Authors: Candace Smith
“We’re twenty five years old and about the youngest on this tank. If they don’t start letting us have babies, there’s going to be a bunch of old people left.”
Sharell thought of the Chairman’s expression again. “I’m telling you, Janella, something big is happening.” Everything inside of her warned her to run or hide. On the ship, it was impossible.
Two weeks later, Jerome perused the initial evaluation lists. It was a beginning, but they still needed to cut five hundred names. Janella and Sharell, as nursery researches with no glimpse of success at a breakthrough, did not pass the first evaluation.
Something big
was
happening. In less than a month, their dinner would be laced with a drug that would stop their hearts while they slept. Evaluees that passed would transport the expendable crew to the shuttlebay… and open the doors to space.
“Is it my imagination, or does Dr. Terar seem to be ignoring us?” Janella asked. She focused on dusting the leaves of her plant and collecting debris on slides to study later. Janella noticed her beans were not thriving, and most were small, hard marbles when they released from the stalks. There was some sort of problem with the size of the vein delivering water and nutrients, but she had yet to isolate the cause.
Sharell shrugged. “He’s ignoring everybody. After they promoted those five to first tier three weeks ago, we’ve even lost our other two scientists that used to hover over us.” She hoped it meant they were thinning the need for so many researchers in the nursery, and that her request to transfer to Navigation was under consideration. “They must have found whatever they were looking for to boost the food supplies.” Sharell was bored to tears working with vegetables. If she could not wear her tool belt, she wanted the excitement of working with the crew that found a new home.
Sharell made a pass by the promotion board on her way back to their quarters, and she noticed that within the divisions an unusual number of transfers had been moved up. It made no sense, as the average was one or two per month. She scanned the Navigation post for new names and noticed the list was the same one posted two months ago.
You bastard, Jerome.
Sharell was convinced he blocked her transfer after she refused his disgusting offer.
She spent the evening scanning her tablet, reading another romance. Thank god the two of them got in the habit of hiding the small devices in their uniform pockets to read on break, or they would not have had them when the ship launched. They had hidden them under the cushioned seat of the cart when they passed through Security.
As the only off-time distraction, both she and Janella loved the stories, the mushier the better. They quoted love passages and read descriptions of virile heroes rescuing women, wondering if they would ever experience the touch of a man again.
* * * * *
On the bridge of the Manerea, there was excited commotion. Jerome and most of the Decision Board were looking out the viewport at the spaceship. It was not from Earth, but did not attack. It was also the size of two city blocks, dwarfing the Manerea to the size of a dinghy.
The Communications Officer was trying to unscramble their advanced signal. Ultimately, it was the alien craft that managed to decode the beacon. The aliens’ clipped dialect was a bit difficult to decipher, but it was obvious they wanted a meeting. Manny detected no deception, so they were trying to negotiate which ship to use.
“I think we need to visit
them
,” Jerome decided. “They might be trying to evaluate our supplies or weaknesses.” He tapped his fingertips on the console. “It is obvious we need to keep our Executive Officers on board in case there is a problem. Keep Security on high alert, and I’ll go with Bruce and Manny. Commander, you are in charge in my absence.”
The alien craft saved them fuel by sending a shuttle. Word spread quickly throughout the Manerea. There were few viewports along the sides of their ship, and Janella and Sharell stood behind three others for a turn to see the craft.
“God, look at the size of it,” Sharell whispered. “I sure as hell hope they’re friendly.”
“Move it, it’s my turn.”
Sharell and Janella moved back, but they continued to try to catch glimpses of the vessel.
On board the Cathisis, Jerome sat facing Danilo, the Commander of the ship. For the first time in years, Jerome was in his element, working out details of the trade agreement. There was no need to barter over the Actana’s request. They were fine-tuning what the Manerea would get in return, and Jerome was quite pleased with the negotiations.
“Chairman, what you refer to as Adam One will indeed support you,” Danilo replied. He did not mention it was referred to as Rashilla Three among the advanced worlds. The mere fact the alien vessel did not send their Commander to handle the trade, spoke volumes as to their sophistication. The few numbers of Earthlings landing would not cause interference with the Casiquas.
Chaya twin-spoke to Tian,
Our dark father is turning Rashilla into a dumping ground for less evolved primitive species.
Tian studied the men. They looked small, weak, and old. Still, the physical characteristics were similar to the Actana.
I wish they had brought a female.
Father will not agree until he views a sample.
Tian’s eyes deepened in angry sadness over the Chairman’s news. The man spoke as if his decision was made with intelligent consideration.
What kind of species plans the annihilation of ninety percent of their crew?
The Casiquas left all those on planet to die, so I think these two species living on Rashilla will suit each other.
Chaya returned his attention to the meeting.
