Read Arguing the Basics for Free Online Page A

clothing appropriate to any season on Gol.
    Koara narrowed her eyes. “Is a skull tattoo asking too much?”
    For the first time, Illuma smiled. “It is very appropriate, but it will depend on you. What do you want?”
    “Scuultha. The flowers. They are the most innocuous tattoo and also the most common. They will not cause any comment. Well, I hope not.”
    “You have done your homework. Hold still.” Illuma walked up behind her and pressed her hands behind Koara’s ears. When she pulled her fingers away, the design was in place.
    Koara turned her head from side to side, and she nodded. “Excellent. I will blend in.”
    “It will only last for a few days. Do what you have to in the cities before then. I designed it so that when you are done what you have to research in the cities, you can go to the rural areas and get a feel for the people.”
    “How long will I be down there?”
    “Until you send the signal and a pickup can be arranged. That is up to your pilot.”
    “Where is my pilot?”
    Illuma gave her another smile. “You are looking at her.”
    “Fair enough. When do we leave?”
    “Now.”
    “Good. Do I have any changes of clothing?”
    “One, in a bag on the shuttle. I will walk you through everything while we travel. Are you ready?”
    “I think so. I need my secure data pad but that is about it.”
    Illuma shook her head. “It won’t work. I have altered your skin. The DNA sample is no longer an option unless you want to spit on the sensor.”
    “What am I supposed to do then?”
    “Learn what you can on the trip to Gol and then learn what you have to from the locals. As long as you have the basics, like your name, family group and home, you will blend right in.”
    “How long until we get there?”
    “Thirty-six standard hours. You have until then to decide who you are going to be.” Illuma removed her medical coat and hung it up on a hook, brushing a bit of lint off her bodysuit.
    Koara ran her hand over her skull. “We had better get going then.”
    Illuma smiled a third time and led the way to the shuttle.
    Koara used Illuma’s files to update herself. The vids were exceptionally helpful. She learned that touching one’s head in public was not done. Hands were to remain at your sides unless reaching for something and bags were all cross-body. No backpacks were seen. That seemed odd to Koara. It wouldn’t have an effect on her research, but it was a social anomaly that might have some echo in physiology.
    In aid to physiological study, Illuma provided her with a minute scanner smaller than her thumb. She was to use it when she could.
    The code for a pickup was easy. She pressed a beacon that Illuma had installed in her right elbow, and if she were in desperate need, she would press it twice. Illuma didn’t say how she would affect the rescue, but she confirmed that it would happen within twelve hours.
    Koara was being launched via dissolving pod to the exterior of one of the large cities. She would have to walk in.
    She had local currency and a map to the nearest museum. She would be fine.
    The pod would blow apart the moment she landed, and the first rainfall would destroy the specially designed polymer. It felt a little weird to trust breakaway technology, but it was the best option for an unknowing species.
    The language issue had been taken care of, and she had located an area where her accent would be considered acceptable as an origin point.
    When she was ready and they were in position, Illuma launched her toward Gol, and with a slow corkscrew, Koara landed on a new world.
    She shattered the pod by pulling the release and blowing the hatch. One moment, she was surrounded by hard plexi, and the next, she was sitting in shards.
    Koara sighed as she got to her feet, and she walked toward the glowing light of the city.
    If anyone had seen her landing, it would have been one of the local country folk. She had a story prepared in case anyone came by.
    She walked through the night