Kate
We have been busy since the message from Rennek’s brother came in. It seems we’ll be in this “dark space” region in a few hours. I feel nervous, but excited at the same time. It reminds me of midterm exams in one of my classes. The only difference is I’m actually confident about the answers for some reason. I feel like I can ace this.
Regardless, I need to do all I can to prepare in the small amount of time I have. I can feel the speed of the ship has increased. Rennek is trying to hurry, in case his brother is in danger, I think. I try to imagine what he must be feeling. Relationships are hard though--unique to the people in them. I think of my own brother. How would I react if he were in danger? How would he react if he were in Rennek’s shoes and thought I was in danger, I wonder?
Then I finally start to consider what my family will think once they realize I’m gone. It’s the first time I’ve really thought about it. I feel a deep sadness for them. They’ll never know what happened to me. That would be the worst thing, I think. It must be hard for Rennek right now, not knowing what happened to his brother, if he is safe or not.
Da’vi finished his work on the bridge and brought all of us ‘females’ to some kind of training room. It’s like a gym… kind of, but with guns though. He gives each of us a hand-held weapon that looks more like a cell phone than a gun and sets us up in front of some targets and fighting dummies--which look nothing like Earth fighting dummies, mind you.
He teaches us how to fire the weapon, it’s called a charger, and shows us that in close combat it can be used like a taser. We all spend some time practicing on the targets and the dummies. Years of cell phone and remote-control use has made us pretty adaptable to this weapon in particular.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this,” Vivian says. “You and Allison sure, but we’re all going to be hiding here--safe on the ship.”
Allison rolls her eyes and continues to practice. I sigh. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news.
“Vivian, sweetie… I think there’s a reason why the guys are going to try and hide the ship when we go down to this space station. We’re going someplace very dangerous and there’s a chance--hopefully a very, very small chance, that it’s a trap. If it is, you guys might be in just as much danger as we are and you might find yourself in a position where you have to defend yourself,” I explain, trying my best to give her the information without freaking her out.
“I don’t get it,” she trembles. “We got away from those bad aliens. I thought we were just going to their government, like… like refugees or something and they would find a place for us.”
“There’s a bounty on them.” Allison says without looking up. I’d shoot her a dirty look, but she wouldn’t care anyway, so I save it.
“Wait, what? There’s a bounty on them? The bad aliens are looking for them, not us? We could just leave and go to the government and we’d be safe? They could deal with all this dangerous stuff and we could go somewhere safe?”
I look at her a little shocked. I mean, they saved our lives and any trouble they’re in now is entirely because of us.
“Don’t give me that look,” she says. “Just look at these guys,” she waves her hands at Da’vi… who seems like he could care less about whatever conversation we are having and continues to correct all the other girl’s shooting techniques. “They can handle themselves. This is like… their thing or whatever. We, on the other hand, are not cut out for situations like this. I’m going to school to become a librarian for Christ’s sake! Not to become a… a… space bandit!”
“A space bandit? Seriously?” Allison sets down her charger. “Wake up Vivian. You are not a librarian. You will never be a librarian. So, you can put that sad little dream away. We were abducted by aliens. We are in danger. Get that shit through your head. Whether you sit here crying, trying to pretend this is some kind of survival getaway or get your shit together and learn how to protect yourself: you are in danger. Bottom line.” She picks her charger up and resumes her practice.
“Oh, why don’t you just… just… suck it Allison!” And I have to admit, it’s hard not to laugh. Even Reagan laughs, and I’m sure she’s wanted to tell Allison to ‘suck it’ too. Vivian throws her charger down on a mat and Da’vi barks at her, only she can’t understand what he’s saying and it just scares her into another sobbing fit. I’m glad he’s chastising her, throwing a weapon she doesn’t know anything about is extremely stupid. Throwing a weapon in general is just stupid.
“Hey, come on,” April chimes in, pulling Vivian into a hug. “Take some deep breaths.”
Vivian buries her face in her hands, sobbing. “What is going on here? I don’t get it! Abducted by aliens? Seriously? And here we are learning to shoot and protect ourselves, and there’s a bounty? And Kate is having sex with one of them?” Everybody’s eyes swing to me and I probably turn red enough to pale the nearest star in comparison.
“Whoa, nobody is having sex with anyone,” I say in my defense.
“Damn, Vivian. Are you trying to win the title of biggest bitch? You sure you want to go up against Allison for that?” Reagan says and I can hear the anger lacing her voice. I’m starting to really get Reagan, she is fiercely loyal and Vivian throwing me under the bus in front of everyone? Well, it wasn’t her place to say and neither of us seem to appreciate the judgement in her tone either.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but what’s up with that?” April asks.
Part of me is embarrassed, but mostly just because I have only known Rennek for a few days. I don’t want to come off like a slut to everyone.
“Yeah, they were straight up calling you his mate.” Reagan teases. “Are you guys like alien married now?”
“Haha, very funny. I don’t know. Maybe ‘mate’ is just like alien for girlfriend or something?” I say shrugging it off.
“Doubt it,” Allison says, only marginally engaged in the conversation.
“Well, isn’t it a little weird. Like bestiality or something?” Clark asks. And now I am completely offended.
“Exactly,” Vivian adds.
I’m instantly furious. How dare they say such a thing, or even consider Rennek and his friends to be more like animals than people. Granted some of their features are pretty… let’s just say wild. But, they are mostly just like us in the ways that count.
“Look, there is something going on between Rennek and I, it’s new and I don’t know how to define it, but I have feelings for him and he clearly seems to return them. If anyone dares call him an animal again, I am tearing down this human alliance. These guys saved our lives. We would have been raped and maybe a million worse things if they hadn’t risked their asses for us. We will return the favor and if not, you’re out. Go fend for yourself.”
“I’m so sorry Kate, I didn’t mean it like that.” Clark says remorsefully. “I’m just still getting used to the changes. Really, I appreciate all they’ve done and I didn’t mean to sound like I was judging your connection.”
“That’s fine. I get it, we all are still getting used to things. I didn’t mean all of what I said either,” I sigh. “Well, if anyone calls him an animal again, I will lose my shit and I’ll get pissed if we don’t all try to pull our own weight around here. But when it comes down to it, I’ll always be team human.”
“I’m sorry too. Bitch isn’t in my nature, I don’t know what got into me. Team human,” Vivian almost begs as she wipes her tears and hugs me. I return the hug. Everyone will take their own time to adjust, I accept that. Who knows, I might be the next to go nuts and have a crazy crying fit where I say a bunch of shit I regret. Hopefully everyone will be as forgiving with me when I do. All the girls come in for a group hug. Except Allison. We stare at her expectantly.
“Yeah, I’m not doing that.”
“Get back to work!” Da’vi barks and we all jump.