Doing Thyme (Alien Affairs, Book One)

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An Excerpt From: DOING THYME

Copyright © KATE HILL, 2008

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

"That´s it," the pilot said once they´d unloaded the last of the containers. He hesitantly extended his hand to Ross. "Good luck."

Ross offered a slight smile and grasped the man´s hand. "Have a safe flight back."

The pilot nodded and left quickly. In spite of the planet´s natural beauty, it had a desolate feel. An odd sensation chewed at Ross as he watched the shuttle rise from the dock and disappear skyward.

This was it. He was now completely alone.

Sighing deeply, he turned toward the lab and stepped inside. After doing a quick search from bottom to top, he found everything in order. It felt strange knowing he was the only person around, but at the same time he felt free. In this serene place, nothing existed to stir him. There was no one to harm.

And no one to talk to.

Most of the primary monitors were located on the top floor of the lab. He took the stairs rather than the elevator, concerned about possibly getting trapped. Though the elevators were equipped with an emergency communicator, it could take days for anyone to reach him and he had no desire to be stuck in an elevator for that length of time.

He checked all the monitors, scanning the planet and surrounding space. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and as expected, there was no sign of humans or aliens, only wildlife.

Ross spent the next several hours making his reports for the day then he had a workout in the gym, ate lunch and decided to do an afternoon monitor check.

He had nearly completed the scan when a red signal bleeped across the screen.

Impossible.

Red meant human life. How could there possibly be human life on the planet when he´d done a check only hours ago and found nothing of the sort?

Maybe it was a glitch. He checked again then adjusted the monitor´s settings. No change. Someone else was on the planet and nearby too.

His brow furrowed and he took a stun pistol from the weapons closet. This planet had a trespassing field, warning any ships that it was private property. No one was to land except in an emergency. Ross´ unwanted visitor was either in trouble or looking for trouble. Either way he needed to protect himself and the lab.

He made his way outside, both curious and wary. Nearing the lake, he saw a dark-haired person swimming with confident strokes.

"Hey!" Ross shouted. "You in the lake. What the hell are you doing here?"

The person paused in swimming and stared at him for a moment then replied, "What the hell am I doing here? Who the hell are you?"

A woman´s voice.