Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Introductions

I hear the sound of someone climbing a metallic ladder which they must have placed against the cockpit. 

 

"Quickly, take him to the medical bay."  A loud male sounding voice said in an authoritative tone. 

 

Then I hear them come closer to me. "Huh? Who....no, WHAT...are you?" The same person now addresses me, with obvious surprise in his voice.

 

I continue to shiver in the backseat, my hands protecting my face. 

"Please....please don't harm me. Let me go!" I try to plead for my life.

 

After a few moments of silence, I feel brave enough to take a peek and see a very confused face. So...not a vicious creature? 

 

"Eh...nobody's going to harm you. Just....just climb out of the cockpit. I don't know what happened to you, but I promise that you are safe, alright?" The alien is speaking calmly, trying to persuade me to cooperate, but I don't really trust him.

 

"Do you need medical help too?" Another male voice asks from the other side, startling me. Shit, I'm surrounded. Maybe I can run? But run where? 

 

There is nothing I can do. I take a deep breath and.....surrender. 

 

I drop my arms and look at the faces on my left and right. "Am I really safe? Are you not going to hurt me?" I say softly. My tears are still falling and I'm shivering.

 

"Nobody will hurt you. You are amongst friends." They now look at each other and say "It appears to be frightened by us. Everyone, step back. Give it some space."

 

Yeah right, space is not what I need.... I already had enough of that to last a lifetime. I just want to go home.

 

I stand up and look around from inside the cockpit. These....these people for a lack of words, seem to be kind, though? Nobody seems to be pointing a weapon at me. 

This place looks like a huge airplane hangar, it even smells like oil. But it's a bit on the warm side.

 

"I....I'm Akari....where am I?" I tried to be nice. Usually introductions can defuse a tense situation.

I look at the first alien, the one who tried to help me calm down.

 

"You are aboard the Imperial Vahli Hiveship Huntress. Do you need any medical help?" He smiled, trying to reassure me that he wasn't about to attack me.

 

"Eh....I don't think so. We were attacked. And the pilot..." 

 

"Yes, the pilot will make a full recovery. The ship already informed us about his condition in great detail. You see, when we are injured, our metabolic rate slows down so our body can heal itself. With proper treatment the healing will go faster. Ehhh...you appear to be crying, are you sure you don't need medical help?" He tilted his head in obvious confusion.

 

"Yes, eh, no, yes. It just means I was under a lot of stress."

 

"Are you....perhaps a Queen?" 

The alien seems to be studying my appearance, from top to toe.

 

"Eh.....sorry, I don't understand? Why would I be a Queen?" Now it's my turn to look confused.

For some reason, after this question, I feel more at ease.

 

"Oh, nevermind, please..get down."

I climb down the ladder and only now notice that I'm a bit taller than these people. They almost look like kids, or more like...maybe...fourteen year-olds? Not frightening at all.

 

"Please follow me to your debriefing." One of...eh....them...said matter of factly.

 

"My debriefing? But I'm not even one of your pilots?" I'm sure he could see the confusion on my face. Our facial expressions appear to be quite similar, so far. But it still doesn't mean I can't let my guard down.

 

"According to this ship's computer, you took control. Please don't worry, it's just a formality. I will repeat, you are safe here, amongst friends." He gave me a smile, except he doesn't appear to have any teeth. Maybe he forgot to put them in this morning? God..that reminds me...I'm hungry.

 

"Yes, that's what you said earlier. But please forgive me, this is a little overwhelming for me."

I still try to keep my distance from them, not sure what will happen next.

 

"We understand. I believe our races have never met before. Our Commander will continue this discussion, I am not allowed to debrief you. Please follow me to his office."

 

They point towards the..car which really looks like a golf cart.....and that fact makes me smile for a second. I step into it and have to bend over a little, so I won't hit the roof. But it's not really an issue. 

 

The car starts moving and I hold on tight while it makes a turn left, heading to the wall of this hangar.

There we step out and enter what appears to be an elevator. It is remarkably similar to the ones on Earth, except for the lack of a mirror and the abundance of confusing controls.

I now follow a single.....Vahli...I believe they call themselves...out of the elevator and am guided into what looks like an office. Nobody said another word all this time, but they really try to be nice to me, big smiles on their faces. But in all honesty, that actually just creeps me out.

 

But while the hangar deck looked familiar like an airport, including mechanics who were working on planes, this deck looks like it is some kind of..organic structure. 

 

How can I best describe it....let's see...

The corridors are hexagonal in shape, definitely organic in nature, making this ship look really alien to me. There are mechanical displays and artificial lights embedded into the walls...strange. It's like a "sci-fi meets Flintstones" kind of thing. One part can look incredibly advanced, while another can look like a construction technique that humanity has abandoned centuries ago.

 

The walls are plain, paper-like, not sticky or something, just...strange with their orange hue. Maybe they rupture when I touch them with a bit more force...they really do look quite fragile.

