by Robin Roseau
"Yes."
"She didn't even know me. She didn't know a thing about me."
"She knew enough to do this, Sapphire. You didn't dream of Bronze. We gave you a dream. We watched how you responded. We gave you four others. And then we picked the one you responded to most positively. And that is the woman Bronze became."
"For me."
"For you."
"I've had dreams since though, even one the morning before I was collected. And in that one, Bronze, the Bronze from the dreams, sort of warned me about this."
"Ah." She smiled. "Humans have a gift of empathy. It varies from human to human. Yours is naturally higher than most. I am somewhat surprised you pursued a career in business rather than one of the more nurturing professions."
"Those are too hard for me. I become emotionally wracked from it. I can't do it. But I'm good at business."
"That is a combination of your intelligence and your empathy. We tweaked yours."
"Excuse me?"
"We tweaked your empathy. And we intentionally encouraged a bond with Bronze."
"I have a psychic connection to her?"
"It is weak, but yes, and it is tied to her mating rituals."
"You did this to me."
"Yes. If you lose today, you win in the end, because you are going to be insanely happy. If you lose today, you are going to hate me, because you are going to be in agony for months while the link burns out. She will be in equal agony."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you telling me this? You're trying to manipulate me again."
"Of course I am. But I have not lied to you. Every word is true, and while I'm not telling you everything, that is only because telling you more about Bronze would be violating her secrets."
"You want me to throw the challenge."
"No, actually. I want you to do your absolute best. But I want you to know the price you will both pay. And then I am going to offer a way you don't have to pay it."
"You'll rip the empathy from me?"
"No. If you win, Bronze will go into the deepest emotional agony, and you won't be far behind. But if you ask for two more challenges, I will grant them. And then I will make sure you lose, and I will cheat to do it."
"You aren't going to cheat today?"
"I thought long and hard about it. Bronze would skin me alive if she caught me. Otherwise, yes, I would cheat to ensure she wins."
"How often do you do that?"
"I manipulate all of you so that you interact and learn what kind of mate you are facing. I've already admitted that. But the final challenges are always fair. I have never cheated one before. But I would cheat this one and not feel the slightest guilt."
"You don't really want me for yourself?"
"I don't want the two of you to feel a second of that agony. If you win, and she comes out of it unable to accept your other offer, then yes, I will pursue you. And I will win you besides."
"Now you're being cocky just like her."
"I'll cheat. You won't even see it coming. We would be exceedingly happy together. But I offered you first to Bronze, and I will give her every chance I can."
I looked away and stared at the wall for a while. Then I asked in a small voice. "You really aren't lying?"
"Not one word."
"I don't know what to believe."
"Does it matter what you believe? Is it going to change what you do today?"
I turned back to her.
"You are a fighter, in your own way. You're not going to do anything but your best today."
"You're not going to cheat."
"No."
"You should cheat."
"No. This needs to be honest. Bronze needs it to be honest. She needs it for her own mating instincts. If she doesn't win honestly, I think she'll know. It will damage your relationship. And you can't throw the event, either. She will know."
"I wouldn't anyway," I said in a small voice.
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?"
"Yes. I hate this. I wish you hadn't told me. Why did you tell me?"
"You needed to know."
"I don't know what to do. I hate not knowing what to do."
"Will you let me advise you?"
"I'll listen."
"Go out and do your best to win. Do your absolute best. You need that, because then you can make a decision that isn't forced upon you."
"What?"
"You can beg me for two more challenges. And then it is your choice to become her mate, which is what you wanted all along, the choice. You haven't rejected her. You've rejected the process. I don't blame you. Catseye mating rituals are much closer to a human's, and I would be just as upset if forced into this as you have been."
"If she needs a proper victory, they would have to be real challenges."
"Oh, please. Give me some credit."
"But you can't cheat today?"
"Are you asking me to?"
"No."
"So do it my way. Go out there and do your best. I think you're going to lose, but I don't know you're going to lose, and that's why we talked about cheating and two more challenges."
"All right. Yes. All right."
She stood, and we hugged again. Then she said, "I want you both to be happy. Everything I've done since identifying you has been to ensure you would both be happy. That is why I keep the job. No one else would worry about the humans."
I squeezed more tightly, and then she took my arm, blinded the visor, and led me from the cell.
* * * *
We met in the center of the arena, both of us entering from either side and approaching a waiting Jasmine.
The stands were full with an audience. Oh, not packed, but it was far fuller than I'd seen before. I came to a stop and looked around.
"Who are all of them?"
"Everyone who could come did so," Jasmine said.
My friends are here, and some colleagues.
"Really?"
"This is an important day, Sapphire."
"They came from Saturn?"
Some from much further than that.
"From your home?"
She gave her laugh.
Not that far. Other places in this star system. It is part of the reason why we have been here so long, so they would have time to arrive.
"So, everyone here is cheering for me to lose."
She laughed again.
