Perfect Specimen (15 page)

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Crowded around a small monitor, three uniformed geneticists watched in fascinated silence as the two Earth specimens met, hugged, wept, and fussed over the clone babies that had represented the last, best hope for the survival of the Ra-ahlian race.

Finally, the elder of the group turned to Ga’rag and said coolly, “You are a disappointment to me. To all of us.”

“It was going perfectly, Overlord. If only these Ryersons hadn’t interfered—”

“You should have anticipated that! You call yourself a scientist, yet you lose complete control of your experiment?”

Recognizing the harsh tone, Ga’rag fell to the ground and prostrated himself before his overlord’s clawed feet. “Forgive me. I am worthless.”

“Indeed.”

The third member of their team—Ga’rag’s clone brother—interceded carefully. “You must admit, Overlord, that these Earthlings show amazing receptiveness to the concept of cloning. See how they fawn over the infants? Even though they were not produced through primitive sexual coupling. It is curious, is it not?”

The overlord nodded. “They are an interesting breed. Curious. Flexible. Resourceful. If only this experiment had been controlled more professionally—if Ga’rag hadn’t allowed himself to be lulled by the female’s artful lies—we might have achieved complete success. And even now,” he added pensively, “it might not be too late.”

Ga’rag winced. “Unfortunately, the most primitive of all of them, the one named Randy, ransacked my ship and destroyed every tissue sample.”

“Then we shall collect more.”

Ga’rag winced again. “The specimens are too heavily guarded. And there is no time to begin testing of a new female.”

“No need for further testing.” The overlord’s gills quivered with visible excitement. “We know everything we need to know about Earth females. All we need now is a female specimen with an excellent genetic makeup. An excellent pedigree. Perhaps one who is even stronger, braver, more resourceful than Sara Kent. One who will give you the chance to be the savior of our race. And give you revenge against these Ryersons in the process. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, Overlord. But how is that possible?”

“Yes, Overlord,” Ga’rag’s clone-brother echoed, his voice filled with reverence. “How is it possible?”

The overlord heaved a reproachful sigh. “If you had listened carefully to the recordings of these brash creatures, you would already know.”

“We are sorry, Father. Forgive our ignorance. And enlighten us please.”

The powerful reptile—the donor who had made the cloning of Ga’rag and his brother possible, and who had guided their careers thereafter—flashed a broad, chilling smile. “Shall I spell it out for you then? As these primitive Earthlings might do? It is as simple as B-R-I-E-TT-A.”

About the Author

Kate was born in Ohio, moved to Rhode Island at the age of nine, and moved again during high school, this time to Northern California. She did her undergraduate work at Cal (Berkeley), where she met her future husband. After attending law school together, they settled in the Sacramento area, where she has juggled married life, children, lawyering, and writing. So far, so good!

In her spare time, she’s hooked on TV and movies (especially science fiction), reading, traveling, and cooking (mostly Mexican food, thanks to hands-on lessons from her mother-in-law).

Kate’s books range from time travel to spy stories to space adventures.