 

The Vahli who brought me here bows and says "you are at your destination, my Queen." Then he just walks away, leaving me in a totally confused state. Again that Queen-thing? Maybe he just needs professional help...soon? Whatever.

"Ah there you are...our...guest." A male sounding Vahli...being...creature thing..walks towards me while I'm standing near the entrance of what is apparently supposed to be his office.

 

I step back and the one in front of me stops approaching me. He obviously understands that I'm still more or less terrified about all of this. 

 

Assuming that it's wise to copy the behavior from the other one, I give him a polite bow and try to keep myself safe by using polite sentences. "It is nice to meet you. I am Kagiyama, Akari. Please call me Akari." 

 

When I stand up straight again, I see a very confused face in front of me. 

 

"Why did you lower your head so deep for me? I am not the Queen, I do not deserve that kind of respect." A male voice again. Definitely male.

 

Eh...let's improvise. "Ah...it is a custom from home. It just means....well...a polite greeting, I guess."

 

"I see." He returns the bow, then stares at my shoes for a second and then faces me again. "I will then respect your traditions. I am Commander Spinak, the honor is all mine. Now that our introductions are over, let's exchange experiences."

 

"Eh? Exchange experiences? What does that mean?"  Experiences of what? My culture?

 

"Ah, sorry. You must be experiencing issues with the translator. It means talking about what happened to you. And to discuss why you are here."

 

"Ah, a debriefing."   Why don't you just call it by its name then?

 

"Yes, exactly, that is what I said Akari."

 

"Eh, right. Definitely a translator problem then. Anyway, may I sit down?"

 

"Yes please, do sit down."

They do seem to be polite and understanding. They don't seem hostile to me at all. I just hope he can send me home soon, or give me something to eat. Maybe...should I ask him? Nah, let's wait a minute.

 

I sit down on a square chair or something. It doesn't even have a back rest. The room is the same as the corridor...all organic. The walls seem to be made out of the same paper-like substance.

 

I wait for the Commander to sit down next to me. There is no desk here, perhaps they don't need that kind of thing here? There is some kind of computer screen hanging on the wall. Again that contrast of spartan stone-age design with high-tech systems.

 

Now that I have calmed down, I take the time to analyze his appearance. We turn so that we face each other. It appears that he gives me some time to adjust. Again that creepy smile.

 

He's a bit taller than the ones from before, but he definitely reminds me of an insect. He has two black legs and arms, with black fingers. No, wait...he seems to be wearing black clothes and those are pants he's wearing, not his bare legs. His sweater or what-do-you-call-it is bright yellow with some black stripes here and there...and more importantly...it looks definitely fluffy. 

 

Oh god, he looks so fluffy that I would love to cuddle him, he really looks like a weird plushie! 

 

I think I would best describe him as...a honey bee? Yeah just a big honey bee. His face is not as terrifying as I had first thought. It is just....different. A small shiny black nose, resembling a cat's. 

But his brown-yellowish face is not covered in fur at all. His two relatively big, bright blue eyes remind me of anime shows I watched. He would fit right in there. And his wings are neatly folded behind his back.

 

His mouth seems pretty similar to mine, but he is missing teeth as well. Well, they can stretch the corners of their mouths further than I can, giving that signature creepy smile.

 

Oh, and he has two feelers on top of his head and his ears are...I don't know....eh....little fluffy patches at his sides. Truly weird, but it really makes him look soft and fluffy. He's actually kind of cute. Oh god, did I just call an alien cute?

 

"Alright then Akari." I subconsciously straightened my back, as I would do in school when a teacher calls my name. "I reviewed the recordings of your actions in the scout ship and noticed that you took control when the pilot lost consciousness. You may not be aware, but you helped protect our Hive from an enemy scout ship. That was pretty impressive."

 

"Eh...yeah. I hope that was alright? You know, without permission and such. I think it was damaged a bit."  I hope they won't make me work to pay for repairs.

I straighten the bottom hem of my jeans and adjust my socks for more comfort while listening to him. 

 

"Of course it was alright! But the question is how did you pull that off? Are you an experienced pilot perhaps?" He seems genuinely interested in me for some reason.  

 

"No, not at all. I just observed the pilot and heard him speak to the computer. I hope you don't mind me saying this. But while amazing, that ship's controls somehow felt a bit...I don't know...old fashioned? Sorry." I tried to sound polite, but he might take offense.

 

"Interesting. That scout ship is our latest model. In what way does it feel...old fashioned? Your ideas might help us improve it."

 

Oh..if you are open for it...then prepare for this!

 

"Well....the controls were easy to understand. Manual sliders, simple displays. Automatic language settings. But it doesn't appear to have multi-target acquisition. Your AI-unit doesn't have a personality and could be further optimized. The screen-layout is confusing and should only show crucial information during combat situations. The ship has no seatbelts, at least none that I am aware of.

