Page 61 of Fresh Flesh

Maisie

Eventually,I get too big for shenanigans. I start to worry that something bad is going to happen to me. After all, there’s never been a hybrid before. At least, not officially that anyone wants to admit to.

The doctors tell me that there’s nothing to worry about. Everything looks healthy and good. Still, as the day of birth draws near I find myself having strange dreams. I wind up spending a lot of time pacing and walking around. The doctors tell me that’s a good sign, too, that I’ll be having the child soon.

When the day arrives at last, I’m given Grengoran drugs which take most of the pain of delivery away. Mlarx, Joras, and Lurg are right there with me the whole way. I’m lucky, as my labor only lasts a little over an hour.

They hand me my baby, and my heart flutters with joy at the perfect, scrunched up little boy in my arms. He has finer scales than his father, his skin a lighter hue.

We name him Ajax, and he is welcomed into this world with more love than you can possibly imagine.

His eyes are golden, just like Joras’. It doesn’t mean that Joras is the father, not necessarily, but I kind of have a feeling that’s the case. No matter, because all three of his ‘fathers’ love him unconditionally.

A couple of weeks after his birth, I’m sitting by Ajax’s crib and rocking him gently. The sound of a shuttle landing outside draws my attention. I frown, because it’s a bigger shuttle than I’m used to seeing at the valley farm.

I go to the living room, where Mlarx, Joras, and Lurg are freaking out.

“Do you know whose shuttle that is?” Lurg gasps. “It’s Superior Tolex!”

“Oh no,” Joras says with a moan. “The last time he saw me, I’m positive he knew I was lying about Project Change. I’m surprised he ever let me go!”

“Will you fools stop prattling on and put on your dress uniforms?” Mlarx gasps.

As they bicker, I walk out the door, and right up to the shuttle. The bewildered Grens follow me outside.

“Maisie, what are you doing?” Lurg asks. “You can’t just walk up to Superior Tolex’s shuttle!”

The shuttle bay doors open, and Tolex appears at the top of the gangplank. His eyes lock on me, and he struts down to join me on the ground.

My three Grens try to shove me back, but it’s too late. The Superior’s eyes have landed on me, and then, his face splits into a wide small that has my three men’s draws dropping.

I push past them with a chuckle. “Uncle Tolex!” I go to him and give him a big hug. “I’ve been wondering when you’ll stop by!”

“Uncle Tolex?” Mlarx, Lurg, and Joras say in unison.

“It’s time I came clean with you all,” Tolex says, putting an arm around my shoulder. “Maisie has been my operative.”

“Your operative?” Joras says. “I don't understand.”

I pat him on the shoulder.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you before,” I say to Joras. “I know you wanted me to, and I almost told you a dozen times on the way to California. Project Change is all about creating a servant class for the Grengorans…a servant class made up entirely of humans.”

I shrug.

“It’s better than being eaten.”

“And I’m here to make sure that never happens.”

They all blink at him, trying to digest the information, but I only beam. I know exactly what he’s talking about. It’s what I’ve been wanting for so long.

Tolex kneels down to be level with me, presenting the gift he has for me. It’s a golden tattoo he implants on my chest with a device. It burns but not as bad as a conventional tattoo would have hurt.

The insignia identifies me as a human who is never to be put on a farm, not ever. I am not for eating or breeding.

It’s a far cry from equality between humans and Grens.

But it is a start.

---