“Poster girl”

I got back from Los Angeles, from a press conference Tanukashi organised to gain some media credit and awareness. As their “rising star”, author of “No More Lies” campaign and so on, I had to be there. What’s notable – I was there not only as Tanukashi’s employee, but alongside Jake, as ARFA representative.

We’ve had quite an entry. Judith and Alexander agreed to be our bodyguards for the event, so imagine me and Jake getting out of the van, followed by those two large poleepkwa in dark uniforms. They don’t even need weapons to let everyone know they mean business…

Conference as such was quite boring, and most of time I only had to look pretty, smile at the cameras, politely nod and clap in the right moments. Tanukashi representatives referred company’s financial status (surprisingly good considering recession), plans, politics and so on… Now that I write this, it occurs to me, that a few months ago I wouldn’t understand most of it. I’ve surely come a long way…

Anyways, the moment where I was really needed, was the “5 minutes for ARFA”. Jake was officially introduced as our leader, it was reminded that I stem from this organisation and the journalists were given the opportunity to ask questions. As we sat there, half blinded by all the flashes and camera lights, I could only hope my advice were enough to prepare Jake for such a public speech.
First question was: What did you do before ARFA?
I (mentally) breathed with relief. Fortunately, the journalists seemed not to know much about ARFA, so the thing was easy to get through. Jake grinned.
- Not very much. I was a drifter until… well… you gotta read the blog.
Always a good time for some self-promotion, eh? The cameras moved a bit to me. I answered honestly.
- I was a waitress in a fast food bar. Trying to save money for college…
Yet another facet to the shining gem Tanu was making of me. I could nearly read their minds – college, so she has ambitions and plans… One of the microphones moved closer.
- How did you get into the position?
Jake earned a lot of my respect, not even blinking.
- Let’s say I was chosen to be the commander by someone with a bit more experience than me.
Cameras moved again. I smiled innocently and pointed to commander.
- It’s his fault! – Jake answered me with a wide grin – And seriously, I was just appointed to the role.
Another voice came through the crowd:
- How old are you?
Predictable. Very predictable one. Jake answered first:
- 22, almost 23 now.
I looked the asker straight in the eyes, observing his surprise when I answered.
- 19.
The question that followed was only too obvious.
- Aren’t you a bit young for your posts?
Jake looked like he was considering it, before saying “nah”. I was well prepared for that one tho, so I just laughed like I heard a best joke ever.
- This really gets old, you know? Apparently this line of work attracts young talents.
I noticed several journalists grin. Good. Play bold, play confident and they’re gonna love you. One of the camera lights focused at me, the reporter getting mic to my side.
- Where did the name and slogan of campaign came from?
I never expected that one, yet it was a pleasant surprise.
- It’s a reference to Christopher Johnson’s blog, titled “MNU Spreads Lies”. It’s quite widely known among people interested in situation of Poleepkwa.
Yet another microphone came closer.
- How is living with aliens like?
Another question we predicted. Commander smiled.
- Nothing different from living with people. I mean, they’re just my neighbors.
Apparently they were waiting until I add something.
- Just slightly bigger.
I smiled at Jake, he smiled back
- A tiny bit, yeah…
I turned back to cameras.
- And seriously, I feel weird in all human enviroment now, it became so natural.
The journalist cut in.
- How can you understand what they say?
At that moment I wished I could see faces of Alexander and Judith, they were standing behind our backs and I couldn’t turn to look at them tho. Commander shrugged.
- Learn their language.
- Just practice – I added.
- Are they really as violent as pictured? – another reporter inquired.
I recognized a logo of one of the popular boulevard newspapers… Who invited them was beyond me, and it threw me off balance enough, to let a few words slip under my breath.
- Pictured by whom…
Jake looked at me, a bit surprised, answering quickly:
- Nope.
- Nope – I repeated.
The very same “journalist” seemed not to give up.
- Is that true they don’t have parenting instinct?
Commander chortled, not bothering to hide it much. As for me, it cost me all my willpower not to curse at the moment. I just gave the scribbler my death glare, before answering:
- Lie. They’re just as caring parents as humans are.
Some other reporter finally got through.
- Are there any nonhumans in top positions in ARFA?
Jake grinned. I could have sworn we thought of just the same thing – how lucky Walt’s not there anymore.
- My second in command high enough for ya?
Some other reporters tried to ask questions, but the moderators announced that time is up and thanked the press for coming. Camera lights went off, and we sat there until our eyes adjust to normal light again.
- Well… it wasnt that bad.
Jake just sighed.
- Let’s go get some food, kays?

