Page 19 of No Strings Attached

“On TV, huh? Well, that’s a start. And you can tell me about Trallia and Trallian culture. That’s who makes up the whole guard here, isn’t it?”

“Yes, as far as I know. The bunk room has 50 bunks, but I don’t know if they’re all full, since I sleep during the day cycle.”

“And we’re going to have to try to get some extra rations for Mister Beastly. I don’t think he’s getting enough food.” She turned and looked at the Estranian, who was lying on his back on the cage floor, knees up. “What about you, Acken, are you getting enough food to keep your body ready to fight?”

“No,” he said without sitting up or moving at all.

“Right, so for Acken, too. Snake guy?”

A hiss came from the back of the cage, followed by, “III neeed warmth mooore than exxxtra foood.”

Bahbi jumped up and said, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

In the control room, he found the controls of the Ophidian’s heated pad and cranked them to maximum, then came back in carrying a satchel that matched the fabric of his coverall.

Speaking into the Ophidian’s cage, he said, “I’ve turned your pad up to high. Let me know if it gets too hot.” He watched as the giant snake’s head slithered forward and regarded him. It said nothing, so Bahbi said, “I’ll have to turn it back down when my shift is over, so warm up while you can.”

Then he stood between the second two cages in each row and said, “This is my food ration. Either or both of you can have it.” He looked from Acken to the Garoxian, then back.

Acken sat up and stared but made no other move. The Garoxian continued to press his back into Vi’s. Eventually, Vi spoke up.

“Give it to Acken. I gave Mister Beastly my dinner, and I’ll keep sharing with him.”

Bahbi nodded and walked over to Acken’s cage with the satchel extended. Acken stood and reached for the bag but didn’t pull it into the cage. He just stood and stared at Bahbi until Bahbi started to feel decidedly uncomfortable. He was about to walk away and resume his position beside Vi’s cage when the giant warrior spoke, a little hoarsely.

“You are giving me your own food ration. Truly? I regret the comparison of Trallians to vermin that I made earlier, please forgive me.” And with that he lowered his head and muttered, “I have acted and spoke wrongly, and I have been forced to apologize twice this day. It will require some heavy reconsideration of my character.”

Vi called from across the room, “Hey, buddy, don’t beat yourself up too badly. We’re all just getting to know each other. There are bound to be rough spots.”

While she was speaking, Bahbi walked back over to her cage and sat down.

She pushed her shiny black hair behind her ear and said, “So, tell me about Trallia.”

Ten: Say Goodbye to Your Testicles

Vi watched Bobby headback through the door for the control room, now back in his coverall and his shift almost over. He had stopped to collect his empty food satchel from Acken, who had given him a low bow, and to remind the Ophidian that he would be turning the heat pad back down to its original setting. Then he had placed his hand on the scanner and turned around to simply look at her for several seconds, amber eyes glowing, as if she might be a mirage. She held his gaze and gave him a small smile before he turned and left. She shivered a little with…the cold.

What he had told her about life on Trallia, well at least for everyone except the warriors and females, had sickened her. She could feel herself cultivating a real appreciation for the quiet, honest, unguarded person that he was, especially after learning that he had known his whole life that he was destined for slavery. Apparently, he was the runt of his litter, though he was tallerand bigger than she was, and runts had very little in the way of opportunities to escape slavery.

She thought she could sense the faint outline of the larger person he could become if given the chance, an intriguing and attractive personality built on the foundation of his innate honesty and unguardedness.

Trak, on the other hand, she was less sure of. She was about to start breaking apart and analyzing her misgivings when Bobby shut the lights out. She guessed it would only be for a short time before the day cycle started and the temperature rose, so she pressed backwards closer into Mister Beastly and let her thoughts drift, wondering what fresh hell might be in store.

It was about an hour after the lights came on again and the temperature rose slightly when Qlu, looking 100% like Time for Timer and ready to sing about cheese or homemade popsicles, burst through the cage room door with full entourage. He came straight to her cage and brandished something. Vi finally saw that it was a paperback book, the cover showing a woman in the throes of passion while green arms encircled her from behind and the green hands hid her breasts from view. Only the shoulders and neck of the alien were visible above her. The cover read,Extragalactic Love.

Vi stood and crossed her arms, glaring at Qlu.

He snarled at her, then spoke in a surprisingly squeaky voice, “I wish to know the contents of this human/alien sex manual!”

Though she wanted to burst out laughing at the sound of his voice and what he said, she held her stance and her glare.

Qlu turned around to his lackeys and said, “Oh shit, that’s right. We haven’t gotten a translator into her, yet, have we? Get one and some shock sticks!”

Vi purred, “I understand you just fine, asshole.”

Qlu’s head whipped around, and he screeched, “What did you call me?!”

“You understood me just fine, too. So, you want me to read that for you, huh? What will you give me?”

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