Page 25 of MeK

“Areyou sick,Lacie?”

“No,I’mtired and frustrated.Butthere’s nothing wrong besides that overbearing jerk who thinks he always knows what’s best for me.”

“Wonderwhy he acts this way toward you and not any of the others?”

“HellifIknow, but if you figure it out,I’mall ears.Oneminute, he acts like he can’t stand me, and the next, he pulls stunts like this.Andthis isn’t the first time either.”

Vedecemakes quote signs with her hands, “Maybeit’s your perfect form that has him all out of sorts.”Bothof us laugh as she takes my hand in hers, helping me up off the bed. “Doyou want to hang out for a little bit in case he’s waiting around the corner to ask you whatIdid to cure all your illnesses?”

“No,I’msure he’s long gone, andIthinkI’lljust head straight for the dropship.AllIwant to do right now is to get clean and take a nice long nap.Hopefully,I’llsleep straight through until tomorrow morning when my annoying alarm clock wakes me up.”

“Youhave an alarm clock?”

“Yeah, her name isBriar.”

Chapter Eleven

MEK

Anotherdarkness,andIam once again too restless to sleep.So,Ifind myself wandering around the planting fields, trying to figure out whatIcan do to make this new job easier forLacie.Thelittle human is so frustrating as she seems determined to engage in everything that is inappropriate for a female.JustasIwonder whyIcare, a deep voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

“Son, why you are out and about early this rising?”Myfather’s large frame comes strolling out of the tree line, his eyes missing nothing as he gazes around at all that has been accomplished here so far.

“Goodrising,Father.Icould blame it on the constant daylight, but the truth of the matter is there are simply too many things that need to be done, andIcannot focus, making rest almost impossible.”

“MeK, the list seems to be constantly growing, that is for sure.Iam hoping that the maintenance bots coming in the next few risings will help move things along a little quicker and take some of the physical work off some.Whatbrings you out to the fields?”

“Itwas brought to my attention that they are manually carrying the water to each plant.Iwas hoping there was a water source nearbyIcould tap into, but so far,Ihave not found a simple solution for this issue asIdid for the sustenance area.”

“MyKiraandCarla, both have told me multiple times how much they appreciate the water distribution module you put in for them.Nowthat you have met more of the humans, what do you think of them?”

Ilook over atFather’smassive form as he walks casually with his hands behind his back beside me. “Itruly have little opinion on the matter.Youasked me to do a job, andIam here to do it to the best of my ability.”

“Iam simply curious about your opinion, son.Theirfemales are not what you are accustomed to, andIwas shocked to see that you had struck up such a quick friendship with littleLacie.”

“Iam not her friend, nor doIwish to be.Thatspecific female consistently puts herself in danger.Icannot count the number of timesIhave had to save her from one disaster or another.Notonly is she always in danger’s path, but she refuses to take care of herself.Takethis position right here, the fields are no place for such fragile females.Itwas especially frustrating afterIhad just fixed the water solution in the sustenance area so that she did not have to pack the water straight from its source.Earlierthis very rising,Lacieherself informed me that she was not resting, andIblame that on the extreme work she is having to perform.Femalesare not made for such manual labor,Father.”

“Forsomeone who does not matter, you seem very concerned for her welfare.Youdo realize that she is doing no more or less than all the other females here, including my own mate?”

“Thatis whyIam here, is it not?Iwill find a way to lessen the burden for all beforeIleave this planet.Itwould help to speed things along ifIhad fewer interruptions.Thatfemale especially is always underfoot.”

“MeK,Iknow your mother is a prominent part of your life, and you value the rules of your culture.However, you are not bound by that way of thinking nor that world unless that is the choice you make.Yourposition and the career you have built for yourself can be continued no matter where you reside in this solar system.”

“Father, please stop walking around the subject you want to confront me with.Ido not take hints well.”Hesighs wearily before stopping to look me right in the eye.

“MeK, if you find yourself falling for one of the human females, it does not make you weak, nor does it mean you are letting your mother down.Thechoices she has made for her life do not have to be your own.Iknow she has a much stronger influence on you thanIever have.Donot get me wrong,Iam glad that she has always been right beside you, encouraging you to be all that you can and more.TheLordofLightknows you have exceeded all expectations, but you have free will,MeK, and love is not based on nor depends on the world or race from which you come.”

Father’swords anger me. “Ihave a responsibility to my home world, no differently than you do this entire sector,Father.Tomake things very clear,Iwill take a companion when the time comes, andIwill not fall in this … ‘LOVE’ that you speak of.Youbring up my mother’s choices, but what of your own?Iwill not descend into the trap that you and several of my brothers have all gotten caught in.Yes,Iwill admit their small size and unique beauty, not to mention all that sassiness, can be quite appealing, butIknow my duties and will perform them asIwas raisedto do.Ihave no room or tolerance for emotions with my ever-increasing activities.”

Fatheractually smiles at me, then pats me on the shoulder before walking off.Justas he is getting ready to enter the woods, he stops to look up before glancing back at me. “YouknowSon, the largest ones usually fall the hardest.Ihave complete faith theLordofLightwill guide your path, that is, if you are willing to see what has been placed before you.”

WhydoIsuddenly feel like he sees somethingIdo not?Fora moment,Ilet myself imagine what my life could be ifIallowed myself to want …Angryat the confusion that swamps my thoughts,Istomp off toward the dwelling podIstarted last rising.Letthe humans haul their own fracking water.

Chapter Twelve

LACIE

Stretching,Ismile asIrealizeIslept through the entire night like a baby.Forthe first time in days,Ifeel like myself whenIwake up.Thelights in the room begin to brighten slowly, andIhearBriarmaking her way toward the replicator.

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