Page 83 of Right Next Door
“No mate for you?”
“No. But it’s a work in progress.”
Misty gave them a look. That seemed like an odd way to put it. “Well, good luck looking, I guess.”
“Thank you. In fact, there was something I wanted to talk to you about regarding Earth.”
Misty’s instincts lifted their head. There was nothing different about the way they spoke. Their tone hadn’t changed at all. But something inside her poked its head up because she somehow knew, she could just tell, that it was important.
This was what they had come over for. Not to ask her about how she was settling in on a new planet or oversee the debate of an argument they had no involvement in.
She was curious, but she kept her tone cool.
“Oh?”
“Yes. See, I’ve started something of a new project. Currently, there are only two ways for humans to leave Earth. They must either be mate matched to someone, as you have been. Or they must have someone from a Coalition species willing to sponsor them. Basically, providing everything they need until they can stand on their own. As you can imagine, that’s a very rare circumstance. There’s simply not much means for a human to meet another species if they aren’t mate matched. There are efforts for adoption off your planet, but that has become bogged down in a whole mess of legalities and… Well, that’s not for you to worry about. For now, there are two.”
“Right,” Misty nodded, agreeing with what they were saying. She heard that people could give up their Earth citizenship and liveonly in the Coalition worlds – but that meant forfeiting your right to ever return to Earth. Something that she, as a mate, did not have to do. It was a way of discouraging people from trying to leave Earth to bring back advanced technology. Earth was forbidden to have such a thing until they advanced to a certain point and became full Coalition members. She supposed they weren’t as worried about those who mate matched stealing tech.
“So, my project is a way to connect humans to Coalition species. Like a, er, chat room? I believe that’s how humans phrase it. The chats would have to be monitored, of course, so nothing Earth can’t have are transmitted – plans and technology diagrams and explanations, things like that. But I thought, with the right oversight, it could be a great way to connect humans and other species. So that those willing to leave Earth can more easily find a sponsor without needing to be mate matched.”
Misty frowned. “Sounds like an easy way to do some human trafficking.”
“Yes, that is why it must be monitored. And the humans leaving would still need to go through all the standard immigration procedures. Their sponsors, too, would need to be checked thoroughly. They would also get the same tenday checkups that you’ve been getting.”
“I mean, I guess if it were safe and everything double checked, it would be fine. And people should know better than to just jump ship and run to meet someone you only know online. Tsok said it too. People are going to make dumb decisions no matter how hard you try. You can’t stop them all.” She frowned at the Imperium. “Why are you asking me about that though?”
“I wanted your opinion on the chat room. Formatting. Things like that. I need to know what an intuitive interface looks like for a human.”
“But… I’m a hairdresser? I don’t really do IT.”
“Oh, I’m not asking you for anything technical. I just want your general thoughts and opinions.”
“Okay, but still. Why me?”
“You’re the only human here right now.”
“Well, yes. Technically, I’m the only human in this room. But it sounds like you came here just for that. And I’m not the only human on the planet. Jeanie is here too.”
“And I will also be getting her opinion. But I would like yours as well.’
Misty wanted to ask them again why. She really had no experience operating a web page or anything. Even the one she had now for her salon was run by Davard. It didn't really make any sense why he was asking her specifically.
“I guess I don’t mind,” she said slowly, still trying to figure out why her. “You want it right now?”
“No, not now. Actually, I’m going to be touring a True Mate site with Vigo and Jeanie in a few days. I’d love it if you and Tsok would come with me. Probably Senior Boktare and his mate as well. And maybe a few others too. I’ll get your opinion then.”
“Why though?”
“You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and great taste. And your mating was under difficult circumstances. I, of course, would like to make sure that the welfare of the humans who choose to leave their planet permanently is maintained. Your experience would be of great help.”
Misty wasn’t buying it. Why was he waiting for the True Match tour? Why not meet with her and Jeanie alone and at a specific time if that’s what he wanted? And why Misty at all? Jeanie, at least, made sense to ask. She was the other half of the True Mateoperation. But Misty was just… Misty. She didn't have anything to do with things like that.
There was definitely something up. But the Imperium was giving her nothing else. Their voice was incredibly artificial, but despite that, it was amused and tight lipped. She just knew if she asked, she wasn’t going to get anything out of them except more thin justifications and excuses.
“Yeah, sure,” she finally said cautiously. “I don’t mind helping out.”
“Thank you so much,” they said, their computer voice sounding so delighted. Like there was even a chance she might say no. “If I might offer some advice in return?”
