Chapter 204: A Bit More
"Ha ha," grunted Jun Li, and Tha’juen was surprised at how different it was compared to what he had learned about any system infected with Artificial Intelligence. "But seriously, go ahead. I am getting used to it. There is a reason why Mei Xing sticks to only one or two levels. Any more, and she can’t remember how to get back to the upper decks."
A bot rolled up to Tha’juen and handed him a piece of paper. There were a bunch of different things written on it, some in a language he didn’t understand. Looking up, he saw the Njeriuujk sitting down across from him.
"It’s called a menu," explained the male as the same bot passed him another sheet of paper. "On it is written everything that the kitchen is able to provide for a meal. You figure out what you want and then tell the bot. They will put in your order and then deliver it."
"Wouldn’t it be much easier to use a replicator?" asked Tha’juen, more than a little confused. He turned the paper back and forth until he saw something that he recognized. Putting in his order, he watched the other males doing the same time.
"You would think that. But apparently, the replicator can’t make human food. And after Mei Xing blew up the kitchen a few times, we decided that this way was much easier on everyone," said Jun Li, clearly listening in on their conversation.
"You get used to it," added Ye’tab, noticing that Tha’juen kept looking up at the speakers every time Jun Li spoke. "It’s really not that bad."
Tha’juen was about to open his mouth to ask if they weren’t concerned that the ship was going to kill them. However, he decided that that was probably not something to ask when the being potentially doing the killing was listening.
"But we promised to get you up to date," mused the Njeriuujk as he twirled his drink around the glass. "Once upon a time, a very long time ago,"
"I don’t think we need to go that far back, do we?" asked Tha’juen, disengaging his armor. He had quickly realized that none of the other Saalistajas were wearing theirs and didn’t want to be rude.
"You’d be surprised," grumbled Da’kea, going to sit down in his own chair. He grunted his thanks as the bot delivered his drink.
"So, as I was saying. Before the universe was the size that it is now, there was a very special species. These beings, the Ethawainians, were responsible for every single planet and every species that calls those planets home. Males were chosen from the absolute best and brightest to offer up their genes to the Ethawainians to produce superior specimens of the different races. But something happened, and they all died," laughed Midnight, his eyes never leaving his drink.
"The Ethawainians are nothing more than a myth, a way of explaining how the different species evolved. There is no fact in it," said Tha’juen, shaking his head. He turned to Ye’tab, hoping that the other male would be able to talk some sense into the other male, but Ye’tab did nothing of the sort.
"Jun Li, can we have a mirror, please?" asked the Saalistaja male, never breaking eye contact with Tha’juen.
"I can change one of the windows to show a reflective surface. It should be enough for the new guy to clue in," answered Jun Li.
Standing up, Ye’tab walked over to the reflective surface and just stood there. "Come," he commanded, and Tha’juen stood, not sure what he was expected to see. All that he could see was himself.
"You asked me where I got my armor when you first saw me," said Au’dtair, coming to stand on the other side of Tha’juen.
"You said that you couldn’t get it; it had to be earned," muttered Tha’juen.
"Yup. Now, activate your armor," smiled Au’dtair as he and Ye’tab quickly punched in the sequence that would activate their suits. Mei Xing only had to touch hers, but for the rest of them, it was a much different process.
Tha’juen, with a sense of both excitement and dread, activated his armor and stared at the reflection.
"Congrats on earning it," said Au’dtair, removing his suit and going to sit back with the other males.
"How?" stuttered Tha’juen, staring at his upgraded armor.
"Do you want the long or the short answer," asked a female voice, and Tha’juen spun around to watch the female going to sit on the couch. Da’kea and the Njeriuujk quickly got up and went to sit down beside her.
Neither male spoke, and yet they worked in perfect partnership with the other. Da’kea allowed the female to rest her upper body on him while the Njeriuujk took her feet, resting them on his lap.
"Whatever answer you want to give," replied Tha’juen, no longer resisting the draw to the female. Removing his armor, he went to go sit back down in his seat.
-----
I let out a low bark of laughter. I had chosen him, and yet he didn’t even know my name. I guess there were a lot of things that I needed to rectify and quickly.
"I am sorry," I said, closing my eyes for a brief second. "But not overly. The short answer is that you are my mate, with all the benefits that go with it. The downside is that you are my mate, and for that alone, a lot of people are going to probably try and kill you."
"Not a problem," assured Tha’juen. He had never felt this way toward a female, and he knew that he would never feel it again. It was like she was the sun, and he was more than happy to be caught in her gravitational pull. "I am willing to accept both."
"You say that so easily, and yet, you know nothing," I said with a sigh, fully understanding that I was the reason for him not being informed.
"I was taken from my home almost seven years ago; the Sisalik, on the order of the Alliance, abducted many earth females to double check a report given to them by the Thuzirusians. It stated that all human females are universal breeders. I, unfortunately, am a bit more."
