unlikely

She was in a bad mood and everyone was having to deal with it but the one she was upset with.

The only thing that might cheer her up was her almost, not really a date with Brady Shaw.

You'd think that would work. It didn't.

At the meeting, she fussed with everyone just because she could. Everyone received snarls and attitude but the minute she caught space invader looking her way she was all smiles. At one point, she even gave him a cheery little wave.

The alien tool.

She was going to choke him with kindness if it killed her.

Then grandfather time announced that they were going to open the storages. First the children then the adults would be able to gather some things that will make this feel more like home to them.

As long as none of these things were deemed dangerous, including anything fried or containing caffeine.

Cookie was so excited she swoon in her seat and the teacher had to leap to keep her from falling over.

Great. Now, she couldn't look at him again. This space boy was tying her in knots.

She ran for it the minute the meeting adjourned.

Hayley was in the hallway looking lost.

"If you're looking for Macie, you've already missed her. Her teacher assistant has already taken her back to class."

"Nah, I'm here to see my new life advisor. Apparently, someone is unhappy with my tardiness and my unparticipating."

Jess grinned. "It's nice not being the biggest ass around anymore."

The other girl grinned back. "I aim to please. Want to get into trouble with me? I figured I would explore this thing. See if there's any chains in the walls or see if they are growing any flesh-eating plants around here."

She shrugged.

"They won't care about us checking the place out unless they have something to hide."

True. "Fine. I have a couple of classes I wouldn't mind skipping but we better clear out of this hallway, there's going to be more right behind me."

They weren't very good spies. Most of the time they couldn't even find the doors in a room. Unless Dez wanted them to. They were at a docking bay before they realized it.

"You still think they have alternative motives?"

"Don't you?"

Did she?

"Do you know that Savion has been coming at night after Mel falls asleep to make sure she has a good night's sleep? He even visits Aunt Sarah. Alric actually went outside the boarders to fetch April's horse. She's on cloud nine. Her career is even ranching, so they at least got one right. Well, two right. I think working with all those kids is helping Aunt Sarah. When she comes home, she's too exhausted to have a meltdown."

"It's not so bad but you're not making me believe that they're not here to take over the world. These things are more predator than ET.

Jess chuckled. "I see them more as being a bunch of Morks from the planet Ork. Never mind." She said after seeing Hayley's confusion.

"Maybe you should lay off the mushrooms, kid."

"Please, put it on a pizza with pepperoni and black olives. Think we'll ever have pizza again?"

"Never was much for it. I'm a chili dog person myself. With everything slopped on it."

Well, if they couldn't beat Dez they might as well use him. "Dez, show us the way to the cafeteria that Kell uses."

He did not say anything, but a door opened.

"We got our wristbands yesterday. I don't care for it very much. Do you know this thing listens to everything? The only reason I have it on is in case Macie needs me."

"I know. Dez and I need to come to an understanding. Someone needs to seriously program some privacy rights for him. Do you know that he's not supposed to be able to lie?"

"Is that right, Dezzy?"

"That is correct, human Hayley."

"Then let's give it a try. Are you the smartest thing in the world?"

"I am only as smart as the smartest person who programed me and updates me."

"Is there any coke on this spaceship?"

"Yes. Kellum is saving two cans."

"Jerk's holding out on me."

"Yes. To you it is a drink to be enjoyed, to him he is giving you something that is toxic to you."

"Why don't you explain to him that he is wrong?"

"He is not wrong."

"You are so over dramatic."

"How long did it take you to come from your planet?" Hayley asked.

"Seven weeks. Which on your planet would seem like nine and a half months."

"If we don't play by your rules, do you plan on killing all of us?"

"No. We mean you no harm."
Hayley's eyes narrowed. "Did they tell you to say that?"

"Yes. I'm supposed to reassure anyone who needs it."

Hayley turned towards Jess. "See? Told you."

"Dez, if they told you to lie, could you?"

"If asked a direct question, no. I would have to tell the truth, or I'd be advised to not answer the question."

"Is there any question you're not allowed to answer?"

"Yes."

Hayley was more excited than concern. "What are the questions you've been advised to not answer?"

"I cannot answer that."

"Have you've been advised not to answer because you have bad intentions towards us?"

"No."

"Then why have you been advised not to answer them?"

"You are not ready for all the answers yet."

"Who decides these things?"

"The future king or his advisors. Or both."

"Do you have chains or cages."

"No."

"Weapons we don't know about?"

"Yes. We are always prepared for war we just do not choose to declare war."

"Who are you prepared for war with?"

"Anyone."

Jess sighed. They could do this all day and get nowhere. "Is there any food on this ship I might actually like?"

