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didn’t need another of their species to be murdered on Earth, especially not his good friend the doctor.
     

Chapter Eight – Tikki
    Tikki sat Charlie down next to the fence surrounding the space cruiser, and said, “Stay here, Charlie. Let me see if Okil is here.” And if he wasn’t? She didn’t even want to think about that. The ramp on the cruiser was down; that meant someone was here. It had to be him.
    When she was sure Charlie would stay put, she went around the fence, trying to find a way through. It wasn’t going to be easy, and climbing really wasn’t her thing. Still, she had to try. Or maybe she should just call out his name.
    Hesitating too long, she was taken by surprise when the bright lighter from the cruiser was switched on, and a big Karalian, definitely not Okil, appeared at the top of the ramp. She took a step back, away from the wire, thinking only of getting hold of Charlie and getting out of there.
    Turning to run, she ignored his shout. Only when a bright concentrated flash connected with her arm, did she realise he was armed. She fell, her knees slamming into the hard ground, but the pain was nothing compared to that in her arm. The burning sensation travelled up to her shoulder and then radiated out through the whole of her body, leaving her unable to breathe.
    As she lay on the floor, she was aware of Charlie beside her, his little hand on her jacket, trying to drag her to her feet. She reached for him, kissing his hand and then saying, “Run, Charlie. Run. Leave me here.”
    “No,” he cried, “Tikki Mommy, get up.” He pulled and pulled at her, and then he stopped, turning to cower as the big Karalian who had shot her loomed over them.
    “Please, let the boy go,” she sobbed, the pain in her body slowly subsiding, but she still couldn’t move.
    “No, Tikki Mommy, I’m not going to leave you,” Charlie cried, now pressing his small body against hers.
    “Tikki?” the big Karalian asked, his voice soothing, gentle. “I am so sorry. I thought the cruiser was under attack.” He bent down, turning her onto her back, and massaging the place where the electric current had hit her. “Lie still, it will pass.”
    “How do you know who I am?” she asked.
    “Okil has told me all about you. He is at your home now; he was scared because someone had broken in. When I heard someone outside the cruiser, I thought we were under attack here too.”
    “I came to him for help.” She clutched her chest, her heartbeat erratic as the aftershocks hit her. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
    “Shh. He’ll be here soon.” He lifted his wrist and pressed a button before talking into a communicator; Tikki had seen Okil use his on several occasions. Okil. He was close, he would know what to do. She closed her eyes, aware of Charlie curled up next to her, sobbing.
    “Don’t die, Tikki Mommy,” he said over and over.
    She lifted her hand and stroked his head. “I don’t intend to.” But in some ways death might hurt a whole lot less than the pain she was in now. All her muscles were cramping, and her body burned. It slowly began to pass, the electricity dissipating from her body.
    “Better?” the Karalian asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Then let’s get you into the cruiser. I have no idea what is going on here, but we are too vulnerable outside.” He helped her up, with much protesting from Charlie. “It’s OK. I’ll help her feel better.”
    “You hurt her,” Charlie accused.
    “He didn’t meant to, Charlie.” She clutched her chest as she was lifted, the alien cradling her against his massive chest. Then he carried her as though she weighed no more than Charlie, up the ramp and into the spaceship.
    “Here, let’s make you comfortable,” he said sitting her in a chair. “My name is Darl, by the way. And it is my pleasure to meet you at last, Tikki.”
    “Thank you, Darl,” Tikki said with some effort, her teeth clamped together to stop a jolting sensation taking hold of her