"And I hope it's only animals that suffer from this?"
"I suppose somewhere something else... but my team only mines peptides like that."
"Somewhere something ?" - I winced in disgust... and was met with Keaton's deliberately unperturbed smirk as he continued to meticulously and piercingly examine me as a person.
"There are worlds somewhere filled with creatures that wouldn't consider them human and would destroy them for their valuable flesh, and they might be intelligent, but they simply wouldn't be given a chance to live?" - the damning conclusion poured out of me.
"They wouldn't consider them human? And who can be called human anyway? The Coalition has a large staff of scientists who, using specific criteria, will determine whether something is an animal or not... Don't worry so much, Taen, about the fate of those who have fallen into the hands of those who have achieved a highly developed civilization with free access to various worlds... That, too, is the pleasure of superiority over those who haven't yet surpassed them. Do you think the Coalition has no right to dispose of the lives of lesser beings?"
- It's cruel and unfair... To reach the developing worlds and destroy them! I had a better opinion of the Coalition's affairs!
- However, you are here right now, serving these affairs!
- But I don't wish to kill anyone to sustain myself! We can consume something else.
- Do you prefer fruits and vegetables? Like on your home planet? As far as I know, the Coalition has long been supplying its favorite nurseries...
- Does Seymour belong to their nursery? And why weren't we devoured? Considered as human?
- Exactly! — the Commander emphasized solemnly.
— Because we are too pretty for them?
— And you know the answer yourself…
— What do they do with peoples who aren't particularly beautiful?
— It depends on their value…
— And… is each new world discovered by the Coalition subject to testing? How useful is each one? As biomaterial or as an employee?
— Not everyone, I suppose… however, you're being too picky about the Coalition's affairs… don't forget that it raised us and opened new horizons for us… and otherwise, what level would our pretty people be at?
— They'd just live and that's it! Why is it so necessary to interfere with every discovered world?
— And there's no need to discuss that… it's perfectly clear! That's the lifestyle of a large group of men led by the Generals. That's exactly how they want it!
…Struck by these revelations, I returned to Luxarex, but I still couldn't share my experiences in bed with Dalla, who was always sensitive to my mood…
— What happened, my dear Commander? Something wrong? - She leaned against my chest after a generous caress, carefully studying my dull eyes.
— All right, dear..." - I denied it, showering her swollen, scarlet lips with kisses. - "I'm just tired... Working with staff is always exhausting!
— And how's Dylan? That rascal... Has he gotten the hang of his new occupation?
— I reckon ... yes! Although he didn't share his impressions with me! That type of man really gets under his skin.
— And it's good... that he was distracted... After that outburst in the cafeteria in front of the entire team? Why did he do that? It's a bit of a mystery! I certainly shouldn't ask my boss... but still... Were you in a relationship like that with him?..
…Ignoring my subordinate's uncomfortable questions, I continued to sensually squeeze her firm pink nipples, feigning casualness compared to the antics of the presumptuous employee I'd decided to get rid of once and for all.
— I was thinking, my dear... - I paused, pressing her fragile neat body into the damp, passion-rumpled sheets. - That we need to formalize our relationship...
— What!? - Her beautiful face was filled with an ecstatic smile.
— You are my and only my... wife!
— That's unheard of! - Dalla smirked, her eyes flashing rapidly. - Such an honor, my Commander. Your wife? This isn't a joke, is it?
— No-o! - I buried my face in her ample breasts.
— So unexpected! I honestly thought I was just an employee to you...
Her slender legs wrapped tightly around my waist, squeezing.
— Why me? Am I somehow special?
— Special... - My gaze sank into the bottomless eyes of the beauty, who couldn't hide her delight.
...I didn't expect her to confess back then that I was her beloved... I thought Dalla was still pining for the chieftain of the Latega tribe, from whom my desperate, costly efforts had torn her away. After all, such an educated woman shouldn't be crashed for a primitive savage... I thought so. However... Dalla, having felt the full power of her charm and captured my heart, one day inquired about Echot's fate.
— Why are you still interested? You seem to have successfully completed your scientific work, right? Do you miss that guy?
— No... but... - Her worried face suddenly flushed. - I spent over a year there, and strangely... suddenly a team too large to just take my research team?
— Ah... well, I suppose... the Coalition had some plans for this valiant tribe.
— That's why I've been uneasy ever since... - Dalla seemed agitated. - What happened to them then?
— That shouldn't bother you at all! — I deliberately showed my anger with this question. - You've done your job, and now their fate is not yours. You shouldn't have proposed such research to the government! What are such people good for? Let them decide for themselves!
... Jealousy seethed within me, that she still adored this savage... and what had happened to him, oddly enough, also aroused my curiosity.
— Haa... - Louis drawled mysteriously, pausing for a moment before I contacted him. - Echot was taken away for adaptation... Although I shouldn't talk about that. But you are someone to me, aren't you?
— And what will happen to him?
— I suppose he'll get an education and a decent job...
— Is that possible for an unbridled savage? Really?
— He's quite intelligent, as it turns out, and your chosen one is a very talented scientist. She proved to the Coalition that this tribe can be considered human.