Chapter 8 – Motok
The human female wasangry. For three Earth days she didn’t speak to me or my fellow warriors. I wasn’t certain what we had done to arouse her ire, but the silence had gone on long enough. She’d refused to speak to me for the last time.
I followed her into the observation room of deck four and hoped she wouldn’t dismiss my presence. My anxiety had increased steadily and continued with each rotation of the Earth’s sun as she remained unresponsive. She didn’t speak right away but I heard the soft sigh before she eventually acknowledged my presence.
“I suppose my anger seems childish.”
I shook my head and approached her slowly. Given the opportunity to explain my actions, I was relieved. “No. I understand your feelings. This must seem cruel and abrupt to a human with little to no interaction with alien species. Despite how it must seem, I amnotkidnapping you.” It was too soon to say I was bringing her home to Vindar. She wouldn’t accept that information after recent events.
“Am I free to leave this ship then?” She turned around and refused to be ignored. Not that I had any intention of doing so.
This was a sensitive subject. I didn’t want to lose any ground I had temporarily gained. “Not exactly.”
An uncomfortable pause stretched between us. “I see.” A frown marred her delicate furry brows. Humans had sporadic and odd placement of what they calledhair. “You were at the bar, weren’t you?”
Bar? Oh yes, the place where alcohol was consumed. I’d met her at Riley’s that first night.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“I was wondering why you seemed so familiar until I remembered you were there. You followed me.” She didn’t ask and I nodded again to confirm. “You knew those aliens would come.”
“Yes. I thought it best to remain close.”
She sighed again. “I’m glad you did but that doesn’t mean it was okay for you to stalk me. You aren’t very open about things, are you?”
Confused, I didn’t know how to answer. “What are your words meaning?” Earth customs and phrases were irritating. I lost some of what she was saying in translation. No device could bridge that gap completely.
“Why didn’t you tell me that I had an alien piece of technology inserted inside my head?”
Startled, I blinked without responding.
“I heard what you said about some kind of translator. You put it in my body while I was sleeping and without my permission. That’s pretty shitty, Motok.”
Gulping, I nearly choked out my next words. “I apologize. It was meant to ensure we could speak to one another. Our ability to communicate is critical.”
She didn’t disagree but remained upset. “You’re missing the point. I should have beenaskedfirst.”
I never thought of it that way. Her point was valid. “You are correct. I will be sure to ask you for permission or consultation should the need arise in the future.”
She nodded. “You know what’s odd? I could understand you in the bar when you asked if I wanted a drink. How was that possible?”
“Experimental tech. I’m not willing to subject you to any device not thoroughly tested. The translator is the only safe option, so I installed it with care. Humans have used them with success for manyspan.”
My answer must have sufficed. She didn’t contradict me.
