****
Hope never imagined!
They were giving, not one, but two, flawed females to the workmen.
Five had been selected to make their choice. If they were compatible to the one they chose, they would be permitted to mate.
Miracle of miracles, Loni was one of the chosen five. But, Galar also, was one of the other four.
Why are the two of us always put at odds against each other? If they had left me out, there would have been no problem.
As they hurried through the pathway tunnels, not to be left behind, and unaware they were not included, both Scar and Da followed after. The seven arrived breathless at a hallway, where the attendant hushed them. He pointed toward a window.
Peeking in, Loni saw, for the first time, what could be his. You couldn't distinguish much, as the two were sleeping, and intertwined, wound in each other's arms, like puppies, or a pair of abandoned kittens, seeking comfort from each other.
Loni's heart went out to them.
The attendant signaled silence, with a finger to his lips, as Da made a sound of approval deep in his throat. Da imitated the gesture, backing away from the viewing port.
Loni motioned Galar to make his choice, first.
****
Galar felt his whole body tingle. Never before, had feelings remotely like this inhabited his system. So unfamiliar were they, he shivered with anticipation.
I want both of them! But...I can only choose one.
The one with the lumpy chest was too big to get close to; the smaller one would cuddle better.
"I want the boy one; the smaller."
The attendant nodded, sending him out the other side of the hall.
"Scar want the other one," Galar heard his brother say, behind him.
"You can't choose," the attendant whispered, shooing him toward Galar.
"Why not?"
"Oh, let them all choose," came a voice from the room behind Galar. "It'll make it more interesting."
"Fine! I note your choice."
****
The older one appeared to be sheltering the taller female. Loni saw in that a strength of character, so he pointed, that he chose the smaller woman, also.
The attendant nodded.
Da pointed to the larger busted girl. It was accepted, and both were sent into the big room beyond, to await the DNA matching.
The other three to choose, followed, each picking the dark-haired taller woman.
****
"Is it any use to match all their blood types?" quizzed the attendant to the Physician.
The one peering into the microscope, shrugged.
"Safer. If there are offspring, we do want them to be viable."
"Isn't Flaw of a rare blood type?"
"Yes. I'm doing him first." Suddenly, the man chuckled. "Well, lookie here. He matches his chosen."
"You jest! Galar will be livid...he never loses well to the enemy..."
Both men laughed quietly, and the attendant winked.
"I have a suggestion. We never meant for No Name to choose...how about, we just give the second one to him, for the fun of it? See what happens? Nobody cares if they are compatible...we can always abort the fetus."
"Excellent idea! We will do just that, then!"
****
When the results were disclosed, both Galar and Scar turned silent and brooding. The looks they shot Loni, as they were ordered back to their quarters, would have killed a lesser man. Galar hobbled away on his crutch, as slowly as possible, just to make a point. He would get even!
Loni and Da were escorted into a waiting room.
Chapter 15
Gemma was caught roughly by her shoulders, pulled to her feet, and separated from Lydia. Then they were forced from the room, and into a chamber half that size.
Nothing could have prepared her for what came next.
The women were dragged into this room; made to stand against a side wall; punched, kicked and slapped, until they stood up straight, chest out, as if for display; naked and exposed for the men to ogle.
Gemma wondered what was coming next.
Are we going to be raped?
The two burly guards that had accompanied them, moved back to the exit, standing at either side of the doorway, where they waited, as if daring the girls to try to escape.
Shortly, two other men entered from a side room, came and stood against the wall opposite the women.
The younger one was a short, stocky, brown-skinned individual, with dark hair and brown eyes...eyes that told you, something wasn't quite right in his brain. Gemma watched his memories, but they were not only disjointed, but confused, as if he'd not understood what was going on at the time. She noted scenes of near forgotten abuse in childhood; then kindly brotherly care from the man beside him; a garden area, and enjoyed labor tending the plots. Lastly, she felt an appetite that savored everything edible put before him. A simple man...whose greatest pleasure was to eat.
If either of us are given to this one...
He would be good for Lydia...he has a gentle spirit, won't be cruel...
The second man was a little older. He was not dark-skinned as most others were. So different was he, that he stood out, as if he were a lighted candle in a darkened room. Shocked by the sight of him, Gemma felt apprehensive.
He was tall, over six feet, his flesh of a blue-white hue; his body, trim, and well muscled. His hair was cropped close to his head, a tight curly mass of silver-white. Instead of ears, the sides of his face were deeply scarred.
It was as if he blocked his thoughts; she could read nothing from him. That was incredible, since every other man down here came through loud and painfully.
I must have to touch this one.
His eyes glowed out, piercing through you, the whites a pale mauve-white, with irises of bright turquoise-blue. Gemma wasn't certain if that
