked up at the three of them. Deep blue eyes shone bright with extra moisture. “It seems we Slinkeroo must relearn the deadly violence we once used when clan fought clan, continent struck at another continent, and many died over minor arguments.” The Prime Elder stretched out a neck tentacle to entwine with a tentacle from Time Marker. “We rejoice at the return of one of our own. What must we do to defeat future visits by these terrible Collector ships? And how is it that your Bill is alive before us?”
     
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    Jane blinked at the last part of the Slinkeroo’s question. It filled her mind with the image of the red laser wounds on Bill as he had been carried to the Med Hall of the Blue Sky and put into a clamshell healer unit. She had sent his combat mates away and taken a seat beside the unit, determined to be there when the healer finished its job. And the lid lifted up. She had prayed to the Goddess that his mind would not be damaged. The healer unit could repair and rebuild most any body part. But it could not replace memories. Or awareness. The hours she had waited, with only the humming voice of Star Traveler as company, had been the worst time of her life. Worse than the divorce from her ex. Worse than the loss of her parents, even. She had enjoyed making love with Bill after their takeover of the Blue Sky from that blasted giant cockroach. She had grown to love him deeply as they returned Captives to their home worlds. Later, after the arrival above Earth, she had joyed at the deep loyalty he’d shown her as she argued with the Joint Chiefs of Staff over her decision to remain in command of Earth’s only starship. Later, when he’d gone down to the enemy ship where Stefano’s team was being attacked, she’d worried his daring nature would bring him a final death. That had not happened. She and he had celebrated their success in capturing the six enemy ships that had attacked Earth. Now, they faced a new attack on Sol. Now, they badly needed allies. Like these walking snakes with their yellow electrical glows. She met the gaze of their leader.
    “Hungry Learner, my lifemate Bill was repaired by a clamshell healer unit on my starship Blue Sky . He lives now. For which I am most grateful,” she said, hearing her shoulder tab as it translated her words into the hiss-speech of the Slinkeroo. “As for what your people must do to defeat future visits by these terrible Collector ships, that is the reason we came down here, to meet with you. My friend Chester has been appointed to negotiate with you and other star peoples. Our leader on Earth hopes to create an alliance of star peoples who oppose this slave-taking of thinking people. May I leave him here to discuss these matters while I and Bill join Time Marker in meeting with his clan leader and his parents?”
    The Prime Elder let go his tentacle grasp with her Engines Chief. He looked up at her. “Yes, the young one must greatly miss the glow of his clan members. And his progenitors. But before you leave, tell me, how can we fight these creatures who buy living beings for forced labor? And for medical experiments, I recall you saying. What hope is there when their ships are