 

It doesn't compensate for inertia when changing course. Identification of friend or foe only happens at the last moment, when they are almost on top of you. And more importantly, the ship has no shields. The enemy did have shields! Imagine how surprised I was....they are more advanced! Ah, and I couldn't find any target identification, like what type of ship I am about to engage and what its weakness would be." 

 

"That is....quite the list. Your planet seems to be more advanced than we are." His expression shows some worry.

 

"Oh no, not at all. But our games are top notch!" Oh yeah, I'm all in favor of games.

 

"Games? You think of these battles as games? Very interesting. You certainly have the skills and tactics to become a pilot."

 

"Thank you, but I'm more worried about the pilot who brought me here."

 

"That is surprising...you seem to care for the pilot? Let me reassure you. He will make a full recovery. Your attitude is commendable and resembles those of our Hive members." 

 

He carefully scanned my appearance again...maybe he is trying to figure out if I want the job after all. 

 

"I'm happy to hear that he will be fine. And...about that battle...I honestly was just trying to survive. I didn't know about your Hive or any of your procedures. Things...just happened and I learned how to defend myself. Your ship's controls suddenly felt very....natural to me. Even if it's a bit outdated."

 

"Yes, the ship agrees with you. The AI-unit identified your brain patterns as those of an experienced pilot and changed its interface to match your needs. It only did that because it determined that you were in an emergency situation. Restricting access to personal memories is important to us."

 

"Ehh.....yes?" That sounds like science fiction to me. He might be sugarcoating their systems for all I know. It is easy to impress someone not familiar with these systems. 

 

"Well, anyway. On behalf of the Vahli on board this ship, thank you very much for protecting the Hive. Oh, and before I forget it...we apologize for not getting you out of the ship faster. The AI-unit notified us that pilot2 was of an unknown species. We just didn't want to take any risks."

 

"It's alright. I am just glad that I could be of use." It already happened, so no point in discussing this.

 

"Again an answer worthy of the Hive. Might I ask a personal question?" He speaks in a lower tone of voice, almost whispering. Oh god, what is he going to ask me?

 

"Eh....sure?" I shrug.

 

"You seem to be emitting pheromones. It confused the workers who brought you here. Their behavior seemed like they were in attendance of the Queen."

 

"Eh...I don't understand what you mean." I'm emitting what now?

 

"Are you perhaps.....a female?" He asks while again glancing at my shoes. What is it with my shoes? Ah...perhaps nobody here wears them? Yeah that must be it, he doesn't wear any.

 

"Yes, of course I am. But we prefer calling ourselves women, or ladies. Calling us females would be impolite."

 

"Eh...we seem to be having another translation issue. I heard you say that you don't prefer the term female, but rather use the terms female or female. We only know the words male or female, so please forgive me for not understanding."

 

"Of course, I meant no disrespect."  Now my stomach is making noises, drawing his attention for a moment. Ha ha ha, he must think that I'm angry and am growling at him.

 

He then continues "Thank you. Are you perhaps a Queen in your originating Hive?"

 

"Eh, what?" Again that Queen-stuff. "No no. We don't have Hives at home. There are kings and queens, but they don't have much authority anymore." Those were the old days.

 

"Fascinating. Maybe we can talk about that sometime. But for now I'm afraid that you need to be brought in front of our Queen." He truly looks apologetic. His feelers are leaning forward now. Maybe that expresses their mood too? Who knows. Then I understood what he meant....bringing me to the Queen? For punishment?

 

"Whaaa?? What did I do? Please don't hurt me!" I jump off the chair and lean with my back against the wall. Big mistake, the wall didn't support me, my hand went right through it.

 

I look at the hole in the wall which I just made. "I'm..i'm so sorry!"  I bowed again, ignoring the confused face of a neighbor on the other side. 

 

"Don't worry about that. Those are inner walls, they are soft to protect us from harm. It will be repaired in no time at all. As for the Queen, we can't have a...female.....with similar pheromones walking around here."

 

I decided to ignore the "female" part and focus on more important matters. I'm going to meet the Queen! Whether I want to or not.

 

"I don't understand. Why...why do I have to meet the Queen?" I'm massaging my tummy, but it doesn't help to keep it quiet.

 

"While our race has males and females, reproduction is only allowed by our Queen, as to keep our genetic structure pure. We are all her children here. And, well, having you walking around with your pheromones will confuse the workers that you are....her. Simply put, we can't have you impersonating the Queen." 

 

"Okay, I think I understand. But I don't want to impersonate her. I mean no harm. What should I do? Can't you just take me home?" Oh god, just let me go home. 

 

"That is for the Queen to decide. It would be a loss for the Hive if you were to leave, though. Your combat potential and neuroscan-results show that you would be a great asset for the Hive."

He's smiling, probably actually attempting to recruit me.

 

"Well, please don't misunderstand me. I honestly just want to go home. Or am I a prisoner here?"

 

"No, you are definitely not a prisoner. But our race is at war. We might not have the resources to send you home today. You might be our guest for a while. But again, the Queen will decide about these matters. Please, follow me."

