Worth Fighting For (Little Blue Book 1) Page 7

  Tasid mutely nodded and stood up, grateful for the reprieve to process this shock in private. Once he reached his quarters and the door closed behind him, he leaned against it and blew out a heavy sigh.

  Advocate? Tasid cringed. My father always wanted me to be a political leader. I guess he got what he wanted after all. After thinking for a moment, he straightened up and walked over to the console, and sent a connection to his father. One detail was weighing heavily on him. His father didn’t waste time accepting the link, but Jurresh remained silent, waiting for Tasid to start talking.

  “Political leaders need to be mated. I’m not mated.” He inwardly cringed at how surly that sounded. It wasn’t his intent.

  His father didn’t seem to take offense. He just leaned back in his seat, making himself more comfortable. “First of all, that is only a rule for UPALE, and preference only for the CROWN. But you are an advocate for a neutral planet. Until the diplomatic negotiations are made, you aren’t obligated to follow any rules made by any other alliance.”

  Hearing that made him feel much better. It wasn’t something he wanted forced upon him.

  “And second?” Tasid asked.

  Jurresh paused, as if unwilling to answer him. “Because mating is going to be the main focus for these negotiations, you may be told at that time, to take a human mate.”

  After his mother’s comments the other night, Tasid wasn’t surprised, nor was he against it. From what he was learning about this new race, he was highly attracted to their females.

  “And what if they’re not accepting?” he asked. “They may not agree to mating outside of their species. We haven’t yet told the humans that they are compatible, or how badly our race and many others need mates.”

  His father leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk in front of him. “I know you were very successful serving in the military, but let me give you some advice. Prioritize what you need to face now, and save the rest for tomorrow. If you burn yourself out, you will do yourself, and the people you represent, a great deal of harm.”

  Tasid nodded his head and looked at his feet. “Do I really get my own ship?” He brought his eyes up to look at his father.

  Jurresh smiled at him. “Yes, and even better, you get to choose it yourself.” His face grew serious. “I know your mother and I have pushed a bit hard for you to get a mate, but with this new position, you should think seriously about it. There are so many things you will need to address that can best be left to a mate, like your mark and colors.”

  “A mark and colors? Just how long do you think the humans will need an advocate?”

  Jurresh dipped his head to the side in a manner of uncertainty. “There’s no telling how long. It may be for only a year, to maybe something like one hundred years. They could even possibly choose to always have an advocate instead of representing themselves. They wouldn’t be the only race to want that, especially from the neutrals. But no matter how long it will be, you will need to create an official position. And if you take a human mate, it will help to strengthen your bond with the humans, getting support from them, and giving you a better understanding of what they may need. I have seen the vids you have sent. I truly believe one of them, as a mate, would not be opposed to living on a ship and will also give you the love that you so much desire.”

  Tasid’s mind was a mess of thoughts. One fleeting thought was how this could be the answer to both giving his parents the mating that they had pushed so hard for, but without giving up his command that he had fought so hard to keep. His father’s concerned voice interrupted his thoughts.

  “How do you think you’ll fare with your crew?” Jurresh asked.

  Tasid shrugged all four arms. “Some will need to stay in the alliance for various reasons, but my entire bridge has already pledged to follow me, and I am confident many others around the ship will as well.”

  After talking a little bit further, Tasid ended the call and headed back to the bridge. He felt happier, stronger, and more prepared to handle his new responsibilities. He was also going to take his father’s advice to heart. He was going to start by assessing everything that needed to be done today, then leaving the rest for tomorrow.

  Chapter Eight

  Juno looked out of their sliding glass door. She raised her eyes to the sky to see if she could catch sight of the new alien ship that had arrived fifteen days ago. The news, which was always on, was still reporting all of the goings-on, which was a significant number. She had a new appreciation for the big-wig government officials, for just how much they actually had to address. There were many meetings of negotiations with the aliens, some private, but most were public.

  Behind her, all of the girls were sitting, watching the news and discussing what it revealed. All of them were unemployed now, even Jeri. The economy had suffered a major hit, and added to that, the damage the riots caused, most businesses were gone, or cutting back to survive. People were clamoring for any job they could find, including the low-paying, dirty ones that no one with any sort of degree had wanted before. With so many unemployed and starving people, theft was becoming common. Juno felt she could relate to at least being tempted. They were almost completely out of food, and they had no money to replenish it. They were rationing what they had, but it wasn’t enough.

  Her mind refocused back to her friends, and she heard Jeri’s comment. “I can’t believe they are just going to give us cures to diseases and pollution. They have to be asking for something pretty big in return.”

  Maggie’s voice was strained with hushed excitement. “I’m excited about the city that will be built on the moon. Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to buy a ticket for a trip to the moon?”

