The Face of Earth Read Online Free PDF Page B

few life readings here and there. He reached an area where his scans told him he would find a small group of Earthlings, and hovered silently above the treetops, just out of sight.
    “There are five Earthlings here, Megg.”
    “Good. Find a place to set down and go get them.”
    Luvian moved the ship slowly back until he found a large enough clearing to land. He set the ship down and shut off the drive. He stood up and followed Megg to the lab section of the ship. She opened the outer door and sunlight streamed into the room.
    “Here.” Megg gave Luvian a thin, cylindrical gadget with an automatic needle on the end. “Press it against their necks to render them unconscious. It has enough serum in it for ten shots.”
    Luvian nodded, took the gadget, and exited the ship. He crept quietly toward the Earthlings, using the foliage as cover. He peered through the brush, his dark eyes scanning the campsite. All but one Earthling had gone inside the soft shelters. He could hear a female bustling around in one, and the whispering of a couple in the other. A lone male lounged by the fire pit, humming. Luvian stared in wonder at the size of the Earthling. He was at least two heads taller than Luvian, and more muscular. Luvian was glad he was strong. The Earthling looked heavy. He snuck up behind the large male and pressed the gadget against his neck. The Earthling fell forward to the ground, unconscious. Luvian lifted him and carried him back to the ship. He boarded and saw Megg sitting at a research console, tapping the screen rapidly. She looked up at his entrance.
    “Big, aren’t they?” she commented. “It’s probably due to the Earth ape DNA I used.”
    “Yes,” Luvian agreed, “but they aren’t as heavy as they look.”
    “Well, not for you,” Megg said, “since you’re stronger than the average Stelairian. How many more are in this area?”
    “The scan indicated five before we landed, but now there’s only four.”
    “Hmmm. The fifth one couldn’t have gone far. We’ll find it after we get these ones on board.”
    Luvian nodded in acknowledgement and took the large male into the next room, depositing him on the floor next to a resin cradle. He turned and left the ship to get another Earthling.
    When he returned to the campsite, the couple was still in their shelter, but the female had exited hers, and was sitting next to the fire pit. He approached her from behind, but apparently not quietly enough, for she asked him something in a rudimentary language. He quickly melted back into the brush, concealing himself before she turned around. When she turned back he quickly stepped forward and pressed the gadget against her neck. He tried to catch her, but she fell into the fire pit before he could get a grip on her. He lifted her up, slinging her over his shoulder and carrying her back to the ship.
    After leaving the female next to the previously captured male, he made his way back through the trees to get the last two Earthlings. They had left their shelter and were embracing in the clearing. Just as Luvian was wondering how to separate them, the male grabbed a couple of cloths off some boulders and walked into the woods. Luvian followed.
    This Earthling was more aware of his surroundings. Luvian could tell the male knew something was wrong. The Earthling stopped and looked around suspiciously. Luvian deliberately rustled the bushes to get his attention. The male spun around to face the noise, and Luvian quickly moved in behind him and pressed the gadget against his neck. The Earthling dropped the cloths as he fell to the ground.
    Luvian picked him up and carried him to the ship. This male weighed less than the first, even though he was taller. Luvian dropped him off and returned to the campsite for the final female. When he arrived, she was conveniently searching through her bag, her back to him. He stepped forward and injected her with the serum. She slumped down and he picked her up, carrying her through the