by Robin Roseau
"I have not decided," she replied. "Human males do not interest me." Then she looked me up and down slowly. "I have not decided how I feel about human females." She rumbled again. "Perhaps my brother and I would choose to compete for you."
I turned and stepped close to her, moving well into her personal space. She looked down at me. I couldn't read her expression, but her eyes looked kind. I set a hand on the center of her chest. "I have no interest in a male Wookie, Soft Rain."
Soft Rain stared at me. Beside me, Dark Skies snorted. I turned to face her. "Do you find me amusing?"
"I find you very amusing, but currently it is Soft Rain that amuses me more."
"Why does she amuse you?"
"Look. You have left her speechless."
I turned back to the Wookie. She continued to look down at me, her mouth open slightly, but she was saying nothing. I removed my hand. "Did I do anything wrong?"
"No, little human," said the Wookie. "Did you just invite me to compete for you?"
"Not exactly, but I bet if you learn more about me, you'll figure out what I did offer." Then I stepped away, moving to the clothing rack. "Would one of you ask the males to turn away until I'm in the water?"
It was Dark Skies who spoke. I turned my back, slid the robe from my shoulders, hung it up, and then tossed the towel at a chair. Score! Two for two.
Then I turned and ran for the water, my eyes flicking to the underwater swimmer, then diving deeply, making sure I didn't dive on top of her.
Remaining underwater, I swam to the far end of the pool. But it was as far as I could hold my breath, so I came to the surface, took a deep breath, then pushed off from the pool, returning to the bottom to swim back.
I did another back and forth, but then when I reached the deep end for the third time, the underwater swimmer was waiting for me, hovering in the water and watching me approach. I gestured up and surfaced, and a moment later she surfaced in front of me.
"Is English your preferred language?" she asked, speaking slowly and carefully. I had to cock my head to understand her accent, but then nodded.
"Yes," I said. "I am Andromeda Hayes. You should call me Andromeda."
"It is my pleasure," she replied. "You should call me Cherish. I did not know humans could swim in this fashion. Will you explain?"
"I'm not sure what is surprising," I said.
"Humans swim like that." She gestured with her hand to the men and women still swimming their laps.
"That is one way humans swim," I said.
"Have you been altered to breathe the water?"
"No. I hold my breath." I demonstrated briefly, then gestured. "One length of the pool is as far as I can swim this way."
"Oh, I see. A simple answer. You are not like the other humans here."
"We all like to believe we're unique," I said. "In what way am I different?"
"You swim under the surface, and you do not hide your body."
"Ah. I am considered a mating candidate. Administrator Brighteyes will not give me a swimsuit. I think she is a voyeur."
"I do not know that word."
"She likes to watch."
The alien gave three quick barks. "I will remember this word," she replied. "I believe you are right."
At that time, Dark Skies and Soft Rain swam up to us. I moved to the edge of the pool, using a hand to steady myself. "Do you three know each other?"
"I am sorry," said Soft Rain. "I do not know this Tutor."
"Tutor? Is that the name of your species?" I asked Cherish.
"Yes," she said.
"Well. Cherish the Tutor," I said formally, "This Wookie is called Soft Rain." The two offered greetings. "And do you know this Octal, Dark Skies?"
"Yes," said Cherish. "Dark Skies and I have met. My pleasure, Dark Skies."
"My pleasure, Cherish," replied the Octal.
"Well, everyone knows I am a mating candidate, as unwilling as I may be. Dark Skies works here. Soft Rain is here to support her brother. And are you here to compete for a mate, Cherish?"
"The Tutor do not compete," she replied. "I hope for a willing mate. I have not seen you before, Andromeda."
"I arrived mid-term, you could say," I said.
"You are unwilling. Have you then decided to attempt to win your freedom in the arena? You know your chances there are slight."