  “This just in.” The news anchor’s voice grabbed their attention. “World leaders from around the globe have agreed to a treaty, effective immediately, that will allow the aliens to take human brides.” Juno’s head whipped around, and the entire room went silent as they listened to the startling announcement. “In a recent meeting, the emissaries confided to our leaders that many races have lost too many due to war and a plague. The war has since been resolved, and a though a cure has yet to be found for the plague, alien leaders have given their assurances that it has been contained. Additionally, scans done of the women from our space station have shown that humans are reproductively compatible with several other alien races. Stations are hurriedly being placed in every city, for any woman between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five, to go and enter in a lottery for a chance at this unprecedented opportunity. Provisions such as money, food, and clothing will be offered as payment to each woman who signs up. If you are interested, go…”

  Juno listened to the instructions with mixed emotions. For the provisions alone, she was tempted. What’s a number in a lottery? Who really wins those things anyway? From the looks she shared with the other girls, they were all thinking the same thing.

  The newscaster continued to report. “In other news, the colossal celebration being put together in the Michigan stadium to welcome the aliens, when they first set foot on Earth’s soil, is nearly completed. Nearly every government leader will be attending. The president has brought in the National Guard, and several other branches of the military have been assigned to help with security. The celebration is set for the end of the week.”

  “Wow, I bet it will rival any Olympics opening,” Benny said, shaking her head.

  Pictures of food that was being brought in to be prepared for the event were shown. Juno’s stomach wasn’t the only one growling. She placed her hand on her belly.

  “Would any of you think less of me if I signed up for that alien lottery?” she asked.

  “Not me, I’ll go with ya,” Kaycee said, nearly jumping up from where she was sitting on the floor.

  “Me, too.” Maggie got up, followed by Benny and Paige.

  Jeri was the only one not getting up. “Paige, are you really going to sign up? What about Amanda?” she asked.

  “She’s the reason I�
��m doing this. I know you all have been helping us, but I need to do something for her. If signing up gives us anything at all useful, it will benefit her.”

  Jeri rolled her eyes, sighed, and stood up. “Fine, I’ll go, too. The guy did say it was a global lottery. And how many of us do they really want?”

  The girls locked the door behind them as they exited the apartment. They didn’t rush because of Juno’s injuries. She was thankful public transpiration was working again, so the girls rode a bus to the instructed destination. A long line was already forming out front, stretching along the sidewalk outside the designated building. The girls made their way to the end of it.

  The line moved slowly. An older woman made her way down the line, handing out papers. “These are the first set of papers you need to complete. It will go faster if you fill them out while you’re waiting.” Juno took the paper she was handed, and the woman continued on behind her. “If any of you need any help filling them out, or need an interpreter, there are people inside who will help you when you reach the front.”

  Juno was looking over the paper when Benny handed her a pen. She mumbled a thank you to her and took it, but kept her eyes on the paper in her hands. The first half was simple, just name and address kind of stuff, but the bottom half was a disclaimer, with a place for her to sign.

  Juno filled out the top part before reading the disclaimer, stating that the information she provided was true. Juno had the form filled out before they were near the door. Inside, she had another disclaimer to fill out, that had her agreeing to mate with an alien. Her picture was taken, along with her proof of identification. She was asked several questions before she was given yet another paper to sign. After she signed it, they gave her a credit card.

  “Money, in the amount of fifteen hundred dollars, has been placed on the card for you, and the number of the card is also your lottery number,” the man told her. He handed her a small coupon. “And this is a voucher to turn in for food and clothing at this warehouse.” He pointed to an address on the bottom.

  Finally, he handed her a pamphlet. “This describes what will happen, should your number get drawn. Thank you for coming in and signing up.” The man called over her shoulder. “Next.”

  Juno waited for the other girls. Once they were all done, they headed towards the bus stop.

  “Wow! Fifteen hundred dollars!” Benny said, and jumped excitedly.

  Jeri was quick to reply. “Yeah, makes you wonder what the hell we just signed up for.”

  “What did they say about Amanda?” Benny asked Paige.

  “They said the aliens were told that many women are single moms. They said it was fine and I can take her with me. I just had to fill out a little extra paperwork to include her.”

  The girls reached the bus stop and stood under the cover, out of the wind, as they waited.

  “Hey, guys, listen to this.” Kaycee crowded closer to them. “It says that if our number is drawn, officers will come to our doors and escort us to a special base for orientation. They say the officers will have a copy of the documents we just signed, and not to go with anyone who doesn’t have it, or their special ID.”

  Jeri rolled her eyes and frowned. “Great, so how are we supposed to know what their special ID is if we’ve never seen it to compare?”

  “Does anyone know when the drawing is?” Paige asked. “I didn’t find anything in the paperwork that said when, and the guy who helped me didn’t say either.”

  Benny answered. “It’s the day after the big welcome celebration. The guy I talked to was really nice. He told me the government expects hundreds of thousands of women to sign up worldwide, if not more.”

  Jeri tilted her head and gave a concerned look. “Did he tell you how many will be chosen?”

  Benny shook her head. “No, but…” Benny stopped and started to chew nervously on her lower lip.

  “But what?” Juno asked.