"Many."

"Fine, give me another peach. Hayley?"

"I'm a big meat eater so I don't have a problem with their food. Except for the mush. I have a question for you, Dezzy. Can we leave whenever we want to?"

"After a request is put in then most are free to go. There are a few who would have to be brought before the advisors before a decision could be made."

"Who can't leave?"

"The human Macie, the human Kyle, the human Morgan, the human Jr, the human Conrad, the human Abby, the human Jermaine, the human Mackenzie, the human Douglas. They have mated and it would be impossible for them to be parted from their mates. The human Jessalynn, the human Alyssa, and the human Connor, have also been chosen because of their high numbers."

She wasn't going to lie. This news was upsetting.

Hayley was pissed. "And if they go before the board, what are their chances of being freed?"

"Highly unlikely to completely unlikely. It would be for their own good. Once mated the two can never be parted for any real length of time."

"Hogwash. That's bull shit."

"Lee, are you wanting to leave?"

"That's not the point. It should be our choice."

"What if Macie would suffer for it?"

"Bull shit. And if he's lying about that then he's lying about all of it."

"There's a way to find out."

"Consider it done."

"Macie's too young. Let's try and see if one of the others will do it."

"Guess you are good for something."

"No reason to not play it cool until we have all the facts. Dez, has this conversation been flagged?"

"It has been marked for review."

"Can you tell them I need some peanut butter and some real bread? Not that big chunk of crap you hand out."

Hayley was smart. She worked at calming herself.

"Chances are you'll never want to leave any way. Things are pretty easy here."

"True. It could be worse, I guess. We could be dead."

"Dez, is it as bad out there as they say?"

"Yes. People are still dying. There is no electric. That is going to hit some people hard with your country's winter approaching. Even the ones that survive the sickness and the winter ahead, will run out of food and the gas they need to get here. These humans are becoming more and more hostile."

"What is being done to the hostile ones?"

"Nothing unless it is forced on us."

"What about yogurt? What is wrong with yogurt?"

"Jess, get a life. I swear you moan a lot."

"Just trying to keep up with you. Anyone ever tell you that if you look for trouble, you'll find it?"

"Anyone ever tell you that you think about food too much?"

"Bitch."

"Whore."

"Want some water?"

"Nah. That purple stuff isn't so bad."

"Dez, one water on ice and one purple thing."

Hayley jumped on the counter and finally started eating.

It wasn't a pretty sight. Shoving hunks of meat and bread in her mouth. "Dez, you got any tunes?"

"Our variety or yours?"

"Let's try yours."

The sounds that filled the room were sad. Reminded her of an old computer dialing up. "Forget that, Dez. Give me some rock."

Jess rolled her eyes at his first choice. "Not from the fifties. Today music."

The next choice was perfect. She even had it on her playlist back home. "At home I always had my headphones on."

"Tell me about it. More than anything I miss my phone."

"Videos."

"Video games."

"Starbucks."

"A cold beer."

"How can they not have art in their world? Or real music? The only kind of books they have is history books. It's sad. I couldn't find one art teacher for Mel."

"Because for smart people they are clueless. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they have anal dysfunction."

She chuckled. Her body started moving to the next song. "They are a pretty tense group. All they think about is finding mates."

"I bet they suck at sex. Over quicker than Travis Mahoney and probably just as awkward."

"Without a doubt. Unless they've figured out how to do it without even touching. No, no, I've got it. They just sleep through it. Kell told me that's how they learned our language."

"What do you say, Dezzy?"

"You are correct."

"Which one?"

"More the first."

They both died in a fit of laughter but Dez continued. "Compared to the data I have taken from your world; you would consider it very little touching. Only as much as is necessary."

Now she was laughing so hard she was afraid she was going to pee herself.

"I believe a woman could sleep through it, but I do not have any record of such."

"Stop, Dez. You're killing me."

Hayley had to wipe tears from her face. "Too pretty boy, isn't that pretty."

Her toe tapping and head moving was soon full out dancing.

"Man, you suck."

"You can't suck at dancing. Dance is an expression of yourself. How can you suck at that?"

"Whatever you say. What do you call that move? Rock the boat as you swat the fly?"

"My mom loved dancing. She always made everyone join in."

"My mom had two left feet and the worse singing voice in the history of the world. Dad said he married her for her looks. He like to slow dance with her in the kitchen to old music. She was always burning food. You know, I took art in school for a few years. I'm not great but I could show the kid a few things."

"Would you? My mom said she would find her lessens and she'd want me to keep that promise."

"Well, just don't hug me or anything."

"So wasn't planning on it."