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eBook Category: Science Fiction Year's Best Science Fiction Honorable Mention
eBook Description: Luke thought he had a pretty good business going, catering to the rich hunting parties. Sometimes, though, on a pioneer world, events happen that change your mind.

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Electric Velocipede, 2003
Fictionwise Release Date: March 2005

11 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [194 KB], eReader (PDB) [29 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [16 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [15 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [76 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [86 KB], hiebook (KML) [45 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [44 KB], iSilo (PDB) [13 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [17 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [45 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [25 KB]
Words: 4922
Reading time: 14-19 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

The slither hound was pregnant. The swell of spore tickled beneath her flowing tresses. Of course, she didn't know she was a slither hound. That was just what the others called her, the strangers. She scanned the horizon and snuffed at the air, searching for a hint of ungulate, but the taste of ungulate on the gentle breeze that stirred the slim stalks around her was missing. It had been a long time since she had smelled the tang of the huge herbivores on the air. She rippled her multiple tiny legs and shifted position, sensing. The ground lay still beneath her.

Since the coming of the strangers, the ground had been still more often than not. It had not caused her too much concern up to now. The land teemed with insects and the small wriggling larvae she liked to feed on, but the steps of the larger beasts had been strangely absent. Now, with her burgeoning spore, her needs were different.

She shifted position again, seeking movement, testing the air and listening. Sound and taste guided her mostly. Her large brown eyes were adequate at close range, but with her head so close to the ground, they were little use at a distance. Her multiple sensitive feet helped, picking up vibration from the ground beneath her.

Her ears pricked up as she noticed noises from beyond the rise in front. Perhaps there she would find what she needed. With a low keening deep in her throat, she shot to the top of the low hill.