From his position near the back, Anthony looked over the bridge.
The newcomer, a very heavily armed addition to their group, still stood next to the entrance. She was blue. Not that surprising, he supposed. He thought he had seen blue monkeys before, and naturally from now on the people they met could look like anything that could be imagined, and a few things that couldn't. And, truth be told, they had expected Daium to return with companions. Her sister, most likely, although this didn't look like it would be her. Her weapon, now held not quite pointing at them, looked similar to the one he had in his hand, out of sight behind a bank of readouts. Primitive in outward appearance, but reasonably modern with regard to the clip and cartridge designs. The rifles, though, would look at home with any US Marine unit.
Nona, pausing in her attempted calming of the girl (if she indeed was female: it was hard to tell under all that equipment), looked back at him.
"Her name's Rinda, and she's a bit confused about us."
"Well, that's a welcomed change! Usually we're the ones confused." The girl's four eyes swung to look at Anthony. He smiled. She looked cute, in a furry way, especially as the gun lowered more. Her expression became even more uncertain. "Tell her to put her weapon away, and come over here. Once Daium is done getting us the hell out of here, we'll fill her in."
Eyes still locked on him, Rinda seemed to nod in agreement as Nona passed on the message. Slowly, she moved the gun back to her waist... dropping it back into its holster.
Anthony let out an exaggerated sigh, putting his own gun in the holster he'd stuck against the console a half hour ago. He looked across the bridge at Justin, now standing next to a very busy Daium.
"Talk to me, Justin. What is she doing?"
"Plotting a course to take us away, using the... well, 'warp' engines. They haven't been tested yet."
"Cool!" Melinda launched herself up to one of the lower tree branches, landing on it like a monkey herself. Anthony pictured her in a leopard bikini instead of the white one, and liked the image. The newcomer's eyes also followed Melinda. "Justin, make sure she doesn't leave the emergency brake on!"
"Ha!"
Chuck turned to Hannah, Tammy and Anthony, expression apologetic.
"Nerd humor, I assume. I suggest we ignore it."
"Already have," came Alicia's voice from the sensor station above them.
"We weren't talking to you," Melinda yelled back.
"We're such a happy crew," Anthony said cheerfully. His eyes went back to Rinda. She had finished unloading her weapons and gear. Her skirt, unlike Daium's usual leaf and flower patterns, was a solid blue, a few shades darker then her fur. Her suspenders, and the attached bra, looked to be a dull steel. Couldn't be too comfortable, unless there was some padding. Still smiling at the Orang, he nodded and motioned for her to come. Expression uncertain, she pushed herself along the handrail towards him, Nona just behind.
There was a flash of light, almost blinding. Instantly, the walls returned to their wooden appearance. Anthony's hands shot to his eyes, rubbing as he saw stars behind his eyelids. Realizing there was still a stranger on the bridge who didn't trust them, he tried to open them.
"Tell me that was supposed to happen..."
"Sorry!" Daium's voice came from somewhere in front of him. Blinking rapidly, he saw her floating closer, expression worried and apologetic.
"Next time," Alicia said, from above, "PLEASE turn the screens off first! Jesus, that hurt!"
"Sorry, sorry, sorry! First time!"
Shaking his head, Anthony finally cleared his vision, although his eyes were still a bit watery.
"Oh, that's OK. What doesn't kill us, is just fucking annoying."
"And the first time often hurts, anyway." Hannah blinked rapidly, then opened her eyes wide as if stretching them. Anthony chuckled.
"If it hurts for a guy, he's REALLY doing something wrong." Daium came to a stop in front of him, four eyes whirling with concern. Taking a deep breath, Anthony put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Daium. We'll survive. Humans are strong." Seemingly as one, the two turned to look at Rinda. "And so are Orang. I assume, Daium, you didn't tell her what was going on?"
She shook her head.
"No..."