  Benny gave them a concerned look as the bus arrived. The girls stopped talking as they boarded the bus and took seats as far from everyone else as they could. They leaned closer to hear Benny.

  “The pamphlet says human females are compatible with ninety-one other races, but only ten are being allowed mates right now, due to their critically low population.”

  “Why is that a bad thing?” Maggie quietly asked.

  “Because it means however many they are drawing for one race, times it by ten,” Kaycee answered.

  Maggie knitted her brow, “But how many are they drawing for one race? It could only be ten or one hundred even. Times that by ten, globally, it isn’t bad.”

  “If their race is critically low, they may want more than one hundred. Try more like a thousand or ten thousand,” Jeri told her.

  The girls sat back in their seats as the bus navigated through the streets. Juno watched the scenery go by as she thought about those numbers. “You know what worries me the most? If they want us to help repopulate their numbers, does that mean we are just breeding stock?”

  None of the girls answered, because there really wasn’t any way to know for sure, but Juno had a sinking feeling she was going to find out.

  They headed over to the warehouse and waited in another line before someone gave them a cart and their instructions.

  “Wow,” Maggie whispered to them, “I didn’t expect our food allotment to be so much. It’s a hundred times better than a food bank.”

  The girls entered the warehouse and noted it was set up just like a supermarket.

  Benny pointed to the clothing section. “Look, the clothes aren’t half bad.”

  Kaycee gasped. “Not that bad? Holy smites, those are name brands. What the hell?”

  “It makes sense, if you think about it,” Jeri told them. “Each company donating their wares is probably given some kind of rights, or boon. Maybe even shop space on the moon station they’re building. It will make their product, or company, galactic. I’m more impressed with the dollars we have on the cards.”

  When they were finally checking out with their vouchers in hand, Juno was looking down at little Amanda leaning against her mother, holding a new stuffed toy, when Benny leaned over Juno’s cart.

  “Juno, honey, why did you get those clothes? Most of them won’t even fit you,” she said, with a puzzled look.

  Juno shrugged in indifference. “Most of them aren’t for me. I’m happy with most of my clothes. I took two for myself, but I thought I’d get the rest as gifts for some of our friends and neighbors who need it a whole lot more than I do.”

  Benny gave her a hug. “Damn, girl, now I feel bad. All my stuff is all for me.”

  “I think that is so sweet,” Maggie said. “I’d do that, too, but all of my stuff was burned in the fire.”

  “Well, we sure won’t be short on food anytime soon,” Paige said.

  “Yeah, it’s enough to get us to the drawing,” Jeri said skeptically.

  Getting home was a serious challenge, but the large meal Kaycee and Benny made for them made it all worth it.

  Chapter Nine

  Tasid tried to hold still as his mother fussed with the collar of his new dress suit. Today was the day he and several other diplomats were going to be welcomed by the humans on Earth. It was going to be a massive demonstration of their cultures.

  He couldn’t wear what he did for the first official contact. In fact, all he had to wear were the uniforms for UPALE, none of which he was allowed to wear anymore because he wasn’t a captain in the UPALE military anymore. Luckily a small team of clothiers were stationed on the diplomatic ship that Tasid’s father arrived in, so he and the others traveling down for this event were now dressed in their race’s diplomatic attire, until he could choose a mark, colors, and other details for his new position.

  “Stop fidgeting.” His mother’s voice sounded exasperated.

  The door to his quarters swished opened, and his second, Errim, stepped through. Errim immediately began to laugh.

  “Wow, look at you, all grown up,
” he said teasingly, and smirked.

  Tasid growled at him, but stopped when his mother swatted him. This only had Errim laughing more.

  Tasid sent Errim an annoyed look. “You should talk. You have a suit on, same as me.”

  “Not like you, I look good in mine.”

  “Stop it, you two,” his mother said sternly, but the look on her face told him she was amused by their banter. “Errim, you get over here and let me straighten out your collar.”

  With his mother done fussing over him, Tasid rubbed his hands down the front of his suit. He laughed at his friend when his mother proceeded to fuss over Errim, as she just had with him. The door swished open again, and his father entered the tiny space.

  “I just spoke with my assistant. He informed me that many of the others are ready to head down to the planet, but they are all waiting on you. No one can set foot on the planet before you.”

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Errim said, keeping his chin lifted for Adonna. “All of our other officers are ready and waiting in the transport.”

  “Thank you. Guess it’s time.” Tasid watched as his father lovingly held out his two right arms for his mother to take before they all left the small confines of the room.

  “How many of your crew chose to stay on with you?” his father asked, as they made their way down the corridor.

  “More than I had thought would. Most of the miners chose to stay with UPALE, and just a few of the crew as well, but all the rest chose to stay with me.”

  His mother looked back at him as he walked behind her. “Have you chosen a ship yet, Tasid?”

  Tasid shook his head and winced. “No, I felt there were too many other things that were more important to do first.”

  “Tomorrow is the day of the mating lottery,” she said excitedly. She looked up at her mate and gave him a hopeful look. “Have many signed up for it?”