“Other than tentacles and extra arms?”
She chuckles. “Yeah.”
“My ex left me for my sister. So I have trust issues.”
She cringes. “Ooh, wow. I am sorry. That sucks. So no Ginarigons for you.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, don’t worry. There are no Ginarigons or Talhuskins this heat. They’ve caused too much trouble in the past. So ABR has put their species on temporary hold until they can clean up their acts.”
A lot of my tension eases.
“I’m relieved, too, because of my trouble saying no.”
A microphone crackles. “Please gather around. We’re close to beginning the race!”
Ohni hovers into the air on a shiny new drone and takes a position over the race arena. She’s a tall woman dressed in a blue business suit with gold trim and sports a shiny badge on her chest. Her long dark hair is loose and drifts in the breeze of the lunar envirodome. I’m jealous. Even with all the scrubbing, my hair was untamable except as a braid.
“Welcome, ladies! I am Ohni Orvetas, the new lead coordinator of the Alien Bride Races.”
Camera drones hum as they float all over the fields and above us. There are hundreds of women. Many human male security teams stand outside the doors of the complex. It makes me wonder what those men think, watching us all get chased by guys of other species.
Isn’t that weird?
But then I think of Talros and how he helped me get here, so I could have a better life.
“Ruby’s passing has not been easy for any of us,” Ohni continues. “She founded this organization, this race, and she did so to create healthy, natural bonds that would give women better lives and alien males the mates they need and desire.
“This heat, we have added stricter security measures to keep racers safe, limited some species’ participation, and added somenew species. We also have our first communal swimming pool open and have added a few new events to the schedule that we are excited to cut the ribbon on.
“But most importantly, the arena has expanded beyond the rocky mountain and evergreen forest and now incorporates a flower meadow, a bamboo forest, and a sandy beach that are all encompassed by a river. The goal was to provide a comfortable medium for each alien species. If you know which you are hoping for, you can aim for the territory that best suits them.”
Behind Ohni, a holographic map appears. I memorize it but have no idea where to run.
A woman raises her hand.
“Yes?” Ohni points to her.
“What if we don’t care or don’t know who might want us?” the woman asks.
Ohni motions to the main arena. “You can stay here where the climbing fortress, garden, and maze are. The male transport always enters airspace on their side of the complex. That is where they will land. So they will all funnel through this area.
“For this first race, in honor of Ruby, we have doubled the population of racers, and you now have two hours to find a match instead of one. We will also have a special fireworks event this week.”
“What are the new events?” Another woman asks. I’m equally curious.
Ohni grins. “Let’s just say it’s a sweet surprise treat. Any other questions?”
I have about a million, but I can’t seem to pick one because they aren’t about the race. They’re about why I’m here and if anyone could possibly want a freak with a bodyweb.
I’m an augmented human, not just a human. Which species are even interested in that?
After a scan for hands, Ohni backs up, and the cameradrones close in. Her voice strengthens as she opens her arms. “Welcome to the 200th Alien Bride Race! I am Ohni, Ruby’s successor and new Lead Coordinator of the Alien Bride Race. The ABR committee and I have planned something very special for you folks in Ruby’s memory.
“Tonight, you will see double the chaos, double the fun! Possessive alien males, skilled human females, and a sprint fortwo, that’s right,twomillion credits!”
Son of a… I could buy a small starship with that!