"Well, why don't you two go talk for a bit. Once she knows, meet us in the Commons and we'll all introduce ourselves."
****
The two Orang women floated in front of the store, looking up at the large glowing BELLS sign.
"So... this thing just appeared in your back yard."
Daium laughed.
"Yup. It just plopped down in the snow sometime in the middle of the night."
"That's... incredible."
"And stupid. I knew nothing about it until I heard these strange voices outside the house. Next thing I know, these creatures are around me, and one of them starts speaking our language." That, naturally, wasn't really what happened. However, there were some things Daium was willing to let be forgotten. History that is not passed on, does not exist, and she wanted to start off on the right foot with this girl. Truth and trust from now on, but... well, certain past actions and relationships were not really important in the grand scheme of things.
Rinda turned to her.
"HOW do they know our language? That's really bugging me, Captain. It seems so... wrong."
"From what they've said, there are dozens, hundreds of different languages on their world, although a small number are used the most. Nona's parents are from a small country that speaks our language, and she only knows it because it's all some of her relatives use."
"It's still wrong..." Rinda ran a hand through the fur on her head. Daium just laughed.
"One reason I'm learning their language. Come on, I'll show you inside."
****
Rinda floated between two cash registers, trying to take it all in. It was so... alien, and yet the same. She could guess the function of just about everything. That shouldn't have surprised her, as she'd thought the same thing when learning about alien species in school, but this was her first time seeing one first hand. What the fingers can touch, her father had said, the mind can believe. She ran her hand over plastic covered booklets.
"Why is everything wrapped?"
"So it all doesn't float away. This place wasn't built for space, after all." Daium came up next to her, reaching over her shoulder to grab the plastic. An opening revealed itself, obviously cut into the wrapping. Daium reached in and pulled out a magazine, handing it to Rinda. Opening it, she saw color pictures of female aliens, many wearing not much more clothing than the ones on the bridge. Most of their breasts were bigger, though.
"Dad... didn't know about your friends, did he?"
She looked at Daium. The Captain sighed, not meeting her eyes.
"No. No, he didn't."
"There's no mission, is there."
"Oh," the Captain chuckled, eyes turning to her as she adjusted her glasses, "the Commander gave me a mission. He told me to take my ship, and you, and travel as far from the Orang home world and fleet as possible. Travel far way... and set up a breeding colony."
Rinda's jaw dropped.
"Breeding colony."
"Yup," Daium replied dryly.
"My father, rushed me off of his ship on the brink of a life or death battle... to become breeding stock."
"Yup."
Her mouth opened again, then closed. Something nagged at the back of her mind...
"But... there's no males here."
"Nope."
"You..."
"Had no desire to be bred like an animal by some soldiers picked out by your father, no." The Captain almost spit out the words. "So, I decided not to mention certain details. It's not like he asked about the composition of my crew. He didn't even check to see what the gender balance was."
"What is it?" Rinda, asked, curious. "I can kind of tell the males from the females, I think..."
"Three males, five females. The girls all wear something covering their breasts."
They floated, silently. This was all too much for Rinda. She was a soldier, damn it. Military life pleased her so much in part because of its order, its routine. There might be chaos around you, but you knew what to do, were surrounded by others just like you. She didn't belong here. When she saw her dad again...
Rinda's eyes shot open.
"You're not going back," she whispered. Daium shook her head, sadly.
"No. Even if your father hadn't ordered it..." She looked out the large glass windows, beyond which lay the dome and the blackness of space. "It wouldn't have been the right place for my friends, and... I think, now, I belong with them."
"Great for you, but what about me, Captain?" Rinda couldn't keep the bitterness out of her voice. "Trapped away from our people, with no boys around..."
A smile flickered over the Captain's mouth. Rinda's mouth once again dropped open.
"Oh, no, don't say it..." Daium gave a helpless shrug, smile widening. "No! You did NOT breed with one of those things!"
