Page 6 of Her Alien Matchmaker
He knew damn well how much time I had left.“One year, sir.”
“Excellent.What are your plans once you’re released?”
“I’m actually thinking about opening up my own practice.”
The shuffling stopped.“Is that so?What a shame.We were hoping you’d sign on for another five years.We’d be willing to increase your signing bonus up to, say, thirty percent.”
My heartbeat sped up, and a sheen of sweat covered by forehead.“I, uh, I’d have to think about that.”
“I see.”He clicked his tongue.“Well, don’t let me keep you.Finish what you’re doing, then the clean-up team will take care of the subject.Again, we appreciate your year of dedication, Dr.Lamb.It won’t be forgotten.”
“Thanks.I—”
Click.
The colonel hung up.
Had I made a mistake in admitting I’d been thinking about going out on my own?XVU wouldn’t force me into another contract, would they?I had been nothing but loyal to them.Losing the free tuition to Aaron’s school would be a major con, but on the plus side, I wouldn’t have to work grueling hours for XVU.We could spend more time together.
A darker thought kept circling in my brain.What if XVU wouldn’t allow me to leave?Would they be desperate enough to keep a civilian like me even if it meant denying me freedom—or worse: death?
No, they wouldn’t kill one of their own scientists, would they?I shook my head, disgusted at myself for going down that rabbit hole.XVU worked for the betterment of humankind.It would be stupid to get rid of their own people, unless it wasn’t about that at all, but more about keeping the project secret.After all, back in the civilian world, how could they guarantee I wouldn’t share their secrets, regardless of the NDAs, classified clearance, and etcetera?
Well, I still have another year to figure it all out.Right now, I have a more pressing problem.
I refocused on the subject.A wave of guilt washed over me, but I stuffed it back down.I’m doing this for the good of my people, for my son.
“Let me guess.Your leaders okayed my murder, and you are justifying it in your mind?”
“Shut up,” I hissed, pushing the phone away and slamming the laptop closed.
“In your little world, you deem Volderens as nothing more than test subjects, and believe you are contributing to the betterment for humans, right?”
My finger itched to press the tiny button on the ring, to see the smug smirk on his face replaced with shock.“Keep your mouth shut or I’ll use this.”I pointed at the trigger.
“Have you ever stopped to think about the people your experiments havehurt?The humans who receive your treatments and end up disabled…or worse?”
“Those instances have been rare.Only two died, and the others were rehabilitated.”His reminder of my failures, of thhose who suffered for science, sent my guilt into full-blown shame.
“Yet they were harmed because of somethingyoudid.Do not stand there and act as if your intentions are pure because they arenot.”He moved his hand to the thin collar around his neck, his fingers rubbing the edge.“My culture considers all life sacred, whether sentient or not, whether Volderen or not.At one time, we lived among your people and helped shape modern society.Then, over the past century, some in your government decided they did not like feeling enslaved to an advanced race, and like humans always do, they created a xenophobic vision that included stealing from us while trying to exterminate our kind.”
“Lies.You provokedus.Right here, in 1947.Those weren’t weather balloons.”
“No, they were not.Those beings were distant cousins, and instead of helping them, your people swooped in, prodded and tortured them, and disassembled every piece of that ship.Have you ever seen a Volderen do the same?”
I chewed my inner lip.Everyone knew the cover story about Roswell, but his version wasn’t wrong, either.Wedidcollect everything we could to learn more about the aliens.“It was for our protection.It’s no different than an enemy crashing their car into a home.You bet your ass I’ll protect what’s mine and do what I can to make sure it never happens again.”
“At least you are consistent.”His fingers stilled.
Snap.The collar opened, falling toward the table with a clang.
“What the—”
He moved like a bolt of lightning.One moment he lay on the table, the next a large hand gripped my waist, his body pressed against my back.In his other hand, he balanced a silver scalpel at my throat.
“Do exactly as I say and you may live.Understand?”His hot breath flew past the curve of my ear.
I resisted the urge to nod, knowing even the tiniest movement might nick my skin.“Yes.”My heartbeat pounded in my chest and sweat broke out across my forehead.No matter what, I have to survive for Aaron.If something were to happen to me, the only family I have left is my mom, and there’s no way I’d ever want her raising my son.
