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eBook Category: Science Fiction
eBook Description: It's been five years since the sole survivor of an unknown race was pulled from the wreckage of an alien ship in the outer reaches of the Oort Cloud--a ship that fired on an armed UNEarth probe. A computer translates the alien's speech, but the strange prisoner won't--or can't--reveal anything the authorities want to know. Desperate for answers, UNEarth recruits a primate ethologist to interpret the alien's body language, and the bizarre 'music' salvaged from the alien ship proves instrumental in discovering the link between the two races.

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Whitley Strieber's Aliens, 1999
Fictionwise Release Date: June 2001

60 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [198 KB], eReader (PDB) [31 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [18 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [17 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [38 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [87 KB], hiebook (KML) [74 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [50 KB], iSilo (PDB) [15 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [19 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [47 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [29 KB]
Words: 5321
Reading time: 15-21 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

"Alien and Fugue," by Lois Tilton. A primate ethologist is recruited by the military to interrogate an alien, the lone survivor of a ship that attacked humans during first contact. A sci-fi spy thriller featuring deftly drawn minor characters, an intriguing mystery, and chilling poignancy. Very satisfying." -Thomas M. Sipos, Tangent Online (Learn more about Tangent Online, the Internet's leading SF&F short fiction review website)

With some urgency now, Vancleve pleaded, "Ric, there isn't much time left! Soon, in a few weeks, it may be too late. The fleet will be on its way. It isn't only human lives that might be lost. Some of your own people might be killed. Can't you say anything to help us?"

"I know nothing to say."

Vancleve took a breath. "You could go, you know. With the fleet. Possibly back to your own people, if we find them out there. You could get out of this place! All you have to do is cooperate," he urged. "Give us a reason to trust you. Do you realize how long it could be before you get another chance? It's been five years already! How long do you want to stay here? Locked up alone in this room?"

The alien's eyes blinked rapidly, a sign of distress. But he wouldn't speak.

--He'll talk. It's just a matter of time.

--God, how long, though? How much more?

Vancleve wondered if Ric knew he was lying. UNEarth Command had considered the option of bringing the prisoner along on the expedition to seek out signs of more alien ships, but the decision had been negative. The alien wasn't considered reliable. And Vancleve supposed they couldn't risk the consequences if Ric's people learned what had been done to him.

"I know nothing."