The rest of the even was pretty ordinary – some fancy food, a lot of sushi, walking, schmoozing… I had to introduce Jake to many people there. I’m so proud of him – he didn’t make any sarcastic remarks and even his smile seemed honest

Still, the ultimate mood lifter came out to be Alexander. I love sushi. So does Jake. Alexander hates it. His main complaint – the meat is raw. Two humans eating as much sushi as stomach holds, and a poleepkwa complaining about raw fish… I just love the irony of this scene.

There we go again…

Seems the life is getting incredible speed again. Ok, one thing after another.

1) The sparring. Well, Jake explained a bit of what happened in his blog note. From my perspective it looked like he was getting more and more distant and uncaring. I don’t really like to fight, but that was one of the last options to get any emotional response from him, so I had no other choice but to accept when he asked me to. I had to either get through to him, or get him off the leadership.
Oh, and some clarifications:

• No, I have no idea how I actually managed to even stand my ground there. Possibly has something to do with nanites.
• No, Jake didn’t really hurt me, it’s just a several bruises. I landed in medbay because of extremly low blood sugar.
• I didn’t fight against Jake, but against the mental wall he shielded himself with.

And I can’t really describe the fight. Sorry, was too focus on actual sparring than on remembering precisely how I do it There are some footages from the fight, ask around (btw: since when is the “no photos/films in base” rule invalid?)

2) The trade – we’re working to figure out how big and how well organised that new thing is. Out of obvious reasons – no more details here.
Marty is adapting at the base. A chat with Olo seems to calm him down a lot. Well, at least enough to forget the little paint bucket incident ^_^

3) … I can’t find appropriate title, but there is something big going on right now. Big and dangerous enough, that Kris decided to come and say goodbye before moving out. There should be more information when the group returns.

That’s it for now. I’m getting ready for yet another crazy time…

Road to Nevada

Marty had yet another panic attack after waking up. It took him quite a while to realise where he is and that no one was going to hurt him. This poleep is seriously a mess, it’s gonna be a long time before he’s gonna get rid of that fear…
Because his rags were dirty and damaged beyond repair, I took some clothes from safehouse supply and put the pile on his bed.
- Here. Pick something and prepare for the long travel.
His antennae twitched.
- T-travel?
I tried to sound as calming and convincing as possible.
- Well, I have to go back to Nevada base. I thought you’re gonna come with me…
Marty curled down on his bed. I resisted the urge to hug him, that would only scare him more.
- Marty, I won’t hurt you, neither will any of my friends there. I told you, we work to help aliens.
Poleepkwa remained silent. He didn’t want to go, I saw it, but he was too scared to directly refuse. Under normal circumstances I’d just leave him in the safehouse, so the locals took care, but this time… Commander’s orders were clear here and I couldn’t even argue – Marty might give us valuable information about the new trade. I didn’t want to force him tho. He would listen to direct order, he was clearly taught to listen and obey… but that would shatter any little trust he had. I had to find another way… and a sudden realisation came. Linka was the unfailable option to gain trust of any Poleepkwa. It might work here too. I went for my laptop and searched through the photos and videos I had there…
- Marty, I want you to see something.
He looked at the screen, with video of playing Linka on it. His eyes brightened. I smiled.
- I have a cute child, right?
Marty blinked rapidly.
- H-how?
- How is it possible?
He nodded.
- Well… Long story short – Linka was sold to Europe as an egg. I found that egg in the smuggler shack. Ever since then, I took care of her and when she hatched I became her parent.
Marty looked at me as if he tried to guess whether I tell the truth. I noticed his arms moved down, shielding the abdomen.
- Y-you a-are n-not w-with t-them?
- No, I’m not. I work against the trade, Marty. Will you go with me?
He slumped and nodded. Yet again I had to hold the urge to hug him.
- OK then, get dressed, then we eat something and move out.

