Married to the Alien with No House: Renascence Alliance Series Book 3 Page 3

  “No, as far as I know, it was all very normal,” Babette was surprised by the question but then reminded herself of what Jade had told her about the Alliance’s demographics problem.

  “Do you have a serious boyfriend or any children?”

  “No, serious boyfriend and no children,” Babette had laughed at the last question, she felt way too young to have children.

  “Any serious medical conditions?”

  Babette shook her head, “No.”

  “When is the last time you had a physical checkup?”

  “I can’t remember,” Babette said honestly. She was healthy and never really needed to see a doctor for anything.

  “Okay, please take off your clothes and get on the medical bed. It’s just a quick exam to make sure you are physically well enough to live in the Alliance. They value physical health over all else.”

  Babette wanted to reply, ‘It must be devastating then to have a demographics issue they cannot figure out,’ but instead said nothing.

  The doctor was examining Babette’s lower abdomen and asked, “Have you ever been pregnant?”

  “No.”

  “Are you on birth control?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sexually active?”

  “Sometimes,” Babette answered with a smile. She half-wondered if the doctor wanted a complete rundown on the kind of men, she liked to be intimate with. She thought to herself, Men who work for a living and drive a truck.

  The doctor knew from Babette’s name, hometown, and clothing what kind of woman she was and felt she was more of what the Alliance needed rather than frail, prissy women that they would be more likely to choose based on human society’s manners. She knew already, Babette was going to get a top score from her. She wanted to pass at least one woman who deserved this break in life, “Would you describe your sex life as normal?”

  “What do you mean?”

  The doctor looked at Babette and said under her breath, “Every other one of you has to feign innocence.” Then smiled at her little joke to herself and explained to Babette, “Does deviant behavior make you aroused? There is no right or wrong answer. I just need to know.”

  “No,” Babette answered, somewhat scandalized. “I like just plain sex with one man, preferably one that is attractive and smells clean,” and she added in her mind, One who has brought me flowers and told me lovely things about myself, like how clever I was figuring out how to save some UCs here or there.

  “You’ll have no problem finding that in the Alliance, they all wear perfume and are obsessed with physical fitness,” the doctor said and then added, “And they find human women very attractive.”

  “Do they?” Babette questioned the doctor unnecessarily. Babette would rate herself about a seven or an eight in terms of looks on Earth, but her social standing only left her with men of her own class. She was still grateful to be part of the working class, but her looks were not stunning enough to propel her forward on those alone, so she was skeptical of any Alliance men, richer than any human men, finding her attractive.

  “Yes,” replied the doctor confidently. “You can put your clothes back on now. I’m passing you. You will be shown to the next room for the interview.”

  “Will there be Alliance people there?”

  “Yes, but only men. The women never want to leave their homeworlds, ”the doctor told her casually as she opened the door for Babette to leave. “And one more thing,” the doctor said softly, “just be honest and answer their questions without preamble.”

  Babette looked at the doctor and thanked her with a smile and then was introduced to an Alliance man who was waiting to escort her to another room. She had heard the doctor tell the man waiting for her that she was a five, but Babette didn’t know if that was good or bad only a pass.

  The guard waiting to escort the next human was surprised to hear that the doctor had given this one the highest marks possible. He looked at her and did not see any difference between her and the other women. To him, they were all just a plethora of different colors that he had trouble distinguishing between. He wished that humans masked their natural scents more as the smell of ‘human female’ was almost overwhelming to him. He was sure that he and the other men today would have to arrange visits from the slave artists onboard the ships in orbit later so that they could keep their minds on their tasks.

  “Please,” said the tall Alliance man as he showed Babette into another room where three Alliance men and two human women were sitting behind a long table.

  Babette came in and sat down in a solitary chair in front of the long table. Babette was more curious now than she was nervous or regretful for even coming. She could not help but stare at the aliens, but they didn’t seem to mind. One of them began reading her information, most likely just sent from the doctor from the other room.

  “No serious boyfriend and no children, is that correct?”

  “No boyfriend or children. I’m only 22 years old. A bit young for both,” she answered with a smile. No one smiled back at her, so she checked her smile.

  “Tell me, Madame Babette, why do you want to come to the Alliance?” Ambassador Tui asked the young woman. All the young women here today had been susceptible to the subliminal messages embedded in the Alliance advertisement for young women to come to the Alliance. He expected the same answer that the rest of them gave.

  “I want to live in a big cosmopolitan city,” Babette answered honestly, but what she really wanted to say was, 'I just feel like I should go.'

  Ambassador Tui looked at his assistant with a surprised look. If she had been susceptible to the subliminal message, she should have replied, ‘I believe with my whole heart my life will be complete in the Alliance Empire.’ Ambassador Tui looked at the young woman and asked, “Any other reasons?”

  Babette could see on their face expressions that she had not given them the right answer, so she tried to explain herself, “I’ve always wanted to live in an important big city and see the galaxy, but I’ve never had the opportunity, so I see this as my opportunity.”

