Candidate (Selected Book 4)

by Robin Roseau

  She turned and began walking away. And then the Wookies began pulling me after her.

  Great. Just great.

  But my visor didn't dim, and absolutely everyone got out of our way. One pissed off Catseye and two Wookies would probably scare me off, too.

  We left the ballroom and traveled down the hallway for a while before Jasmine stepped into another room. The Wookies brought me to follow her, and then Jasmine pointed to a chair. "Put her there and return to the party."

  They set me into the chair without a word then exited quietly. Soft Rain never said a word to me.

  Jasmine paced around, her tentacles wild.

  "I tried," I said. "But I hurt, Administrator, and so I turned professional and honest. But she arrived ready to hate me and it got worse from there. Apparently she felt cute and charming were important and didn't care for honesty."

  She turned to me. "I'm angry, but not about that. Please be quiet." And then she changed languages and began yelling. Not at me, though. She turned away and began yelling, loudly. She paced back and forth, yelling, her tentacles wild.

  "Tell me what I did," I inserted during a lull.

  She spun and held up a hand, then spun back around, pacing some more and yelling. Then she shifted languages and did it some more, then another shift, and some more. Finally she slumped, but I could see her panting.

  "Andromeda, I'm sorry."

  "For your joke."

  "No. Something else. I made a promise to you and someone else broke it." She spun around. "Someone betrayed me! You gave them a gift, and they betrayed you. I am so angry, I don't know what to say."

  I stood up, wincing a little, crossed the space to her, and pulled her into my arms. She stiffened but then wrapped around me. She didn't offer a tentacle to kiss, and she failed at finding open skin, so I pulled away, stripped off the kimono, and stepped back into her.

  She grabbed me, her tentacles moving nearly wildly, and then she sucked, and this time I knew she was marking me. She sucked and squeezed, sucked and squeezed.

  "You're going to have to stop me," she whispered. "I can't."

  "You'll calm down eventually," I said. Then I pulled her more tightly to me, leaning my head against the side of hers. I kissed the ear and stroked her back.

  What she did hurt, at least some of the time, but I let her hold me. Then she finally pushed away but she spun me around. And then she began muttering in, I presume, Catseye.

  "You're bleeding," she said. "I hurt you, Andromeda."

  "How bad is it?"

  "Just a little oozing."

  I turned around, which she tried to stop, but I turned to face her, collecting a couple of her tentacles and draping them across my arms, setting my hands on her hips.

  "Tell me what happened."

  "There's video."

  "From?"

  "You in the pool."

  "This afternoon?"

  "This morning."

  "You didn't do it."

  "No. I didn't do it. I told everyone 'no video'. I was clear. I did it in every language necessary. I turned all the cameras off. No one I've talked to admits to recording, not even local storage. I wasn't recording."

  "So? It's out there."

  "Dark Skies is analyzing the video, but whoever did it covered her tracks. There's video of you and a few others, but not enough to eliminate more than three people I wouldn't have suspected anyway."

  "All right, I'm not happy, but it's done. It's not any worse than the video you took of me."

  "I lied."

  "What?"

  "Okay, I took video but I didn't post it. I lied."

  I took a couple of breaths. "All right. Fine. So there's video. Why would someone do this?"

  "To flaunt to everyone she could disobey me."

  "So, she posted it to traitorous.wild.bitches.dot.e.t.?"

  "Something like that. If we had other video, any at all, we could cross check against hers and figure out who it is."

  "Does it matter?"

  "Damned right it matters. I'm not giving one of my girls to some bitch!"

  I smiled at that. "So, remember how we took care of the women this morning. We went from cell to cell."

  "Right."

  And then I had breakfast."

  "Right."

  "And then I went swimming."

  "Right."

  "And do you remember the part where you told me to record all my interactions with the women?"

  "Andromeda?" Her tentacles began to quiver. "Close your eyes or you're about to get really sick."

  I slammed them shut, but I could see light flashing across my eyes. Then she was screaming. "Dark Skies! Access Andromeda's visor. She has video. She has video! We're on our way."

