Chapter 6
ALEC
As promised, a car pulled up outside just before five. One long, bone crushing hug from my mother and a shoulder clap from my dad later, and my few boxes and a duffle bag were stowed away in the trunk while Floof and I climbed into the back seat.
“My name is Jimilok,” the Mylos driver informed me, his voice soft, surprising me as his size had me expecting a much deeper voice. “You may call me Jimmy, though.”
”Hi, Jimmy. Thanks for picking us up.” It was no problem. I had to return to my own apartment nearby and grab a few things myself, as you no doubt noticed while I loaded your things in. And if you’d like, you are welcome to sit up front instead of the back.”
“Ah, that’s okay, Jimmy. There’s more room for Floof’s carrier back here, and he’s less likely to start yowling if I’m next to him where he can see me.”
Jimmy grinned. “Understood.” He started the car and began to drive away. “I had planned to go to the local shelter this weekend to see about adopting a pair of bonded senior cats, but sadly, I do not think I will be able to do so now.”
”Why not?” I asked, my interest piqued.
“I am one of the recalled,” he replied.
”Recalled? Why - has something happened?
” The last time the Mylos did a personnel recall, it had been because of some serious trouble.
I really hoped this wasn’t the case now.
Eventually, they would get tired of the bullshit and say fuck it and leave, and we’d all be worse off for it.
Their presence had done a lot of wonderful things for our planet and the people and animals living on it.
He chuckled. “You could say that, but it’s nothing bad.
Your leaders will be announcing it on the ten o’clock news anyway, so there’s no harm in telling you now.
You’d hear about it on the shuttle as well, even if I didn’t tell you first. The Dragonii have signed a mating deal with your planet, and several of us have been recalled to help get the new program off the ground, as in some ways, we’ll be working together.
” I blinked. “The Dragonii? You mean those dragon guys, like the one who was also a Mylos and was all over the internet and TV?”
“Yes, like him in that they are the same biological species, but also no, as in unlike him, the one agreeing to be mate matched would not be applying for a scholarship paid by the Dragonii, but for a place as a colonist on one of their colony worlds.”
My mouth hung open. “Wow. Do you have any idea how many people applied to become a Mars colonist before you guys even showed up? We didn’t even have a ship that could take them, just a promise that as soon as a ship design was figured out and built, they’d get to go as long as their health held out and they didn’t get too old in the meantime.
Hundreds of thousands of people, from all walks of life, and every corner of the globe.
And now the Dragonii, who not only have safe ships but an actual colony ready to accept them?
They’re going to be overrun, even if they have to be actually mate matched to get a spot. ”
“They do not. If they end up mate matched, they will go where they and their mate decide - either to a colony to establish their claim or wherever the Dragonii currently resides. It is their choice as mates to make. If they are not mate matched, they agree to go to the colony and work with the settlement office there to find a good fit for them. And if they also seek to be potentially matched with a Mylos, they likely will be allowed to defer their colony transition until they have completed their chosen course of study.”
”And if they end up matched to a Mylos?”
He shrugged. “I suppose they will be allowed to decide the same as if matched with a Dragonii. I do not truly know. These things are no doubt some of what we will have explained to us.”
I nodded. “Yeah, or it’s one of the kinks to be ironed out.”
“As you say.”
An idea struck me just then, as I saw the turn up ahead that led to the local SPCA.
I knew it well, having adopted Floof from there after my big Army fail.
I also made a habit of coming by once a week to take a shelter dog out for a walk.
“Turn right up here. We don’t have to be at the center real soon, do we? ”
“We have about an hour. The shuttle leaves at six, and I was told to stop and pick up some dinner for us both along the way. I thought perhaps burgers from Checkers would be alright.”
“That sounds great. We should have just enough time. Pull in there,” I said, pointing.
“This is the shelter,” he said, looking upset. “Are you surrendering your companion?” ”No, no!” I hastened to reassure him. “You sounded like you had two very specific cats in mind, and we’re here so you can go get them since you won’t be able to this weekend.”
He smiled, his entire face lighting up. “Yes, I do. You think we have time?”
“Yep,” I replied. “I’ll sit in the lobby with Floof while you go get them and fill in the papers. I can order ahead so the food will be ready for pick up at the drive-thru.”
He pulled into a parking space and quickly told me what he wanted to eat as we walked inside.
I settled into a chair and opened the app as he spoke to the receptionist. He followed her through a door, and I scrolled through the app, quickly finding his request and deciding on my own.
I winced at the price, but hey, I was an employed man now with a steady job, and this was not the last of my funds until I had more gig money.
I paid and then played Mah-jong on my phone in between talking to Floof, who did not like being here at all.
I was on my second game with about half the tiles cleared when he reappeared holding two cardboard carriers.
“Thank you,” the receptionist said to him. “We were starting to think they’d end up office cats here. Instead, they get a happily ever after with you, and we get a fantastic way to end our day!”
I tucked my phone into my pocket and stood, picking up Floof. I swallowed, seeing the time on the clock on the wall.
“We’re gonna be late. Maybe we should skip picking up the food,” I suggested, certain that twelve minutes was not time enough to get to the fast food outlet, go through the drive-thru to pick up our order, and make it to the Scholarship Center.
“That’s not an issue,” Jimmy replied, as I pushed the door open to let him through.
“I let Xeranos know we ended up a little behind and why.” His cheeks pinkened.
“They said they would wait for us and that it was fine. They were very happy to know the reason for our tardiness, and I was told I should have mentioned these two when they were sending me to get you.”
I grinned back. “Great. Let’s go grab some chow then. I’m starving.”