Dawn (Xenogenesis, #1)

by Octavia E. Butler

It let her digest this, said nothing more to her for several minutes. So few humans could do that—just let someone have a few minutes to think.

You shouldn’t get so wrapped up in doubting me that you ignore the things you see me do.

He faced Nikanj. “How did you do this?” Nikanj rustled its tentacles. “For the walls, I altered her body chemistry slightly. For the strength, I gave her more efficient use of what she already has. She should have been stronger. Her ancestors were stronger—her nonhuman ancestors in particular. I helped her fulfill her potential.” “How?” “How do you move and coordinate the fingers of your hands? I’m an ooloi bred to work with humans. I can help them do anything their bodies are capable of doing.