Bounce is bringing back the alien that was on the ship, something Coralie had never seen before but Audi was able to identify as a Maung, a creature that is a symbiosis of an insect-like intelligence that can parasitize humans and a mammal-like body. Audi is speaking.
“If it dies out here, that will release the infective symbiont, and we’re probably the nearest potential hosts. We’re much safer keeping it alive. The problem’s communication. Ginger, does that reader of yours have a color panel display? If it does, I can at least say ‘friend’ and ‘stay with us.’ That’s about it, I’m afraid.”
A color panel display? But why would Audi need that?
I’m going to post from my new short story next week, as I’m making it free that day. It’s actually connected to War’s End, as Timi and Amber (characters in Horse Power) are Coralie’s remote ancestors. I’ll be back to Coralie’s group, though. You want to find out what a Maung looks like, don’t you?
For this week, at least, there are well over a hundred authors posting snippets of their work for Six Sentence Sunday. To find them, just click on the logo below.
Buy Homecoming from iUniverse
'Homecoming' Blog 
Keeping it alive sounds like the best possible options. Great six again this week.
Best option in more ways than one.
The scientific details in your work are always amazing, Sue Ann. Once again, I bow to your world-building skills!
Comes of being a scientist for most of my life.
Interesting… does this race “speak” in colour, rather than words? I like that they have to keep it alive to stay safe, even though it’s probably an enemy. Really interesting world building in these six sentences.
Ever seen a video of a cuttlefish courtship dance?
I hope they succeed in keeping it alive! Tense six!
It’s not really a captive, just following Bounce.
Oh YES (shudder), please keep the Maung alive! And I can’t wait to learn more about communicating through color – terrific details as always. Great six!
Maybe I should write a blog post about Maungs, once I’ve finished this bit of the book. They’re in the background for all of my fiction, though this is the first time I’ve made one a character.
I think they should keep it alive…for the sake of mankind. I like how you’ve created a scene where there’s so much at stake.
Wait til you meet the Maung.
Very intriguing, and great details. The color communication thing sounds interesting, too!
Think cuttlefish (though it doesn’t look like one.)
Communicating through color – I’m intrigued. You give terrific details. Great six!
I hope I can find a home for it.
Yet another intriguing twist!
I had fun with the Maung.
It’s interesting that Audi needs a color display panel for that. I agree now, they should keep it alive.
If they can.
Communication doesn’t just happen with sound. Good six, Sue Ann. 🙂
No, and there can be problems with color. Our eyes don’t see all wavelengths.
Yes, keeping it alive is the best alternative. You’ve got me curious now as to how it communicates by color.
I won’t get to that until after SSS ends, but it will be on a Sunday post. BTW, I enrolled for your post by email, but it’s about a day late.
I’m really enjoying reading this Sueann. A symbiot makes me think of those horrible alien creatures. I think the crew are in deep trouble.
In this case it’s the alien reproductive system that’s causing the potential problem.
Another great and interesting six! I will definitely be waiting for more!
Like I said, I’ll be breaking for a snippet from a free short this week, but I’ll be back.
While keeping it alive sounds like the best option, it also sounds like the worst! It’s like a time bomb in their midst. How terrifying. Great six.
Well, They’ll be motivated to keep it alive!