Page 9 of Accidentally Abducted (Nereidan Compatibility Program #1)

Zeph

Jake is settled in bed, looking thoroughly content and slightly drowsy in a way that makes something warm and possessive stir in my chest. We spent the better part of an hour in the cleansing pools, and while the experience was.

.. educational, I can see that Jake is beginning to feel the effects of our extended activities.

"You sure you're comfortable?" I ask, adjusting the environmental controls to ensure optimal sleeping temperature. "The bed can be modified for human preferences."

"It's perfect," Jake says, though I notice he's watching me with that calculating expression he gets when he's working something out. "Are you going to bed soon?"

"In a while," I tell him honestly. "I have some... administrative tasks to complete."

"Administrative tasks," Jake repeats, and there's something in his tone that suggests he finds this amusing. "Right. Are you going swimming again? Because I have to say, watching you in your element was pretty impressive."

"Perhaps later. I have work to complete first."

Jake is quiet for a moment, then grins in a way that suggests he's about to say something that will make me reconsider my life choices.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. This isn't just a vacation where you get to have sex with confused humans and teach them about glow-in-the-dark alien anatomy. This is actually your job."

The casual way he says it hits me harder than I expect. Because he is correct, this is my job. My first assignment, in fact, and one that I have been preparing for extensively. The fact that it has deviated so dramatically from expected parameters does not change my professional responsibilities.

"Yes," I say simply. "It is."

Something shifts in Jake's expression, not hurt, exactly, but a kind of recognition that seems to settle something in his mind.

"Well, don't let me keep you from your very important alien paperwork.

I'll just be here, being a research subject.

Should I fill out a satisfaction survey when you're done?

Rate my abduction experience one to ten stars? "

"Jake—"

"Good night, Zeph," he says, rolling over in a way that clearly indicates the conversation is finished.

I stand there for a moment, feeling oddly dismissed, before activating the privacy field around his sleeping area and retreating to the main quarters.

The next hour is spent in the mundane tasks of maintaining our shared space, organizing the kitchen area where we attempted to create various human foods, ensuring the environmental systems are optimized, reviewing the ship's status reports.

It is routine work, the kind I normally find soothing, but tonight it feels hollow somehow.

When I am certain Jake is asleep, I activate the communication array and request a connection to the Research Collective.

The holographic interface materializes in the center of the room, and within moments, a familiar face appears, sharp cheekbones, golden eyes identical to my own, but with a hardened edge that mine lack. His expression suggests he has been waiting for this communication, and not patiently.

"Zeph'hai," my brother says, his formal tone carrying an undercurrent of displeasure that makes my spine straighten automatically. "Status report. You're late."

"Kav'eth," I respond, matching his formality while trying to ignore the reprimand. "The human has been successfully retrieved and is currently undergoing compatibility assessment."

"Assessment parameters are proceeding according to schedule?" His eyes narrow slightly, and I can see him analyzing my physiological responses through the neural interface.

I hesitate, knowing that honesty is required but uncertain how to explain the... complications. "The assessment has required modification due to procurement error. The human retrieved was not the intended target."

Kav'eth's expression hardens into something that makes me grateful we are separated by vast distances. "Explain. Now."

"Research error resulted in retrieval of Jake Morrison rather than Derek Cross. The humans are..." I pause, realizing how this will sound. "The intended target was a resident of the dwelling above the retrieved human."

"Their former mate," Kav'eth adds immediately, proving he has already pulled the records. "They terminated their pair bond three of their months ago. The human Derek Cross now occupies the dwelling above Jake Morrison's."

"Yes. That is correct."

"And you did not think to verify the identity before proceeding with the assessment?" Kav'eth's voice has taken on the dangerous calm that indicates he is furious. "You have spent over forty-eight hours with the wrong human, Zeph'hai."

"I am aware of the error."

"Are you?" Kav'eth leans forward, his bioluminescence flaring briefly with suppressed anger.

"This program represents our species' best chance at survival.

The Council authorized significant resources based on my personal recommendation of your capabilities.

