Alien's Bride: Lisette Read Free Page A

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    Prax-Denay had seen images of a few
human females in the past. His brother’s master was married to a
dark-haired human also, but Prax-Denay felt she looked like a
tramp. Hor-Denay had described how audacious and cunning that slave
was through several messages. He presumed this human would be just
as repugnant.
    No, it appeared this woman was somewhat
milder, at least from what he could discern through her body
language. She looked fearful, as she should be. She was dressed in
drab colors that covered most of her body from the neck down. Her
short dark hair was brushed, but not styled, and she wore no
make-up. She had a glass medical implement in front of her eyes.
Her visual deficiency could easily be repaired. He had a feeling
this simple medical enhancement was possible on Earth, also. The
woman looked like she preferred her glass implement. To Prax-Denay
she looked like she wanted a device on her face to hide
behind.
    The robots ordered her out of the car
when they arrived at the surgical building. She rushed to obey
them. They brought her to the scrubbing room first and ordered her
to strip and let the more specialized units clean her. The woman
moved to obey without saying anything. Her hands trembled while she
unbuttoned the top of her dress. Yes, she was very frightened, but
quiet and obedient.
    The unit Jorenkis had tapped to spy on
her left the room and began the trip back to the spaceport.
Prax-Denay turned off the terminal.
    For a while he remained in Jorenkis’
seat thinking. She may not be so terribly annoying—this human woman
whom he had to work with.
    If she had at least a minimum
competency he may even enjoy having her around.
    ***
    Lisette woke on a cold operating table
in an antiseptic surgical room. The lighting and medical machines
were not too far from what Earth would have had prior to the
Instajant invasion. Fixtures like the operating table looked to be
molded upwards from the same material as the floor. There was a
lack of angular shapes. The walls met the floors and ceilings with
smooth curves.
    She sat up slowly. There were three
androids working in the room who looked far more sophisticated than
the boxy Dak-Hiliah robots she was accustomed to. For some reason
she felt it wise not to draw their attention to her. She was in a
short sleeveless gown that appeared to be made out of layers of
blue tissue paper. It crinkled when she moved.
    A white-faced female-shaped android
with thick metal tubes for limbs skated over to her.
    “ You should now understand
what I’m saying,” she said with a voice that was as
muffled-sounding as the more primitive robots.
    Of course she understood
what she was saying. The robot was talking
English— no she wasn’t! Lisette’s eyes widened.
    “ Do you comprehend what I’m
saying?” the android repeated in the Dak-Hiliah
language.
    “ Yes.”
    She answered in English. She wondered
if she was supposed to try and speak in this new language. It was
probably best not to say much at all, as usual.
    They brought her to a dressing room
where her bag of clothes was. Lisette picked out the long sleeved
dress that had the fewest holes in it. As she donned it she tried
to sense any sore spots on her body. There were none. She’d had
brain surgery and didn’t appear to have any incision. The
realization flooded her with panic. How was she ever going to learn
enough about Dak-Hiliah science to be useful? They were centuries
beyond the sophistication she thought existed in Earth’s military
science unit.
    Boxy robots came for her. She went
where they directed with her sack of belongings over her
shoulder.
    She wanted to bury herself in a
computer with all the Dak-Hiliah’s scientific texts. If she just
had a few days to do that—then she’d know she could cope. Her mind
was so keen in this area she’d been diagnosed with a form of
autism. Teachers early on said she was an unnaturally gifted savant
when it came to math and science. Math was just too