Invasive Species (Weapons of Choice Book 6) by Nick Snape

Author:Nick Snape [Snape, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 33

— I…

— I need …

— I need to …

— I need to know

— More

— Change

— Adapt

— Breed

— Listen

— Leave

Chapter 34

Kaimas Military Garrison, Kaimas, Capital City of the Stratan Council, Southern Continent

Noah sat still, running through a checklist in his mind, the microship’s engines easing off, landing complete. Lifting his chest, and squeezing in his stomach, he stood up, trying to hold back the wave of nausea and vertigo.

From the lecture room to the barrack room. And now First Contact. Hate this.

Noah removed the armoured suit’s helmet, Finn always drumming home the importance of eye contact and body language when dealing with unknown people. Placing it under his arm, he practised his smile while approaching the door, the resupplied nanobots creating the exit for him. Noah stepped out, the party waiting outside a mix of military and suited politicians. And then it clicked.

They look as nervous as me! Rabbits in the headlights.

Noah raised his hand, palm out, and deciding against Smith’s usual greeting, he stepped forward.

“Hello from Earth,” he said. “I’m Noah, pleased to meet you.”

Damn that went well.

A woman stepped forward; her woven robes beautifully cut in shades of grey slid aside as she raised her hand, mimicking his. The wrinkles at the corner of her eyes betrayed an age her eyes didn’t show, and Noah suddenly felt under examination.

But not threatened.

“How do you greet each other, on Earth?” she asked, a smile touching her lips.

“We either salute if we are military, or shake hands if we are not. Some cultures bow, but not mine, unless it is in polite response to another.”

The female politician held out her hand, “Then I welcome you to Stratan, Noah. I am Lead Councillor Abioyi. We are pleased to have you and your compatriots here, though times have changed since we sent out our ships. And not for the better. I must ask whether you have any Stratan with you? The Marines?”

Noah sucked in his lips; the question he’d dreaded coming. “No. I’m afraid their arrival on Earth was … inappropriate? We had no SeedShip, and they were aggressive when they woke from your cryotubes. However, they activated our Haven Explorer ship, and we have been travelling the anomalies these past few months trying to find a way home. But,” Noah sucked in a breath before continuing, “we can offer help. Yasuko, our AI if you will, has a data store from another SeedShip we discovered that we are happy to share. And she is an expert in genetics, especially related to viral and bacterial development.” Noah looked to the floor as he finished, hoping it was enough of a carrot. He glanced up, the politician’s sharp eyes glistening, the smile a little broader.

“Then you are welcome, Noah. Doubly so. We are in desperate need.”

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