Page 10 of Alien Abduction for Beginners
"Very well done," Matar whispered. Havel looked pleased with my speech as well.
The female, however, didn't react as I'd planned. Not at all. She started laughing. She threw her head back and laughed, her entire body shaking from the giggles breaking from her chest.
"Is she reacting to the drugs you gave her?" I asked Havel.
"I doubt it. Maybe it's her way of communicating her happiness at the situation?"
I shrugged. Humans were strange, so this may as well be her showing us how pleased she was with us.
"Do you have any questions, female?" I asked, hoping she'd take the hint and stop laughing.
She gasped for breath in between giggles, causing concern to rise in my chest which turned my scales a darker shade of yellow.
"This is a joke, right?" she asked breathlessly. "Is this my punishment for breaking the scooter? Did Chadra put you up to this?"
Again, the three of us exchanged a look. Chadra? Punishment?
"If you'd like to be punished, we'd be happy to comply," Matar said smoothly. "I've heard some aliens expect punishment when they're abducted. I'd be happy to spank you if you wish."
The female immediately stopped laughing and stared at Matar. "Spank me?"
He held up a hand. "Slap you on your bum."
"I know what spanking is. What the hell? Why are you doing this?"
"It's part of our culture," I explained. "We've wanted to abduct a female for so long and you're just what we were looking for." I didn't tell her that we'd failed many times before. She didn't have to know that. I wanted her to see us as strong, capable males who'd given her the perfect abduction experience.
"Abduction experience," she echoed. "I think the joke is over now. Can I just get my scooter back and leave?"
"You cannot leave," I said as gently as I could. "I already told you that. We're in space and on route to Kardar. You will never return to Earth. We are your mates and this ship is your home."
To my surprise, she snorted. "Yeah, sure. You're great actors, I give you that, although you should work on your script. No aliens would ever talk like that."
"But we are aliens," Havel interrupted. "Here's proof of what the Captain has been saying."
The blinds to our right shot up, revealing a large window. Outside, space was endless and beautiful. I'd always loved looking at the stars, wondering which ones I'd visit in my lifetime. I smiled at the sight, then turned to the female to see her reaction.
Her mouth had fallen open, revealing her very flat teeth. Not a single fang in sight. Havel was the only one of us with pronounced fangs, but even Matar and I had sharp teeth that could rip a piece of flesh off a bone. Yet more proof that humans were incapable of defending themselves.
"That's...it can't be real," the female muttered. She slipped off the bed and walked to the window with slow, unsteady steps. Havel moved to help her, but I held him back. I wanted to see what she'd do next.
She lay her hands against the window as if trying to touch the stars outside. I smiled. She was already starting to understand the beauty of our surroundings.
"This is a simulation," she said, her voice becoming steadier. "I don't know how you're paying for it, but this has gone on long enough. Don't you dare charge me for it. I'm going to have to work years to pay off Chadra's scooter already."
"I don't know what you're talking about, female, but this isn't a simulation," I assured her. "We can have a true simulation at some point so we can show you our planet, but now isn't the time. What is your name?"
I knew I should have asked that earlier, but luckily Professor Katila wasn't here to grade us on our performance. We'd simply tell her that everything went smoothly.
"That's none of your business," the human snapped. "And I'm leaving."
To her detriment, the three of us were standing right in front of the only door leading out of the med bay. And there was no way we'd let her go. Not after the escape pod drama.
"Sit down and ask us questions," I told her and pointed at the bed. "You're supposed to ask about your new life and us."
She raised her eyebrows and I realised they were brown rather than pink. Curious. "I'msupposedto?"
Matar nodded enthusiastically. "It's what it says in the manual. You're full of questions and we'll do our best to answer them. It will calm you down and prepare you for the next step."
