Page 7 of Her Alien Delegate
"You'll lose!" Pheyal called back.
First claim was always an endorsement from the first mate of a delegation.
"And if I win?" I found myself asking with a smirk.
"We'll have to find another way to earn first claim from you. It is the way," Pheyal said while giving me a nudge with his elbow. All these unprovoked touches were attempts to build a bond between us, and already I was feeling myself warming to the idea of having someone to rely on.
Chapter three
Evie
Waiting inside the Blue District was becoming impossibly frustrating. I've been studying the necia warrior culture from the interface, but the more I read the more nervous I got. It had been a week, and I'd already forgotten the name ofthe woman that purchased my contract. She hadn't returned, and I was becoming stir crazy. The credits on my account decreased each time I woke, and even the food was bothersome, but I worried that if I ordered something outside of what was provided then I might not have enough to last until the next ship arrived.
Every morning a squeeze packet would be available in the dispensary, and every evening a grainy tofu-like jelly bar would appear, along with a packet of water that tasted like iron. The lavatory had a hole in the ground to squat over, and it would shoot a puff of air out to clean me when I finished, but not once had the door to the shower opened. My own stench was becoming too ripe for my own comfort.
Finally, I couldn't take it and pressed the button to speak with the A.I. in charge of the room to help, even if it cost me extra credits to use the shower.
"How may I assist you?"
"Can you open the door to the cleaning station?"
"All rooms in the Blue District are programmed to provide everything you need, no matter your species. My sensors do not see there is a need to use the lavatory station. You are still clean according to your species standards."
"I'm beginning to itch," I said in disagreement.
"This is considered a normal process of shedding dead skin," it said in a monotone disinterest that made me irritable.
"Are you going to let me use the cleaning chamber or what? Does that cost extra?"
The sound of the air suctioning through the vents startled me, before the computer replied, "I've sent your musk sample to our database for evaluation of your current care."
"What?" I squeaked. The warning given to me rang clear when I was given this room. Be careful what I agree to while in the Blue District, they will try to sell whatever they get access to.Now it seemed they had my scent saved up somewhere, like bottled ode de human.
"Open the lavatory!" I was done playing with the computer and wouldn't have them store up any more of my human musk.
"Thank you for choosing the Blue District for your safety and comfort," the computer chimed, and the door wheezed open, but not before I saw the credits on the account tick down. Fuck.
I peeled off my sweaty clothes but took them into the chamber with me as a mask dropped down. The mask clasped around my nose and mouth, including my eyes. The room filled up with powder, and my mouth heated from the cleaning light breaking apart any bacteria on my teeth. Warm wind blew through the space, and even though I knew I was clean, there was something very unsatisfying about not using water to rinse away the grime.
My clothes were still dusty from the wash when I stepped out, but the powder would absorb the oils and dirt before falling off.
Relief and panic filled me on the final day, I knew I'd wake up and the credits on my account would be zero. Was it the day I'd be collected and brought to the ship, or was it the day I'd be kicked out of this room and have nowhere to go? Still, there was no word from the ones who brokered my mating contract.
"Thank you for your stay at the Blue District," the computer spoke as I woke once more. "Please provide more credits to extend your stay or choose from a variety of services."
"Can you access when the next human transport comes into Trillume?"
"Of course. The next incoming trade ship with Earth was scheduled to arrive tomorrow, but due to disturbances with an anti-alliance terrorist group seeking to end H.E.T. services, the transport was delayed to protect the incoming contracts. All trade with Earth was suspended temporarily. Would you like to hear the latest news clips on the subject?"
"Yes!" I snapped.
This was bad. I was out of credits, and the longer I stayed here, the more likely it was my contract was in danger of being stolen by anyone seeking to take advantage. My contract was a liability now that it was no longer the original agreement. Anyone could claim that they were the ones that traded for rights to my contract since my alien mate took me here.
"Princess Klemon of Trillume has gone into hiding with her stance on humans deserving to be included in the Galactic Alliance. Many have taken the attack on Trillume transports as a sign of action to take control of the human beasts of Earth and seek to kill the princess to prevent any further disgrace with treating humans like anything more than a tradeable commodity, an exotic pet. Humans are an intriguing species that have increased in popularity, but there are restrictions on their contracts that are being debated in Central Trillume's Council."
The computer went on about the increase in activity within the Blue District concerning officials in Central Trillume. And here I was at the heart of it, and about to be released with no credits. With the unrest, caused by whatever incident was happening on Earth, I doubted the woman who brought me here would have an easy time returning here.
"You have a message. Would you like to accept it before you depart?"