I followed the Commander to the Queen. It took us a while though, using another elevator, passing several guards and waiting countless times when the Commander explained who I was before we were allowed to proceed. Apparently the Queen already knows about me, so there is no way back anymore. She's expecting to see me.

Just before reaching our destination, I asked the Commander about their Queen.

 

"Eh, Commander....how is it possible that you have a Queen here, but you still identify this ship as part of an Empire?"

 

"Mmmm, impressive. You were able to deduce that much already? Your mental reasoning is astounding. Definitely an asset. Anyway, yes, there are many Hives. Our race lives in Hives in space, but there is also our original homeworld. The Empress reigns from there. She controls the Hives and the Hives are run by the individual Queens. Do you understand?"

 

"Yes, I do. Sounds amazing." Doesn't hurt to flatter them, right? Besides, these walls are so incredibly thin, you never know who's listening in on the conversation. 

 

"It is." He said. Yep, he's genuinely proud about the whole Hive-thing.

 

Did he just give me a smug smile? Oh yes he did. I returned a smile. At least we have that in common. 

 

"Please wait here. The Queen will see you in about an hour."

 

Are you kidding me? We rush over here and then I have to wait for an hour? My god, you could have told me that before!

 

"Eh...Commander?" I need to inform him about my hunger.

 

"Yes, Akari?"

 

"I need to eat. And use the toilet. It was a long day for me." I made sure to look apologetic. I'm inconveniencing him after all. But it can't be helped.

 

"Ah right, of course. I must also insist on a full body cleanse before you can see the Queen. That might lower your pheromones. Eh....eating is not a problem. I should have said that earlier, anyway...the ship's neuroscan identified our food as compatible with your body. You might be surprised how healthy it is. On the other hand, you might have to get used to it first. We have some....experiences with other races. While they in the end accept our food, the.....well, we'll see, won't we? As for a toilet. If I understand correctly, you want to release bodily substances?"

 

My face must be turning red by now. They....want me to bathe now? And why does he speak so frankly like that? .....I just want to go home!

 

"Excuse me, please forgive me. Don't be angry with me." He bows to me. 

 

Another worker runs over to me, looking confused. Is that a female? "My Queen, how can I serve you?"

 

What did he call me? And did she also call me Queen? I'd love to receive a royal treatment any day, but to call me Queen..... "Ehhh....I am not your Queen. I need to...eh....release bodily fluids somewhere."

 

"Oh, I see. Apologies, you seemed to be our Queen for a moment. Are you her daughter perhaps?"

 

"No no, it is just a mistake, we will speak to the Queen to apologize for this exact same fact later today. And I'm not angry at all, only confused."

 

"I see. Thank you for informing me and please follow me." The female worker..or attendant or whatever her title is supposed to be, motions me to follow her.  

 

The Commander is shaking his head, great another thing we have in common. Is he rolling his eyes? And...yes he is. He's whispering something to another worker.

 

I follow the female worker to a modestly sized room. It somehow feels like a bathing area. There are a few people here, three I think. No, there are four of them. All of them are walking barefoot.

 

One of them bows deeply to me, also a female, judging by her voice. "My Queen, please remove your clothing and allow me to help you."

 

Her clothes are mostly fluffy golden yellow with only a single black stripe in the middle. She looks to be in her early twenties.

 

I shake my head "thank you, but I am not your Queen. I am only a guest. I need to....oh god....I need to pee...to flush away fluids. Don't you people have a toilet here?" When nature calls, there's little you can do. I am about to explode and it will happen with or without their approval.

 

"Eh...yes you can sit here, on this cell to release your body's waste. Then you can sit on the next cell and cleanse your...eh..lower body. Think of it as a very quick bath. After that, kindly sit on the next cell, which will instantly dry you."

 

"Ehhh....I don't know about that....don't you have toilet paper or something?" My eyes briefly scanned the nearby wall for some reason.

 

"I don't....know what that is? There is no need for anything else. We drop the unwanted bodily fluids here in this hole and we are done." 

 

She seems a bit surprised that I don't understand something as simple as that.

 

I look at the wall and "accidentally" let my hand go through it.

 

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry. I don't want to damage your walls. Please forgive me." How's my acting? Honestly, I have to pee NOW. I'm crossing my legs, luckily these people don't seem to find that disturbing.

 

"Eh....it is of no consequence my....eh...guest."

 

"Anyway, see this part? I call it paper and I need more of this to keep my body clean and healthy."

 

"No....no no no no....it cannot be done. If you are going to meet the Queen, then you must be clean. I will not allow you to enter the Queen's throne room in your current state. I humbly apologize for being so impolite to a guest, but we have protocols. Please do as instructed. I will then help you bathe before meeting her."

 

That is when the Commander just walks into the rest room unannounced.

 

"Is everything alright here?"

 

"Ahhh! You....you can't just walk in here! This is the ladies room!" Crap, I think I'm already releasing some bodily fluids.

