"It is meant," Fwan said. "Happy miners mean better work. Better work means more profits."
"And there it is," Olmed said. "The credits."
"Credits make this ship move. Credits make sure there's blue grass on the vessel for food. Credits make sure you have what you need to do your job. Credits are important."
Olmed nodded. "Are you going to tell me what you want?"
"You're going to Disguised Serenity."
Olmed nodded. So that's what this was about. A supply run. Easy enough. He'd done his fair share in the past--maybe not for the Mining Guild, but he'd been to different space stations, like Disguised Serenity, to pick up supplies.
"When do we leave?"
"Soon," Fwan said. "You'll be hosted by the Intergalactic Dating Agency, and--"
"Why do I need to go to a dating agency?"
"You're going to find a mate."
Olmed jumped up. "What?"
"You're going to get a mate. Maybe it'll calm this fire in you."
"I don't want a damn mate!"
"Too bad. it's been done. In a couple of days, I'll have the details."
Olmed shook his head. "This is crazy. Forcing me to mate."
"You show promise and devotion to the Mining Guild. Why the Kantenans kicked you out, I don't know. Don't care. Your dedication to your work is admirable. I wished most new recruits worked as hard as you do."
Olmed shook his head. "I don't do anything."
"You're a strong miner, and you make sure that everything works as expected. We are happy to have you in the Guild. And as part of my job here, it is to make sure that you have everything you need to be happy here in the ship. That includes a mate, with the potential for littles later."
Olmed paced through the small office. "This is bizarre. I don't want this. There are others who'd rather have this. I'm Kantenan. I cannot just mate with anyone. I have bloodlines and--"
"You were kicked off your homeworld. You have no one but what is here. And it is a myth that Kantenans cannot mate outside their species."
Olmed raised his eyebrow. "Don't tell the Kantenans that."
"Don't worry, we won't. Regardless, the Intergalactic Dating Agency is respectable. They have an extremely high success rate, and I have never known them to not find a mate for a miner. We have used them for many years to get partners for those who do not have time or patience to look for mates."
"I don't have a choice in this, do I?" Olmed asked.
Fwan shook his head. "You will not be alone. You have two friends that are going with you."
"I don't have friends."
Fwan shrugged. "Acquaintances that you are friendly with, then."
"Great."
Olmed stood. "When is this happening?"
"I will send you the data soon."
Olmed nodded. This wasn't exactly what he expected after the fight in the mine this morning, but he supposed it was better than getting kicked out of the Guild. At least for the time being.
