“I find that very difficult to believe”, I said, and cuddled her closely while the shower warmed us. We kissed and my hands cupped her soft, wonderful bottom. I thought how nice it would be to slip my penis into it. Somewhere, a muted alarm sounded.
“We have little time. You are due to be examined by the medical team”. She snapped the shower off and handed me a towel. Quickly dried and dressed, we enjoyed a long, slow, luxuriant kiss at the door before dashing down the corridor to the reception area we had left earlier.
Chapter V: Meeting Manisti
Feeling refreshed and alert, I followed the receptionist down the corridor, with Annabelle trotting along behind. Another retinal scan and a thumbprint – legal documents permitting the testing, Annabelle explained – and I was ushered into a clean, bright, spacious meeting room with a large oval conference table and comfortable, leather chairs. I was alone at first, and took a seat. Before long, a group of humans in white coats – I thought that a nice touch – filed in and greeted me warmly.
Annabelle was about to take her leave. “This is Doctor Manisti. She will guide you through the testing and answer any questions you have. Please be aware that Dr Manisti is perhaps the most eminent and respected medical practitioner on our planet and has taken a special interest in your case.” I shook her hand warmly, and she smiled as we were seated.
“Sir, I hope that you feel we have treated you well, and that you have enjoyed your first day here on our planet.” I nodded and thanked them for their hospitality. “Not at all. Can I offer you afternoon tea? I understand you have not eaten since breakfast, and there is no sense in being uncomfortable.” A waiter in a black bow tie entered and organised a spread of cakes, scones and three kinds of tea and coffee. I helped myself, as did some of the team, and then sat down to hear what they had in store.
“My name is Manisti and I’m the official team leader of the project which began this morning, namely to learn as much as possible about you, your species, your physical functions and your psychological profile. I understand that you have asked many questions, and appear highly articulate. This is excellent.” She was leafing through reports of this morning’s activities, almost certainly forwarded by the three girls. She looked about 40, but it was hard to tell. I liked her voice and speaking style, and was immediately at ease.
“It says here that you are aware of the basic nature of the realities we have presented to you, but are curious as to the alternatives. I quite understand. This will be explained, and demonstrated to you later today. First, we have a number of questions for you, as you can imagine, and we would like to start with a psychological examination whose aim is to ensure that this rather novel experience is not causing you undue stress.” I chuckled and the team smiled with me. “I assure you that some of our subjects find the transition from their home environment to our planet somewhat traumatic – subjects not perhaps as flexible and well-attuned as you are.” I chuckled again and muttered my thanks for the compliment.
Manisti turned to a page of questions in her folder and began reading. “I would like you to answer these questions, which are formulated in much the same way as a political poll on your planet. We have done our research…” This caused a ripple of laughs around the table. The other doctors and researchers were taking notes on electronic lecterns. I leaned over slightly to see a highly complex mind-map adorning the page of the doctor next to me. He smiled and added another element to the display. “You should find this format familiar – please answer whether you strongly agree, simply agree, have no feelings on the matter, disagree slightly or disagree strongly.”
“Yes, it’s a familiar refrain”. All those damned market research phone calls I’d gotten at the factory, at home, on the mobile…
Manisti began, “Are you comfortable on our planet?”
“Strongly agree”. The group beamed openly and some nodded to themselves.
Manisti ticked a box on her lectern. “Was your journey here comfortable?”
I thought about that one. The formless void wasn’t fun, but the hotel was nice, arriving to a shower and good breakfast – they’d gotten that right, at least. “Agree”.
“Were the three science ministry agents who carried out your induction of the appropriate species, style and manner?”
Not half. “Strongly agree”. The team smiled again and made more notes on their lecterns. I had to get myself one of those. They looked neat.
I took a slug of coffee, which was tasty and bitter in an interesting way. Cinnamon? “Was the meeting breakfast an effective method of inducting you into our society and ways?”
“Strongly agree”. Another slug. Nutmeg, maybe?
“You were offered a cigarette on arrival and did not accept. Can you explain this? I apologise for the departure from our style of questioning, but I am most curious about this.” She leaned back and awaited my answer. The team leaned forward and listened very intently.
“I was addicted to one of the substances contained within cigarettes for a long time.” Far too fucking long. “My health was being compromised, so several weeks before arriving here, I stopped smoking cigarettes entirely. My health improved, but the side effects of the addiction were quite severe and I still have cravings. I am not interested in satisfying them, although it was curious to me that you sensed the requirement exists.” More coffee. Cinnamon, surely?
“That is extremely interesting, and even more so that you noted our reaction. We had, indeed, detected a strong predilection for this substance but were unaware of the side effects. I sympathise. Some of our inhabitants feel the need to indulge in psychotropic and other substances, the medical side effects of which are quite negative. I congratulate you on having conquered this addiction, which I know cannot have been easy.”
I nodded, and the team broke out into spontaneous applause. Enjoying the moment, I stood and took a bow, to general amusement.