  She grabbed my arm. "Keep your eyes closed. Try to keep up." Then she was pulling me, and we half ran. I didn't know where, I just went where she tugged me, first by the arm, then by a lot of tentacles across my back. And there was light flashing in front of my eyes for a while, then I heard Dark Skies say, "I got it, Andromeda."

  I opened my eyes just as we came to a door, opening as we approached. It was Control Room A. Dark Skies and Clover were both there, each staring into space, mumbling to themselves.

  "There," Dark Skies said in English. "Her."

  "What was a female Implac doing there?" Clover asked.

  "Show me," I said.

  "That screen," Dark Skies said, pointing. I moved to the screen, and then she put up two videos, side-by-side. "Watch." They were in slow speed. One was of me. One was from my eyes. I was talking to Cherish, but then I turned my head. The screen froze.

  "There," said Dark Skies. "Right there."

  "What?"

  "Look," said Dark Skies. "Cherish just put her hand on your arm. You can see the motion from your video. And look at the other video." Cherish's hand was just about to settle onto my arm. "And you're looking almost straight into the video."

  "Not quite," I said.

  "Which is why it's the Implac. The angle is off to be the Catseye, and Hobbles can't record like this. It's the Implac."

  Jasmine moved to the screen. "Look for more."

  "I've got one," said Clover. "Dark Skies, check it, 97 seconds later."

  The video on my screen fast forwarded, almost making me sick, and then I was staring straight into the camera again, and this time, the woman from earlier was the only one in frame.

  "Are we sure on the timing?"

  "I went 97 seconds forward on both videos. We can get a sync from Cherish's hand. Andie is looking right at her."

  "I remember. She never said a word, and she stood off a little bit, like she was afraid of me, but later she tried to get real close, and I actually had to swat her away. She was getting really personal."

  "Scanning," said Dark Skies.

  "Oh, just fuck me," I said, staring at the screen. "Just fuck me and let me die."

  Jasmine stepped up beside me. She slipped tentacles and an arm around me. The video was a good shot right between my legs, and then my video showed me turning around and chastising the Implac.

  "I'm very sorry, Andromeda. I'm very, very sorry. This is my fault. She wouldn't have dared if she didn't know the cameras were all off."

  "Turn it off," I said quietly. "Administrator Brighteyes, that's an Implac?"

  "The females are small, about the size of a human. But still bigger than you, Andromeda."

  "Dark Skies, I need you."

  She stepped over immediately. I shrugged Jasmine off then pulled Dark Skies into a hug. "Just a little," I whispered. "Enough to put me into a good mood. Enough to make me kiss everyone in the room, but let it wear off."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes." Then I buried my nose against her.

  God, she smelled good.

  It took a minute or two as we hugged each other. Then she said gently, "Kiss me, Andie."

  I pulled my face away, cupped her cheek, and gave her a slow, lingering kiss. It was sweet. And then I pulled away and
smiled.

  "Are you sure?" she asked again. I nodded. "Andie, walk over and kiss one of Clover's tentacles."

  Clover's tentacles hadn't been out before, but she was able to offer one by the time I got to her. I took it carefully, caressed it with one finger, then began kissing from the thick part up to the tip. She let me, and then she caressed my lips and slid it into my mouth. I held onto it, caressing it, sucking on it, and she teased my tongue. I stared into her eyes the entire time.

  Then, slowly, she withdrew.

  "That was lovely, Andromeda," she said.

  "Andie," said Dark Skies. "Come here."

  I obeyed without a thought, coming to a stop in front of the Octal. "Andie, are you angry at Jasmine Brighteyes?"

  "No," I whispered.

  "Do you want her to be your friend?"

  "Yes."

  "Go to her," she said. "Ask for a long, long hug."

  I smiled, turned away, and walked to Jasmine. Her tentacles were out, waving nervously, and so I came to a stop. "Jasmine, it's okay."

  "She's making you do it."