  Ambassador Tui then looked at her physical report in more detail. She was in top physical form and had average intelligence. She was a prime candidate, but the subliminal message didn’t work, meaning she would be more challenging to control. He thought of Captain Kara then and wondered if he should throw this Babette back. They didn’t need any more troublemakers.

  Babette could see that her explanation hadn’t helped, so she tried again, “Sirs and Madams, I really would like a chance to experience life in the Alliance. When I saw the advertisement yesterday, I knew that I should come here and make an application.”

  Ambassador Tui looked at his young colleague and shrugged, as if to say, ‘close enough’ and then looked back and Babette and said, “You will be given a contract in the next room. I recommend you look it over carefully as it is legally binding through the Galaxy Court, and you will not be able to amend it. Ask any questions you may have. If you decide to join us, we leave for the Empire at the end of this week. May the gods light your path.”

  Babette didn’t know how to respond, so she just smiled and said, “You too,” as she left the room.

  Ambassador Tui watched Babette go, and his assistant asked in the men’s language, which was entirely undetectable for any translators, “Do you think that is wise? She didn’t respond to our message?”

  “She seemed willing enough and what’s one out of a thousand who didn’t get the message. We’ll let her through.”

  Ambassador Tui’s young assistant nodded but said, “I can’t believe you’d bend the rules even now on your last days as Ambassador to Earth.”

  Tui smiled, “I’ve grown fond of these humans, I want at least one I can watch on the planet who will follow her own heart and not be guided completely by us through the process of integration.”

  “I don’t understand,” admitted his assistant.

  “I know you don’t. That is why I’m the ambassador, and y
ou are the assistant. Send in the next.”

  Babette was shown into a large room with a few large desks. Behind each desk was an Alliance man going through what she assumed was the contracts with young women on the other side of the desks. Babette was shown to a desk, and an Alliance man began speaking to her. “Wait. What is your name?”

  Shan was confused. What did his name matter? None of the other women had asked it. He looked at this woman a little bit funny. “My name is Shan,” and he instinctively pointed to his ID necklace among his other ranking jewelry. “And you are Babette. Now, as I was saying, Alliance citizenship is a gift.”

  Babette interrupted him, “Shan, what?”

  Shan paused and then pointed to his necklace again, “We don’t say our names or the House we belong to as the information is here. You must remember that.”

  Babette apologized and then said, “I’ll remember not to ask anyone else, please continue.”

  Shan nodded and began to go over the contract with Babette.

  Babette was fascinated, looking at this grey-skinned Alliance man in front of her. His long black hair was braided down his back, and he wore a lot of silver jewelry over his black uniform. And the doctor was right, he smelled like something familiar and sweet, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what.

  Shan looked at the young woman and asked, “Do you understand?”

  Babette had not been paying attention, so she just smiled and said, “I think so, yes.”

  Shan looked her over deciding and then thought, it doesn’t matter anyway, they’ve all been coerced into it. “Good, sign here,” he said, indicating a place on the electronic pad he held.

  Babette only hesitated for an instant and then signed her name.

  “Now I need you to repeat the following words, ‘I, Babette Lynn Thomas of House Human do solemnly pledge myself to the Alliance Empire. I will abide by its laws and religion. Praise the gods for reuniting me with my people.”

  Babette repeated the oath and then to her surprise the man took out an ornate silver dagger.

  Shan motioned for her hand. He was used to the human women being both surprised and uncomfortable with this part of the oath, “You must also sacrifice some blood to the gods?”

  “How much blood are we talking about? “Babette asked, instinctually with her hands now behind her back.

  Shan looked at this cute little human and actually couldn’t resist giving her a smile, “I promise only a little. Don’t worry, I’m very skilled with this dagger.”

  Babette didn’t mover her hands any closer to him, “Is there something else I can do like spit on it or something?” She realized right after she said it that spitting on her contract was probably the last thing she could do if she wanted Alliance citizenship. “I mean, it’s for the DNA, right?”

  Shan was amused but he didn’t let his face show it. Technically, she was probably right, she could spit on it, but he was not going to allow that. He maintained eye contact and nodded his head with his hand outstretched for hers, “Please, trust me.”

  Babette took a deep breath and brought her left hand forward, thinking, If he is going to cut me it should be on this hand in case it hurts a lot.

  “Other hand?”

  “Really?”

  Shan nodded.

  Babette produced her right hand.

  Shan took the woman’s hot hand gently and before she could get too nervous, he made a small cut, and held her hand steady as the blood dripped down, despite her gasp of shock. He was surprised at the hypocrisy of humans. They were quite a violent species when it came to killing, especially if it could be managed from a distance, but acted like the most innocent creatures ever when asked for some blood. He absently wondered how all of these human women were going to survive in the Alliance where blood oaths and duels were commonplace.

  Babette was happy to have her hand back and cradled it with her other, “Do you have a healing device I can use?”

