Questions and quarters

Mike follows Alicia, listening as she explains a few things. “So, as I said, we’ve been observing your planet for some time, but our policy is not to make ourselves known until official contact is made. Unfortunately, I don’t think you count as official contact, am I right?”

Mike shakes his head. “No, I’m here accidentally. There was supposed to be a team sent through, but…the machine malfunctioned. I was a technician, not an emissary.”

Alicia smiles, nodding. “That’s what we figured. Anyway, you’re lucky you appeared where you did, away from major cities, but close to our facility here. It was simple enough to send local law enforcement to collect you, although they were a little rougher than we hoped. I apologize for the shock to your chest.”

Mike shrugs. “I’m still in one piece. So, why wouldn’t I want to be in the city? Is it violent or something?”

She laughs. “No, nothing like that. But there’s the language issue, which we solve with the implant we gave you. That’s all it does, by the way, it’s a universal translator. The other thing is…a little bit stranger.”

Mike looks at her curiously, and she continues. “Well, as I said, there are several intelligent races of people here on our planet, so some people become attracted to…well, aliens, for lack of a better word. And you’re very much an alien here.”

As he looks at Alicia, he could swear that there’s some color darkening her blue-grey cheeks. Mike wonders wether it’s because of the nature of the conversation, or because she feels that attraction herself. Now that it’s brought to mind, Mike looks her over more thoroughly. She is petite and pretty, even with her inhuman skin color and strange ears and eyes. Mike notes the sway of her hips as she walks, and the small breasts under her outfit. There’s no denying that she’s very attractive.

Collecting herself, Alicia speaks again. “Regardless, you’re here now. This facility is dedicated to the study of far off planets such as yours. It’s lightly staffed, just myself and a couple others, and as I said, I resemble you the most, so I get to be your guide while you get your bearings.”

She stops in front of a door, pulling a keycard from a hidden pocket. Scanning the card with the reader by the door, there’s a click, and the door slides open. “Here we are, this is where you’ll stay.”

Mike walks inside with her, and finds what looks like a well lived in apartment. Looking at her curiously, he sees her cheeks darken again in what could only be a blush. She looks away and speaks. “We…we don’t have any living facilities beyond the sick bays you were in, so I offered to let you stay with me. I have a spare bedroom. I hope that’s ok with you?”

Mike smiles and nods. “Of course! Thank you for sharing your space, I’ll try not to mess things up.”

Alicia smiles brightly, and Mike returns the smile.