Page 56 of Married to the All Hallows' Eve Alien

Sem

I walk into Commander Fox's office. I know what this is going to be about.

"Sem, I've noticed you have spent quite a few days on Earth lately."

"Not above the limitations set by you and the High Council."

"No, but you are close. I want to make sure you're keeping an eye on it."

"I am, Commander."

"And now, what I really wanted to talk to you about." Commander Fox brings up a 3D computer image of a solar system not far from Earth. He zooms in on one of its planet's larger moons.

"What's this?" I ask, recognizing it full well as a Dulu structure.

"We don't know what it's for yet. They don't have to declare what they're doing unless it's to do with other species."

"Of course not," I say sarcastically. They're Dulu. They make all their profits from dealing with other species either through the trade of goods or the trade of other species. "When did the Empire notice this new structure?"

"Yesterday, but they suspect it's been there for a month, maybe longer. They were using sensors that make it undetectable for days at a time, so unless you're looking for it…"

"Do you think they chose the location because of its proximately to Earth?" I realize after I asked the question that there's no other reason to be out here on the edge of the galaxy.

"Yes, Alliance intelligence believes it's to pick up stragglers. Humans who've been abducted before can, under GC law, still be considered galactic slaves if no one claims them."

"But not under Alliance law."

"Not under our laws, but the Dulu have no concern for those unless we have got a weapon aimed between their big eyes."

"What can we legally do?" I ask, looking at the structure again.

"For the moment, just keep an eye on them. We need to monitor our sensors more closely. Some humans who were returned when the GC laws changed their laws about pet ownership were returned to Earth with tracking devices never removed or other tell-tale signs they'd left Earth for long periods of time. I suspect the Dulu will target these individuals and use their stealth ships to retrieve them."

"We must keep them safe. If they chose to return to Earth, then they are repatriated humans and must be regarded the same as humans who've never left. That's the new Alliancelaw."

“But not one recognized by the GC. Have your men configure sensors to monitor all humans with galactic tracking devices."

"It'll take some time, but the majority will be accounted for within the week," I say.

"Good. We can do nothing for humans who fall into this loophole if they leave the Solar System."

"Then none will." I bow. "Walk in the goddesses' light."

"I let them guide me."

* * *

After I finish my shift, I change clothing, put on my Dulu holo, and have Orr drop me off in New Orleans with the transport. I'm going to spend my next eight hours with Ivy in our house.

I meet Orr in the hangar bay. "May we walk in the goddesses' light."

"May they always guide us," I reply. "Thank you for taking me down on your shift."

"I'm hopeful that when my time comes to woo a woman, you'll do the same for me."

We get into the transport, and I sit in the passenger seat while Orr takes the helm. "I don't think you have enough days to be convincing as a potential human husband. I've been doing some research. Did you know human men actually live with their women all the time? It's not like the Empire."

When I don't answer, he continues, "Aren't you afraid you're going to slip? The more time you spend on Earth, the more likely it is that you'll make a mistake."

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