  "She helped, only enough," I said. "Do I sound like I'm drugged?"

  "A little," she said.

  "Only a little. It feels good. Thank you, Dark Skies."

  "You're welcome, Andie. Now, ask her to hug you."

  I looked over at the Octal. "It's wearing off."

  "I know," she said. "And so it is your choice to obey."

  At that I smiled and looked back at Jasmine. "Will you be my friend, Jasmine Brighteyes?"

  "Yes, Andie."

  "I would like a good, long, proper hug. You may taste, but please do not make me bleed further."

  At that, she enveloped me, and when she offered the tentacle, I accepted it.

  We hugged for several minutes before she released me.

  "Jasmine," I said. "I challenge that Implac to an event tomorrow morning. I would like the event that Clover and I did, and I want the shock sticks on full. Will you do this for me?"

  "I don't think you can beat her."

  "I want it videoed. I want every ET to see it. I want them to know why. Let whatever happens happen. And no cheating. I mean it."

  "How many points?"

  "Ten or until I can't stand again."

  "Don't do this, Andromeda."

  "Please."

  "Let her do it," Dark Skies said.

  "No cheating, Dark Skies," I said. "I mean it." Dark Skies stepped closer. "And no more pheromones."

  She set a hand on my arm, but when she spoke, it was to Jasmine. "Administrator Brighteyes, I think I know something about female Implacs you don't."

  "What is that?"

  "They're afraid of heights."

  I began to smile, and Jasmine nodded.

  "I'll run it," said Clover. "Dark Skies, I'm going to want your help."

  "Of course."

  "No cheating," I said.

  "No cheating. If you fall, you're getting treated the same way as if she falls."

  "Good. Give me a tiny dose, and Jasmine, too. Jasmine, we're going back. You're going to have arms and tentacles around me, and you're going to introduce me to people. There will be music and dancing. I want to meet everyone."

  "The Implac was in there. I didn't put two and two together."

  "Good," I said. "Let her video. Let her post it. And at the end of the evening, I am going to challenge her, and you're going to throw her into a cell overnight." Then I turned to Dark Skies and pulled the two of them into a hug.

  And in another minute, I felt really, really good.

  * * * *

  "You feel really nice, Jasmine," I said.

  "We're both high," she said.

  "Good. Bring me in and put some music on. Dance with me. It will be worn off by the end of a song or two. I want to dance, Jasmine. Will you dance with me?"

  "I'll dance with you, Andie."

  We made a stir when we entered, many of those present turning to us. Jasmine's tentacles were clearly draped over me, and we were both smiling. I stepped forward, and Jasmine walked with me.

  "There's going to be music," I said projecting to be heard. "I hope some of you will dance. I got a chance to sit for a few minutes, and while these are poor dance shoes, I hope some of you will ask me to dance." I raised my voice. "That includes you, Wookie!"

  She rumbled her laughter and immediately agreed.

  "Dance with me, Administrator."

  We moved into a clear area, and Jasmine asked quietly, "What kind of music?"

  "Do you know how to tango?"

  "No."

  "Will you let me lead?"

  "I can try."

  "If I find music, can you play it?"

  "Yes."

  I dived into my visor, switched to the music, did a search for what I wanted, and took about a half minute building a mini playlist. "Got it?"

  "I've got it."

  A moment later, the music started.

  "A little louder." Then while she was adjusting it, I pulled her into my arms. "Lean into me. Trust me. Close your eyes. Just try to stay in front of me." I shifted. I shifted back. And then I stepped towards her, and she automatically stepped away.

  We danced. It took a very heavy lead, and I wasn't that good, but I was good enough.

  "Caress me with your tentacles," I told her. "This is sensuous. Run one up my leg. Tease me."

  And she did. And as I looked around, every single person in the room was watching me.

  We danced three songs, finally coming to a stop. "Wrap around me," I told her. "Make it obvious you're tasting, then lead me to someone else."

  She wrapped around me tightly including one tentacle wrapped around my left leg. And then she snuffled, somewhat loudly, and I hugged her tightly.

