Page 56 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

“Does this conversation mean I’ve passed your initial assessment?”

“You’re cautious enough not to get caught.” It’s not a complete endorsement of my faculties, but Ravik tends to be brusque. “It’s enough. Unlike Jaz, I hate it here. But my contacts have been silent for far too long, so I need to ask if you have a ride off-world.”

Now I understand the reason for this clandestine rendezvous. Ravik wants to catch a shuttle with me. Unfortunately, I have no good tidings to impart. “The agency failed to arrive at the appointed day and time. I’ve been stranded for over a human year.”

“Twenty for me,” Ravik says in a flat, hopeless tone.

I’m speechless. I had no idea that such things happened with any regularity. But the reputable tourism agencies don’t stop at 97-B. And if the enforcement office in the Galactic Union closes a company that has violated the terms of interdiction, they won’t collect lawbreakers who went on world against regulations.

In human verbiage, too bad, so sad, tough luck for us.

“I’m sorry I can’t assist.”

“It was too much to expect,” Ravik says. “I’ll never escape this polluted mudball.”

Jaz taps the table once. “I’m not interested in an exit strategy. That’s why Ravik wanted to meet. It’s not my agenda.”

“Not this again,” Ravik mutters. “If you tell me to make the best of things one more—”

“What’s this about?” I cut in to keep the peace.

Jaz perches on top of the table, getting comfortable. “You already told Jen. We should tell Tad and Poppy too. They might be able to help, and I believe they’re trustworthy. I’m tired of pretending all the time.”

“This is a human colloquialism,” Ravik says, “but it’s apt: over my dead body.”

“I need to time to consider,” I say.

Jen is someone I trust, no question. But I’m uncertain about Tad and Poppy. I haven’t spoken to them privately or at length.

“Then I’ll wait for your decision,” Jaz says.

“How did you end up here?” I ask Ravik. It’s doubtful they will reveal much, but I’m too curious not to inquire.

“Entirely by accident,” they reply. “And that’s all I plan to say for now.”

“Do you have any ideas how we could leave?” I ask.

“If I did, would I risk trusting you to see if you had a ride off-world?” When Ravik puts it that way, I feel more than a little abashed.

Their brusqueness makes me feel quite young. “You might have a ship we could repair together. I’m good with technology.”

“Acquaint yourself with disappointment if you’re trying to exit this place,” Ravik says. “And forget about seeing your family again.”

That hurts. I should have said so many things before I left, but no. I was in a rush, hastily dismissing Oona’s concerns and making promises I can no longer keep. I study the ground, watching minute insects march across the dry earth. That is how I feel, tiny and insignificant in the grander scheme of things.

Jaz gets up, seeming dissatisfied with the private conference. “Well. If that’s it, we ought to find the others.”

I have much to contemplate—and a major decision to make.

Group Chat

January 6 | 16:28

Jeneticist: Hey, friends! Nobody from RL can go with me and I’d love it if we all went to Space Con together this year.

Stargazer: When is it?

Jeneticist: In July.