“And if I don’t?”
“Management will have to decide if they want to keep you on. They usually do. But we can’t hire every woman on Earth, so don’t go selling that as an employment option or ABR will go under. ”
“And you’ll just make a position? Or is there one open?”
“A few options, usually.” She shrugs. “The Alien Bride Race is watched across the galaxy. We get a ton of money from advertisers during commercial breaks. But it is always chaos filled with hormonal games and wild love. I mean, I had every intention of winning the million credits. But I found a Leosantian that has a sex drive like a fucking rabbit with a dick like a…”
“Okay… I get it.”
She blushes. “Anyway, you never know. You might change your mind.”
“What about Radar?”
“We have rooms for women with service dogs.”
“He’s a working dog, but he’s the only family I have left.”
“I see. Well, we have a creature specialist who can get you that service certificate so he can go with you. But he must stay in a special room while you race so he doesn’t interfere with the games. Some species are sensitive.”
“I understand.”
“All we need is the fee.”
I look at the number on the screen and want to cry.
“You can surrender your pay here if you do not have enough.”
“I do.” I clench my jaw and swallow to strengthen my voice. “It’s just everything I have.”
She gives me a half smile. “We can get you set up in a room in the employee complex out back. There’s a lunchroom where everything is included. And you can start work tomorrow. So youcan have food, a shower, a bed tonight, and start making your credits back tomorrow.”
“You’re really trying to sell me on this.”
“It’s my job. But I also believe in it. It’s given several of my friends better lives, too.”
“I’m just not sure about…”
“Getting pregnant?” She rests a hand on my shoulder. “None of us are when we get here because we’re all in survival mode, and the idea of that is scary because it threatens our ability to protect ourselves. I get it. But what you need to know is that all of these males are vetted to make sure they have the means to care for your every need, to protect you, and to love you the way you deserve.
“Ohni has a very strict set of rules for male applicants so no more shitty dudes like Talhuskins get through. We don’t tolerate bad behavior. There are security drones everywhere, and upgraded human and alien guard teams. But like I said, no one is going to force you to do anything you don’t want to.”
“Is there any way I can see which species would be open to Radar and which I should avoid?”
She grins and opens a window on the tablet. “The catalogue will show you everything you could possibly want to know about any of these species.” Lifting a hand, she shields her whisper. “Including what their cocks look like and what, if any, special tines, tingles, or knobs they might include.”
I curl my lips inside my mouth, trying not to smile. Now, I’m a little curious.
The woman’s delight grows. “Just have to sign a few things, and pay the fee. We’ll get you set up in our secure facility tonight. And I’ll put out an alert to watch for Myndrous.”
I look down at Radar. “What do you think?”
A dry room, food, and a better life sound too good to be true.
Radar yawns. But it tells me he’s comfortable here. He deserves a better life than the one I’ve been giving him.
The woman taps her ear. “Sounds like we have a patrol shift open. You can start training tomorrow. Might be good to have another working dog on the perimeter. If you’re up for it. Obviously, you’ll have to qualify. Both of you.”
Radar grumble-talks to her.
