“Mistress,” the robot says, sounding like a really crap version of K-9.
I swear at it. Of course, it takes no notice.
“We have arrived.”
“Do I look like I care?”
Half of the egg to my left swings open, and before I can look out, the robot is exiting and spoiling my view.
Although I don’t expect it’s going to have reunited me with Driok.
When I do get the chance to see where I am, not unsurprisingly there is a distinct lack of big scaly Sarkarnii with sultry smiles on their lips.
Instead we seem to have come to rest in the middle of a waterfall. An indoor waterfall, given the glass above me. It’s like a disused water park. Everything is faded and covered in a layer of dust, but the water keeps on pouring from a multitude of empty waterslides all around me, the rushing noise covering up anything else I might hear and the scent of the water filling my respirator. Not sure who decided being able to smell things in this mask was a good idea, but I’d quite like to meet them and suggest they don’t do it again.
“I must offer you my assistance, mistress,” the robot says over the sound of the water. “You may remove your headwear and mask. The air in here is optimized for your species.”
“Oh, is it?” I say dully. “And why should I believe you?”
“The air in here is optimized for your species,” the robot repeats.
“I think I’ll keep the mask on, if you don’t mind,” I respond.
“The air in here is optimized for your species,” it says.
A wave of despair flows over me. I’m stuck in a doom loop with the low rent version of R2-D2, and I’ve ended up in exactly the situation Driok wanted to avoid. All because I’m too damn stubborn to stay at home like any normal pregnant woman.
I should be on the couch eating chocolate, gossiping with my friends, generally gestating. Not running undercover ops on a faraway planetoid.
And if I hadn’t convinced Driok it was a good idea, perhaps we’d still be together. Or at least I’d know where he is and he would know where I am.
I am an absolute fool. A slave to my independence and to my desire not to trust anything or anyone.
I could have trusted Driok. If I had, I wouldn’t be in the water park time forgot. If I’d trusted him from the beginning, rather than treating him like the enemy, perhaps we’d be in an entirely different place.
Although I expect I’d still be just as pregnant.
“I expect you’re wondering why you’re here?” A voice rings around the waterfalls and is caught in the foaming drops before it disappears into the drainage grates.
“Not really.” I sigh. “I guess you’re doing the whole villain thing, and I’m going to be used as bait for Driok or some such rubbish.” I turn on the spot in order to face whatever new hell I’ve got myself into. And I do a double take.
There’s a raccoon staring back at me. Admittedly on hind legs and wearing clothing but a raccoon nonetheless.
These are a species known as a Paralnyi. Scarlett first came across them providing assistance to her mate, Dexx. Mostly because his sector had an affliction which meant they had to stay in dragon form for half the day, and it’s quite hard to do the vacuuming when you’re all wings and claws. Her friend,Cestapal, said they stayed as the Sarkarnii paid well and didn’t mess them around…or eat them. Which I suppose is a bonus.
I have to admit, a Paralnyi was the last creature I was expecting.
“Bet you thought I’d be a Veseli, didn’t you?” The creature walks towards me on a partially dry walkway up to where the egg sits.
“If I thought you were a Veseli, I would absolutely one hundred percent not be standing here right now. You wouldn’t see me for dust.”
The Paralnyi eyes my rotund figure.
“Oh, don’t let this fool you.” I gesture to myself. “I move quick when there are giant cockroaches around, regardless of my pregnancy status.”
It releases a little snort, just like Cestapal when one of the Sarkarnii behaves like an idiot, which means it’s a laugh.
“I can see why you are good mates for the Sarkarnii,” it says. “I’m Kes.”
