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belj. Their blood appears to use iron-based hemoglobin, hence the reddish color, rather than our cobalt-based coboglobin.”
    “That’s all very fascinating, doctor, but is there anything that can help us kill the indigenes easier?”
    Dr. ZemBleth shrugged. “Perhaps, perhaps not. I can tell you that they’re shorter than we are, with much denser bones. That’s probably due to this planet’s twenty-percent-higher gravity. Most likely they’re stronger than we are, and faster afoot.”
    “That’s good to know.”
    “Yes, but the most interesting thing I’ve found is in their brains.”
    “How so?”
    “The brains are clearly well developed. They’re slightly larger than our own, with two large lobes versus our three smaller ones, and significant folds and wrinkles. Typically, the more convoluted a brain is, the more intelligent the creature. It’s impossible to tell for sure from a dead body, but I would estimate that the intelligence level of the indigenes was approximately equal to our own, give or take ten to fifteen percent.”
    “Was?”
    “Clearly, there is significant brain damage. I can’t be sure what caused it, disease or trauma, but this creature certainly wasn’t born this way. There’s clear indication of damage. See how some parts of the brain are light gray in color and others are white? But these areas here, here, and here, are darker. That’s where the damage occurred, in what I would estimate to be areas that control the higher brain functions. Some of the tissue appears dead. There are even a large number of lesions—holes and tears—in the brain, mostly here in the front. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that before.”
    He paused for a moment before continuing. “You said these creatures acted feral, like wild animals, attacking your men with ferocity. Obviously the autonomic and basal functions of the brain are unharmed, which leaves only the higher functions. The thinking part. Well, there’s your answer. With this degree of damage, if all the indigenes are like this, you won’t have to worry about them firing sophisticated weapons at you. Rocks, sticks, and teeth are about as fancy as these creatures will get.”
    FronCar nodded in thought. “Thank you, doctor. You’ve been most helpful.”
    “Anything for the Empire, Commander.”
    “Please keep me informed if you find anything else that might be of interest.”
    “Of course. By the way, what’s the planet like? I haven’t had a chance to get a look.”
    FronCar shrugged. “It’s bigger than Draht, mostly water, with several large landmasses, rather than many small ones. Very blue. Pretty, one might say. Extremely hot in places, very cold in others. Not at all like the fairly uniform conditions at home. But the temperate zones are certainly suitable to our kind. Once we eliminate these parasites infesting the planet, we’ll have plenty of room to grow into.”
    Dr. ZemBleth smiled. “Excellent. I can’t wait to make landfall and see for myself.”
     
    * * * *
     
    With sounds of Drahtch weapons-fire echoing in the distance, the quintet got close enough to watch as the golden aliens retrieved their dead. Afterward, they moved in on the warehouse to see if they could learn anything about the invaders.
    Taking care, they slipped in after dark. Their flashlights illuminated the immediate area, but wouldn’t be visible from a distance.
    “I guess we can forget the idea that the aliens are friendly,” Daniels said.
    Chrissy shook her head. “We can’t assume that. Maybe they were just defending themselves.”
    “Maybe.”
    Peter DeBerge was the first to spot the blood. “Huh,” he said pointing. “It’s yellow-orange.”
    They spread out to follow the blood trails, each wary, listening for the sounds of returning Zoms—or aliens.
    “Over here,” Chrissy called out. When the others arrived, she showed them the piece of wet, blood-soaked fabric she had found. “With this blood on it, it should feel cool;