“If we may continue”, Manisti said smiling, and waving her colleagues gently to silence. “I hope you will not find this question embarrassing. You have had sexual relations since your arrival with all three of the Ministry girls. I have to tell you this was not unplanned. They were trained to ensure your comfort and to gain your trust. Please react to this statement – ‘I resent the use of sex for the purposes of gaining my trust and wish it had not happened’.
I smiled. “Strongly dis – a – gree” I said clearly. The team broke into applause again. “It was a perfect method. Perfect. Think about it, I’m here on an alien planet for the first time”, I continued, becoming more expansive as my confidence grew, “I’ve no idea what’s going on, don’t have any currency, haven’t got a guide book. But it’s full of gorgeous girls who want to fuck me.” I began to regret the profanity, but no-one else seemed to care. “If there is one sure-fire way of getting me on your team, to encouraging me to co-operate, its lots of sex with pretty girls. And a good, solid breakfast.” They were ecstatic. “’Resent the use of sex’… How the hell could I resent it? That’s crazy. And whoever did the training was a minor genius, and they have my thanks.”
Three of the team jumped up from their seats and embraced each other, shaking hands merrily and virtually dancing with collective glee. Manisti was almost helpless with mirth herself. “You’ll have gathered that these three were responsible for the sexual and social training of Annabelle, Beatrice and Catherine. Background research took some months and they are obviously delighted not to have wasted their time.” The three took some time to settle and, even after seating themselves again, beamed continuously and occasionally punched each other on the shoulder in congratulation.
Manisti kept order well, and pushed on. “How would you respond to this statement – ‘I understand the necessity of carrying out scientific research for the purposes of interplanetary contact’”.
I really wasn’t sure. “I’d probably agree right now, but the thing is… I didn’t realise until this morning that there was such a thing as ‘interplanetary contact’. Thi
s sort of stuff was a joke back home – aliens, abductions, secret experiments in remote laboratories and sinister government departments. To know now that some of this stuff is real, that other planets are inhabited… I don’t know. Ask me again in a few days. Sure, I want you guys to communicate with Earth and I’m sure we can help each other. For now, put me down for ‘agree’.”
There was more nodding and a very positive vibe from this group. I was suddenly aware that, despite their politeness and attentiveness, I’d not been introduced to any of them. “Excuse me, Doctor, but I wonder whose company I am in?”
Manisti glanced around, briefly flummoxed by my question. “I’m sorry not to have introduced the team members – there are many, and we find that too many introductions at once can be confusing. Still… In simple terms, this is a panel of specialists who have made the study of extra-terrestrial organisms their life’s work. We have members whose interests lie in the fields of psychology”, she said, motioning to a dark-skinned woman at one corner of the oval table, “and others who specialise in diseases, immunity and disorders of the blood”, she added, indicating a trio of doctors on the other side. “Some have professional interest in communications, telepathy, mental activity”, she pointed to individual doctors in turn, “whereas I am most involved in the management of such programs, as are a number of my colleagues. There is a holistic approach. You will get to know some of us during the coming days, but others will work almost entirely behind the scenes. Excuse my rudeness in omitting these details, but we must be selective in the extent and breadth of information you are provided, if only for reasons of retaining your sanity under these extraordinary conditions.”
I nodded, grabbed a sultana scone and poured some more coffee. I was erring on the side of nutmeg once more.
“Thank you. We are almost finished with this section. During your day here, you have been given a variety of information on several subjects, almost all of which has been new to you. This touches on my comments of a moment ago. How would you respond to this statement: ‘I have been overwhelmed with new and incomprehensible data since arrival and wish the rate of learning could have been slowed’”.
The other doctors leaned forward intently. I felt pressure, as if their whole approach might hinge on this one answer, and that by saying the wrong thing now, I might offend them. I thought carefully for about a minute, drank more coffee and looked out of the window. One of the large, pleasant parks of this science campus lay between two large, modern buildings with broad windows and an attractive, curved design, not unlike a sail. A young couple were lounging on the grass, both reading. I’d never felt more comfortable.
“There has been a lot to take in. Let me ask, have any of you visited another planet before?” A handful of the doctors murmured that they had, including Manisti. “OK, try this – have any of you been removed from your home planet and taken to another without any preparation time?” The heads, which a moment ago had nodded, were now shaking slowly. “I had absolutely no idea that life beyond the Earth existed until…” I check my watch, “eleven hours ago. You must understand that, while I’m doing my best to get used to these surroundings, the amazing concepts you’re bringing to me, and the very fact that humankind is not alone in the Universe, this is a big hit. I wouldn’t be surprised if I woke up tonight screaming, or something. I can’t believe I’m being so relaxed about it.”
The doctors nodded, concerned. For the first time, the dark-skinned lady in the far corner, who Manisti had earlier pointed out as a psychologist, spoke. “We are aware of the trauma we have caused, having brought many beings to our planet in the past. It is fair to say that, on first examination, you have performed admirably, with great flexibility and honesty. You have not denied what we have said, but accepted it. You have not demanded instant repatriation, as have many in the past. Instead, you have learned, co-operated and been polite and helpful. You have our thanks”. There was applause once more. These people sure liked clapping.
