Escape .

My chest surged, but I studied the panel, mind once again back to the picture of that cat chasing a laser. Only hope ? Some dramatic and evocative phrasing right there. This could be some kind of human testing program…

See how resourceful they are. See how gullible .

“I asked who are you?” I leaned closer to the panel. “Make that who are you, where are you, and why have I’m here?”

The panel remained quiet for a moment then crackled.

“You are in the greenhouse because they do not come here. And because there is an accessible speaker that is not part of the ships intercom system.” The voice flowing from the panel was smooth, eloquent and distinctly feminine.

There’d been an interview when we were first captured. They must have drugged us in the beginning, because the memory was shaky and foggy like a dream. The aliens asked questions that were interpreted by a small box with a crackling voice. I’d never heard them speak since, and that voice had been clipped, abrupt, and mechanical.

This one was not like that at all.

“Okay.” I sat on the bench. “I’m listening.”

“How is your mind coping with these rapid adjustments to your reality, human?”

I gripped my knees. Human . Whoever this was, didn’t consider themselves human. “As well as can be expected.”

“And you are an expert in the field of mental health?”

I watched the box like it might crawl to life. Whoever this was had information on me. If I’d had concern over whether this speaker was friend or foe, this revelation skewed things to the later. “I am.”

“And in your time on earth, you worked for your nations Military?”

I gripped my knees tighter. “That’s correct.”

Maybe I’d never seen active duty but I’d gone through basic training like everyone else.

“Would you consider yourself then, as a Military expert on mental health, of sound mind and reason?”

What the hell was this?

“Sure.” Aside from the alien abduction delusions my mind was sound as fuck.

“ Would you consider your personality type amenable to leadership?”

I’d been psych team leader. Written policies. Conducted studies, and was responsible for reports and articles that were used globally for reference. I’d beaten out men twice my age for my job, in the damned Military , as a freaking woman . “Oh, I am a leader.”

Thank you very much.

“ Who are you ?” I repeated.

The lights dulled a little on the panel.

“I am an original occupant of this space craft. This is a Crestonian passenger ship, hijacked by the Gillan’s who took you.”

I sunk forward, elbows to my knees. “What happened to the rest of the passengers?”

“They are where you will soon be if you do not follow my directions. They are held at a Gillan’s holding station, awaiting sale.”

My lungs tightened. “Sale for what, slavery?”

“Perhaps. There are several planets who procure intelligent humanoid species for labor.”

Labor, thank god. Physical labor I could survive.

I swallowed, and let out a dry laugh. “Well at least it’s not some weird sexual thing like in books and movies. Like oh, no, there’s magically somehow no females in the whole freaking universe—all the aliens must have sex with you now.” My laugh died in my throat.

Wait…every single passenger here was female.

“There are indeed many known female poor planets. However, most of them prefer to procure females bred and trained for companionship.”

Companionship—ha. In alien speak, companionship must translate to trained sex slave. Best make note of that.

“So that’s not why they want us then?”

“Given all females procured are at full sexual maturity this indicates the majority of you are most likely intended for farming and taken for your specific genetic qualities.”

“Farming, as in working on a farm?” I glanced down at the silver floor. There was an understanding, a very, very awful understanding, beginning to creep in.

“For the farming and production of humanoid species. Your genetic profile would determine the kind of farm you’d be placed in. Some of you to produce companion slaves, others labor slaves, and some for meat production.”

My stomach heaved. I clamped a hand over my mouth. Meat. Oh god. They’d make people have babies for meat?

“How the fuck do we stop this?”

I wanted to claw at my ears. Take out that knowledge. Pretend I’d never heard such a revolting thing.

“I have your cooperation?”

Cooperate or have meat babies? “If you can get me out of here then yes, you have my complete cooperation.”

“Excellent.”

A shiver twitched my skin. Only villains say excellent.

“You room is resealed. The guards will not check inside without reason. We have only tonight to prepare and return you to your cell.”