Inseminoid Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”
    “What?”
    “Forget it,” Karl said, rushing forward. “What the hell is it?”
    “That’s what you’ve got to find out for us,” Holly told him. “We found it in the tomb where Dean and Ricky were hurt. Mitch thinks it’s a king-figure. Like the Pharaohs.”
    “Now, I only said that was a possibility. We don’t know for sure,” Mitch corrected her.
    “Here, put it on the examining table. I’ll get started on the tests as soon as I can,” Karl said.
    They set the transparent case down gently and took off their helmets.
    “Karl, I would like you to wait before conducting any tests on this Being,” Mitch said. He wiped beads of perspiration from his forehead.
    “Wait?” Karl asked with a quizzical smile. “Wait for what?”
    “Until I figure out what those tablets have to say. You see, there’s no telling what may happen if you break the case. It’s been airtight for so long that exposure to oxygen might cause it to turn to dust—to evaporate.”
    “So what am I supposed to do, just look at it until you decide it’s time to open it up?” Karl was feeling his temperature rise. He didn’t like being second-guessed. And he knew how Mitch would react if he suggested a delay in examining the tablets.
    “That’s what I’m asking. Delay it for a day or so.”
    “But you don’t even know if you’ll be able to decipher the tablets. Mitch, I’ve never told you how to run your operation, please don’t tell me how to run mine!”
    Holly could see it was time to step in. “Hold on, both of you. I realise what you’re saying, Mitch, but I think you’re out of line. There are good reasons why the tests should get under way as soon as possible. If this Being carries organisms harmful to the human race, we’d be doing a terrible thing taking it back to the space station before a reasonable incubation period has passed. And I think you’ll agree that Karl is as eminent in his profession as you are in yours.”
    “But . . .” Mitch tried to protest.
    Holly was firm. “I’m sorry. Karl is in charge of the laboratory and he’s got my total support on this. Don’t you think you’ve got enough on your mind already?” Holly backed off a bit. She knew Mitch was sensitive and she didn’t want to cause him any pain. “Come on, Mitch, you’ve got to have trust in your colleagues. One person can’t do the entire job himself. That’s why we each have our field of specialisation. Now, get to work and find out the secrets of this world.”
    Mitch managed a smile. “You win, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    “One warning, duly noted.”
    Karl turned his attention to the specimen on the examining table. Under the bright lights of the laboratory they took their first close look at the creature. It was about seven feet long with lizard-like skin. From the waist down it was olive green in color, while above that the scaley skin was reddish-brown.
    Instead of hands, there were lobster-like claws at the end of its arms, and the end of the legs were webbed, almost amphibious feet. Its neck was thick and covered with what looked like hundreds of warts. And the face—a lipless mouth with sharp, fox-like teeth, a snout for a nose and those lidless round eyeballs staring into nowhere.
    After a moment, all eyes of the crew were fixed on to another part of its anatomy. Between the creature’s legs hung two, foot-long rods. No one needed to ask what their function might be.
    Karl took a deep breath. “Well, should we stand around all day looking at it or start getting to know our new friend?”
    Holly gave him the go-ahead and he started to wash down the glass case. It was to be as clean as possible before being opened.
    “Do you want me to help?” Sandy asked.
    “No. I’d rather do it myself.”
    “I understand,” she smiled.
    Midway through his work it suddenly dawned on him that there was no lid to the coffin. He wondered how the Being had been placed in the