“I’m so sorry, I spaced out. Can you repeat everything youjust said?” Poppy smiled weakly as she tried again to relax. “I honestly didn’texpect this to happen so quickly. I had just planned on turning in the packettoday…not actually completing the whole process in a couple of hours, and nowI’m a step away from instant alien husband.”
Valerie smiled and tilted the computer screen back around.“Take a couple deep breaths. I’m sure you feel like you want something strongerthan coffee but this is all I have right now. My job is to make sure you arecomfortable and informed throughout this whole process. I hope we can befriends through this. You are my sole concern right now. Liaisons are assignedonly one applicant until the process is completed so all my focus is on you.That includes knowing when you need a breather or even a drink.
“Are you ready to continue?”
At Poppy’s small nod, Valerie started again. “Let’s go overthe contract portion of the bridal packet. Most people have those questionsfirst so we can knock those out of the way early and I’m sure it’ll make youfeel better.” Valerie walked around her desk and took the chair beside Poppy.
“Once a match is made, we will notify you within twenty-fourhours. At that time, you will need to start getting prepared for ameet-and-greet. At the meet-and-greet, you’ll meet your warrior and at thatpoint a thirty-day clock will start. The thirty days is essentially a trialperiod where you will go and actually stay with your match on the aliens’spaceship. You are not required to have any type of intimate contact during thetrial period.”
Valerie paused for a moment as if she were trying to find away to say something she didn’t really want to say.
“We encourage you to find out if you are ‘compatible’ butthe government is not putting pressure on you or any of the other volunteers todo anything you’re not comfortable with. If you want to explore …physicalattraction then that is between you and your match. There is a small USmilitary presence on the squadron ships and you are not only encouraged butexpected to report to the US representatives there if you’re feeling physicallythreatened, even if this is coming from your match.”
“So no sex unless it’s consensual. Got it.” Poppy knew thenext words out of her mouth were going to cause her to turn bright red. “Dothey know how to…you know?”
Valerie smiled and said very matter-of-factly, “We’ve beentold they’ve been monitoring Earth for quite some time and that includeswatching cable broadcasts to try to assimilate. I’m sure if they’ve seen someof the shows on the cable channels I watch then they have an idea even if theyhaven’t actually practiced before. You do need to know that physical contactlike hugging or common friendly gestures are generally not done there. Being anall-male race means that they generally have physical combat training, butholding hands and hugging aren’t something many of them have ever done oractually seen unless it’s been on TV.”
Poppy let out a long breath and wondered again, What am Igetting myself into?
“You are clearly overwhelmed. Do you want to keep going, ormake an appointment after you take a couple days to breathe? If you have anyquestions I will answer them or find answers for you. I also want you to let meknow before you sign the contract if you have any doubts regarding the process.Do you want me to keep going or break for the day?”
“Honestly? Yeah, I probably need a break, but my sister isgoing to grill me later and if I don’t have some good answers, she may kill me.Let’s keep going. Can you explain what happens after the thirty days?” If shewas going to do this then she was going to pull up her big-girl panties and gofor broke.
Valerie continued, “After thirty days, if both parties aresatisfied with the match, then you will enter into a spousal contract, which isessentially their version of marriage. At that point, they will want physicalrelations to begin. Getting pregnant is essentially the brass ring in thisprogram. I need to let you know they don’t really have divorce on their planetbut we have had them add it into the spousal contract. However if you do getpregnant then you’re expected to give up your parental rights and leave thechild with them if you wish to return to Earth. They were adamant they don’ttrust us to care for or protect their young if one is born. It is veryimportant you make sure this is the path you want to take, considering thiswill potentially involve your future children.”
Poppy could feel the tension in the small room. Sheunderstood Valerie was trying to stress the weight of her decision and wasgrateful she wasn’t getting anything sugar-coated.
Valerie took the pause as a time to gather a couple papersfrom the desk in front of them. Handing Poppy something that resembled adeposit slip, she continued.
“Also, your first portion of the stipend will be depositedlater today and the second part when you’re selected. After the thirty-daytrial period, if you marry, you will receive half a million dollars. You can doanything with that money. Pay off bills, gift it or even invest it. However, wewanted to warn you there’s a limited number of personal possessions you cantake with you once you leave. Space on the crafts is limited and apparentlyit’s easier to buy new items when you arrive than transport them across spaceto their home planet. You will be expected to live there with your spouse.We’re working out a clause that may allow volunteers to come back if they havea death in the family but so far the warriors are not very happy about
