Page 3 of Testing the Kot'oll Officer

My heart skips a beat at the wavy hair of the being. That's the cute bartender. She looks tall for a human female. She has... a zebaba in her hands. What's this thing doing there?

Part of me wants to take the zebaba's place and have her hug me, but that's such a silly idea. I'm a bigger being. There's no way she can hold me up like she can with zebabas.

She says, "Sir, please. I'm leaving."

I clear my throat. "But you should know that your spaceship shouldn't be here, like ever."

"I know, but I heard this poor guy, and his leg's stuck. I have to save him."

While I appreciate that, if she's honest about it, I can't make an exception just because. I point at how poorly parked the spaceship is. "This kind of parking..."

Despite the dim lighting in the streets, her cheeks turn red. "So... Like I said, I was in a hurry."

I roll my eyes at that. But she lifts the zebaba to my face and that thing licks me. I wince and turn away, not expecting that. When I turn back, she's already inside her spaceship. I hiss. "What are you doing? I haven't done—"

"Do you remember this ship model? Have you scanned it?"

I check my scanning machine. The screen is off since it was inactive as I talked to her. "No."

There's a hum of an engine starting. "Then don't remember that, please!"

She zooms into the sky, leaving me on the street, holding the machine that's just ready to be scanning.

Even that take-off is too sloppy for her good. She almost runs into a lamppost.

I stare at her spaceship, which gets smaller and smaller into the sky as seconds pass. So... If I insist on trying, stopping her and making sure I fine her won't be a problem and can be achieved easily.

There's a flutter in my stomach. I... The spot where the zebaba licked me heats up. I...

I suppose I should keep patrolling the streets instead of standing here like an idiot.

But I can't tear my mind from her. She always comes with a ball of vibrant energy, so much so I find it hard to talk to her like a normal being. It's like I can't even form words in my head.

It must be stupid to have to wander in the bar for so long to come up with what drinks I want for the day and to even make an order with her, even though I want to talk to her.

I find myself moving, almost instinctively, down the streets. My feet set the wheels in motion before my mind catches up.

Do I just let her go and pretend not to see that?

I know where to find her, but...

I look around,even though I'm in another street already. There's apparently no one around, not when she and I talked either.

So...

I tap the controls of the skater robot, sending it into a swift glide, my heart racing as I navigate the narrow streets. As I fumble through my head, replaying our brief encounter, a mix of irritation and fascination brew within me.

She is for sure one of a kind.

And pure chaos energy.

Chapter 3

Julie

The music in the bar hums with joy. I'm on my feet again, busy serving patrons. I love it when the bar is buzzing with joy. Slinging drinks may not be the most glamorous job for some, but I sure enjoy it all the time. The crowd ebbs and flows like the waves of the ocean, and just as I place a colorful cocktail in front of a gleeful customer, I spot him. My heart sinks. There he is, Targoth, a scrawny, overly ambitious zylion with a penchant for trying to woo women like me with his peculiar brand of charm—mostly based on exaggerated tales of his supposed intergalactic conquests. Tonight, he’s got his sights set on me, again, and I can feel his gaze like a creeping vine, slowly wrapping around my resolve.

I want to leave, or let the bouncer know about this, but...

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