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“In three days, I am to lead
several ships to a different star system, where I have been
ordered to set up a new base.”
Zori narrowed
her eyes at him. “A new base? On a new world?”
“Correct.”
“Does that
world… Is it inhabited?”
“It is.”
“So you’re
going to take more prisoners. Slaves, like me.”
“It is
necessary.”
“How long will
you be gone?”
“I anticipate
the initial establishment to last several months. If all goes as
planned, it could extend for longer.”
“Longer?” she
repeated.
“It depends on
how well I do my job.”
“So? I’m
waiting for the punchline.”
“Punchline?”
He blinked, his milky blue eyes widening slightly. “I do not
intent to hit you, Zori.”
Despite the
unintended humor due to his misunderstanding, that little bit
also gave her a tiny bit of hope. Regardless, she figured she
might be able to press the issue. “What I meant is, why are you
telling me all this?” And then it dawned on her like the sun
emerging from behind dark clouds. She felt the blood drain from
her face as she gasped. “No. You’re taking me with you. Is that
it? Is that why I’m here? You’re taking me with you?”
He walked over
to another one of the tufted stools and sat, facing her. “If
this mission is as successful as expected, I plan to remain
there for several years. During that time, I will be under a lot
of stress.” He leaned forward slightly. “I have been honored to
be allowed to take a companion with me during that time to help
me cope with the pressure, and to keep me mentally and
physically capable of performing my duties.” He paused to await
her reaction.
She took a
shaky breath as she pointed to herself. “And I suppose I’m to be
that companion?”
“Yes.”
“Are you
asking me? Or telling me?”
He jerked
back, and the doodles on his face quivered. She’d seen such
signs before on the Jekmeer. He was pissed, or agitated, or
upset. Maybe all three.
“What kind of
cruel and heartless species are you?” she demanded, no longer
caring, no longer fearful. “First you abduct me from my home
world, away from my family and friends, and people I can relate
to. And now that I’ve managed to make a few friends again, and
bring some sort of normalcy back into my life, you’re taking me
away
again?
But this time
alone?
With
no one
of my own kind to talk to?”
“Either way,
you have no choice,” he almost snapped at her. “I could keep you
here until we leave, but I am not without compassion. Tonight I
will allow you to return to your friends and fellow Terrans so
you can say your goodbyes. Tomorrow, instead of reporting to the
fields, you will be brought back up here where we will go
through the binding ceremony.”
“The binding
ceremony? What’s a binding ceremony?”
Getting
abruptly to his feet, he strode over to the doorway, which
opened automatically. The Jekmeeran who’d brought her here was
waiting on the other side. He seemed stunned to find her being
dismissed so soon.
“Return her to
her quarters. She is not to be touched. My command is solid,”
Ond tightly informed the man. The alien made a motion with his hand, which she assumed was their way of saluting, and looked at her. “Come with me.” Again, she saw the quivering of face doodles, but this time she almost laughed. Her guide had intended on forcing himself on her once she left Ond’s quarters, but now his hands were tied.
The door
closed behind her, and the smile on her face instantly
disappeared as she followed her escort back to the lift.
Tonight, she would see her friends for the last time. Then
tomorrow… The implication of what her life would be like for the
next several years…
Several years?
As the full
weight of what was about to happen to her came crashing down, it
was all she could do to hold it together until she reached the
lower bunkroom. |
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