The two stepped out of Aisha room and headed for the Orta Hone-Hone. The current crew was already performing drills and routine checks. Since the base’s sleeping quarters were near the docks it wouldn’t prove to be much of a walk.

“……….. So, you’d really eat me?” Jim wasn’t sure how he felt about that, “I mean, I trust you Aisha, I just don’t know if I’m claustrophobic or not. A couple hours is a long time.”

Aisha looked at Jim sympathetiquelly, “I doubt I’ll ever have to use them and don’t worry. If I’m forced into a situation where I’ve got no other choice, well, you won’t be inside me very long. And if the idea really bothers you I promise never to-”

“Aisha, I don’t want you to get in trouble. If you have to, if I do something to deserve it or in some way undermine your authority go right ahead. And if the pills don’t work or if you leave me in too long, well, there are much worse ways to go.”

“Please Jim, don’t even talk like that.” Aisha was a bit sad, she knew she was putting a lot on Jim’s shoulders. He’d probably want to leave her the first chance he got. But could she let him go? Gene might be dead and with the war (and the Ctarl Ctarl inevitable entry into it) he could wind up a casualty, a meal for some Ctarl Ctarl family, or a ration for Ctarl Ctarl soldiers. She wouldn’t have any of it.

As they entered the appropriate hall they bumped into 2 Ctarl Ctarl. There was an older male with Silvery hair and a silverish goatee mixed in with his furry face as well as young sharp eyed female with fiery red spikey hair.

“Hello, it’s nice seeing you again Cassius.”

“Likewise commander Aisha Clan Clan.” He bowed deeply to his commanding officer, the red head snorted slightly at the overly gracious display but bowed (somewhat) as well.

“Hmmmmm, commander…. Well it has a better ring to it than ambassador but it still sounds bland and uninspiring….. I know, why don’t you just call me your highness?” Aisha burst out into her trademark high pitched scratchy laugh (hands on hips); she slapped Jim on the back who fell forward, Aisha’s quick reflexes allowed her to catch him before he crashed to the ground.

“Well, the crew is mostly the same as you remember but about a dozen crew mates have been replaced. Here, I thought you’d like a list.”

“All ready have one.” Aisha waved it away, “So, the ship is in tip top shape right?”

The spikey haired catgirl girl finally spoke up “Zulu and Mika completely demolished the sector 5 hall…….. the dumb asses. A new girl’s down there now.”

“Damn, maybe I should replace them.” Aisha huffed, “Oh well…… Jimmy, why don’t you go down and help her out while we grownups discuss big important military secrets?”

“Whatever Aisha.”

“There’s a good boy, I’ll give you a treat if you do a good job.” Aisha smirked, messing up his hair.

“I’m so going to get you for this.” Jim whispered to her through gritted teeth, her Ctarl Ctarl subordinates heard it too (due to their amazing hearing) yet said nothing. Jim hated being treated like a kid, much less a dog. Aisha grinned down at him, “Right, would you mind taking him there?” She asked the redhead.

“Sure.” Taking Jim by the arm she lead him down the hallway connecting the ship to the space port docks.

Cassius and Aisha’s voices becoming nothing more than buzzing, than silence, as they got farther and farther away.

“You shouldn’t have such a mouth on you.” The Ctarl Ctarl female advised him as they boarded their ship, “Aisha will make your life hell. Trust me, I’d know, I had to scrub toilets with a toothbrush for months after angering her. And I’m sure getting eaten won’t be a picnic but you’re better off not pissing her off.”

“Thanks for the advice.” The Ctarl Ctarl looked kind of mean and disrespectful but Jim appreciated the advice, she seemed like a decent person, “Watch out for Cassius too, he can be a real bastard if you get on his bad side.” Jim nodded, a little surprised that the seemingly mild mannered might really have a cruel streak to him.

“Also watch out for Molly Silverpaw, she’s a high ranking official’s daughter and we have to escort her for a while. She won’t care if you’re someone else’s slave. She’ll gobble you up in a heartbeat so avoid her.” Jim gulped and nodded.

After taking an elevator down into the bowels of the ship Jim got off, “Do you know how to find your way back out?” Jim nodded, “Yes, thank you.”

