Mammal War: Chapter 2

As soon as the group exited the restaurant, Robert said, “Well, you've seen the Kretak Grill, and L'mar's house...”
Keri blushed in both surprise and embarrassment. She realized that place must have been one of their homes. She did not, however, expect it to be L'mar's. She didn't know what to do to shake the feeling she had.
Robert smiled at her and led the way, talking about the various shops and buildings they passed. There was another restaurant, a bookstore, an electronics shop, and a clothing store. Robert appeared to be enjoying himself talking about the various businesses he would frequent. Occasionally he would ask Keri about her hometown, only to either have the question partially answered, or completely avoided.
“So what about your house? What's it like?” Robert asked.
“Oh, it's ... well, it's quite elaborate, I live with my dad, who works for the government,” Keri answered, and then realized what she had let slip.
“That would be back in your hometown, right?” L'mar asked.
“Yes, that's right,” Keri answered, she was glad L'mar covered for her, even though she was pretty sure he didn't know he was doing so.
“What about your houses?” She asked, “I'd like to see a human home.”
Robert raised an eyebrow at this. Katie also seemed surprised, but was quick to recommend visiting Robert's home. L'mar, who was also mildly surprised, attempted to hide it. Keri knew from the responses she got that she had sparked some suspicion.
“That sounds good, Katie, I'd like to see Robert's house,” Keri said, hoping to diffuse the situation.
“Aren't there humans in your hometown, Keri?” L'mar asked.
“There aren't any,” Keri responded.
Katie looked shocked, L'mar attempted to apologize, and Robert looked thoughtful.
“No, no... it's quite alright,” Keri insisted, “I have to admit, that's why I came here.”
“In that case,” Robert offered, “shall we go?”
Keri nodded, and the group continued on their tour. She was glad she had managed to avoid any major suspicion so far. L'mar took over pointing out the landmarks, as Robert was distracted by Katie.
Katie whispered to Robert, so that Keri couldn't hear, “You're up to something aren't you?”
Robert calmly whispered back, “Nothing harmful, I'm just curious.”

Robert's house was quite simple looking. White aluminum paneling under a shallow black shingled roof. On the side that faced the street there was but a single visible window far to the right of the door. The house stood out in its simplicity.
The front door lead right into the living room, which was just as simple as the outside of the house. A single, tattered and worn, brown couch sat against the wall, facing a rather large bookcase. The coffee table between the two furnishings was covered in notes and sketches. There was also a desk in the far corner, with various bits of electronic components scattered over it.
“Forgive me,” Robert said, “I haven't tidied up.”
Katie giggled, “You're always working on something or other, aren't you?”
Keri said nothing, instead she had started poking around the room. Most of the books on the shelf were written about electronics. While simple by her standards, the electronics on the desk amazed Keri; they were complex for the era. Keri turned to see Robert sorting the pile of paper on the table.
“Would you like some help?” Keri asked.
“Wha? Oh, no I'd prefer to do this myself,” Robert replied.
“Still worried that someone might steal your ideas?” L'mar asked.
Robert gave L'mar an icy cold glare, causing him to back off. Keri wasn't sure what had happened, but even she felt a little uncomfortable. She had considered asking Robert to let her look at his paperwork, as she thought she recognized the work. Robert's glare, however ended it. Instead she tried to peak over Robert's shoulder as he gathered the papers up.
“Need something?” Robert asked harshly.
“Well... I ... no,” Keri stammered.
“Okay,” Robert responded coldly.
As Robert walked out of the living room to the kitchen, L'mar followed. Keri walked up to the kitchen door as it closed. Keri stopped before opening the door. She could hear the two arguing through the door. To her surprise, they were arguing about her.

“That was rude!” L'mar accused.
“Yes, it was,” agreed Robert.
“Yet you did that anyway?”
“I don't regret my decision. I'm sorry that she I had to hurt her feelings, but I believe that protecting this information is worth it.”

“Let it be, Keri” said Katie.
“But... They're arguing about-”
“Doesn't matter what they're debating,” Katie interrupted, “L'mar has never won in a logical debate against Robert.”
Keri backed away from the door. She didn't know what was going on, but she was upset that it seemed to involve her. This wasn't how she expected things, she was supposed to be an observer. Now, Keri found herself involved in decisions that may or may not affect her past. She hoped  that something could take her mind off of the current situation.
“Hey, you wanna know more about us, humans, right?” Katie asked, not even bothering to hide the mischievousness in her voice, “Check out this book!”
She handed Keri a black, unmarked book. Keri looked at it curiously, as Katie smiled a wicked smile. Keri wasn't completely sure why, but she felt uncomfortable with this book in her hands. Just as she was about to open it, a stack of papers appeared between her and  the book.
“You might find this more interesting,” Robert suggested as he took the book away.
Keri started looking over the papers Robert had handed her. She knew they were the same ones he had just cleaned up. Keri looked over the papers, she knew more than enough of electronics to understand every word. She flipped back and fourth between the pages, to reference previous material and saw how it related to the next. She sat down at the coffee table to lay the papers out. After shuffling the papers around a be, she arrived at a pattern very similar to how they laid on the coffee table before Robert picked them up. Her surprise was increased when she realized what these papers contained. A device of such complexity would not exist for another century.
“That's amazing!” Keri exclaimed.
“You understand it?” asked Robert.
“Well I... err ...” Keri stumbled over her words, “Yes”
“Where are you from?” Robert inquired.
The wonder in Keri's eyes vanished, replaced with fear. She knew that Robert was getting suspicious of her. Keri didn't want to have to reveal that she was from their future. She wracked her mind trying to come up with a plausible explanation as to why she understood that technology.
“Robert!” L'mar snapped.
“It's almost time for dinner,” Robert said in a lower voice, “I think I'll make some stew.”
“Sorry,” Katie said after L'mar had followed Robert into the kitchen, “I shouldn't have given you that book. If you want, it should be fine for you to look at any of the other books here.”
With that Katie went into the kitchen. Keri thought about what had happened. Content in deciding that she would probably never know the entire story, Keri then walked up to the bookcase and looked over the selection. There were several books on various aspects of electrical circuits and electronic design, mixed in with what appeared to Keri a random selection of novels. She choose one of the novels and sat down on the couch to read it. The book was about a group of brave explorers, as their journey amongst the stars led to unfamiliar worlds, and  previously unknown cultures and creatures.