"I do not believe I would care to face Soft Rain's brother in the arena," I said. "My time this morning is limited, and I wish to swim, but I have two offers for all of you. I would offer to accept companions while I swim, and I would offer friendship." And then I took a deep breath, kicked off the pool, and began swimming. A moment later I felt a brush against my arm, and Cherish easily swam beside me. And when I surfaced at the other end, I discovered both Dark Skies and Soft Rain were also swimming with me, but at the surface.
And so we swam.
* * * *
The aliens stayed with me for my entire swim, and then we left as a group. They spoke together in another language, although that was okay. But they surrounded me for the walk back to the locker, and then when I headed for the shower, they followed me.
I washed efficiently, trying to ignore the other three all watching me while they showered. But I turned to the Wookie.
"That's a lot of fur to wash," I said. "And even more to dry."
"As a child, I hated taking baths," she replied. "But I love to swim and do not wish to smell of the chemicals afterwards. And so I must shower." But then she offered her rumble. "I wouldn't suppose you would wash my back."
I laughed. "Sure, but then I must hurry."
"If you do not have time-"
"I have time." I stepped over and collected some of the shampoo from the dispenser. Soft Rain turned her back to me, and I began to work in the shampoo. A moment later, Dark Skies stepped to my side, and so there were two of us washing the Wookie.
"Oh," she said. "That feels good." She looked over her shoulder and rumbled. "I am being bathed by an Octal?"
"It looked enjoyable," said Dark Skies.
"This is a little like washing Cookie," I observed.
"You have met other Wookies?" asked Soft Rain.
"No. Cookie is my roommate's dog."
It was the Tutor that snorted.
"I do not know what a dog is," said Soft Rain.
"It is a furry pet the humans keep," explained Cherish.
"Oh!" said Soft Rain. "Air Bud!"
I laughed. "That dog is a Golden Retriever. Cookie looks different. But yes. Air Bud."
Soft Air rumbled. "I am not a dog, but I understand how I resemble one."
Dark Skies and I worked efficiently, and soon we were helping Soft Rain rinse the suds from her fur. Then I looked down at myself and realized I was now a lot furrier than I had been. "Dark Skies, you shed."
She looked over at me trying to peel her fur from my skin.
"Oh, Andromeda, I am sorry."
I smiled. "Don't be. But Cookie sheds like this when she gets a bath, so the resemblance continues."
I moved back to my own shower and rinsed the fur quickly. "Before I go, I want to ask you all something. How can you justify what happens to the women here? How can you justify stealing us from our lives, putting us in those horrible cells, letting the males ogle us all they want, and forcing us to fight for our freedom?"
The three exchanged looks. Then Cherish said, "None of that is the Tutor way. I do not justify it. I can explain about the other species..." She trailed off.
"But you are here," I said, "Hoping for a mate from amongst the women, none of whom wish to be here."
"I wish a willing mate," she said, stressing the word. "No one will go home with me who does not wish to do so."
"What about you two?" I asked, gesturing between the Wookie and the Octal.
"Do not ask the Octal," said Cherish. "Her species does not understand the human perspective."
"How could you not understand?" I asked Dark Skies.
"The details are different," Cherish explain
ed for the Octal. "But Octal mates are not willing. Well, they aren't willing to become mates, but afterwards, they are ecstatic. In her soul, what matters is that the mates are happy. And most of the human women become very happy with their mates."
"And one or two a month attempt suicide," I said. "But what's a few suicides between friends." I sighed. "And you, Soft Rain?"
"Wookies compete for mates," she replied. "If we were on our home planet, I would help my brother acquire a mate. She might not be happy about it at first. To us, this is not wrong."
"And so if a Wookie you didn't like took you from your family, I suppose you wouldn't have a problem with that?"
"Initially I might, but I would bond with my new mate. We would be content."
I sighed.
* * * *
There hadn't been fresh clothes waiting in my locker, so I made my way back to my cell in the undies and camisole. I hoped Administrator Brighteyes didn't expect me to dress like this for work. We'd have words if she did.
