Candidate (Selected Book 4) (82 page)

"There would be humans."

"How about human children? Or are we talking a few dozen mating candidates, all of us altered to carry children that aren't at all human?"

She didn't answer that, either. Instead she said, "I'm sure I can convince the teams at NASA."

I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. "You're just like Harp and Jaguar," I said, barely above a whisper. "They wanted to take me away from my parents, and you do, too."

"No, Andromeda! We'll be closer. We'll only be an Earth orbit away."

I stood up. "Charoite, you should start working on your backup plan. Maybe you can convince the engineers at NASA this is safe. But you want to throw rocks, a kilometer across, ten kilometers across, at Earth. We all know what killed our dinosaurs, and we have a pretty darned good idea what would happen if one of your rocks got away. Furthermore, your answer to 'what will that do to our orbit' was 'it's complicated'. Which means you don't fully know. Maybe you can work it out, but the average human is never going to understand. All they're going to understand is you want to throw rocks at us, and if just one of them gets away, you'll murder seven billion people."

I pushed away from the table and turned to retrieve my visor. I slipped it on. When I turned, Charoite was at the door, blocking it.

"I wouldn't!" she said. "It's safe!"

"Here's something humans know. If there's a chance for something to go wrong, and you do it enough times, eventually the law of averages will catch up to you. Charoite, there is absolutely no way the United Nations is ever going to give approval for this. Most of them would never understand the science involved. And they could never convince more than a small percentage of the people in their countries it's safe. You want to throw rocks at Earth. Not rocks. Mountains. Mountains bigger than Mount Everest. And someone will get on television and talk about how each one that passes us will change our orbit."

"It's tiny! Immeasurable!"

"Tiny after tiny after tiny adds up to more than tiny. Maybe you could convince individual people it's safe, but you aren't going to convince humans at large. All you're going to do is fuel every single alien conspiracy theory ever devised. You will set back any hopes of ever convincing humans you aren't a threat. It would take decades and decades to undo the damage that could be caused if humanity at large ever hears about this."

"Please, Andromeda, you're blowing this out of proportion."

"You have choices. You will not be able to convince me that you can convince humanity. It is unlikely you can convince me we won't go absolutely ape shit crazy. I think of the two of us in this room, one of us is far more likely to understand how the average human will react than the other. So you have choices. You can continue to pursue this. You will fail, and you can move to your backup plan."

"You aren't giving me a chance."

"What percentage of humans will be able to understand the math, Charo? It certainly isn't half. Ten percent? One percent? None at all, because this is just too advanced for us? It isn't a question as to whether you can throw those rocks and just miss. It's a question of whether you can convince us. But you don't believe me. Fine. Go talk to someone else about it. Ask Jasmine what she thinks. Ask her if she thinks humans will go insane. Because they will. I promise you, they will go absolutely insane."

"Andromeda."

"Like I said. You have choices. You can decide I don't know what I'm talking about, and you can spend the next ten or twenty years trying to convince humans to let you do this. I think once word gets out what you want to do, you'll set back every other effort the rest of the ETs are pursuing, and if anyone asks me, that's what I'm going to say."

"You would undermine me?"

"Do you want me to shut up if I think you're making about the biggest mistake imaginable? Do you want humans to rise up and kill every alien they can see? Do you have any idea of the level of ignorance on my planet, and those ignorant people all have guns. Do you want the testing centers stormed by crowds of frightened humans, killing every alien there? Do you want some lone gunman watching for Amaryllis outside the UN? Hell, I'm surprised that hasn't already happened."

"We catch them."

"Law of averages," I said. "If you do it enough times, something goes wrong."

"Andromeda, please, we can talk about this."

"You have choices. Continue to pursue this. When you finally realize it won't work, pursue your backup. I've told you what I believe will happen. And I'll be telling Jasmine Brighteyes as well."

"No!" she said. "You're going to stir up trouble."

"If you want me in your life, you will look for a new vocation. I might be willing to continue this relationship while you come to the same conclusion I have, if you promise you will never take me away from Earth. But if your backup plan is another star system, and I don't get a vote, well, I'm voting today. I'm not going. Now get out of my way. Come see me if you're willing to promise you'll never try to take me that far from Earth."

She stared hard at me, never saying a word. Then she stepped aside.

She left two days later. She didn't come to see me.

* * * *

"Just let me go, Jasmine."

"I'm sorry, Andromeda. I can't. There's too much at stake. If I let you go, then I prove right everyone who wants to go back to the old way."

I did what I'd done to get over breakups in the past. I focused on my job. I hyper-focused on my job. I met with the women. I did interviews for their reality television. I coached them for their events. I ran my events. I took more work from Clover so she could spend more time with Peony.

I came to an agreement with Bay. If I ever ended up in another challenge, I didn't want him anywhere near it. But I could work with him. He began teaching me everything he could. I studied. I learned. Late at night, when no one else was around, I set up the arena then moved to the control center and practiced simulated events, becoming more and more capable as a technician.

