His Craving was also intrigued by the idea.
It had been far too long since he indulged his Craving.Regular opportunities were part of having a mate, were they not?
Kolvin glared at him."You cannot just take a humanoid and call it yours."
"If they say it is mine, then it's mine," Marcin replied.Is that not what it meant to be mated to another?That they belong to each other?
Marcin winced when Kolvin smacked him on the back of the head.
"We are not slavers!"
He stared at Kolvin, his body tensing and ready to fight.
Kolvin glared at him.
"Wait, no, that's not what it is," Vinka said.
Marcin turned to her.
"Sounds that way," Kolvin said.
Vinka glared at Marcin."It isn't slave trade.It's finding your mate, your love match."
"What do you know about it?"Solkan snarled.
"Believe it or not, some of us have emotions and wewantto find emotional connection," Vinka said.
"Emotions are pointless," Solkan said.
Marcin raised his eyebrow.Solkan seemed to be ruled by his emotions--the first to fight and to let his temper flair.Part of his -An protocols.Supposedly, that model of cyborg was supposed to have better connection to the Craving and emotional side, able to think more like other humanoids.
So far, it just seemed that it made Solkan angrier.
Marcin, being an -In, he was a standard issue cyborg, like Kolvin.On his back were the ports for the lysteel.Though he doubted that they were very functional after everything he'd been through.He put his hand on his shoulder.
He wasn't even sure if they were still there.
Vinka shook her head."This isn't slavery either or ownership.This is about a deeper binding between two humanoids.There’re all kinds of legal stuff in the Intergalactic Dating Agency's regulations that cover that.No one is forced to stay with anyone.They have a very high percentage rate--"
"Ninety-four-point-seven, but who's counting?"Re-lee said as she walked into the apartment."Gentlemen, I take it you are about ready to meet your mates?"She looked at each one in turn, that smile on her face, and Marcin wondered exactly what she'd thought of their transformations.
Marcin glanced at Kolvin and Solkan.They didn't resemble what they looked like on the prison ship, that was certain.
She seemed pleased at the transformations.
"So, they're taken from another place and brought here?"Kolvin asked.
Re-lee nodded."Sometimes we send the males to the females, but in this case, we're bringing the females to us.It has been most interesting so far.But do not worry, no one is here against their will," Re-lee said, her little antenna on her head bobbing in the air.
"We do not like the idea of someone being taken without permission," Kolvin said.
"Of course not," Re-lee smiled."We want you to be happy, both you and your mate.So, we work to bring you to the best fitting mate we can find, and let you live that life that truly does last through the stars."
Her gaze darted to Vinka."Officer, can we speak privately?"
Vinka nodded."Of course."
The two of them stepped outside of the apartment to speak.