 

"The...what now? Ah I see. You assume a division of rooms for males and females. No, we don't have that. And she's correct, you are not allowed to meet the Queen if she doesn't feel that you are presentable. It is her role in this Hive. I'm sorry, that is the way things work around here."

 

"But...but...using the toilet and bathing are separate things, aren't they?"  Oh god, stop talking already! I have to...and there you have it, another drop makes its way down. God, I feel so ashamed. And yet they keep talking and talking.

 

"Akari, there is no other way. You do not have to feel mistreated or insulted in any way. You are our guest, but that also means you have to respect our way of life. I promise that you will be taken care of with the utmost respect. Nobody will think less of you, when you live like the rest of us. This is normal for us. So please let us treat you as a guest." The Commander tries to reassure me. 

 

"I...I see..but can I please have some privacy? I mean, I can't release my fluids if people are watching me. It's just how my body works. I'm sorry. And I have to go NOW!" A small stream just went down my legs, I DON'T CARE anymore.

 

"Alright. If you are willing to compromise, then so shall we. Workers, please allow her body to release the substances. Then we will follow protocol. Alright with you, Akari?"

 

"Eh...yes..eh...Commander."  Most of it is leaving my body already anyway. Don't blame me! I hope it stains your floor!

 

"Good, and thank you for showing so much respect to me and the Hive. Not many races do that. With that, I shall leave you be."  He just kept talking, didn't he? 

 

Finally...finally they all left me alone.

 

Well...that's nice. I have to pee onboard an alien bee-ship. And they treat me like one of theirs already. 

How did mom always call these situations? "When in Rome....do as the Romans do."  

But I'm way...way..waaaay further away from Rome than any other human has ever been.

 

I lower my...not so dry jeans and underwear...and sit down on the "cell" as they call it and...do what I need to do. God this feels strange. Like I'm peeing in someone's chair in the living room. It just creeps me out. Well, it's done, I sure feel......eh...relieved. Now what do I do?

 

I sit down on the next cell and feel a warm fluid. It apparently replaces the toilet paper here. Let's not ask where this stuff came from, or they will wash my mouth next. Well, a minute should be enough, right?

 

Then I sit down on the third cell. A warm breeze is drying away whatever that stuff was. 

Mmmm....it's actually not that bad. It's not sticky or something. I....I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's better than at home. Maybe even better for the environment than all that toilet paper, right?

 

I shivered for a moment when putting my clothes back on. Wet...disgusting.

 

"Ah....eh....you can come back now..." I said.

 

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"Ohhh, well done my eh....guest. You cleaned your body I see. I am proud of you."

 

Does she think I'm a child or what? Don't patronize me!

 

"Ohhh....I'm sorry. Your face is changing colors. Did I insult you?"

 

Oh god. This bee...really. "No, no, I'm just....embarrassed." Now my face is showing even more shades of red.

 

"Awww. Don't be. I assure you, you are no burden to us. We all have our roles in the Hive."  She gives me one of those big, creepy smiles 

 

"Thank you. And I'm sorry for making a scene. I meant no disrespect." I gave her a quick bow. Yikes, I need fresh clothes, this is beyond unpleasant.

 

"Good good. Then we are friends, right? Please undress now."

 

"What? Why?"

 

"Cleaning your lower body is done after each bodily release, but you are meeting the Queen now. That means you need to be fully bathed. And...your clothes appear to be wet, that can't be very comfortable. May I assist you? Ohh....you are changing facial colors again."

 

Can you believe this one? Crap. Akari, you can do this!

 

"Alright, please do what you must. But please don't hurt me."

 

"Oh, wonderful. You are so respectful. Please get undressed." She's enjoying this, isn't she? 

 

This is the moment where I stopped caring about my situation. My brain just gave up and shut down. I took off my clothes and the female worker observed my underwear and everything below that.

Let's just say that my face was permanently red for the next fifteen minutes.

 

Bathing was actually very simple. She guided me to the next room where stairs made one of the cells look like a hot tub. Well, without the bubbles. It's pleasantly warm though. 

 

"Completely in there please." The lady said.

 

I tilted my head in confusion, until she motioned "down."  Ahhhh.....

 

Okay, here it goes. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then I let myself sink down the "water" of this hot tub and wait for ten seconds. Must be enough, right?

 

When I rise above the surface, the worker smiles at me. Yeah, not helping, that still looks creepy.

But I just know that she means well. I think I am already starting to get the hang of their expressions.

 

"Well done, Akari."

 

Again patronizing... breathe in...breathe out..ignore it....you can do it Akari.

 

"If you are enjoying this bath, then please do so. But you are already clean. When you are ready, please step into the next cell and it will gently warm you until you are dry."

 

Well, that drying "bath" was similar to the one before, it just took me fifteen seconds or so. Talk about efficiency here. I thought they would be washing my back or something like that. Nope, just dip in fluids and you're done. Amazing.

 

"Did you like our bath?" The female worker asks very politely, almost singing. 

 

"Honestly, I think I did, yes."

