Page 10 of Phate's Mate: The Thelli Logs

“Let’s face it. We can’t stay trapped in this apartment until a rescue occurs. We’re losing our minds. Also, we’re missing the opportunity to study the humans up close. How best to determine if the humans are worthy of an alliance?”

“How can we determine if we’re compatible with them mating wise if we don’t engage the opposite sex?” Phate added.

Solgre turned from Kien to glare at Phate. “You’re only saying that because of the female next door.”

Phate shrugged because there was nothing to argue about. A few hours had passed, and he still thought about Tasha. Her image was burned in his brain. He wouldn’t mind getting to know her. There was something about her that ignited a curiosity within him and as a scientist, he wasn’t used to letting opportunities to study new species or exploring his curious nature go by him without further investigation.

Solgre closed his tired eyes and let out a long exhale. “Fine. You both want to explore the humans in more detail? Call the cable humans and have them give us the premium package.” He opened his eyes to stare at Phate. “Are you sure we have the credits in our account to cover the additional cost?”

Phate picked up the tricorder and opened the account he’d set up through the local bank. “We have two million, five hundred thousand and forty-three dollars and twenty-one cents. I’ll ask the saleswoman if that’ll be enough to cover the cost.”

Solgre nodded. “Should you add more credits to the account just in case?”

Solgre had a good point. Phate pushed a few buttons and watched as the available funds increased by another five million credits. No dollars. That’s what humans called the monetary system on this part of Earth. “Done.”

It was easy to manipulate the human banking system. All he had to do was change the numbers to reflect any number he desired. It was like their monetary system was fake.

Kien nodded toward the window. “We should still go out there.”

Solgre leaned back in his chair and flicked a hand at nothing in particular. “We don’t need to now. Phate will secure additional television channels and we can observe the humans from the comforts of this apartment.”

Kien pushed away from the wall. His face twisted in a grimace as he threw up his arms. “You call this comfortable? It’s a small prison and every second we stay trapped in here, the crazier I become.”

“You’re used to living on a spaceship, Kien. How different is this?” Solgre asked, dismissing Kien and getting back to the replicator.

Kien’s eyebrows shot up. “How is this different? Are you seriously asking me how being sequestered in a one-bedroom apartment with no space and no privacy is different than living on our three-level spaceship?”

Phate pointed the remote toward Kien. “He has a point.”

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The sudden disturbance grabbed their attention. Kien crossed to open the door.

“Use the peep-hole—” Solgre didn’t get to finish his sentence. Kien opened the door and accepted the pizza from the uniformed man standing on the other side.

Kien dropped the pizza box on the kitchen counter and the aroma of meat, cheese, vegetables and sauce that Phate had become familiar with wafted through the cramped apartment. “Since we’ve been stranded, we’ve spent this time learning about humans, their customs and their language.” He opened the box and retrieved three slices. “We can venture out, explore and gather more intelligence on their lives for home base. What could go wrong?”

Solgre gaped. “Uh, we could end up chopped into little pieces.”

“That would be very bad,” Phate agreed, aiming his remote at the television to turn to another channel.

Kien took a large bite of his pizza. “We are far more advanced than these humans,” he said between chews. “We’ve learned they’re self-absorbed. They won’t even notice us. They’ll keep their heads down in their phones.” He grabbed two plates and put slices on each. “We watch them walk by all day long. We’ll fit right in.”

“Oh, good. Pizza. Again,” Solgre said and Kien set one of the plates in front of him.

“Can we venture out?” Kien asked as he dropped the other plate in front of Phate.

Kien and Phate watched Solgre, waiting for his answer.

Solgre sighed. “We stay inconspicuous. Don’t make me regret this decision.”

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