When I arrived at the cell, I stared at it for a minute. For the second time, I was walking into this cell of my own accord. I knew I didn't have a choice, but it still bothered me. Was I becoming complacent so quickly? Was I subconsciously overlooking opportunities to escape? Shouldn't I be more rebellious?
And if I were, what good would it do me? I was pretty sure the Catseye knew I didn't want to be here.
I sighed and entered the cell. The doorway closed behind me. I then immediately turned around and asked the visor if I could return to the pool.
Access denied.
I wasn't surprised, but I wanted to see what it did. I sighed and moved to the bed, leaning against the wall with my knees pulled up. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the wall.
It had been a nice swim, and I'd liked my swimming partners, in spite of their beliefs about how we were being treated. But returning to the cell was a solid reminder of my position here, and I didn't care for it.
Maybe I should have used my time more productively. But I didn't.
And so it was ten minutes before the visor dinged. I opened my eyes, and the visor warned me I had an upcoming appointment.
I sent a message to Administrator Brighteyes.
I don't have any clothes. You promised I wouldn't have to work dressed like this.
Her reply came nearly immediately.
Do what you're told.
Those words hung in space for a moment, and then the visor repeated its warning it was time for me to leave. Grumbling, I stood and walked to the glass wall. A door appeared, and once I stepped out, the row of blue dots.
"We're going to talk, Catseye," I muttered. "Oh, we're going to talk."
If she was listening, she gave no indication. And it turned out my frustration was unnecessary. The visor led me from the cellblock and to the wall. As I approached, a doorway appeared, and I found myself staring into a small room. There was curtain rod on one side and a bench on the other. And hanging from the curtain rod was a skirt and blouse.
"Oh," I said. Then I repeated it. "Oh."
I stepped in, and the doorway closed behind me. Words appeared.
Change entirely. Wear exactly what you find waiting for you, no more, no less.
There was a nook, similar to the one that was used to deliver food. I found shoes, undies, and a bra. Everything was in my size.
It didn't take long to change. The clothing was of high quality and comfortable, even if it wasn't quite what I normally might wear to work. There wasn't a mirror, but I checked my appearance as best I could. Then I turned to where the door had been, and it opened as I approached. Blue lights guided me from there.
* * * *
The lights led me to another door, and this one was clearly a door, not the sort of appearing and disappearing doors I'd been encountering. There was a sign outside the door. It was in alien script, but as I approached, the visor offered a translation.
Control Room C.
The lights led me straight to the door, and as I stepped close, it opened. I passed through and came to a stop.
I was in a room about the size of a medium sized conference room. Along the walls was one long, continuous desk and a seemingly endless row of computer monitors. They looked like standard human monitors. I looked closer, and it was like the Apple store had been carried off and deposited here.
In the middle of the room, seated on a tall stool upon a raised dais sat Administrator Brighteyes. To the right of her and slightly lower was Dark Skies, and on the other side sat another alien. She turned to me, and I saw the distinctive eyes. She was another Catseye.
Most of the monitors were unattended. There were three humans in the room, two men and one woman. They were each wearing a visor similar to mine.
Some of the monitors showed what appeared to be control screens of some sort. But many of them were camera views, a great many camera views, all of them of a jungle scene. Some of them were high in the air, high above the trees. The rest were lower. I didn't see any people.
I lowered my eyes. Dark Skies offered a small wave. The Catseye looked at me then turned back to what she was doing. Administrator Brighteyes beaconed with a crooked finger. I stepped forward, coming to a stop at the edge of her dais.
"Thank you for the clothing."
"You are welcome. We are running three events today, one this morning and two this afternoon." Then she smiled. "And then yours with Jessica Maple."
"Andromeda has an event?" asked Dark Skies. "May I assist, Administrator?"
"Yes," said the Catseye. "I want you to run it. I will oversee and offer guidance."