  “The gods will heal your wound as they see fit. Don’t use a healing device. It is a ceremonial cut and must be worn as a badge of honor,” Shan explained to her as he had done to every woman before her. Then he brought up a page on his table and held it up for her to read. It was both in Alliance and English:

  Babette Lynn Thomas of Earth is now an Alliance citizen of maximum class as of the 5th day of the 37th week of the year 18904, Earth date: March 25th, 2635. Madame Babette is now a member of House Human under Jane Johnson, Capital Planet, Capital City, Residential Ring Four.

  “Now, you will be given a few days to get your affairs in order. You have been given your first installment of UCs from the Alliance. You may buy what you need here before we go. We leave at the end of the week. Make sure you check in by eight in the morning. Now go with the gods for your last days on Earth.”

  Babette just looked at him and smiled. She had passed and had UCs in her bank account. Babette was thrilled. She knew exactly what she was going to do, go shopping and then go out with her friends.

  The morning of departure arrived. Babette’s good friend came with her as far as she could before the final check-in. “VM me when you get there, so I know you’re safe, okay?”

  Babette was too excited to be emotional, “I will. I promise. It’s all going to be fine.”

  Her friend was unsure of this. Nothing good in life came without consequences, but Babette had paid a lot of her dues to karma, so maybe this time she was winning. Her friend gave her a big hug and said softly, “I’m going to miss you so much.”

  Babette squeezed her friend and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll see me again. This isn’t forever.”

  Her friend let go and nodded her head.

  Journey to the Alliance Empire

  Babette picked up her small personal bag and waved energetically 'goodbye' to her friend as she joined the line to board one of the many transports that would take them up to the ship. When Babette reached the front of the line, an Alliance officer with a tablet asked her, “Name?”

  “Babette Thomas.”

  “Good,” he said while marking the tablet with his finger. “You’re traveling back on the Fira under Captain Rerg. Commander Daz will be responsible for your well-being onboard. Do you have what you need with you for the short journey?” He asked her, as if he had asked the question already a hundred times before, which he probably already had as there were 1,000 women joining them.

  “Yes,” she said, indicating her small shoulder bag and her larger bag at her feet.

  “Good,” he said, looking at the bags. “You are the first reasonable woman I’ve come across this morning. Everyone else seemed to think they needed a million things with them.” He made another mark on the tablet and then said, “Transport number three. May the gods bless you,” he said while looking her in the eyes.

  Babette knew he was waiting for some set reply, but she didn’t know it, so she just said, “Thank you. I’m excited.” And walked away with the face expression that said, why-did-I-say-that?

  Babette viewed the line of transports and found transport three. There was another line, but it was thankfully shorter than any of the other lines for the other transports. She spotted Jade a few women in front of her, so she called out to her, and Jade came back to her position in the line so they could talk together.

  “I’m so glad that you were selected,” Jade exclaimed as she came over to Babette.

  “Me too. I mean, I’m glad to see you too!” Babette noticed Jade had a lot of luggage with her. “You’ve got quite a bit there.”

  “Oh,” Jade said, looking at her things, “Yes, you know there are some things I just can’t be without.”

  “Not even for two weeks?”

  “No, I mean, I probably will want to do some cooking onboard. Just to see what’s going on in these kitchens.”

  “Do you think they would let you do that?”

  “I don’t know,” Jade answered. “I usually try things first and then find out afterward if I was breaking the rules or
not.”

  Babette laughed, “I see. Well, I’m definitely looking forward to watching you break some rules and try to cook some food on an Alliance ship.”

  Jade gave her a smile.

  The line was moving quickly.

  “Why is our line so short, do you think?” Babette asked.

  “As far as I could find out, there are only ten ships in the convoy brought to Earth, and for some reason they have divided us up unequally on to them. I guess we are on a ship with less humans. Although it doesn’t make sense to me as the Fira is one of the larger ships.”

  Babette wondered, “How did you get that information?”

  Jade shrugged, “I asked when I was asking to clear a lot of my belongings earlier.”

  “Maybe the other ships have more resources to deal with more visitors?” Babette suggested.

  “Or they have put all the troublemakers together to keep us under control?” Jade smiled.

  “I’m not a troublemaker,” Babette replied. “Are you? And besides what kind of trouble could we get into on a ship?”

  “A ship full of eligible young men in top physical form looking for wives, I don’t know what kind of trouble I could get into?” Jade answered in her most innocent and naïve tone.

  Babette just smiled as they boarded the transport. They were surrounded by many other young women from all over Earth, and some of the women’s languages didn’t even register on their translators, which didn’t really say much at all as human translators weren’t that good, to begin with, and Babette’s was cheaper than most as well.

  Once all the women were onboard and strapped in, an Alliance officer addressed them as the pilot and copilot took their places behind him, “Welcome new Alliance citizens. The gods are great and send us on our way home today. One final check, if you could please all write down the contents of your stowed luggage on these tablets as we ascend to the Fira.”

  Then they were all given a tablet in English to write down the contents of their belongings that would be put in the hold of the starship. Babette had already seen one woman’s cat being taken away from her and given to her family members who had seen her off, so she guessed they wanted to be sure there were no other animals or strange things in their luggage.