***

Most of time Marty sat quiet  in the backseat, with hood of the grey sweatshirt he picked pulled up to cover his head and shade his face. He looked a bit like he was trying to hide in it. Focused on the driving, I didn’t speak much either, at least until in the rear view mirror I noticed him wriggling a bit.
- What is it Marty?
He curled down instantly, visibly hesitating before saying anything.
- I-I’m h-hungry…
It sounded like he was apologising for that.
- S’ok. We’ll buy something soon.
I looked at my invaluable GPS – seemed there was a gas station a bit ahead. I headed there, hoping to get some at least half decent food there.

Seems that was a fortunate choice. I left Marty in the car, forbidding him to go out, and went shopping, only to eavesdrop an information about some expensive car being stolen and the heavy police patrolling of the roads near state border. Just great, the last thing I wanted was a random papers check and a fuckload of explanation to follow. Of course, I could talk my way out easily now, being officially a Tanukashi employee and Poleepkwa being under Tanu administration, but for the sake of Marty I preferred to avoid it. He was frightened enough as he was.

I took one hot dog from the box, giving rest to Marty, and once again consulted the GPS on any detour options, to avoid the patrolled area. Unfortunately, all available would require at least several additional hours. Considering it was late afternoon and I was already a bit tired, driving late at night didn’t sound like an option. The best idea I had, was to spend the night in the car, on the roadside parking or in the forest, and then check for news and either go around or, if the police gets their suspect, go with the planned route.

***

Marty took the information about unplanned delay calmly. He seemed to agree with me it’s better to avoid trouble. I found a semi-legal parking spot at the forest clearing, far enough from the road so a dark car wasn’t too visible when lights were off. I put the car seats down, gave Marty a blanket and told him to get some sleep, then sat on the car hood with my laptop. I checked my mails, talked to people and track the news until the battery went low, then I snuck into the car, hoping to get a few hours of sleep too.
Marty either was not asleep, or I woke him up. I took the other blanket, muttered some “good night” to the poleepkwa, turned my back to him and tried to fall asleep. Marty snuggled closer… I didn’t pay much attention to that fact, until his hand touched my neck in a way that was hardly innocent. I barely managed to hold myself from pushing him back, and just stopped his hand. I turned around, front to him.
- Marty, what are you doing?
He avoided my eyes, curled down in fear again.
- I… I t-thought…
I realised what he meant. What did humans want from him so far? Shit… A small car interior, without much option for distance, is one of the most awkward places to explain such things.
- Marty, I’m not helping you for your… services.
He looked at me confused but didn’t say a thing.
- Really. I don’t want to have sex with you, hell, I’m not even interested in your species that way. You don’t have to “pay” me for anything.
- T-then w-why?
- Because you needed help. Not all humans are bad, but I know it’s hard to believe if you’ve met only the worst of our kind.
I shrugged. What else could I say. The whole situation was awkward, even more because of my still unhealed trauma towards interspecies sex… Yet, it was not his fault to react the way he’s been taught for years…
- Just try to sleep, OK? It may be a busy day tomorrow.
He nodded and laid back down, looking confused and lost in thoughts. I turned again, trying to get some comfortable position to sleep. I’ve heard Marty turning a bit, before he cuddled close again, this time in a totally innocent way.
-T-thank you.

***

Next day we’ve reached NVHQ. Marty is having medical check now, I want to make sure he’s OK, especially considering his pregnancy. I myself am writing this note, waiting for… well. I either blog that later on, or Commander will. It’s gonna be interesting anyways.