11. Evelyn
Evelyn
“Relax, Dr. Carter. I think you’ve got the wrong idea.”
Dr. Kelly gives me a reassuring smile. Or, I think he’s trying to be reassuring. In truth, his smile gives me the creeps.
Panic grips my chest like a vice. I want off this rock. I want to get out of here. I just want to be back home.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not having orc babies,” I say, my voice trembling.
“Of course you’re not,” Dr. Kelly says. “Sit down, please.”
Someone hands me a glass of cold water. I close my eyes and take deep breaths. In . Wait 5 seconds. Out . In . Wait 5 seconds. Out .
“You were hired because you’re a gifted scientist, nothing more,” Dr. Kelly says. “I merely pointed out that the orc is attracted to you, a human woman, which — for the purposes of researching orc-human compatibility — is a good thing, yes?”
“I guess so?”
“Yes. It is. You are tired from your long journey, Dr Kelly. I suggest you retire to your room and rest for now. I believe a video message just came in from your sister. I’m sure it’ll lift your spirits.”
“Hey, sis! Checking in with you, as promised. As you can see, the house is squeaky-clean. No dirty plates in sight. And I applied for four jobs today. But enough about me — I can’t wait to hear from you! Please, tell me everything! Love you!”
I replay the video-message from Maddy over and over again in my room at the base. My tiny, tiny room. I’ve got a bed and a desk and a chair, and that’s about it.
At least I have my own room. The soldiers that patrol this place all sleep in bunk beds. As tiny as it is, I’m grateful for a place where I can be alone and straighten out my thoughts.
This place is a nightmare .
I knew I wasn’t traveling to some high class luxury resort, but I still expected something a bit less spartan. A bit less military. A bit less high-security-intergalactic-prison-slash-brothel.
I would like to hop onto the first shuttle out of here, but that’s not going to be possible. I signed a contract keeping me here for two years.
I replay the message. At least Madelyn looks happy. She’s smiling. And she’s right — the house looks clean! That’s good.
Because of the distance there is no direct, live communication with Earth from Xavros. We can record video-messages to our loved ones, and they’ll be relayed to Earth as quickly as possible…
After being highly scrutinized, of course. There is no privacy here.
And so I can’t tell Madelyn the truth. I can’t tell her what I’m working on. What they want me working on.
I just received my orders for tomorrow.
They want me to retrieve a sperm sample from Varkul. Manually .
Yep.
They expect me to jerk off an orc warlord. For science.
I take a big, deep breath. Even if I could tell Maddy all this , I shouldn’t. I’m the big sister. She shouldn’t have to worry about me. She’s becoming an adult and doing her own thing.
I’ll have to carry this burden all alone.
I turn on the video recording.
“Hey Maddy! Everything is great here. No, actually, it’s perfect .”