And your first action is to abduct the wrong human. "

The accusation stings, particularly because it is accurate. "The research team provided incorrect location data. The human Jake Morrison was in the exact coordinates designated for retrieval."

"A mistake that should have been identified and corrected immediately." Kav'eth's hand slams down on something off-screen, his frustration finally breaking through his composure. "Instead, you proceeded with the assessment. With a human who was never vetted for compatibility."

"Preliminary results with the alternative subject are... promising," I say, trying to sound objective despite the defensive heat rising in my chest.

"Promising," Kav'eth repeats, studying my face with the kind of scrutiny that always made me uncomfortable as a child. "Your vital signs suggest elevated emotional investment well beyond normal research parameters. Your bioluminescence patterns indicate attachment. You are compromised, Zeph'hai."

"I am conducting the assessment according to protocol," I insist, though I can feel the telltale warmth beneath my skin that will betray me.

"Protocol would have been to terminate the assessment immediately upon discovering the error." Kav'eth's voice drops to a dangerous quiet. "Instead, you have spent two days engaging in... what, exactly? Because your reports have been minimal at best."

I do not respond immediately, unsure how to explain what has transpired without revealing the extent of my attachment to Jake. The silence stretches between us, and I can see my brother coming to his own conclusions.

"You've engaged in physical intimacy with the human," he says flatly. It is not a question.

"Physical compatibility is part of the assessment protocol," I respond stiffly.

"With an approved candidate, yes. Not with a random human you accidentally transported.

" Kav'eth rubs his temples, a gesture I recognize from our childhood when I had particularly tried his patience.

"This is worse than I thought. I should come there myself, extract the human, and reset the assignment with the correct target. "

Something cold and fierce surges through me at the suggestion. The thought of Kav'eth, or anyone, taking Jake away triggers a protective response I did not know I was capable of feeling.

"That would be inadvisable," I say, my voice dropping to a register I barely recognize.

Kav'eth stills, his eyes narrowing at my tone. "Excuse me?"

"Jake Morrison is under my protection for the duration of the assessment period," I state, the words emerging with a certainty that surprises even me.

"The transportation cycle cannot be reversed for another twenty-four hours.

Any attempt to extract him prematurely would violate our own protocols and potentially traumatize a subject who has been nothing but cooperative. "

"Cooperative," Kav'eth repeats, his expression calculating. "Or manipulative? Humans are known for their adaptability, Zeph'hai. How certain are you that this human is not simply telling you what you want to hear? Playing to your obvious inexperience to ensure his own comfort and safety?"

The suggestion that Jake might be manipulating me is so absurd that I almost laugh. The Jake Morrison who called my research "aspirational bullshit" and critiqued every aspect of our protocols would hardly be concerned with manipulating me for comfort.

"And yet you claim promising results."

"Yes."

"Explain."

I choose my words carefully, knowing that whatever I say will be scrutinized for signs of inappropriate attachment.

"The human demonstrates exceptional adaptability to unfamiliar environments.

He has shown curiosity about Nereidan culture and technology without fear or prejudice.

His problem-solving abilities are creative and effective.

Physical compatibility is..." I hesitate, then settle for, "Well within acceptable parameters. "

"Acceptable parameters," Kav'eth repeats, and there's something knowing in his expression that makes me uncomfortable. "Zeph'hai, your own bioluminescence is visible even through the neural interface. Whatever is happening between you and this human goes beyond 'acceptable parameters.'"

I do not respond, unwilling to confirm or deny his suspicion.

Kav'eth sighs, a sound of deep frustration.

"Listen to me carefully, Zeph'hai. I understand this is your first assignment, and I know the pressure you feel to succeed.

But you cannot allow personal attachment to compromise your objectivity.

This human, Jake Morrison, he is a research subject.

One individual among billions of his species.

Your responsibility is to assess his people's compatibility with ours, not to form emotional bonds with him personally. "

"And if I determine that humans are compatible? What then?" I ask, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it spoken aloud.