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She turned her head and saw a man with white lines in patterns on his crimson skin. “Hello.”
He looked at her and smiled. “Not as pretty as he is.”
She shrugged. “Who could be? He was designed. I was evolved. My development was a lot more haphazard, and there were no plans to consult. Nature took its course, and science finished me off.” She flexed her hands against her thighs.
“That is Rholik. He’s my apprentice. He will help you adapt to Bellen.”
“Bellen?”
Rholik chuckled. “It is Nebel’s world, full of artisans and engineers. The best and the brightest have come to his world for study and creation. I look forward to you discovering your passion.”
She stared at him in shock until Nebel started chuckling. He leaned in and whispered against her ear, “Aside from me.”
She blushed. “Right. Since that last day, I haven’t even had time to do more than grapple with the basics.”
“Aw, sweet, you grapple just fine.” Nebel tucked her hair behind her ear.
Rholik chuckled. “I am still an apprentice, or I would start searching for my own match among your people.”
Nebel was still playing with her hair. “Send your specs, Rholik. I am sure your father will provide you with a colony to watch over.”
“Could I remain on Bellen if they find one?” His voice was calm.
“If your father permits. Certainly.” Nebel wrapped his arms around Lily. “Her species has an astonishingly high match rate with consort class. Record-setting, in fact.”
Lily looked at him. “What?”
His golden features were amused. “Oh, yes. My species has found more matches within yours than any other species in the last three hundred years. Seeking out partners for us is what the education stations were designed for. Sure, they keep otherwise extinct species and histories alive, but they find us our partners. I am very sure it is not exactly what the designers wanted when they sent us into the universe to find our mates.”
He stroked her hip and thigh. “Even some of those who have been bonded out as labourers can be retested after trauma has healed. There has been at least one consort found in such a situation. Others matched to second-gen or third-gen descendants. Your species is highly adaptable, and we are very happy about it.”
Rholik said, “I am first gen, so I need someone close to consort class. I believe I will pay to have my requirements sent off to the station. I don’t suppose that you need any colonists, Overseer?”
Nebel snorted. “If they can find engineers and artists or even those with the inclination, we can set up a small village for them to develop their skills.”
Lily cleared her throat. “Are there any reproductive requirements for them?”
Nebel actually thought about it. “I can have Rholik provide a list of compatible species, and they can meet at a trade fair. Why?”
“Some colonies are requiring that Terrans mix up their breeding pairings. Very few worlds are leaving us to our own people.”
Nebel chuckled. “Some are? That is surprising.”
Lily scowled. “They aren’t?”
“Not unless there are bonded pairs, but on your world, in that situation, it is unlikely that more than a few hundred came through in a pair bond.”
She paused. “How... is there a way to put in a request for information on specific people? I mean, to see if there are survivors?”
Nebel nodded. “There is a database link. It will cost you.”
Rholik chuckled.
Lily asked, “Can I take the credits from my jewellery budget?”
Nebel whispered against her ear, “But I want to see you fully adorned.”
She turned to look at him. “Then, take it out ofyourbudget.”
