Page 2 of Reluctantly Abducted
I glance at the humans, who are watching this exchange with obvious curiosity. "Perhaps this conversation should occur privately."
"Jake and Derek are part of our family now," Zeph'hai says gently. "Whatever concerns you have—"
"The Council has selected me for the compatibility program," I say flatly.
The silence that follows is profound.
"What?" Zeph'hai's bioluminescence flickers with shock.
Kav'eth leans forward, his expression unreadable. "You were chosen for human assessment?"
"Apparently." The word tastes bitter. "Elder Va'ril informed me this morning. I depart for Earth's orbital region this afternoon to assess a human candidate for partnership compatibility."
"But you despise humans," Derek observes with what I can only assume is meant to be helpfulness.
"An accurate assessment," I confirm.
"Then why would they choose you?" Jake asks, his tone genuinely puzzled.
I force myself to meet Kav'eth's gaze as I deliver the rest of Elder Va'ril's explanation. "Because they require a control group."
My oldest brother's bioluminescence dims to almost nothing, a reaction I've seen perhaps three times in our entire lives. "A control group?"
"Your assessments," I continue, the clinical terminology making this easier somehow, "were conducted by Nereidans who were either neutral toward humans or who demonstrated... attraction." I cannot quite bring myself to use more direct language. "The Council wishes to determine whether successful bonding can occur when the Nereidan participant begins from a position of informed opposition."
"Informed opposition," Zeph'hai repeats slowly.
"You're being sent to prove that this doesn't work," Jake says, his voice flat.
"I am being sent to conduct an objective assessment," I correct, though his phrasing is not entirely inaccurate. "My findings will determine whether your choices were based on genuine compatibility or merely the result of... proximity and physical attraction overriding logical evaluation."
"Our choices?" Derek's voice carries a sharp edge.
"You think we were fooled," Jake adds, his casual demeanor completely gone now. "You think we somehow tricked them into thinking this works."
"I think," I say carefully, "that emotional responses often interfere with rational decision-making. The Council wishes to test whether successful integration can occur when that variable is controlled for."
Kav'eth has been silent through this exchange, but now he speaks with the formal authority that marks his Council voice. "What parameters have been established for this assessment?"
"Standard compatibility evaluation. Seventy-two hours, same as your assignments." I pause, then add what I know will be the most disturbing detail. "Though this human was selected through different criteria than your subjects."
"Different how?" Zeph'hai asks, though his dimming bioluminescence suggests he already suspects.
"Previous assessments involved humans who adapted relatively quickly to the situation. The Council wanted to test whether successful bonding could occur with a human who would be... more resistant to the process. Specifically, a recently discharged military medic." Someone trained for combat situations, accustomed to high stress, but also someone who has recently transitioned to civilian life. The psychological profilesuggests he will be actively hostile to confinement and loss of control."
Jake shakes his head. "You're setting up a guy who just left the military to be abducted by aliens. That's going to go badly."
"The subject's military background was considered an asset," I reply stiffly. "Combat medics are trained to adapt to challenging circumstances."
"Combat medics are trained to save lives in war zones," Derek corrects with an edge to his voice. "That doesn't mean they'll react well to being kidnapped and studied. They've seen things, dealt with situations that most people can't imagine. They're used to being in control and making life-or-death decisions."
"Makes you protective," Jake adds. "Sometimes hypervigilant. And definitely not inclined to trust easily, especially when you're used to being the one in charge."
"Particularly when it comes to situations they can't control," Derek continues. "Like being abducted by aliens."
I consider this information. "The Council selected him precisely because of his experience with high-stress situations. They believe this will make him more adaptable."
"Or more hostile," Kav'eth observes quietly.