Rinda suddenly found the Captain in her face, noses touching, strong hands grabbing her by the suspenders. She tried to back away, only to find herself pressed against one of the plastic wrapped displays.
"They are PEOPLE, Lieutenant, and you'd better remember that. They're as smart, as emotional, as us, and at the moment better liked by the Captain. You WILL treat them with respect, with courtesy, and will learn their language. Understood?"
She did. She understood as only three years of military training could make her.
"Yes, Sir..."
****
"To new friends."
Anthony raised his bottle of beer. The others did the same, Daium lifting a glass of some liquid none of the humans had dared try yet. After a moment's pause, the blue newcomer followed suit. Her eyes darted everywhere, obviously far from at ease. Taking a sip of Canada's finest, Anthony couldn't blame her. Daium had told them about being drafted into some stupid mission, and being unable to get out of bringing the girl along. The fact that being here was probably saving her life let the humans at least be quick to accept the situation. Rinda, however...
"OK, is it just me," Chuck asked, "or is there something fundamentally wrong with drinking beer from a straw?" He put the Labbat Blue down in its secure holder on the table, shaking his head.
"If we made one of those beer hats, would that be more acceptable?" Alicia smirked at him, taking another drink. Chuck's eyes lit up.
"Hey! Could you? That would make studying the ship much more fun!"
Anthony held out a hand, forestalling more of that.
"The beer's not going to last that long as it is. Don't make me just get rid of it to stop you guys from getting plastered."
"I never had beer before this started," Nona commented, looking at the label on her bottle. "Never really saw the point."
"Same here," Justin agreed, "although in my case it was just not getting invited to parties."
"We should have a party!" Melinda leaned forward, eyes excited. "Lots of beer! Chips! Music! Dancing!"
"Orgy!" Alicia laughed. "Give us single gals a shot at the men!"
"OK, Hannah, write that down," Anthony chuckled. "Alicia's limit is one bottle!" He saw Daium looking confused, understandably. "Don't worry, Daium, you're not missing much. I wish I didn't understand them either."
Things settled down once bellies were full. Tammy had outdone herself again, creating fresh scalloped potatoes, salad, and an assortment of fresh vegetables.
"The problem," she confided in Anthony, sitting next to her, "is that too much of the boxed stuff on the shelves needs milk. That'll all be gone next week. We've tossed a bunch in the freezer, but I'm not sure that'll be useable. We'll have to see."
"Do what you have to. At some point we'll have to move to all Orang food, but the longer we can put that off the better." He sighed. "If only it had been spring, there'd be seeds in the store so we could try growing stuff."
"I'm saving all the seeds I can, but I doubt most of it will do anything." She didn't look happy. Hannah reached over and touched her hand.
"You're doing great, Tammy."
Tammy's expression, looking down at those soft fingers on her skin, saddened even more.
"Thanks..."
****
Daium, Rinda, and Nona floated in the middle of the bedroom chosen for the new arrival. Nona handed Rinda a spiral notebook.
"I've been making a Malay... I mean, Orang to English dictionary, so I don't have to be everywhere doing all the translating. We're slowly working on getting the ship computer to use English, but that's taking awhile. If you need anything, I mean anything, just ask."
Rinda nodded, flipping through the pages. The words were written in a neat, clear script. Each letter was perfect.
"English is spelled differently than it's pronounced in some cases," Nona went on, "or at least the rules can get complicated. Just give it your best shot, and don't get angry if you accidentally say something very funny."
"Thank you..." Rinda closed her eyes. She was tired. Somewhere, behind them, her father was either dead, dying, or fighting. Her mother, she thought, was on one of the refugee ships: Dad had been a bit vague about that. Her friends, her comrades... they were fighting without her.
Two hands lightly touched her shoulders. One human, one orang. Opening her eyes, she saw their expressions mirroring hers. Daium's hand squeezed her.
"My sister is somewhere fighting, too. I... I'm sorry you had to be here." Rinda just stared at her.
