Page 33 of Her Alien Savior
“I’m sure the rats say that too,” I mumbled.
“My translator is saying this is some kind of unwanted rodent that carries diseases to humans.”
“They are survivors,” I said, thinking about how that was what I had to become as well. “They may live with the cockroaches far longer than humans on Earth.”
“Another unwanted species on Earth that causes disease for Earthlings. Are we not all species that left with no restraint become an unwanted disease along our paths?”
I gritted my teeth at the way I thought of being considered a disease. Of humans being considered a diseased species to be controlled, exterminated if need be to keep our populations under control like that of roaches on Earth.
“I am not a disease,” I seethed, but I couldn’t help but also think to myself, aren’t I?
Aren’t we all?
Every living thing that spreads and thrives is only welcomed in moderation if it contributes to the balance of the ecosystem. The very ecosystem humans have removed ourselves from so that we may outlive the very existence of Earth when the Sun enters its final stages of returning to a formless nebula and our current star system collapses.
My mind spiraled and I stared unable to see anything beyond my thoughts. This was my life, trapped on a planet as an experiment to understand Earthlings and carry whatever virus that has altered my very blood. I was exactly what he said we all were... a disease.
An air hatch wheezed its release and brought my attention back to the present. I turned towards the sound. The bioscanner flickered before the door swung open revealing the sliding metal of a typical space hatch behind it. And a face I didn’t think I’d see again entered.
She was even more stunning in person, Princess Klemon. Green scales with golden highlights decorated her hairless head that tapered back, and her bright green eyes watched me with a warmth I wasn’t expecting after the chaos of the journey to get here.
I scrambled from the floor and pulled the back of my gown together with one hand. A sudden embarassment came over me at my current dress. Direl didn’t move from his spot next to the bed, ignoring her with his eyes closed, resting his head on the bed cushion.
“I’m pleased to see you awake, the stars have shined on your path,” she spoke, and I knew traditionally I would have replied with a proverb or acknowledgement, since she was being polite and displaying respect. Even her pinky was lifted to her temple and a kindly smile at her jaw seam, at least humans interpreted it as a smile. The trill didn’t have exactly the same kind of lips as us, being thinner, and a jaw that opened up much larger than ours.
The seconds ticked by, and I still said nothing. She continued without the greeting being completed, with no sign of being upset about the slight. “I hope you are pleased with your quarters.” Her eyes wandered to land on the tossed metal that should have been books, and a broken hinge at her feet on a door that was merely superficial, her smile never waned. “We were not able to acquire much Earthling items to make the space more to your liking so my engineers thought it would be better than nothing to simulate it for you until items can be acquired of your choosing.
“We do have replicators, but they have not been programed for such things. Someone can assist you with your designs should you need something before a shipment from Earth can arrive. I have brought you a trill garment that is very versatile and comfortable while we investigate where your personal bag of belongings have disappeared to.”
Her green robes had large bell-like sleeves from which she pulled out a folded square a beautiful amber color that reminded me of Direl’s eyes. She rubbed the square and it fluffed up like those dehydrated towels that I had fun with as a child, just add water and they grew from a small flat dinosaur to a large towel for summer. I’m sure this was much better technology than what I remembered, but it was still fascinating to see.
Handing me the garment, she pulled out a thin clear plastic-like ruler and ran it through a seam at the collar, making it stiff like her own, flaring out around my shoulders. It exposed my skin where for a trill it was allowing the unique muscle tendrils of a female trill to drape over where their arms came out of their body. I’d say shoulders, but it wasn’t quite the same as a human.
Still, I said nothing, just staring at her, though on instinct I did happen to lift my arms to accept the offering. I was wary of her, since it was obvious this was an elaborate cage, but it was throwing me off at how nice she was being. And even more so how quiet Direl was behind me.
It was rude to turn my attention from Klemon, but I drifted to glance over my shoulder and he was... sleeping?
“Your mate is a security risk for the facility, he’s been given a highly potent elder root extract within his modulation chip that activates when the door opens. It will become less and less effective, and we have limited supply of the root from his planet, but we thought it best to have you speak with him first before we enter with him awake. You can speak with him about how you are safe, as well as himself, then there won’t be any need for the precaution. Now, if you’ll come with me, I can give you a tour of your new home, and where we will be working for your Earth year, which humans describe as 365 risings.”
I stammered, “Home... working?”
She was already at the open door, when she paused to respond to my confusion. “I am your host, Riley Spearit of Earth, and as I said during our last correspondence, this position is for an Earth year, and I hope you’ll understand the importance of our work and choose to extend your exchange. If you are concerned about the nanotech we’ve discovered in your body, don’t be. You were chosen for this exchange because your biomarkers were compatible with necia D.N.A.”
I was trying to process what she was saying. It was all so much, but it sounded like she was confessing that she was responsible for the nanobugs changing my blood, and that this was no different than what I should have expected with an exchange? That couldn’t be. King Sylve ordered the injection, and he was set on calling Princess Klemon an outlaw they needed to find before the trill used her technology against the necia, like they did with others.
“Come, I will explain.” Klemon walked out the door, and it remained open for me. I glanced back to Direl, sound asleep, and guilt planted my feet where they were. I quickly put the robes on, tying them in place like a wrap. The only reason the robes stayed on was because of the plastic-like rod that threaded through the fabric to keep the top part, above where it tied, up and holding its shape. The male robes didn’t have this particular opening at the shoulders, not having the tendrils to worry about, but I supposed they were a lot taller than I was and there weren’t any robes I wouldn’t trip over available. I kneeled down to cup Direl’s cheek. He sucked in a breath like he could feel me, and I promised I’d return for him.
Whatever was happening, getting a tour wasn’t something I could turn down. I wasn’t fooled into thinking I was free, but cooperating would get me a better understanding of how to leave. He seemed safe enough, no more in danger than he was anyways.
My bare feet slapped on the hard floor and the door slid closed as I passed. There were no guards, and only Klemon standing there, waiting... for me.
She began talking as she walked, “All these doors hold living quarters of various species, as well as scientists that come to care for them, and research their biology. We have a few other Earthlings on staff, many choose to stay beyond their exchange, but you, Riley, were chosen specifically to help me prevent the Galactic Authority from using my research to sterilize entire species, as they have done on some planets on the outer sectors of the Galaxies under the council’s orders.”
We passed by more doors down the wide hallway and turned right into a larger hanger that opened on her approach, there were many screens and tables, as well as robotic arms working from what appeared to be attached to nothing, floating there. Klemon approached the ghost arm and lifted her hand to touch it, showing me that it was solid, but then she swiped her hand through, and it seemed to smoke and reform around her fingers.
“The particles are in a field above the table controled with sound waves. It is much more precise and can be contactless. The arm is merely used for more control over larger objects entering the table, while maintaining a safe frequency for biologicals.”
Forgetting myself, I am already at the table and touching the arm with fascination. I can feel the soft buzz of the sound waves moving the hairs on my skin. It tingled, sending a shiver through my spine.
