Hostility

Damon leads you into the interview room, and you see that your interviewer is already waiting, seated at the table. At a glance, he seemed to be a Fanir, though with darker blue skin than Liam and Alicia. He also has black, curly hair, which falls to his shoulders. He would probably be handsome if it wasn’t for his greasy hair and the scowl on his face.

He speaks, sneering at Mike as they sit down. “So, this is the ‘human’. Not much to look at. Not that I expected much.”

He turns to look at Damon. “So, at least it’s a scientist joining us and not one of those sluts you work with.”

Damon shakes his head, and speaks in a voice colder than Mike has heard him use before. “Do not speak of my colleagues like that, Jerod. We are all professionals here, despite what you may think.”

Jerod shrugs. “Fine. Just trying to be honest here. I’ve read the things that are being said about you, Mike. It’s all bullshit. Puff pieces and gossip. Especially that whore, Fiona. So let’s start with honesty. Your race is a bunch of violent, destructive parasites, and if it were up to me, we’d find a way to wipe your mind and send you back, or failing that, dispose of you.”

Mike looks at him in surprise. “I’ll be the first to admit that humans as a whole have done terrible things, but not all of us are like that. I’m not even here intentionally!”

Jerod scoffs. “And yet, here you are, and already a celebrity overnight. And already fucking our women.”

Mike shakes his head. “I’m as flattered by the attention as anyone would be. As to the sex, not that it’s any if your business, but they are the ones coming on to me. It’s not like I came here to seduce people.”

Jerod sighs. “Bunch of xenophiles. I suppose there’s nothing that can be done about it for now. So how do we know you’re not some kind of scout or spy?”

Mike looks confused. “What do you mean? I’m just an engineer.”

Jerod leans forward. “And supposedly you’re alone.”

Mike nods. “As far as I know, yes. I assume that if there were others, they would have been noticed by now.”

“And how long would you say before they send more?”

Mike shrugs. “We were anticipating it would take several years to send a second team if everything went smoothly, and it definitely did not. Assuming they can even get the materials and funding to try again, we’re looking at decades.”

Jerod nods. “So it’s just you then. At least that will limit the damage, even if all the sluts are throwing themselves at you.”

Damon stands, visibly angry for the first time. “That’s enough. Mike has been nothing but helpful and peaceful since his arrival, and there’s no call for this hostility. And definitely no excuse for your insults. You will leave now.”

Jerod shrugs, standing. “Fine. I got what I needed, anyway.”

As he walks out, he glances at Mike again. “See you around. Enjoy this while it lasts.”