Page 53 of Mazorium Buys a Human

“I’ve had a revelation since the incident on Helsin Station,” I said. “I’ve been uncomfortable with what I’ve come to understand is the truth. That’s why I haven’t been acting as before.”

She nodded. “I know you're scared to trust anyone now, but it’s okay. I’m good at reading situations and intentions. We could come up with some code words so I could tell you if I think we need to be cautious or leave.” She set her mug down on a box usually used to transport burrowing bots. I put it there to use as a small table. She was excited now and clapped her hands together.

“Maybe gestures would be better, that way we could communicate even if we can’t hear each other,” she said. “I could touch my forehead if I think someone is lying. Or my chest if I think there’s danger. We could come up with all kinds of signals!”

I was tempted to let her continue with her misunderstanding because they were good ideas. But I knew if I didn’t talk now nothing would be resolved.

“Those are all excellent,” I said when she paused to take a breath. “But having my eyes opened to the danger within my empire isn’t what I’m talking about. There is a second revelation I've had that is more concerning to me.”

“Yeah?” She gave me an open and encouraging look. “What did you realize?”

“You’re intelligent. I don’t know about the rest of your species, but if I judged them by you, then I’d assume all humans are clever, intuitive, and incredibly adaptable. You’ve been thrust into overwhelming or violent situations repeatedly, and yet you never once succumbed to helplessness. You’re an astonishing individual, Mika.”

I wasn’t sure how she’d react to my confession, but I didn’t expect her to roll her eyes.

“It’s about time,” she said with a little laugh. “I don’t know where you guys got the idea that we’re a low-intelligence species, but it’s obviously wrong. Thanks for finally figuring it out.”

I sounded a rumble of agreement. “Knowing your capability means I face a dilemma.”

She picked up her mug and took a sip, as if she wasn’t concerned. “What’s that?”

“Slavery is considered both morally unconscionable and economically unviable,” I explained. “If you aren’t a low-intelligence species, then I don’t have a pet; I have a slave. Even if the rest of my empire thinks it's fine, I know it isn’t.”

I expected her to be retroactively angry at all my unintended slights regarding her intelligence and judgement. Instead she remained silent, regarding me with furrowed brows.

It was her thinking face. What was going through her mind to cause the expression?

While I waited for her response, I found I couldn’t keep my eyes from focusing on her collar. The smooth, curved surface reflected a distorted image of my face.

The perfect symbol of my earlier distorted thinking.

I couldn’t let it remain. Reaching up, I pressed my upper thumb to the hidden lock. It clicked open, and I pulled it off her. Anger at my old self made me snap it at the hinge and toss the pieces away.

When I finally met Mika’s gaze, I was startled to see her eyes were leaking water.

“Did I hurt you?” I asked, ready to jump up and carry her into the ship.

She sniffed and shook her head. “I’d forgotten I was wearing that.” She touched where it had rested around her neck. “I feel a little weird now that it’s gone.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I could buy her another one, but I didn’t want to. I hated the idea of her wearing anything that diminished her status, even symbolically.

She sniffed again and wiped the water droplets from her eyes. I had to clench my fists to keep from reaching for her.

“Are you going to get rid of us now?” she asked, her voice a low whisper. “Are you going to abandon us?”

“No!” I shouted so loudly she flinched. I sucked in a deep breath and started talking in a more reasonable tone. “I want both of you to stay. I never want to be without you. My life was nothing before. I didn’t understand what joy truly felt like. I’m willing to change anything if you would only stay.”

“Ch-change everything?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t change your status as a pet within the Talin Empire, but we could leave the empire. Are your dam and sire still alive?”

“My dam and sire…oh, you mean my parents. Yeah, they’re still alive. I think they're on Norip Station, but I’m not sure. They move around a lot with a team that replaces degraded radiation shielding. Why?”

“We could seek them out,” I said, getting excited at the prospect of reuniting Mika with her family. “We could all settle somewhere together. If we lived modestly, I could support us without ever having to return to the empire.”

“I’d like to see my parents again,” she said, a lone droplet sliding down her cheek at the same time she gave me a shaky smile. “But only for a visit. I don’t think I could live with them. I had some rough teenage years, and they love reminding me how much trouble I was. It gets annoying fast.”

“I’m sure you were a perfect child and they simply didn’t know how to handle someone as smart as you,” I said. “If you agree to stay with me, we can seek them out after this assignment is over. I’m sorry, but can you wait until we’re done surveying this planet? I’ve agreed to do this work. Unless you are set on seeing them sooner? I could break the contract and refund the credits they’ve already paid me.”