Page 62 of Alien Desire
“Sheila is a computer and the pet is nothing more than a dumb animal. Goodbyes are meaningless to them,” I try to explain but she pouts at me and I sigh, pretty sure this human will always win out over me. “Fine.”
Emma stands by the door, her hand in mine. The pet sits in front of us eyeing us both suspiciously.
Sniffing, Emma addresses Sheila first.
“Sheila,” she says, squeezing my hand. “It is time for us to leave.”
“I hope you have enjoyed your stay at the Crystal Station,” Sheila replies automatically. “The station will lock down after your departure. Please be sure to take all your personal items with you. Wishing you a pleasant trip.”
“Sheila?”
“Yes, Space Cadet Steele?”
“Thank you for everything. For keeping me company — for stopping me from going mad. For the games of chess and the awful music.” She swallows. “I’ll miss you.”
There is a pause and then the usual whirring which signifies the computer is searching for a response.
“I will miss you too, loser,” Sheila says, “but I am glad you are leaving with the intelligent alien with the large appendage.”
“What?” I say.
“Nothing,” Emma mutters to me, then to Sheila she says, “We’re going to give it a try.”
The station is silent again.
Emma jabs me with her elbow and signals for me to say something too. It seems awfully formal. It is hardly the Astia court with a royal deity about to depart. But rolling my eyes in imitation of Emma, I indulge her, “Thank you Sheila for your hospitality.”
The computer whirrs for some minutes. Finally, she churns up something, “It has been a pleasure to welcome you to the station.”
Emma giggles. “I think she likes you,” she whispers.
Next she turns her attention to the pet, crouching down and motioning for him to come forward. He does so reluctantly as if he knows something is up.
Emma hugs him, scratching around his ears and burying her face in his fur. “We’re leaving now, Fluffy,” she says, and I can hear the tears in her voice. “I will miss you so so much.” The creature licks her face enthusiastically and my lip curls in disgust. Pet slobber, delightful.
The mutual embrace continues for several minutes and I can tell both are reluctant to break it up, but I tug lightly at Emma’s elbow.
“Come on, Omega. Time to go.”
She stands up slowly, wiping at her face, the pet whining as she does, and jumping up at her, after more affection.
“Hey,” I tell him, pointing towards Emma’s growing abdomen. “Careful.” And then I maneuver her out of the door and towards the spaceship.
The creature trots along with us, chuffing at us as he does.
When we get to the ramp, he’s still with us, seeming to believe he is included on this trip.
I turn around and wave my arms firmly at him, shooing him away. “Pet, off with you. Go on, go.”
“Not so meanly,” she reprimands me. “Fluffy, you can’t come with us.” She attempts to push him off the ramp, but he is a large solid thing and sits down stubbornly. His intentions are clear. He refuses to move. “Fluffy,” Emma pleads. “This is your home. You don’t want to come with us. Space is cold and dark and no fun at all. And the journey is a long one. At least…” she turns to me. “How long is this journey?”
I shrug. “A day.”
“Oh, but it took them longer to get here,” she says with obvious surprise.
“The journey back is always quicker.”
She refocuses her attention on the pet. “Ok, it’s not as long as I thought it was. But still, you can’t come with us,” she twists to look up at me, “Can he?”