 

"See, Akari. Nothing to worry about. Except for your clothes."

 

"WHAT? Where are they?" I can't see them where I dropped them. I can't walk around naked, now can I? No, please don't answer that question, it was rhetorical.

 

"Please calm down, they will be cleaned and returned to you. Please use these for now. They are for a worker like me, but the Queen might assign you other, equally comfortable clothes. If you put these on, it will show great respect..and..."

 

"Oh great, you want to try....no, that's not how it works, see? First your left appendage...yes....well done, Akari."

 

I am slowly starting to boil. I'm no child anymore! I feel like I stepped into a halloween costume, or some sort of weird one-piece pajamas.

 

"These clothes seem to be fitting really well. Please observe yourself there. It shows your reflection." 

 

Ah, great, they have a mi...rror ..here... huh?

 

I gaze into their version of a mirror and see a....fluffy honey bee like creature with a rather tight fitting costume. It definitely shows my cleavage, oh god, I can't take much of this anymore.

 

"Please wait, Akari, is it comfortable there?" 

 

She stands on her toes or whatever they are called, because I'm a bit taller than she is. 

She points up to my..., well you know.

 

I simply shake my head, not knowing how to reply.

"Mmm. It doesn't look comfortable. That must be the function of that pink clothing you removed, right?"

 

"Eh, yes..that's...eh...one of its functions. We call it a bra."

 

"I see, give me a few minutes. We workers will find something similar in a moment."

 

And truer words have never been spoken. They sure are busy little bees, aren't they?

Sorry for the bad pun, but I'm starving while they insist on making a bra for me. Just give me my clothes back! Well, the bra at least.

 

A worker hands her some kind of sports bra-like thing and she asks me for permission to put it around me. It is surprisingly fluffy again, and seems to work as intended. Nice. Then she closes the front of my new ehh....fluffy-not-a-pajama and seems satisfied.

 

I follow her gaze in the mirror and see something that I could actually wear to a halloween party. It's nothing too revealing. Excellent job!

 

"You seem pleased?" the lady asks for my opinion.

 

"Yes I am. It is amazing actually. Well done." Really, it's quite comfortable.

 

"And you look very presentable in those clothes, so please don't worry a bit. Your pheromones are also gone for now. Trust me, it was pretty confusing for us a while ago. Now you smell....eh...just clean."

 

"Eh...thank you?" How do I even respond to that? I smell..clean?

 

"You are most welcome, Akari. And we will make sure to provide you with more of those."

 

"Thank you. Ehh...I'm sorry to ask, but....I am very, very hungry. I might lose consciousness if I don't eat soon. You see, I have this condition where my body can shut down without warning. We call it epilepsy. It can be pretty scary for me, because I will be very confused when it happens." It doesn't hurt to emphasize the urgency, right?

 

"Oh, I see. I will share the information about your condition with the others. Don't worry, we will look after you with care. As for the food.....let me get to it right away. Please follow me." She's very serious...finally! Food!

 

I follow her outside into the corridor and see the Commander looking my way.

 

"Ah, Akari, you look...amazing. Are you ready to..."

 

"Not now Commander, she needs nourishment immediately." The lady says. 

 

I shrug and the Commander sighs. Great, we look and behave more and more alike already.

I follow her into a nearby room and see something strange again. Are...are they kissing?

 

"Akari, this is the mess-hall closest to the Queen's throne room. It is mostly for workers directly assigned to the Queen."

 

She sees me looking at the kissing people over there.

 

"Ah..Akari. Those workers are being fed by their attendants." 

 

Oh god, no bloody way. That is one limit I am not....

 

"Akari?"

 

"Eh, yes?" She must have noticed that I was about to freak out.

 

"Don't worry, you can put nourishment into your mouth yourself, yes? Or would you rather..." Oh god, she's serious about that invitation, isn't she?

 

I interrupted her by shaking my head, "no no, I can eat myself. But what is good for me?"

 

"The Commander told us that your body can handle our...ehh....nourishment. I don't know how the translator processes it, but another word for it is honey, yes?"

 

"Eh...you want me to eat honey? But I need fruit, vegetables, meat, rice and water too? Maybe even tea." 

 

"I understand, but I was told that your body can digest our nourishment perfectly. There should be nothing else your body would need. We also have a plant-based drinkable substance. It resembles the nourishment, but has a more diluted, and thus drinkable form. 

In the unlikely event that our medical bay made a mistake in reviewing your neuroscan, I promise that they will personally go hunting for your food. So trust me when I say that I trust them."

 

Well, I endured so much already, and there is no way I can get food anywhere else. So why not.

"Alright let's try it." I think I actually gave up. 

 

"That's the right attitude, Akari. Well done." She smiles again, her eyes are sparkling. Is she that excited about my reply?

 

And she just doesn't know when to stop patronizing, does she?

 

"May I ask you something personal?" I'm just going to ask her, she used to be a nanny, right?

 

"Of course Akari, always." She tilts her head, waiting for my question. Her responses are really similar to our own, to us humans that is.