I promise if you lose today, you still win. You win a life filled with love and wonders.
"Cocky, ET. Cocky."
"Well. You both know the rules," said Jasmine. "You both know what is at stake. You will both fight fairly and with honor and distinction. And this is going to be one of the best final challenges I have seen in some time."
"It could come down to a few lucky shots."
"It could," she agreed. "Or a few very skillful shots."
She paused, waiting to see if we had more to say.
"All right. You have not hugged. I want you to hug, then I am going to address the audience. I will do so in English, for you, Sapphire, and I have an assistant to translate my words into a language more people understand."
"Thank you. That is kind."
"It is customary to allow the challenger and the candidate to speak. Bronze has prepared her speech, although I suspect she will vary from the text she has given me. She never follows her prepared speeches, and I don't expect her to do so now. But I will stand behind you and translate. She will offer pauses for me."
"I haven't prepared anything."
"You are not obliged to speak, but you seem to think well on your feet, if you wish to do so."
I thought about it. "I'll decide after Bronze speaks. I may wish only to talk to her, or to the two of you, or not at all."
"Very good. Any last questions?"
"Yes. Bronze, will you point to some of your friends?"
In my speech, I will identify a few for you.
"Thank you. I would like that. If you win today, do your friends become my friends
?"
I hope so, but I will largely keep you to myself for a while.
"Fair enough. But if I greet them during my speech, is that all right?"
She laughed. "Yes."
Jasmine paused. Neither of us spoke, but she gestured, and nervously, Bronze and I hugged tightly. Then we separated, moving a short distance onto our respective sides of the arena.
Then Jasmine turned to the audience. She was a gifted speaker, using her body to draw attention to herself. And then her amplified voice filled the arena. The assembled audience would cheer loudly and frequently during her speech.
Greetings to all of you, and welcome. And welcome to our challenger and her mating candidate.
Today is an auspicious day, as all here recognize. We have this challenger, who today is called Bronze, although most of you know her by another name we won't repeat today. Bronze is a good woman, fierce, intelligent beyond all measure, and amazingly loyal and kind.
Jasmine spent a minute or two extolling Bronze's virtues. The target of her attention looked down at the dirt of the arena grounds, and I wondered if she was as embarrassed by the attention as I would have been.
Of course, those of us who know her know that this is not her natural appearance. She changed herself into this form for a simple purpose. She wishes to pursue a mate from amongst the humans. And that is, of course, why we are here today.
Jasmine turned and gestured to me.
This small human woman is Sapphire Fletcher, a remarkable woman of honesty and distinction. It is for this woman that Bronze is here today. Amongst her many attributes is a natural empathy that is rare amongst humans, and that was before we applied our own little changes.
I smiled and shrugged.
You knew.
I rapidly recorded a message and sent it to her. "She told me before bringing me here."
You're not mad.
I shook my head. "But you shouldn't be able to access my visor."
Jasmine gave me continued access until she calls begin, in case I wished to tamper with it.
We both laughed together. I knew, as much as she wanted to win, she wouldn't cheat.
Jasmine spent as much time praising me as she had spent on Bronze, and I was the one staring at the ground, embarrassed.
She didn't really believe everything she was saying about me, did she?
Then she moved on.
And so, we are here today, in this place at this time, to witness this final challenge between these two fine women. What happens here today will determine the course of the rest of their lives.
She proceeded to describe the event that was about to begin, including the nature of the handicaps we would both experience.
She spent another few seconds repeating a few of her points, praising both Bronze and me, and then assuring everyone it would be an excellent final challenge. She accepted applause, and then she introduced Bronze.
Bronze waited until Jasmine had moved to stand immediately behind me, her hands on my shoulders. Then she began to speak, pausing frequently for the translation to be whispered to me.
Bronze was every bit the speaker Jasmine was, and perhaps more so. I immediately began to experience a confidence issue, and decided not to speak. I couldn't compare, and I didn't want to look so pathetic.
She thanked everyone for coming and then turned towards me.
I have wanted this woman since the moment I first set eyes on her. The day we first stood on these sands together, I could not take my gaze from her. When she approached, my heart began to pound. When she spoke to me, my heart moved into my throat, and I could not have replied. When she handed me her ribbon, in my heart, as premature as it was, I declared her my mate.
She does not fully understand what that means, but many of you do.
I have wanted Sapphire Fletcher since the moment I set eyes upon her, and everything I have done since then -- everything! -- has been to bring us to this point today, to these sands, to this final challenge.
Which I will win!
She roared those words, her head lifted to the sky, and the audience roared with her. They roared and roared.
Then she lifted a hand, and they stilled, silent again.
My mate -- for to me, she is already my mate -- has asked me to point to my friends here today. There are too many to identify all together, but I will point to a few.
Then she held out her hand to me, and I walked to her. She pulled me in front of her, her hands on my shoulders, and she searched the audience. And then she pointed and spoke.
