The spokesperson frowned. “The teams can’t have partners.”
“No, but their partners can. That is the thing. The rules crafted are very one-sided. I am not a fan. So, the true setup is that they can’t acknowledge their partners. That’s fair enough. That is what the masks are for.”
There were chuckles in the room, and the tribunal looked around. “There are some of them in here.”
Zera nodded. “Both masked and unmasked.”
Khytten called out. “Any questions?”
The tribunal stared at her ensconced in Salat’s arms, and his expression told them to tread carefully.
“Uh, Miss...”
Salat grinned and growled. “She’s my kitten. Address her as such.”
The room at large chuckled, and Khytten lifted her arm and slammed her elbow back into Salat hard enough to make him exhale with a whoosh. She said, “Kitten is fine.”
The team members froze, and the escorts chuckled.
“Um, Miss Kitten, how long have you worked in this capacity?”
“Eight months.”
“How many interactions did you have in that time?”
“Three.” Salat nudged her. “Six. Three individuals and then one persistent repeater. Three formally arranged dates. I am now on an exclusive contract.”
The male on the left said, “I thought it would be more. You are a very attractive woman.”
Khytten snickered. “I am suited for a niche market. My active adaptation means that I am either very attractive or completely repulsive depending on my partner’s preferences.”
“What is your active situation?”
She grinned. “None of your fucking business. Odds are it would be trial and error, but Zera kept folks from going after me as a novelty. The two other guys I met up with were nice, but there were no sparks beyond the obvious.”
Salat murmured, “And as for her being for a niche market, I like her niche very much.”
Laughter rippled through the room. Khytten looked resigned.
Salat continued. “Fortunately, there are no restrictions against actives mating and breeding in Aksalla. We do not have any trouble with folk attacking our families. They know better than to bring in civilians or to risk being eradicated with extreme slowness.”
Zera was amused as Khytten’s eyes bugged out. Apparently, they hadn’t had that conversation yet.
“So, you are his romantic partner?”
Khytten blinked. “Um, yes, but he still has to book me.”
Salat grinned. “A bargain at twice the price.”
“You... he still has to pay?” The woman was surprised.
“Sure. I still have bills. Housing, that kind of thing.”
“Oh, my god, you are the milkmaid.” The woman blinked. “I saw your file... you...” She blinked. “Your name is actually Khytten.”
Khytten wrinkled her nose. “Yes, and don’t call me the milkmaid unless you want a solid punch to the nose.”
Zera grinned. Khytten was armed to the teeth, and she was a superior shot. Sharpshooting might have been her second active category when she should have only had the one.
The tribunal looked at each other and brought up Khytten’s file based on their next question.
“How will you deal with your partner being a citizen of a country you are banned from?”
Khytten snorted. “First, that is in the future, and second, we don’t need to live in the same place to spend time together. We don’t now, so I don’t foresee an issue.”
Salat growled. “It will be sorted.” He tightened his arms around his kitten until she squeaked.
Zera smiled. “They are the first solid match that the Blind Date Corporation has created.”
“What about you and Torun?” The man on the left spoke.
“Our match created the Blind Date Corporation and the legislation that lets the team members pay for escorts.” She smiled. “Once that was in order, we could date in public with the auspices of the law on our side. Of course, given my nature, I welcomed other patrons, but Torun still gets to go first when he is available.”
Tycho chuckled. “And sometimes we make group arrangements.”
There was a combination of nervous laughter and knowing chuckles. The tribunal looked at each other and shrugged.
A gavel banged, and the speaker said, “As regards to the dispensation of Researcher Zera, we find that there are no grounds to hold her, and she may resume her normal activities in her various businesses. The findings of this tribunal are that she is of more use to her country in her standard capacity than as a research subject. She is free to go but is requested to answer a questionnaire as to her status with medical reports every six months. Is that acceptable, Zera?”
“It is. You have my contact information, so if you don’t mind, I have somewhere to be this evening. I would like the return of my com if you could manage it.”
One of the peacekeepers came up and handed her the com. She put it on her wrist. “Any luck decrypting it?”
The female in the tribunal snorted. “No. Whoever did your security is a monster.”
Zera laughed. “Yeah, she is.”
“Why isn’t she working with the government?”
“She doesn’t like peacekeepers.” Zera smiled. “Also, she is another person whose interests became a secondary activation.”
The tribunal looked at her. The man on the left said, “Do you have her name?”
“She’s here in this room. Ask her yourself. As for me, I am on my way out. Have a pleasant day.”
She left, and the room emptied out behind her, silent footfalls of those who found her useful created the feeling of a gathering storm. They exited the room, and the gathering outside encapsulated her while leading her to one of the team vehicles.
Tycho