“We can give you a year of food supplies to support the two thousand remaining on board. Our Engine Master can boost your system to get you to Rashilla… excuse me, Adam One… in about a month. In exchange, we get one hundred fifty healthy, breedable women. That is, of course, after we pass a visual sample,” Danilo said.
“I thought you had three hundred men on board in need of companionship,” Jerome replied.
“We mate in pairs, Chairman, with a set of twins to each woman.” Danilo was familiar with species who found this practice unusual, and he waited for the man’s reaction. He knew he would not be turned down, considering the Chairman already made the decision to murder the women as an alternative.
“I see. Well, if you have any other twins searching, send their ships our way. According to my list, we have an overage of seven hundred available young women and it could cause problems when we land and begin to set up housing.”
“Visual first, Chairman,” Danilo reminded. “Can they be trained?”
Shit, I’ll have them jumping through hoops if you want.
Jerome did not have a clue how to respond. The bottom line of the agreement led to the salvation of the Manerea, by any necessary means. His thoughts moved on from the young women being traded to the unbalanced pairing when they landed. Women fighting three to one for a partner meant Security needed a boost. “Since launch, they have been kept separate from the men. With our overpopulated status, we felt it best.”
Bruce suggested, “If you wish to send a shuttle back, I can have Officer Metzer return. She’s older than the women you are interested in, but she can give you a better indication of our collateral.”
And not even alien giants can rattle that bitch.
Officer Sandy Metzer was in her forties and headed Security in the lower level. She was a little domineering for the Actanas’ tastes, but much more appealing than the colorful Casiqua females. At least she had prominent breasts and hair, though short and stiffly spiked… and, she could not fade.
“I wish to speak to Officer Metzer in private. Perhaps, you gentlemen would like to tour our ship?” Danilo arranged an escort with another dark father.
Sandy Metzer looked at the barbarians. They were tall, muscular brutes, and she decided her aggressive appearance was not exactly what they were looking for. Not that she was under consideration for trade, thank god. “How do you know our language?”
Danilo smiled. The Casiqua Commander had been surprised by this phenomenon, as well. “Your ship passed into the new world galaxies. When the Ancient Celestial returned, she spelled the advanced world quadrants so all species could communicate for trade. Naturally, it took technological adjustments to break the ship beacon code.”
“So we’ll be able to communicate with any others we meet here?” This was something she needed to tell Bruce. It could be important and help her towards promotion.
“Yes, as long as you are in the advanced worlds. Adam One is on the edge, but still within the Shatung Quadrant.” Danilo figured very little interesting communication could be held with the Casiquas, anyway. “Now, Officer Metzer, I’d like to know more about the women.”
“I believe the women being offered are all in their twenties.” She stared into the dark eyes of the Commander. “They have not learned my strict outlook or behavior, Commander. I was trained for Security.”
Danilo’s eyes flashed.
Trained?
“These younger women, can they also be trained?” They were having dismal results with the Casiquas.
Sandy smiled.
Oh, so it’s like that. Why doesn’t it surprise me?
“I will personally review the collateral, Commander. It is my job to assure the primary crew travel safely to Adam One, so it would not be in our best interests to screw you.”
Danilo was curious how this female’s mind worked. She was independent, and did not seem bothered that she would not have the advantage of a mate. “This does not concern you, sending women to an unknown future?”
Sandy shrugged. “I do as my employer directs. My position is to ensure the majority of our group survives. That, and the fact
I
will not be on that list, no, Commander. It does not concern me in the least.” Sandy looked at the men standing behind the Commander and controlled a shiver of revulsion. “If your sons are an indication as to their future, they will be well protected and supplied for. Remember, Commander, these women were three days away from evaluated disposal. We are doing them a favor.”
“I do not mean to insult you, Officer Metzer, but you are one cold ass bitch.” Danilo laughed and slapped the table.
“Damn right I am, and Commander, I trust you are a man of your word. In return, you have my promise to review the list and remove any women from consideration that I feel will not acclimate to your needs.” She glanced at his sons, again. “This will include any women I feel are either too fragile or too small.”
As the barbarians were close to seven feet, Sandy figured the shortest woman she could safely pass would have to be at least five-nine. This cut her work in half. They shook hands, and Sandy headed back to the Manerea. With her minor position controlling lower level, the only mark to her credit was catching Matt and Tammy. For this important task and the information about the communication situation, she was assured a promotion.
Jerome leaned back in the shuttle. “Well done, Officer Metzer. The only additional request from Commander Danilo is you are to personally review the evaluation list.”
“Thank you, Chairman.” She held up a shaking hand and looked at Bruce. “I was scared shitless I’d screw it up. I’m not exactly the dainty flower they’re wanting.” Sandy could not wait to get back to her lover. Cynthia would absolutely fly into a sexual frenzy when she explained the trade.