I created a few unique events, then I asked Dilly and Piper if they would be my guinea pigs. They had a blast then asked if I could come up with something with the two of them against their husbands.

The women won, but the event coordinator may have cheated a little to make sure. No, she wouldn't have, would she?

I avoided Jasmine for a couple of weeks, but then one morning she was waiting to swim with me. I stopped and stared at her for a moment, then opened my arms for a hug.

Afterwards I said, "You're going to make me start dating again, aren't you?"

"Unless you can pick someone right now."

* * * *

I looked at the Hobble. "I am Andromeda Hayes."

"I am Fjord Green," she replied.

"Call me Andie," I said. "Do I use both names?"

"Call me Fjord." She stepped back and looked me up and down, encased in the clear pillar. "Why does Jasmine Brighteyes treat you differently?"

"I'm older and no one wants me. I think she's showcasing me out of sympathy."

"You are one of the most famous mating candidates ever," she said. "Everyone here knows who you are."

"And yet, you're the one who decided to talk to me, Fjord." I smiled. "I don't know if that makes you brave or foolish."

"Perhaps curious. If I let you out, will you let me touch them?" I could see where she was looking.

"Why are all of you so fascinated by a human woman's breasts?"

"They look... squishable."

"Well, they don't like being squished, but they like other things. Is that all you want? To try squishing them?"

"Not necessarily," she said slowly.

"And tell me, do you have places that like being squished, or perhaps other things?"

"Perhaps other things."

"Maybe you should let me out and take me somewhere private. I don't like squishing with an audience."

She looked me up and down once more then released me. Without a backwards glance, I offered her my arm. Let someone else worry about the diplomacy in the room for one night.

She took me to her apartment. And while she really liked the idea of squishing, she decided other touches were just as lovely, and she showed me how she liked to be touched.

And then, several hours later, I let myself out. Three days later, Jasmine told me she and Sue Peterson came to an agreement, and they were both gone.

* * * *

"There's someone I want you to meet."

"All right."

"In the arena."

I turned to fully face her. "What species?"

"Luxan."

"Female?"

"Of course."

"I'm not changing into a battle suit and going out in the hot sun just so she can pick me up and throw me into a cage."

"She wants to win."

"Of course she wants to win. Does she know all she is winning is a date?"

"Yes."

"She could just ask for a date."

"And yet, she wants to meet you in the arena, and then take you on a date."

I sighed. "Fine. What's the event?"

"Laser tag."

"That's a lot of work to set up, Jasmine."

"It's already set up."

"Wait. She wants to do this
now
?"

"Thirty minutes."

"I have an event to run."

"I'll run it."

"And who is running my little encounter in the arena."

"If you can run three, I think I can do two."

"Fine." But I activated the visor, switched to the arena view, woke the cameras, and set them aloft. Then I reviewed the setup. "I don't like that configuration. I want changes." I looked around. "You left the construction crew there."

"I'm not stupid, Andromeda. Make your changes, but if I think you're giving yourself too large of an advantage, then I will be responding."

"Oh?"

"I'll let Bay run it."

"Damn it. Fine." Ten minutes later the arena was more to my liking. "Ready, but I want to meet her first."

"We'll meet in the middle."

"Perfect."

She handed me the battle suit. I dropped my clothes right there, Danny happily watching, and pulled it on. I folded my other clothes and set them aside.

And damn, but Jasmine blinded my visor and took my arm.

Ten minutes later I was standing in the middle of the arena, Jasmine at my side. A tall Luxan female strode onto the grounds, moving towards us confidently. I looked her up and down as she approached.

I'd never really cared for the Luxan. Oh, I liked them as people, but I wasn't physically attracted. I think Jasmine knew it. I didn't ask her about it.

She came to a stop, and Jasmine introduced me to Artemis Little Ghost.

"How fitting," I said, shaking hands with her. "We are both named after figures from Greek Mythology. But what is Little Ghost?"

"It is the human name for a particular nebula."

"Ah, of course. I should have known. I am pleased to meet you, Artemis." I frowned. "Artemis was an archer. Does that tell me something about your ability to shoot?"

"It might."

I looked at Jasmine, and she smiled sweetly. On the other hand, I'd been getting my own practice in, and I had cheated. I didn't think Jasmine knew.

"Tell me, Artemis. Where do you live?"

"I operate out of the space station," she said. "But I spend time on Titan as well."

"And is that likely to change any time soon?"

"Why would it change?"

"Just what I wanted to hear," I said. "Do you know this event?"

"I do." She offered a Luxan smile. "If I win, you are my date this evening."

"And when I win?" I asked.

"I am a very, very good shot, Andromeda."

"I've been practicing. What do I win?"

"I could be your date tonight."

"Oh, it sounds like if that's what I wanted, I could just walk into the cage. If I win, you get your date, but it's at the restaurant of my choosing."

"There aren't many to choose from."

"I'll be picking something in Paris."

They both froze, then Jasmine said, "You will pick from among the alien-friendly restaurants."

