Mandy and the Tentacle Monster: Chapter 27

I am freaking out. Admittedly, I have freaked out a lot since being abducted by aliens, but this egg/pregnancy situation is what’s freaking me out today.

I have no idea at all how I’m going to safely conclude this pregnancy. The way Homeworlder young are “seeded” is they are deposited into the “host” during sex. Then they use ambient DNA to fertilize themselves (meaning they just snatch the DNA out of whatever cells they land on and mix that up with their inherent Homeworlder DNA). Then they grow a bit and develop a gelatinous shell. Think frog eggs, not chicken eggs. Anyway, after they developed for a few months, they detach and need to be delivered out of their “host” to finish incubating in a watery environment.

I had Seven explain this to me a few times until I felt like I understood what is going on, and the more understanding grew, the more anxious I’ve become. It turns out that a typical Homeworlder “clutch” usually consists of 10-20 eggs. I’m lucky that only four were implanted. And when those eggs are ready their gelatinous shell becomes abrasive to soft tissues, stimulating their “host” to evacuate them. Ouch.

So, that’s why I’m freaking out. And Seven being so delighted with the idea of “younglings” is not helping. I mean, I’m glad he’s happy about it. It would have bothered me if he wasn’t. But now I feel extra pressure. It’s going to break Seven’s heart if I don’t figure out how to do this thing that is impossible for human women to do.

After asking the medbay AI a few questions, I know that a c-section is an option. But, knock-out gas doesn’t work on humans and that is the first step in any of the medbay’s automated surgeries. So I would be undergoing major surgery with no anesthesia. This information served to ratchet up my anxiety.

So, more freaking out.

Also, Seven keeps following me around everywhere I go. He has tried to follow me into the restroom more than once. I love the guy, but this is getting on my nerves. When I asked him to give me some space he looked so wounded. I felt like I had kicked a puppy.

He then explained to me, his skin turning a very agitated dark blue, that it is “guarding behavior.” Homeworlders are biologically driven to “guard” the host of their young, which means he follows me around even when there is no threat at all. I’m trying to have patience with him. I tell myself that this annoying “guarding behavior” will sort itself out as soon as the egg/pregnancy situation is resolved. So that’s what I should focus on.

To that end, today we’re hanging out in the medbay while I paint. I’m doing a canvas with a picket fence, a black cat a full moon. It’s got a very “Halloween” vibe. I’ll add a witch flying across the moon. As I paint, I’m talking with the AI about surgery options.

“Can we induce a natural labor somehow?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“How would that work out for the eggs?”

“Every egg would sustain catastrophic damage caused by intrauterine contractions.”

Ok, so that option’s no good.

I try again, “Could you develop some anesthesia that works on humans?”

“Yes,” the AI answers, sparking hope even though I know yes isn’t the final answer.

“How long would that take?” I ask.

“Five months.”

Dammit!

“Can I be put in cryo-stasis while you develop anesthesia for humans?”

“Yes.”

“Would that be safe?”

“It would be safe for an adult human female. It would not be safe for Homeworlder embryos.”

I glance up from my painting to see Baht silently move into the medbay with us. He’s still wearing his cloak. I told him that he could go around uncloaked since we know he’s an Arana-Vora and have already seen him in all his spidery glory. It must be uncomfortable to keep his long legs so scrunched up. He declined.

I’m not going to lie, I was a little relieved. I want Baht to be comfortable, and I trust him not to devour us. But he is scary as hell and I am not used to his giant-spideriness at all.

“Hello Baht,” I greet him.

“Good greetings Tiny. Seven. I wish to update you on Oh’Tech and Shafeena’s progress.”

A tentacle starts winding its way under my shirt and around my waist. Seven is right behind me and he growls at Baht. I nudge him with my elbow and admonish him to be nice.

He glares at Baht and says, “You could have brought it to my attention via my implant’s interphase with the ship.”

“Yes, but would you pass the information on to Tiny? Or would you only tell her the least upsetting information?”

I sigh, putting a wealth of annoyance into a single exhalation, “Thank you for coming to update us in person Baht. Please continue.”

“Of course, Snackling. Our bounty hunter friends have arrived safely at the Seereechee trade grounds. They made contact with a Seereechee who claims he can retrieve Ken and Lu. But it will take several days and they will have to meet at a separate location to make the trade.”

I shake my head, “That sounds fishy. Either they have them or they don’t. Why the delay?”

“It is indeed suspicious. Shafeena assures me that they are prepared for anything a Seereechee might have planned, so I have advised them to proceed cautiously.”

I nod and agree, “Ok. It sounds like you have it under control.”

“I would like to talk with you about something else of a more delicate nature,” he hedges.

“Ok.”

He huffs then says, “Might we speak privately Tiny?”

“Not in this life,” Seven snarls at him.

I elbow Seven again, “You hush!” Turning back to Baht, I explain, “Seven is biologically driven to guard me while I’m pregnant. He can’t leave the room and will follow if I do.”

Another huff, “How annoying.”

“It’s fine, just tell me what you want to tell me and Seven will stay here without commenting until you leave,” I look to Seven, “Right?”

“As you say, Tiny,” he agrees.

Baht looks back and forth between Seven and I and seems to resign himself.

“As you like. Tiny, you are aware that knock-out gas does not work on humans, yes?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer, “And you are aware that you will require surgical assistance to resolve your gravid state?”

I nod.

“I can assist you so that you may have a pain-free surgery that you and all your young survive.”

I don’t say anything, just wait for him to explain.

“All Arana-Vora produce venom that we use to subdue prey.”

Seven starts growling.

“It produces a feeling of euphoria where the victim feels no anxiety or pain. It is pure bliss that lasts for five to ten hours.”

Two more tentacles have snaked around my middle, corseting me into a tight hug as Seven growls and snarls at my back.

I pet Seven’s tentacle arms soothingly and ask Baht, “And you could give me some of your venom? It wouldn’t harm me or the babies?”

“I can guarantee it,” he assures me, “I would be honored if you would accept my help in this. It would distress me to see you harmed.”

“Thanks! That’s so sweet of you! I guess you could give us a vial of venom that we store here in the medbay-“

“No,” he interrupts me with a negating shake of his head, “You misunderstand. I would bite you when the time comes and venom would be delivered directly into your bloodstream.”

“Bite me?”

“Yes.”

“Well,” I reply thoughtfully, “that is the best option I’ve heard so far. Pure bliss for five hours certainly beats unmedicated surgery.”

“Agreed.”

Seven snarls and continues growling as he wraps ever more tentacles around me.

“I will leave you to discuss this option with your breed-mate. Good parting, Snackling.”

“Thanks. Good parting.”

After he leaves, Seven’s tentacle arms all still and slowly drop off of me.

I turn to face him and see that he is a splotchy black and dark blue all over.

At length, I say, “I guess that solves that.”

He is quiet. It seems to me like he wants to object, but he doesn’t. Instead, he says, “Agreed. But,” he peers at me searchingly, “why must he call you “Snack” and “Snackling?” It is disconcerting.”

“Well,” I grab his hand in mine so I can lead us toward the dining room, “I kinda brought that on myself. When he first boarded the ship, after you guys were kidnapped, I told him not to eat me and that I’m not a snack.”

He huffs a surprised laugh, “No! You said this to him? Truly?”

I nod, “Right to his face.”

Seven laughs all the way down the corridor.