Sandy and Cynthia reviewed the list late into the night. “These two room together, and they’re both about five ten,” Cynthia noted. There was a curly haired blonde woman with brown eyes. The profile said she was studious and intimidated by unusual circumstances. Her friend was equally tall, with long black hair slung over her shoulder in a braid and emerald eyes.
Even in her picture Sharell looked defiant. Sandy was still peeved the girl shut down her advances, and figured it would be better to let the Actanas deal with her than have her become a combatant problem on planet. “Janella has discovered the veining in the plants, so she may be of use,” Sandy replied. She pointed to the profile of the green-eyed girl. “This one, Sharell, has no focus or commitment. The stupid kid has spent her life with a screwdriver in her hand or slinging drinks, and she actually put in for Navigation.”
“We have nine others further with the discovery than Janella. Let the girls go together,” Cynthia suggested.
Sandy nudged her. “You’re such a pushover. No, Janella stays.”
“Bitch.” Cynthia’s hand slipped to Sandy’s strong thigh.
During the next morning break, Sharell and Janella sat in a corner sipping water and reading their tablets. A guard walked in and handed a note to Dr. Terar, and he raised an eyebrow and made his way to several researchers. The young women set down their tablets when he approached them.
“Sharell, you are to report to the shuttlebay.” The scientist wandered towards the next name on his list.
Sharell smiled with nervous excitement, and Janella hugged her. “You must have been accepted for Navigation.”
“Oh god, do you think so?” Sharell’s green eyes closed while she envisioned the view of space from the shuttle deck. The only time they wasted the fuel to open the doors was to initiate passion to new Navigation crew by overwhelming them with a sight of the universe.
“Hurry, Sharell. Tell me every detail when we get back to our room.”
“Here, I don’t want it confiscated.” Sharell handed Janella her tablet, and then sprinted down the corridor with several other women.
“I guess it took a while to put together a class for the women,” a girl said. “I applied a year ago, and I’ve seen two classes of men go through.”
Sharell walked to the center of the bay. There were a hundred or more young women gathered. “Shit, it’s going to be a big class.” A nervous flutter hit her belly that did not seem related to the anticipation of leaving the lab.
“They must be getting worried about the food supplies and want extra eyes working over the charts for a place to land.”
On the podium, Officer Metzer stood next to the Chairman and the rest of the Decision Board. Sharell noticed that no Navigation officers were present. A flicker of nervousness caused her to lose some optimism.
Back out. I need to leave, now. I need to get to the doors and run for a test-tube.
She wrapped her arms around her stomach in a calming embrace.
“What’s going on?” Sharell asked the girl beside her. She worked two tables down from her in the nursery. “God, Judy, I didn’t know you put in for Navigation.”
“I didn’t. I think this has something to do with the aliens. Maybe they have the answer to our food problem and we’ve been selected to train with them for a few days.”
Not likely. Judy has less talent than I do as a lab rat.
Sharell looked around at the familiar faces. “Not all of us are from the lab. I see some women from Maintenance and Supplies here. Look, Tammy’s on the end of our row, and after being caught with Matt she was demoted to Cleaning.”
“Attention, ladies.” Sandy waited for the murmurs to die down.
Sharell heard a noise from behind her, and she whispered, “Security is blocking the exits.” Her stomach began to roll. The last time the guards locked her in, she found herself blasted into space.
Too late
. She hugged herself tighter.
Officer Metzer was halfway through her speech on sacrifices, when the young women began to slowly back up. At the mention they were to be given to alien men, women screamed and battled to the doors.
“Fuck it,” Sandy hissed. “You were selected to be shoved into space in a couple days because your services and training did not pass to make you viable to waste resources on.”
That
got their attention
.
“There are seven hundred young women left on that list, so you have a choice. Either transport to a new life where you will survive, with dignity and with the knowledge you saved your friends, or you will be considered once more expendable.” Sandy gripped the edge of the podium and glared at them. “I don’t give a damn if we have supplies for you or not. We don’t need traitorous cowards on Adam One.”
“Jeezus, Sandy, don’t sugar-coat their situation,” Bruce whispered.
Sandy turned to him. “It is what it is, and it’s better they learn to accept the consequences of their decision. Those barbarians are not going to want a group of fighting, sobbing women to deal with.”
“Are you going to mention the ‘twins’ angle?”
“Bruce, with all due respect, do you think I’m fucking crazy? Look at them, they’re terrified.” Sandy did not want a bigger scene than she was already facing, and she had assured the alien Commander he would be getting a good trade. For the sake of the Manerea, she intended to uphold her end of the bargain.