"Thank you, Administrator!" said Dark Skies, sincerity in her voice.
Then Administrator Brighteyes spoke briefly in one of the alien languages. The other Catseye turned to me, and the Administrator returned to English. "Clover Speckles, this is Andromeda Hayes. Andromeda, Ms. Speckles is one of the senior event coordinators. If I weren't in this chair, she would be."
I offered my hand. The Catseye looked at it like I was infected and then turned her back on me. I stared at her for a moment then said sarcastically, "It's my pleasure, of course." I turned my gaze back to the administrator. "One human, reporting for duty, Administrator Brighteyes."
She nodded her head over her shoulder then turned around and stepped from the stool. I walked around the dais and joined her on the other side. The Catseye led me to the nearest bank of monitors.
"You've been busy, Andromeda. I thought you would wait for me to introduce you to prospective challengers. Instead, you do my work for me."
I looked over at her. I couldn't read her expression. "Are you angry?"
"No. Amused. About that. However." Her tone grew tight. "I am not a voyeur."
"And yet, you were listening to that conversation."
"No. It was suggested I review the tapes to see what you'd already been doing this morning."
"Suggested by..."
"Someone you haven't met. I am not a voyeur."
"And yet, you like keeping me barely dressed or not dressed at all. You do the same with all the other women. I think you like looking at us, Administrator. Do you care to deny it?"
It was her turn to look carefully at me. "I cannot tell if you are teasing me."
"I'll let you wonder," I said with a smile. "You can try denying you enjoy looking at us. You can try denying you enjoy watching us. It will be difficult to convince me, although I admit the possibility I am wrong. Tell me. Do you watch me when I don't know you're watching me?"
She paused and then changed the subject. "You have new mail."
I laughed. "I presume you have conceded the discussion. Should I know about the mail without checking?"
"Upper left corner," she said. I glanced to my upper left, opposite the time display, and there was a small green dot.
"The green dot? That means I have mail? I'm sorry, but that's about the least obvious thing you could do."
"There's a setting," she said. "Find it later
. Save the mail for now, but you'll have a few minutes before we get started. Background. I oversee the initial arena challenges and about twelve percent of the subsequent challenges. I have three senior event coordinators. It was four until two weeks ago. Clover's wife took a position in Switzerland."
I looked over my shoulder at the other Catseye. "So that wasn't me."
"No. She's mad at me because I won't let her go until we can train up a replacement. I can't run this place with only two senior coordinators. Dark Skies is very intelligent, but she is a technician. She is, well, you would consider her a wizard with anything electronic, even as young as she is. But you've experienced how Octals handle interpersonal relationships, and being a senior event coordinator is about far more than running the equipment."
"But you're going to let her run my event this afternoon?"
"With my oversight. She'll care about the outcome, and she'll realize this is not where her strengths lie. Please do not be upset. I needed a challenge like yours today to show her. Frankly, if she makes mistakes with yours, it's not as critical as if she makes one with one of our other candidates."
"It's fine," I said.
"Good. Thank you. This morning I want you to watch. Pay attention to the dynamics of the room and what everyone is doing. If you are able to also watch the event itself, you may do so. But I want you to try to understand the roles in the room."
"Why are there so many unused screens?"
"This morning's event is moderately simple. Some are far more complicated and require more technicians."
"Why are the humans wearing visors, but you are not?"
"We use other technology. To us, the visors are fairly crude. We stole much of the technology from humans, actually, and you are not far off from reproducing much of these capabilities. Of course, it will be a long time before you could make them this compact with this much capability."
"And why do you need the monitors at all?"
"They are more familiar to human technicians," she said. "And a keyboard is a better input device than your visor."
I nodded. "I understand."
"You may wander around the room," said the Catseye. "Avoid disturbing anyone, but if she has time to explain what she is doing, she will tell you."
"Are you training me for any particular job?"