The red head nodded, “Okay, if you can’t find your mistress just ask one of the crew to escort you back to the commander’s room.” She lazily waved goodbye as the elevator doors shut.

Turning, Jim started walking down the hall towards whatever lay ahead. Jim saw her from a distance. She was young, probably around his age. It was surprising to see someone so young in the military but, then again, these were the Ctarl Ctarl, not Terrans. Military service used to be mandatory, Ctarl Ctarl were aggressive and competitive by nature, and there was something of a class system in place (those who held ranks in the military or in the government were awarded privileges normal civilians weren’t privy to). She was about Jim’s size; she also had blonde hair and glasses. This kind of shocked Jim. He’d never seen a Ctarl Ctarl with glasses. They were physically superior to Terrans and he never knew them to have any sort of deficiencies. Jim felt bad for her, in such a competitive and, well, egocentric society she must have had to undergo a lot of crap. She really must have done something to prove herself, how else would she be on board? Judging from her build it was probably for her intelligence and skills in engineering, not her brute strength (though Jim didn’t doubt she could easily twist him into a human pretzel if she wanted to). Jim approached the young mechanic.

She was on one knee checking out some wiring behind a panel. She didn’t look up from her work but her nose twitched a little, apparently picking up his scent and identifying him as a Terran, “Hi there, I was getting a little hungry. Just lay your clothes on the pile please.” Right next to her were several articles of discarded clothing

“Er, I’m here to help you, but I’m not on the menu.”

“Oh, okay. Throw away this wrapper for me?” she snatched up the pile in her free hand and extended it towards Jim without looking up. It consisted of a t-shirt, short jeans, a bra, and silky pink panties, “Thank you very much.” She thanked Jim as he took the pile, now using her free hand to pick at her teeth.

The wiring had her complete attention and she had a look of deep concentration on her face. Jim admired that though he was shocked she’d taken his word. She hadn’t even seen his collar, what if he’d been lying to her, just trying to save his own hide? She seemed a bit naïve. He was also surprised by her politeness; she knew he was a Terran but she was very nice to him. Jim found a chute for garbage and quickly disposed of the garments. He made his way back to the girl.

“I don’t have anything else for you. Thanks a ton though.” The small Ctarl Ctarl kept on working.

“Actually, maybe I could help you with the wiring?”

“Huh, but you’re just a kid.” For the first time the young Ctarl Ctarl turned to look at him, her eyes widened. She looked away quickly, “I… I… Well what are your qualifications?” She stuttered.

Jim found himself once more surprised, why did she suddenly seem so nervous?

“Probably the same as yours. I’ve been working with machines all my life; I’m something of a child prodigy, or so I’ve been told.” The girl smiled, though she still refused to make eye contact, “You do sound like me. Well, let’s see what you can do! By the way, my name’s Paige.”

“Jim, Jim Hawking.”

Kneeling beside her the two worked companionably. Whenever Jim needed a piece of equipment she’d shyly hand it over to him. The two finished repairing the damage wiring in record time (Jim found out the entire hallway they were in had sustained tremendous damage when two crewmates got into a fight and transformed). “Thanks so much Jim, you were a HUGE help. You’re… going to be coming with us?” There was a note of hope in her voice.

“Yep, no choice, slave.” Jim flicked his collar.

Paige looked at the collar in dismay, apparently seeing it for the very first time. She had been avoiding direct eye contact so she really hadn’t gotten a good look at his neck.

“Oh…. I’m so sorry. I… Don’t worry.” She patted Jim’s shoulder, “I know it’s rough but just do a good job and you won’t wind up in anyone’s tummy. If you ever need help with any of your m- master’s assignments” She stumbled over the word, clearly not liking the sound of it, “just come see me and I’ll help you out.”

Jim was shocked at her generousity, “Gee, thanks Paige, I guess I’ll see you around.” He repeated her gesture, patting her on the shoulder. Paige shivered slightly, Jim got up and left, the Ctarl Ctarl never taking her eyes of him till he left the hall.

‘So’, Jim thought, ‘should I keep exploring the ship or head back to Aisha?’