  Then she released me and led me to one of the aliens. "Andromeda, this is Bella. She is a Hobble."

  "Hello, Bella. Will you dance with me?"

  "Yes," she said, her voice high and reedy, but understandable. And so I took her hand and led her back onto the floor. She moved to me but said, "Will you let me lead?"

  "If you can."

  I let her direct the hold, and it was quite different than a human's, but then the next song began. She listened for a moment, and then we moved.

  It wasn't at all like a Tango, of course, in spite of the music involved, but it was clearly a dance, and if I didn't give her the responses she wanted, it was still a good dance. We danced two songs before she said, "You saw the video."

  "How can you tell?"

  "Jasmine Brighteyes received bad news and practically ran to you. She was quivering with rage. You return like this, and I can smell the Octal on you. Logic. Was the Octal her idea?"

  "Mine," I said. "Give me to someone else."

  "Anyone I should avoid?"

  "The humans. I am here to meet the ETs."

  "So be it."

  * * * *

  And so I danced, and I danced again, and I danced again. And then the woman who had told me she didn't like me was there, intercepting me as I stepped from the dance floor.

  "I was wrong," she said.

  "Dance with me?"

  "I do not dance."

  "Then it will be a new experience for you, just as much of this is a new experience for me. But you will let me lead."

  And so she nodded and offered her hand. I led her back onto the floor and drew her to me. "Does this touch upset you?" I asked.

  "I have never been held by a human before," she replied. "I believe I am too short for this."

  "Nonsense. I dance with men as tall as a Wookie. You can dance with me. You must only strive to remain in front of me." I shifted and shifted, and then we walked. It was just walks, but I added a little musicality. She clung to me, and I could tell she was fighting to follow, but she was so small and reasonably responsive, and so we had a good dance.

  "My name is Sugilite. It is a gemstone of purple bands. Humans call my species Kitsune."

  "Japanese fox."

&n
bsp; "Yes. I am sorry I was ungracious. I had hoped to meet you."

  "You didn't learn about me from talking, did you."

  "You know."

  "Yes."

  We danced, but we talked. "How are you so calm? I was given humans would be outraged."

  "Can you smell lingering scent of Octal?"

  She squeaked. "No, but that is an effective solution."

  The song ended, and I led her from the dance floor then turned her towards me. "I'm in a really, really good mood right now."

  "I imagine you are, if you let an Octal have you for a while."

  "Only a few minutes. Long enough. I like your looks. I liked them when you approached me earlier. I didn't care for your attitude. I was upset, but I had cause."

  "And I had cause, because you ignored me earlier."

  "Unintentional, but your response is understandable. I believe you are able to check my bio page, or whatever it is, and see my status."

  "Yes."

  "I would accept dates. If you enjoy challenges, we can have fun challenges. For me, they are exercise. If you do not wish this, that is fine, too."

  "Maybe I will." She looked around. "I liked that one, too." I followed her gaze.

  "Peggy Ann," I said. "She is sweet. If you want her, you have less time to decide. I am here for several months. She has two weeks or she goes to the arena."

  "I believe if I want you, I must choose soon. Word will get out."

  "Yes, but I made a promise to Jasmine Brighteyes, so I will be here." I smiled. "I enjoyed our dances, Sugilite. Is anyone watching me as if she wishes a dance?"

  "Jasmine Brighteyes and two of the humans."

  "Jasmine can wait. Give me to one of the humans."

  And so she walked me over to Alisha.

  "I hoped I'd get a dance. May I lead?"

  "Of course."

  Alisha really knew how to dance, and I had an amazing time with her. We took two songs, and then she led me from the floor. "Thank you," she said. "I've been watching for you for two hours."

  "You're a better lead than I am."

  "I had a better partner than you've had all night."

  "Dance with Jasmine," I said. "I need a break."

  * * * *

  It was an hour later when Jasmine stepped up to my side. "I'm about to send all the humans back to their cells."