"How did you know...?"
She shrugged.
"I'm the Captain."
****
The movie that night was Titanic.
Rinda watched, enthralled. Nona sat next to her, quietly filling her in on various plot points and quirks of humanity. The ship... she had never seen such a vessel. There were no oceans on Tanah, only rivers and small lakes. Nothing that required such a large water traveling craft. And, the designs! The clothing on the aliens! The hats! It was so much to take in!
"This," she whispered to Nona, "is all true?"
"The story, yes, the ship, and what happens. Some of the characters, like the two in love, are made up, but most represent real people." That boggled her mind the most. Orang entertainment ran more to plays and video recordings of such. The idea of recreating reality in such detail... truly, these where aliens.
The emotions, though... those were fully Orang. Rinda felt her whole body tingle as the boy drew his picture of the girl. She wanted to run her hands through her hair, touch those places on herself not to be touched. Glancing over at Daium, she saw her and the dark skinned boy pressed together, arms around each other as they floated side by side. The two other males also had females pressed against them. As, on the screen before them, two young humans mated, Rinda slid a hand between her legs.
She didn't think anyone noticed.
****
"He... he died...."
Rinda looked at Nona, still not willing to believe it.
"He died. He DIED!" Her eyes filled with water, white fur around them turning dark grey.
"So that she could live..." Nona's eyes also were full of tears. She didn't bother wiping them away. They'd just be replaced by more. Without even thinking, she reached out and took the girl's hand. Rinda squeezed.
"So sad..."
****
Nona opened the door for Rinda, then moved aside.
"Like I said, if you need anything, just come get me. My cabin is just there." She pointed. Her attention then went down the passage to Justin and Daium, entering his cabin. "You could also go to Daium, but I suspect she's going to be busy again tonight."
Rinda also looked at the Captain, agreeing. What those two were doing no longer seemed so evil. These creatures, these humans, were... she looked at the woman next to her. That smooth, light brown skin... it looked as soft as the softest fur. Her hand had felt soft and warm in hers. What would it be like, to touch one of these humans...
The woman's expression became a bit confused, embarrassed. Rinda realized she had been staring. Getting ahold of herself, she smiled.
"Thank you, Nona."
"You're welcome." She got a smile back, a smile she quite liked. Turning, Nona floated away. Rinda couldn't help but memorize the look of those curves. You never really saw the curve of the hip on an Orang, under all that fur...
Shaking her head again, Rinda entered her room and closed the door.
Her room.
It wasn't yet. There was nothing here that spoke of her. The walls were made of a light brown wood, woven branches. Wood meant nothing to her, unless part of the Tree. She had not been raised to worship plants themselves as Daium obviously had. Ah, well. If she had managed to make her cabin on her Dad's ship her own, she could do it here as well.
Going over to her pack, she began digging down into it. She didn't have much. As a soldier, she hadn't needed much. The military provides all. Well, no, it didn't, but she was new enough to not have accumulated gear like those around her had. She only had clothing, some grooming supplies, and...
Her hand closed on stuffed fabric. A first tug did nothing, so with her other hand she reached in and began removing clothing, tossing them randomly into the room. It was like an act of defiance against the last three years. At last, she had her treasure before her. The doll, about the length of her forearm, had bright orange fur. Its eyes were blue, staring back as if in reproach for leaving her trapped in there. Her mom had made the doll, back before she was even born. Sitting on her chair, belly swollen, she had taken needle to fabric, talking to her baby about the doll forming in her hands. Rinda had been born already in love with the toy, and such bonds were not ones to be broken by something as trivial as military service.
"Oh, Dolly..." She stroked its fur. The toy was old enough that no name besides its description existed, the name she had first known it by. Mom was Mom, Dad was Dad, and Dolly was...
With a sudden burst of tears, Rinda hugged Dolly to her chest.
She wanted her Mommy.