 

"Did you..perhaps.. in your past....look after your young ones maybe?"

 

"Yes I did! Amazing, how were you able to deduce that? The Commander was right, your mental skills are frightening. Please sit down and prepare for your meal." She points to something on the table.

 

Great how she changed topics, don't you think? Is she hiding something? Nah, maybe just a short attention span. She seems nice.

 

In front of me is a round table, one of many. There are these square chairs again, all of them without a backrest. There are four, no five of them around each table. 

On all the tables are small basket-like structures. Definitely handmade. At the table where I'm sitting I also see such a basket. 

 

"Wash your hands in there please." She points to the basket. I guess it's the same ritual again.

 

I do as I'm told, but this time the fluid is cold and there are no tissues or wipes. Now what do I do?

"Brr....cold."

 

"Ha ha ha, Akari, you are supposed to quickly move your hands, like this....exactly! Well done Akari!"

 

Grrrr! She's getting on my nerves. I decided not to enlighten her about her patronizing behavior, at least for the moment. I know she only means well. And all that she said turned out to be the truth so far.

 

Anyway, I think this is more like a disinfectant or alcohol cleaning gel. My hands are dry in seconds. When I look at the table again, I see three waffles in front of me.

 

She's enjoying how I'm looking at those waffles. "Please Akari, eat with your hands." 

 

Apparently they don't need plates here, so be it. When in Rome...

 

I take one of the waffles in my hand and smell it. Waffles? Ha! I wish! They don't smell anything remotely like waffles. It smells like...sweet cookies or something. It even has a waffle-like grid on it.

 

I take a small bite out of it... and it tastes....yummy!  Like a bun filled with custard pudding. 

Some of the filling escaped my mouth, I was barely able to use my fingers to get it back into my mouth.

 

I just hope I will continue to like it, there's probably nothing else to eat here. Or should I perhaps roast the Commander? Nah...

 

"Well done, Akari! You are very polite, you know that? And how does it taste?"

 

Sigh. Need I say more?

"It's amazing, it really tastes amazing. I really like it. Oh, by the way, what is your name?" I asked her, while devouring my fake waffles. I don't think that three will suffice though.

 

"You...you would ask for my name? How polite of you. I am called Aine."

 

"Mmm," I swallow the last bit, "I like that name."  

 

"Why thank you Akari. You are too kind. Do you want more?"

 

"Yes please."  And she gives me another waffle. There seems to be a dispenser of sorts near one of the walls. Gotcha, that's my ticket to a full stomach when I need it. Then she gives me something resembling a cup.

 

"Drink." Is all she says to me. 

 

I look at her, hesitant to drink this. 

 

"Go ahead, it's safe. I promise you'll like it."  Okay, how can I refuse that face? Maybe it's her favorite or something?

 

It looks like water, but it smells sweet, almost fruity. I take a sip and it immediately reminds me of lemon soda. You've got to be kidding me, are they messing with my brain? 

 

"Aine...this is amazing! So tasty!"

 

"Ha ha ha, see, I told you! I'm glad you like it. I love it too. And just so you know, there is always enough for you to eat and drink, so don't feel guilty when you are hungry, alright?"

 

I nod while I eat and drink until I am stuffed, while Aine is smiling next to me. She's thoroughly enjoying this, isn't she? Whatever, I just hope this stuff doesn't come with a vengeance. If my brain hurts in the morning, so help me god...

 

After relaxing and chatting with Aine for a while, I am starting to feel very sleepy. It must be around 9 or 10pm at home now. I can't suppress a sad feeling from rising. Home....will I ever see it again?

"Akari, are you alright?" She touches my hand.

 

"<sniff>. Well, I want to go home. My mom and sister must be worried about me. They...they don't know that I'm safe here." I can't keep one tear from rolling down my cheek.

 

"Oh, of course your Hive members would miss you. Maybe our Queen can help you. She's very kind, but also a born leader."

 

She then sits closer to me and puts an arm around me, which surprised me for a second.

 

"I'm sorry Akari, this is instinct. We do this when others don't feel well." She looks me directly in the eyes from close by.

 

"Ah, no, it just surprised me, we have similar ways to give our families support in tough times."

 

But I didn't expect her to go full bee-mode on me. 

 

"Akari, come here." And she pulls me closer, gently pushes my head against her shoulder. Then she starts humming something like a nursery rhyme. The translator must be malfunctioning again, but this is what she said, humming something that I could swear resembled the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider:

 

Busy little worker, tired from your job

Always welcome, welcome in our Hive

The Queen watches over you and sends you her love

Now rest and sleep in my arms, rest for tomorrow

Busy little worker, bring glory to our Hive

 

This...this was so beautiful, I can't hold my tears from falling. 

"That was so beautiful Aine!" I truly meant it!

 

"Thank you, we sing this when our little ones are feeling down. Glad you liked it." She gave me that big smile again.

 

Another worker entered this room and whispered something to Aine, then left again.

