in First Quadrant, and here were two—Vadim and this woman. Bella was extremely unique in First Quadrant with her red hair and grey eyes. Were these recessive traits more common in Fourth Quadrant? What about other genetic traits that were obsolete in First Quadrant, like left-handedness?
She’d certainly seen examples of the superior height of the population of Fourth Quadrant as they’d passed several people on the way to Vadim’s pod. What about their fertility rates? Were they the same as First Quadrant? She was sure she would have noticed a variance in data between the quadrants, but what subtle differences was she missing by not having visited this part of the planet or the other three quadrants, for that matter?
“Specialist Crystal, let me introduce you to my mate.” Vadim’s words interrupted Anna’s train of thoughts. “Doctor Anna, this is Specialist Crystal. She is our secret weapon against monotony.”
Anna stood and raised her hand in greeting. “Pleased to meet you.”
“As I am, you, Doctor Anna,” the tall, blue-eyed woman responded.
Kojo cleared his throat.
“And these are Anna’s other two mates,” Vadim continued. “Lieutenant Generals Kojo and Marco.”
The other men stood and greeted the Specialist.
“So, what monotony are you fighting against?” Marco asked.
The blonde woman whipped the white cloth off the cart and revealed several platters of colorful foods of sorts that Anna had never seen before. “The monotony of taste, sir.”
“Specialist Crystal works in our mess hall,” Vadim said. “Though works is hardly the right word for what she does with food.” He was practically effusive with his compliment, and Anna felt a burning of jealousy in her chest that took her by surprise.
Why was it suddenly so important to her that he regard her with the same high esteem?
The answer was because she felt possessive of him, which was such an ugly emotion. One human should never possess another. She should be as detached from him as he was from her.
“If there is anything else you need, General, please let me know,” Specialist Crystal offered.
“Thank you, Specialist. This should be it for the evening.”
The Specialist bowed and left the pod. The door slid closed after her.
Marco plucked a purple globe off a woody stem and popped it in his mouth. As he chewed, he closed his eyes and moaned softly.
“What is it?” Kojo asked.
“Wet and sweet.” Marco opened his eyes and looked at Anna. “Just like someone I know.”
With her cheeks flushing, Anna felt the beginnings of her need rising. She reached for one of the small globes. “But what are these?” She studied it for a moment before putting it in her mouth. The thin outer skin broke under the force of her teeth and released a sweet juice on her tongue. She quickly grabbed another to repeat the delicious sensation.
Kojo chuckled and reached for one. “I better get in here if I hope to try one of these mystery foods.”
“They are called grapes,” Vadim supplied the name. “We also use them to make a fermented beverage.” He reached to the bottom shelf of the cart and withdrew a tall, thin bottle and a plastic bowl that was wider at the top than the bottom. He poured some dark red liquid into the bowl and handed it to Anna. “To our mating.”
She took the bowl between her hands and took a tentative sip. The liquid delivered a pleasant burn down her throat into her stomach. She took a larger sip, and her brain seemed to grow fuzzy. “That’s strange.” She took another deeper drink, and the room tilted to the left. “How odd.” She lifted the bowl to take an even bigger swallow, but Vadim’s hand stopped the bowl from reaching her lips.
With a rusty sounding chuckle, he said, “That’s enough for you for now. You have no tolerance yet.” He took the bowl from her and gave it to Marco. “To your mating.”
Marco took a long swill and smacked his lips when he lowered the bowl. “That’s
She’d certainly seen examples of the superior height of the population of Fourth Quadrant as they’d passed several people on the way to Vadim’s pod. What about their fertility rates? Were they the same as First Quadrant? She was sure she would have noticed a variance in data between the quadrants, but what subtle differences was she missing by not having visited this part of the planet or the other three quadrants, for that matter?
“Specialist Crystal, let me introduce you to my mate.” Vadim’s words interrupted Anna’s train of thoughts. “Doctor Anna, this is Specialist Crystal. She is our secret weapon against monotony.”
Anna stood and raised her hand in greeting. “Pleased to meet you.”
“As I am, you, Doctor Anna,” the tall, blue-eyed woman responded.
Kojo cleared his throat.
“And these are Anna’s other two mates,” Vadim continued. “Lieutenant Generals Kojo and Marco.”
The other men stood and greeted the Specialist.
“So, what monotony are you fighting against?” Marco asked.
The blonde woman whipped the white cloth off the cart and revealed several platters of colorful foods of sorts that Anna had never seen before. “The monotony of taste, sir.”
“Specialist Crystal works in our mess hall,” Vadim said. “Though works is hardly the right word for what she does with food.” He was practically effusive with his compliment, and Anna felt a burning of jealousy in her chest that took her by surprise.
Why was it suddenly so important to her that he regard her with the same high esteem?
The answer was because she felt possessive of him, which was such an ugly emotion. One human should never possess another. She should be as detached from him as he was from her.
“If there is anything else you need, General, please let me know,” Specialist Crystal offered.
“Thank you, Specialist. This should be it for the evening.”
The Specialist bowed and left the pod. The door slid closed after her.
Marco plucked a purple globe off a woody stem and popped it in his mouth. As he chewed, he closed his eyes and moaned softly.
“What is it?” Kojo asked.
“Wet and sweet.” Marco opened his eyes and looked at Anna. “Just like someone I know.”
With her cheeks flushing, Anna felt the beginnings of her need rising. She reached for one of the small globes. “But what are these?” She studied it for a moment before putting it in her mouth. The thin outer skin broke under the force of her teeth and released a sweet juice on her tongue. She quickly grabbed another to repeat the delicious sensation.
Kojo chuckled and reached for one. “I better get in here if I hope to try one of these mystery foods.”
“They are called grapes,” Vadim supplied the name. “We also use them to make a fermented beverage.” He reached to the bottom shelf of the cart and withdrew a tall, thin bottle and a plastic bowl that was wider at the top than the bottom. He poured some dark red liquid into the bowl and handed it to Anna. “To our mating.”
She took the bowl between her hands and took a tentative sip. The liquid delivered a pleasant burn down her throat into her stomach. She took a larger sip, and her brain seemed to grow fuzzy. “That’s strange.” She took another deeper drink, and the room tilted to the left. “How odd.” She lifted the bowl to take an even bigger swallow, but Vadim’s hand stopped the bowl from reaching her lips.
With a rusty sounding chuckle, he said, “That’s enough for you for now. You have no tolerance yet.” He took the bowl from her and gave it to Marco. “To your mating.”
Marco took a long swill and smacked his lips when he lowered the bowl. “That’s
Similar Books
