We Hire Humans, Chapter 3

The xeno barely fit through the opening in the top of my chamber. He was about the size of a restaurant refrigerator, the kind with two doors running floor to ceiling. Four huge column-like legs covered in smooth gray skin made up the bulk of his body, joined at the top with massive shoulders, each of which had a black faceted eye. I remembered seeing his People, number 23, in xeno class. Between his legs, a cluster of yard-long tentacles surrounded an organ that served as both mouth and reproductive organ. His halo was worn around the top of two of his legs.

He raised one foot, extending gripping claws from their sheaths, and gestured in my direction. The voice that came from my halo, translating his words, was deep and powerful, but like most, the tone was matter-of-fact. “You are this greenship’s new crew member. Your role is to satisfy intimate need.”

“Yep, that’s me!”

“I am the only member of my People aboard Our Friend. I have great need.”

“Well, come on over. What’s your name?” I gestured for him to join me on the bed.

“I am called Light Coordinator Salty Nitrogen.” He climbed up onto the mattress, standing on it like it was another bit of floor.

Names, I was learning, didn’t translate well. I wondered how my name came across to him. “I’m pleased to meet you. What did you have in mind to do?”

“I do not know.”

I stroked his leg. The skin...