 

"Akari, I just got word that the Queen can't see you today. And her demands are always final. Would you...would you consider sleeping here for the night? Our Queen will see you tomorrow afternoon. She also insists that you visit our medical bay in the morning."

 

"Well....I am really sleepy, so perhaps it is for the best. Sure Aine. But why the medical bay?" These people keep surprising me.

 

"Our Queen wants to make sure that you are healthy. She apologized for inconveniencing you. And trust me, the Queen rarely apologizes, so this is a great honor. She's impressed with your actions so far and has heard that you respected our customs. So, you should really interpret this as a great honor."

 

"I see...I mean...I do. Thank you. I just hope that she can help me tomorrow."

 

"I'm sure she will. Now follow me Akari, sleepy time." 

 

And there she goes again, patronizing me. Whatever, must be in her genes or something. Do I remind her of her little ones or what? I follow Aine to one deck lower and enter after her into a large room. It is pretty dark here.

 

She whispers "Akari, please be quiet here. Many workers sleep here."

 

I return the whisper "ah, alright. But...do I have to sleep between workers?"

 

"As long as the Queen doesn't say otherwise, yes. Is this a problem?"

 

Here we go again. I just want to sleep, so let's get it over with.

"No..no problem at all."

 

"Good answer little worker." She giggles softly.  I can't suppress a little smile. I think we will get along pretty well.

 

As far as my eyes can see, there are huge hexagon shaped structures. They seem to go on for the entire length of the ship, as far as I can tell. The ceiling is high too, it's more like an enormous warehouse filled with these shapes. Each structure has many smaller hexagon shaped rooms in which apparently workers are sleeping. But I don't see beds or anything like that. 

 

There are ladders going up to each "floor" and they are constructed in such a manner that you wouldn't fall down very far, in case you would fall. Smart design, definitely efficient. But what about my body? I'm not one of their workers?

 

"Akari, are you impressed?"

 

"Yes, I really am. It is....huge!"

 

"Ha ha, yes it sure is. Please follow me."

 

She leads me towards a room on the ground floor, probably to accommodate me as a guest.

"I noticed you were looking at the ladders. They are for workers without wings. And as you don't seem to have wings either, we prepared an alcove for you on ground level. Is that acceptable?"

 

"Yes, that is very considerate. Thank you. I really don't have wings, so it would take me forever to get up there. But my body needs blankets and a pillow to sleep comfortably. Oh and pajamas?"

 

"Huh? I don't recognize these words. Maybe I should explain. Each alcove automatically closes or opens a transparent door to keep the room temperature comfortable. Just touch it. And when you lie down, the floor will be very soft and will form itself around your body. Just motion it towards you or push it away and it will do just that. Does that help?" 

 

"Eh, I think it does. But what about my clothes? Do I need to change clothes for sleeping?"

 

"No, you can either undress or sleep in those. We will provide you with fresh uniforms and that..that thing you're wearing every morning, the old ones are recycled."

 

"Did you say...uniform?"

 

"Yes, you are wearing a generic worker uniform. But don't worry, it doesn't mean you are working for the Hive, they are only clothes. Oh, and if you need to release your bodily fluids, you can do so there. It works the same." 

 

She points to three familiar cells against the wall. There are many, many of those here, all configured as units of three. But again zero privacy. Whatever, at this point I don't care anymore. Hopefully I will be home around this time tomorrow. 

 

"Ah, good to know." 

She then guides me into the alcove and watches me for a while. I touch the sides of the entrance, and a transparent door-like structure slides in front of me, making this room very quiet. Amazing.

I look around in my "alcove" as she called it, and see absolutely zip, nada, nothing. How am I supposed to sleep here?

 

Aine smiles and motions me to sit down on the floor, so that's what I do. And instantly some kind of chair forms out of nowhere. It startled me for a second, but it feels great, just like I'm sitting in a bean bag, it really forms around my body. This time it supports my back as well.

 

Aine continues to smile, bows and then leaves me alone. Oh dear, I'm all alone now. In a ship of...I don't know...millions of these workers? This is going to be an interesting experience, I just know it.

 

I lean backwards and the bean bag transforms to accommodate me within seconds. It is very gentle, so I think I can trust this thing. 

 

I'm now lying horizontally but am still missing a blanket on top of me. She said I needed to motion or something, so I made a gesture to come towards me...and it did...but "ah!" It startled me again.

 

I quickly look around, but nobody seems to have heard me. Soundproofing perhaps? Amazing. 

 

I am now tucked in like a hamburger between buns. Actually, this is really comfy! Not too warm either, the material feels...I don't know....air conditioned or something? 

 

Some kind of foam-like structure forms between my head and the floor, making an excellent substitute for a pillow.

 

My heart rate is slowly relaxing, now that I feel safe and comfortable. These people have some strange ideas, but they never even once harmed me. They are hospitable and friendly, albeit a bit weird. 

 

All in all, it was quite the day today, so it didn't take me very long to fall asleep.