Maybe the aliens aren't studying
us for the reasons we think....
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Barnes & Noble • 1998
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"The stories in this book are short but they have the same impact
as any story three times their length."
--Sonya Renee Chapman, Amazon.com
Read an Excerpt....
A black metallic teardrop hovered
silently in the night sky, almost invisible against the stars above
and the rugged landscape below.
Within it, in an elliptical chamber, two human forms
lay silently on cool platforms of some faintly iridescent material.
A slender gray figure entered the chamber and addressed
another of its kind.
"Technant: report."
The second figure looked up from its work.
"Administrant: both subjects were tested and
modified according to appropriate parameters."
"Specify."
The Technant motioned with a shiny-skinned, six-fingered hand
toward one of the sleeping humans.
"Subject One was found suitable for alpha
modification. Standard alpha abduction/examination memories were
imprinted, non-physical memory blocks placed, and a corresponding
delayed-action virus programmed to remove the blocks over an
appropriate period."
The Administrant inclined its head slightly.
"The subject's identity profile has been recorded?"
"Yes," said the Technant.
"Local-species information exchange media will be
monitored, and data concerning the subject collected.
No variance from successful camouflage effect is
expected."
"The subject is ready for return?"
The Technant inclined its own head.
"Administrant: yes."
The Administrant studied the unmoving female form with
lidless green eyes.
"Acceptable.
And the other?"