Lao’k taught me how to use the common channel, from keeping my thoughts off it, to toning down how loud my thoughts came across, to using it to communicate. I even spoke to their leader, Mal’k. It was fun being in one room and talking to someone with my mind in another. It awakened childish glee in me. Those times I spent as a kid pretending I had powers came flooding back. Its exhilarating. Thoughts transmit faster and clearer than using a comm device, you also get the person’s full meaning.
The lessons went on for a few days, then one day, while Lao’k was explaining multi-layer communication, I had my first experience picking up a human’s thoughts on the common channel.
‘How long do I have to keep baby sitting this freak?’ It was Captain Ruiz. ‘And this bitch, she used to walk around high-nosed, ignoring advances; now she’s all over this alien.’
Lao’k didn’t break his gaze with me as he shook his head. Act like you have not heard him.
But it’s on the common. One of your people must have also heard him.
He is not the only one.
“It takes concentration.” Lao’k said, as he hugged me.
He’s been very hands-on since the lessons began. Always holding my hands, hugging me, playing in my hair, caressing my cheeks. It’s like he can’t get enough of me. This time he didn’t stop at the hug; he kissed my forehead. I’d normally be taken aback by this. I’ve only known him a few days and we aren’t dating. But I couldn’t bring myself to reject him. Come to think of it, I haven’t felt bothered by his touch from the start. Maybe women do allow sexy men to get away with some things.
When Lao’k left, I sat in the cafeteria for a few hours practising. I still hadn’t gotten used to tuning in to the common channel for listening. As I sat there trying to focus on how many others I could read, someone approached me.
“Have I got news for you!” she said excitedly as she sat down in the opposite chair and pushed her tray with tonight’s special towards me.
Alyssa’s an Architect. We get along well enough. I thought it would be beneficial to have an architect friend later on. We usually run into each other in the common area or the cafeteria. We chat about family, work, dating, or even any bits of archive information about Mars. She had pointed me to a little known public government archive with salvaged previous era data on Mars. She also didn’t hesitate to talk about the men who had made advances on her or who she flirted with. Even hinting that she had spent night time in cabins that weren’t hers.
She leaned close. “So, remember that scientist?” She asked cheerily as I stabbed a fried ball with the pick.
“Gilster?”
“He’s got access to data from Base twelve. In exchange for a little,” she paused, her eyes drifted suggestively to the side. “favour, I got the link to the site with live results.” Alyssa smiled at me triumphantly.
“Are you sharing?”
“Are you buying?”
I exhaled defeatedly. “How much?”
She made a show of thinking. “Your silence and five thousand Bits.”
“Two thousand.”
“Deal.” She stabbed two fried balls. “Send it to me when we get to Mars.” She said. She licked one of the balls playfully before putting both in her mouth, then smiled to someone off to the right.
I glanced over my shoulder to see the scientist we’d been talking about duck down. “Klein’s comfortable with you being with other guys?”
“It gets him information.” she said confidently as she pushed up her bra and fiddled with her already deep neck line, spilling more of her breasts into view. “Don’t share that link, someone could get killed.”
I chuckled nervously, “Are you a covert operative or an architect.”
“Mmmm. An ambitious architect. One willing to ingratiate herself to the man who might find himself as the Deputy Governor of Mars.” Her tone dropped off to a faint whisper.
“No way!” I glanced around to be sure no one else was close enough.
“You heard nothing from me.” she winked, brushing her ring finger across her lips she pressed them together then released with a smack. “So, how did it go with Lao’k today?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznBM3zr4p4
I was vague in my explanation of Lao’k’s lesson, I doubt she’d get it without first hand experience. But I definitely mentioned all the handsy moments and the intimacy in reading his mind.
‘Why did it have to be her? None of the aliens even looked at me, and I’ve got more sex appeal. She’s built like a man. Now she’s got one following her around and Ruiz too.’
Mother used to warn me, never trust a smile at business meetings; it’s how people disarm you, I found they do that outside of conference rooms too. Alyssa gave me a convincing smile and asked whether I had noticed Lao’k’s body underneath his clothes when he hugged me. I brushed it off as unimportant and cut our talk short returning to my quarters. Kishna was already asleep. I looked my reflection over in the mirror. Sure, she’s prettier, and more women than men approach me for dates, but that doesn’t mean I have no sex appeal. I pushed my bra up, but that did little to recreate the effect Alyssa’s had. Maybe I should wear make-up. I know I’m built like a man, but hearing someone else say it hurts. I wonder how Lao’k sees me?17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc02V0t9yx
and then Add to home screen.