“You’re kind. Well, to answer your question, no, I don’t believe that I have been presented with too much information. There has been a lot, but there have always been examples of what you mean, so that I have some reference. And walking into that big arrivals hall at the beginning, that was the perfect way to say, ‘Hey, you’re not in Kansas anymore!’” I chuckled and drank the last of my coffee while a few confused doctors were put right by others who’d seen the film. Some laughter arose as they got the joke. I took another scone. This was fun.
“One final question, if I may, before we divide into our groups to discuss what we have learned, and you have the option to begin other forms of testing.” The doctors were clearly eager to get started and many had several pages of elaborate, colourful notes already laid out. Their lecterns could print an acetate-type hard copy of their notes which was simply peeled off the screen, whereupon the doctor began writing again on the sheet beneath. “Provided that certain conditions are met, we will be revealing to you within the next few days perhaps our most startling and impressive discoveries in the fields of science and medicine. These revelations will fundamentally change your life, your relationship with the Universe, and perhaps even your body itself. You can choose, at any time, to stop. However, I must advise you that beginning the process is by far the biggest step. If you are concerned about what you may learn, or do not wish to proceed for any reason, I urge you to say so now.”
I thought about this. Fundamentally change my life? What kind of ‘discoveries’ were these? Well, I thought, I’ve come this far, I may as well jump down the rabbit hole…
“I remain at your disposal and am anxious to start”.
There was an eruption of applause as the whole team stood, beamed and clapped for a solid five minutes without any indication that they would ever run out of steam. It struck me like a bizarre mix of Olympic gold medal celebration and old-fashioned Communist Party clap-a-thon. Finally, Manisti quietened them and they gathered lecterns, jackets and bags and broke up into groups by the far walls, at the top of the table, and by the door. Some left, waving or nodding to me. A couple, including the dark-skinned psychologist, shook my hand warmly and thanked me for my time. I thought Manisti was going to hug me.
“Remarkably honest”, she was saying, “we’ve never seen anything quite like it. You could do wonders for our understanding of so many things… Very exciting. Truly.” Some of the groups were leaving while a team of three doctors at the door seemed to be waiting for me. Manisti finished saying goodbye to some of the team and then walked over to introduce us. “This is the Primary Physical Team. Their interests relate to your physical systems. If you have no objections, they would like to begin their work immediately.”
I shook hands with the three, a black man aged about 50, with a white moustache and glasses, and two younger women whom I took to be nurses. I was wrong if course, as Manisti introduced one of the women as Doctor Falik, head of surgery and professor of comparative physiology. Her hands were dainty and soft, enclosing mine for a warm and friendly handshake. “I am delighted to meet you at last. Our work together should be most stimulating”. She smiled beautifully. Again, it was hard to guess her age – early thirties? Maybe late twenties? She was cute and I fancied her immediately.
Manisti flanked us as we walked down the main corridor to the Medical Labs. The corridor ran along one side of the park, where the young couple were still reading, but also taking time out occasionally to kiss and fool around. Inwardly, I rejoiced that no one was there to chastise them. What a healthy society.
Turning left through a set of heavy, steel, double doors, we entered the main medical labs. A reception desk and a bank of computers were on my right, with information panels and clothing racks to the left. “This is our main entrance”, said Falik. “We require that you complete some administration here, and then proceed through with us to the examination rooms. I understand that you have done this before. The receptionist will help you.”
Chapter VI: Falik’s Fir
st Fuck
I turned to face the reception desk, ready to complete the forms, and nearly had a heart attack.
The receptionist was Samuel L Jackson, in character from Pulp Fiction. I swear. Just calmly going about administrative business – answering the phone, sliding over the forms with a pen, patching through a call. “Go ahead and sign right there”, he indicated. The Afro, the suit, the voice. Everything.
I stared at him for fully a minute before asking, “when did they get you, man? How long have you been here?”
He just smiled and clicked the pen for me. “Go ahead and sign. They’re ready for ya”. I signed, stunned, and handed him the pen. “Thanks, man. You run along, now”. He turned back to his lectern, humming quietly. With absolutely no idea what to say, I turned and walked through the reception area, joining Falik at the sliding doors and walking together into a tall, broad, hangar-type building with individual offices partitioned by flexible, light-blue screens. Some were domed, like large tents, while others were open at the top. The ceiling was a mesh of metal beams from which dozens of lamps hung, emitting a soft light that gave everything a clarity and crispness I’d never seen before. I made a mental note to ask about that. Lovely effect.
Falik swished open the door of one of the blue tents and ushered me politely inside. It looked a lot like a standard doctor’s office, with an examination table and cupboards, even an anatomical chart on the wall. Falik strode over to her desk, which was a thin sheet of glass balanced almost impossibly on a single spindly metal rod. Somehow, it managed to stay up while she sat on it.
“Welcome”, she said warmly. “You’re in one of our examination bays, and here we will conduct the majority of our experiments. Throughout the procedures, I will be bringing in a variety of equipment that will assist in our work. Please feel absolutely free to ask as many questions as you want.” I glanced around the room and noted that the other two staff were absent. Predicting my question, Falik said, “they are taking part in a planning session which will last about an hour. We will be alone for a while.”
Voyage Page 4
