Read Turning Point for Free Online Page B

reach them, and equally long for them to come to our aid,” her brother replied, taking her hands in his and giving them a comforting pat. “And no one could have helped Elise.”
    â€œWhat does Dad think?” she asked, her voice still tense.
    â€œHe says it couldn’t be anything to do with the second wave colonists. Their ship isn’t due to reach midpoint for another two months yet. In fact, it can’t be from Earth at all. That only leaves two realistic possibilities.”
    â€œA Valtegan in trouble, possibly a renegade from the hospital, or a satellite crashing,” said Carrie, looking at him inquiringly, her interest fully caught.
    â€œIt wasn’t a meteorite, that’s for sure. The other possibility I had in mind was that the craft was Alien to both us and the Valtegans.”
    Carrie wrinkled her face in surprise, her eyebrows disappearing under her fringe.
    â€œYou have to be kidding, Richard. An Alien craft?”
    â€œWhy not?” he countered, letting go of her bandaged hands and beginning to pace the room. “No one believed in Aliens until the Valtegans arrived. If there are two species in the galaxy, why not three or even more? Who are the Valtegans fighting, if not other Aliens?” He paused by the window. “Dad thinks it’s a viable possibility, and you can’t escape the fact that the Valtegans are searching for several strangers,” he said forcefully. “They’d hardly ask us if the strangers were their own people! They aren’t from this colony, and they can’t be from Earth. There is only one other alternative—more Aliens.
    â€œDon’t laugh,” he said irritably, looking away from her. “It isn’t that ridiculous an idea.” He stared out of the window for almost a minute before it penetrated that he was watching a patrol of Valtegan soldiers making their way across the main street to the Inn.
    â€œCarrie, they’re almost here! I’d better get downstairs now,” he said. “Get back into bed and stop giggling!” He strode over to the door. “Come on! We don’t want to draw any attention to ourselves.”
    Still chuckling, Carrie took her coat off, threw it across the chair, and crawled back into bed. As she stretched out between the cool sheets, she realized how bone weary she was. She looked over to the other bed where Kusac lay supine among his blankets. The bed which up until a year ago had been her sister’s.
    â€œYou aren’t asleep,” she murmured, “I can tell. Never mind, you play your little game, I don’t mind. You’re safer to trust no one.” She reached out her hand and touched him gently on the head. “Sleep, you’re safe now.”
    The door burst open, shocking her out of her nap.
    â€œI’ve told you, she’s ill! Leave her alone,” came Meg’s angry voice from outside.
    â€œI decide,” was the sibilant reply as two Valtegan soldiers forced their way into the room. Their energy guns focused instantly on Carrie and the cat as their cold gazes swept the room looking for signs of other occupants.
    â€œWhat happen to she,” hissed the leader, gesturing to the other soldier to enter and search the room.
    â€œAccident,” said Meg succinctly. “The oven exploded.”
    â€œSo.”
    Carrie lay frozen with fear as the second soldier paced around the room, moving the curtains, opening the wardrobe doors, and finally lifting the end of her bed to look under it.
    She was simultaneously aware of the presence in her mind growing stronger and a low, menacing, guttural sound that built in pitch till it filled the room.
    Kusac raised his head and stared at the soldier at the end of her bed. The growl changed to a snarl as his lip pulled back to reveal a set of formidable canines.
    The soldier dropped the bed and backed off hurriedly.
    â€œIs no one else,” he said to his superior as