"Of course," I said. I smiled and held out my hand. "May the best shot win."

"I'm sure she will," said Artemis.

We retreated to our sides. I collected my weapons, a laser rifle and a pistol. I would use the rifle on the distant targets but switch to the pistol if the Luxan decided to charge me. Then I hunkered down. A minute later, Jasmine called begin.

I began firing. My shots went wide. I kept firing, and they went wide.

"What the fuck!"

"Good afternoon, Andromeda," Bay said into my ears.

"Bay! What are you doing here?"

"Jasmine tells me you were naughty and asked me to ensure you lost. If you promise to be gracious about it, your only penalty are two weapons that won't shoot straight."

I hit a few of the targets, but it was largely random. And the Luxan was every bit as good a shot as expected. It took her about two minutes before I was pushed into the cage.

Then she casually, confidently walked to the cage, coming to a stop in front of me. "I was under the impression you were better at this event."

I smiled. "Maybe I didn't really want to go to Paris."

* * * *

I dressed for dinner, doing what I could to look absolutely stunning. She took me to one of the restaurants in town. I smiled a lot.

"You will be mated soon," she said.

"Soon," I agreed.

"Do you know what you will want to do once mated?"

"I presume I'll be helping to make babies," I said. I smiled. "I expect to be pampered."

"I am told you will want a job. Do you know what sort?"

"I don't know," I said. "Maybe I'll just go to school. There's so much to learn. What do you do?"

We talked for a while. I flirted outrageously. After dinner, she asked if she could take me home.

"To my home here or your apartment?"

"My apartment."

"I'd like that." But I didn't let her hold me.

Once we arrived, she turned to me with a look I'd seen a hundred times before. "I was wondering..."

I reached around my back, unzipped the dress, and stepped out of it. It took only a few seconds before I had the rest of the clothes off. Then I turned slowly. "If you want to touch, take me to your bed."

She touched. I told her what I liked. She was clumsy, but she learned. It felt good, I suppose. I think she wanted me to return the favor, but I gave her a quick kiss and said, "I had a nice evening. We could do it again some time. Call me." Ten minutes later, I was out the door.

* * * *

After the fourth time I let one of the aliens take me to her bed, I returned to my cell to find Jasmine already waiting for me.

"I wasn't expecting to see you."

"I want to know what the hell you're doing."

"I'm about to undress so I don't get in trouble for wearing the wrong clothing in my cell," I said. "Did you come to watch? I know you like to watch." I had the dress half off before she closed the distance and stopped me.

"What are you doing, Andromeda?"

"Giving you what you want. Giving all of you what you want."

"You agreed to do your best to make this work, Andromeda."

"I don't know what it is you're upset about. You ask me to undress and let everyone look at me; I undress and let them look at me. You ask me to accept challenges; I accept challenges. You ask me to go on dates; I go on dates. You ask me to be charming; I am absolutely charming. My dates ask to see me naked; I undress and let them see me naked. They ask to touch; I let them touch. What exactly have I done wrong, now?"

"This isn't you, Andromeda."

I pushed away, pulled off the clothing, and pulled on the camisole, then added the translucent kimono. Belting it, I turned to her. She was watching me.

"See?" I smiled. "I knew you liked to watch. Are you here to ask to touch, Jasmine? I'll let you touch. I'll let you do anything you want."

She stared then asked quietly, "What are you doing?"

"What you want."

"This is not what I want."

"You should make up your mind," I said. "You don't want to touch? I know you like looking."

"I'm not here to be another of your conquests."

"
My
conquests?" I asked. "They ask me. And then I do exactly what they want. They aren't my conquests. I am theirs. But they make me feel good, so I guess it's a good trade. I give up my soul and absolutely everything I want, but they'll treat me well and give me orgasms and babies, so I should be happy. And hey? My only demand is they let me visit my parents every few years. I'm not very demanding at all."

I turned and walked away, heading for the kitchen. "I'm even your kept woman, Jasmine. You put me up in this nice little apartment with the interesting roof. You give me such lovely see-through clothing to wear. But hey! I have ice cream. I'm going to have some. Would you like some?"

She reached forward and grabbed my wrist, turning me back to face her. I smiled. "Finally! I knew you wanted me." I moved to her and tried to press against her, but she grabbed me and held me off.

"What are you doing?" she half screamed.

"God!" I said. "Make up your mind. You've been watching me naked for months. You make me swim naked with you when you come swimming with me. I'm offering you the rest of what you want, but now you don't want it? Then get your hands off of me."

I pulled away. She resisted for a moment then released me. I turned and headed for the kitchen. But she followed after me. "Will you please talk to me, Andromeda?"

"I am having ice cream," I said. "Do you want some? I'm not sure what flavors I have."

There was a slight pause before she said, "I'd like some ice cream. Whatever you have is fine."

I made two bowls and headed for the living room, the Catseye following me. We took seats, and I focused on my ice cream, eating it slowly, ignoring her. But I knew she was watching me.