Jasmine stepped up beside me, but she didn't translate. However, in the audience, a human male stood, or someone that looked like a man, perhaps sixty years old with silver, unkempt hair. Bronze spoke, and Jasmine translated.
Dennis Hamilton, a new but close colleague, who has taught me much. I am honored he is here today.
The man offered a small bow and then sat. Bronze then introduced several more people, the rest of them extraterrestrials, identifying them as colleagues.
But then she turned us, and she pointed into a group of Temier, and I immediately thought of Moirai.
The Temier are my friends. They will also be yours, but I will save individual introductions another day.
"Are any of them Moirai?" I asked.
"No," Jasmine responded for Bronze.
Bronze pointed to two other friends of two distinct races, offering their names. Jasmine told me they didn't have human names, and I couldn't possibly pronounce their given names. If we were to become friends, they would pick names I could say.
And then Bronze turned towards Jasmine and pointed, saying one final name.
I thought Jasmine was surprised, but she offered a short bow.
"She would not have named me her friend in the past. Thank you, Bronze."
And then Jasmine led me back to my side of the arena. Bronze spoke a little longer, talking about the event that was to happen.
She finished on a high note.
Today, this woman becomes my mate, although for me, she already is.
And then she roared again, she roared loudly, and the assembled audience roared with her.
I looked over to Jasmine. "May I go to her once more?"
"Of course."
And so I ran to Bronze and hugged her, then whispered into her ear. "I won't speak. I couldn't compare."
She held me tightly for a moment, but then words appeared in my visor.
Go to Jasmine now. You will speak.
"I won't." But I returned to Jasmine.
She pulled me closer, and over the roaring of the crowd, she spoke into my ear. "You must speak now."
"I couldn't compare. I don't want to look pathetic."
"You won't. You will charm them. Go out there and be yourself. Be charming. It is important for both of you."
"No."
"Trust me one final time, Sapphire. Today I would not misguide you."
And so I nodded, and I stepped away. As soon as I stood alone, the assembled audience stilled. When I spoke, the words were amplified for me.
Welcome!
I looked around.
Looking at all of you, I don't know quite what to say. You have all come from so far that I can't even imagine the vast distances. For what you have come here to do, for the aid you have given my planet, I thank you. Words cannot express my gratitude.
They roared, they all roared, Bronze as loudly as any other. I didn't try to settle them, but perhaps Jasmine did. When they were still, I continued.
My species owes you a debt. My species owes Bronze a debt. My species agreed to be a source of mates, amongst other agreements. And that is why we are here today. My species must pay its debts. No other choice is honorable.
You could have heard a pin drop anywhere in the arena.
But how I came to be here is not the human way to pay. How I came to be here was a violation of everything in which I believe. It is wrong, and I know some of you understand that. It is deeply wrong, and it should neve
r have been like this.
I looked down for a minute. They waited. They all waited. Then I looked at Bronze and then at Jasmine, and then back to Bronze.
How I arrived here represents a sunk cost. Everything that has happened prior to this moment is a sunk cost. I hold no continued ill will towards anyone involved, but I implore you to find other ways to fulfill our debt.
Jasmine and Bronze laughed, but perhaps the audience didn't understand. I looked around again for a moment before continuing.
Perhaps you will ask Bronze and Jasmine about that term.
How I have arrived here represents a sunk cost, but I am here, and there is a debt to pay. There is a good woman in need, and I have my own needs. I do not know if our needs can be met mutually. But I am here.
I gestured around.
We are about to compete. I will work hard to win, and I have a fighting chance. The results are not yet concluded, regardless of the confidence of my opponent. If I win, I will be a gracious winner, and I hope Bronze has the courage and strength to consider a human solution to her needs. If I lose, then I will be a gracious loser, and I will give Bronze every opportunity to win my heart.
She clutched her hands to her chest for a moment and smiled.
I considered, and decided I had only a little more to say.
I wish to thank Jasmine Brighteyes. Jasmine, you have become a friend, in spite of events. Thank you.
Bronze, you are amazing. You are truly amazing, and I wish I could extol your virtues with half the grace and vigor Jasmine exercised earlier. I cannot, so I will only say this: I agree wholeheartedly with her. I cannot imagine facing anyone else here today.
I paused and stared at the ground. Then I spoke more softly.
The first day we met, here on these very sands, when I offered my ribbon, I told you I would kick your ass. In two of our challenges, I have done that figuratively, but not at all literally.
This is to be our final challenge, and the results are not foregone. But even if I win, I do not believe it will represent an ass kicking.
I moved closer to her.
I wonder if you would, just this once, allow a symbolic but literal ass-kicking.
She laughed, her roaring laugh, but then she turned sideways and stuck out her ass.
I stepped up to her and gently, but very deliberately, gave her a kick with my toe. She bounced forward lightly, straightened up, and then rubbed her bottom theatrically.
