Emma nods. “I’ll try to keep this basic and quick.”
It’s almost as though she’s afraid we won’t believe her. I know all about that. But the thing is, we’re here. I study the lovely pink energy floating around her.
There’s another long pause before she begins. “When I came through, I was in the same large room you referred to outside what the Ropors call ‘the Dishif’, or, as you said, the portal. They immediately put a force field around me, but they didn’t knock me out. And they’re intimidating. They look like giant bugs. Pill bugs? Roly polies?”
Alexa nods, but I keep silent. We still don’t know the why, and that’s what I’m dying to know. What is the point?
That’s a question I’ve struggled with in my personal life for years. I’ve always wanted to feel useful. Purposeful. It’s why I have my own small business out of my home, helping those who seek me out by word of mouth.
“Well, I don’t know exactly how long they kept me trapped there before they integrated me into what they call the ‘Gynaecon.’ It’s basically a group of women who the Gladiators here get as rewards when they win tournaments.”
“What?” Nako’s chair screeches across the floor as she pushes herself back, but I just stare at Emma, trying not to let my personal feelings show.
Tournaments. Fighting. Bile rises into the back of my throat.
My father never raised a hand to me or my mother, but he often supported us with the winnings from the fight clubs he took part in and bet on.
“Don’t panic.” Emma insists. “The species they’re using as Gladiators are called Orclans.”
I blink as she signs,“They’re the best things about this situation.”
Oh, really? There’s an upside to all this?
She stands and moves closer to the back wall, where we regained consciousness. Personally, I can’t imaginewhatwill make this entire situation tolerable, but I’m open. I always am.
Even though I’ve resigned myself to my sequestered life with the occasional reading to pay the bills, I’ve been waiting for the purpose my mother and grandmother promised I’d fulfill. Something meaningful. But I’ve been waiting since I was a child.
Now I’m convinced I must be the oldest virgin in existence. At least, a female one. Because I haven’t met the man from my visions yet either. I’m in limbo…
“They were supposed to make this thing respond to my voice.” With her back to us, Emma talks to the wall. “On. And show a Ropor.”
The entire wall lights up, showing an enlarged bug avatar. It’s standing on its hind four or five legs, displaying a creepy underbelly.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Nako takes a step back, pulling Alexa into her arms.
“That’s them,” Emma declares, waving at the screen.
Them? As in the Ropors? Holy shit!
Her head cocks. “And that’s almost how big they are.”
Okay. Mind blown. No wonder Alexa was tripping out. When she said Roly Poly, she wasn’t kidding. The slang term for pill bugs was totally accurate.
I mean, they may not be identical. Of course, I’ve never seen a pill bug this big before.
Alexa pulls away from Nako, signing to Emma. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“Not too bad. They freaked me the fuck out, mostly.” I bet. I can’t take my eyes off the screen. “Eventually knocked me out and put this collar on me. I see you all have yours.”
At the same time, she signs,“And I’m positive they are monitoring our conversations with them.”
I study Emma’s aura, looking for any hints of deceit, but she totally believes what she’s telling us. Pink and now lavender dominate the surrounding air.
“What’s this for?” Nako whispers, and her fingers trace the metal around her neck.
“Translator,” Emma states, turning to the wall to command, “Show us an Orclan.”
A large green... not a man, but a similar humanoid floats on the screen, blinking and turning his head occasionally. He’s enormous, with large ears and two big teeth jutting out from his bottom jaw. Those are the most obvious differences, unless you take into account the muscles.