She pulled Mister Fluffikins closer to her and stuck a finger into the door hole. The cat brushed his paw against her finger for a second.
We’re in this together, buddy, she thought to herself. She glanced at Polly again. "You said get us to the station. This isn't where we’re going to be?"
Polly shook her head. "This is just the layover."
The sparkle in Polly's eyes both intrigued Jenny, but also scared her just a little. Did her boss know this? Or did he think The Bridge was going to be where she was?
When the elevator glided to a stop, the air pressure shifted just before the doors opened. Jenny, along with everyone else, came out to a bright hotel-like lobby. Windows along the wall let in the light, and the view of the landscape and the clouds dominated. Jenny stared for a few moments, just taking in the beauty of it. She could see the squares of fields on the ground, resembling patchwork, as well as the patches of civilization in between them. They seemed to be just at the edge of the clouds, like there was a puffy fog above them she could almost touch.
"Quite the view," another one of the female engineers said. "I could stay right here, honestly.”
Jenny nodded and glanced at her. "Jenny," she said, holding out her hand.
"Brooklyn," she replied. "And no, I'm not named after the bridge.”
Jenny grinned.
“And who is this?” she gestured to the cat carrier.
“Mister Fluffikins,” Jenny said. “Personal protector.”
Brooklyn grinned. “I get that.” She stuck a finger into the cage.
Mr. F backed away from the door and let out a little snarl-hiss.
“He doesn’t like anyone but me,” Jenny said.
“Well, you’re his person, then.”
“I guess so.” Jenny reached into one of the small holes and brushed the top of Mr. F’s head to soothe him a little.
"Hey, everyone," Polly called out. "Come over here.”
Jenny glanced at Polly, who was gesturing for her and Brooklyn to come over.
There was a reception desk area, and Polly wanted them all there.
Probably because there was someone else waiting for all their attention.
Her gaze ran over everyone, and she smiled, her lips a darker pink than her face.
She was not human whatsoever.
Jenny's stomach dropped.
Pink skin, two little antenna on her head, and a smile that was almost hypnotic.
Jenny’s stomach started doing flip-flops, realizing just how real all of this was.
There were aliens.
Here.
On Earth.
The idea shook her for a moment.
"Re-lee, these are the Earth engineers," Polly said, walking toward her and rubbing her belly. "They're here to help with the calibration of the equipment and make sure everything is done just right."
