Essentially Human Read Online Free PDF Page B

sharp and defined, hers lay broad and close to the surface. Her two remaining facial tendrils waved from her soft chin, one reaching toward Ria, the other toward Montgomery.
    Ria took a step forward, holding a hand out to Milaar. “I think he’d like something to cover himself. Can something be found?”
    “Is he cold?”
    “No, he’s…” Ria thought a moment, wanting to use the right word. Somehow she thought shy would raise objection. “…circumspect.”
    “That would be appreciated.” His voice sounded tight but at least he’d spoken.
    “Milaar, this is Agent Montgomery. Agent, this is Milaar, the medical professional who brought me back from the suicide attempt.” She took Milaar’s hand and pulled her slightly into the room. As she suspected, the agent couldn’t buck good manners. He held out his hand and only shuddered slightly as the Aleena took it.
    He snapped his eyes down at his hand and slowly lifted it higher. He blinked at the suckers and then deliberately let go.
    “We adapt. The first creatures we observed were crude cephalopods. An apt comparison it turned out.” Milaar tilted her head and looked up at him. She stretched her torso until she could meet him at an even level.
    He took a small step back before speaking. “What do you really look like?”
    “I don’t remember.”
    Ria saw him take that in, one eye pinching slightly and his head turned a fraction. He didn’t believe her.
    “They don’t really know how to lie, Agent Montgomery.”
    “Everything knows how to lie. It’s a survival technique.” He examined Milaar’s face. “You’re adapting to a more human form? You intending to infiltrate the human race?”
    “No, but we hope to interact eventually and a more familiar form won’t be so frightening. Now, if you will forgive me, I will inform T’talin of your recovery. Please feel free to roam, but take Ria with you. No one will disturb you.” Milaar backed away. “And do not hurt our N’sila.” She gestured at Ria as she used the strange title.
    “Wait, what is the name of this ship?”
    Ria covered her ears as Milaar answered. She noticed even Montgomery winced. He shook his head and she walked back to the food bowl. “I told you it was unpronounceable.”
    “It must have a human translation.” He approached the table and looked down at the bowl of food cubes. “What is that?”
    “Everything they eat comes from the sea, so I imagine it is a sort of protein. The translation for the name never made sense to me. I forgot it.” She popped one of the cubes into her mouth and chewed, hoping he’d drop the inquiry. “This is flavored to resemble a cereal I enjoyed.”
    He hesitantly lifted one to his mouth and first inhaled. A barely noticeable tilt of his lips betrayed he knew that scent. He tossed it into his mouth. “Captain Crunch? I haven’t tasted that in decades.”
    “Recalled due to its toxic color or something of the sort?” She sat and poured herself a glass of water, providing one for him.
    “I don’t remember exactly. What is that word she called you as she left?” He accepted the drink.
    “N’sila? Adopted one? Pet? Their language is complex. Depending on the stress she uses, it might designate teacher.” She bowed her head, not wanting to address the issue. He wanted to know about things she’d deliberately ignored.
    When she looked back up, he stared at her, eyes narrowed. She must remember that he didn’t distract easily. He asked outright, “What would you teach them?”
    “What do you think?” She gathered the bowl. “Would you like to walk? I can’t show you everything, there are areas it isn’t safe to enter, but I’ll take you where I can.”
    Please, leave it alone.
    He nodded. “Fine, take me where I can get some pants.”
    She doubted she’d ducked answering for long, but any time was welcome. Would he consider her a traitor to humanity?
    “And call me Sam.”

3
    Hermione fought to keep her hand from rising to rub