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where an incredible aroma assailed their noses.
    “Damn something smells good.” Karen’s stomach rumbled then Geena’s answered.
    “I’m so hungry I could pass out.” Maybe that was what her problem was.
    The dining hall was set up like an all you could eat buffet with fried chicken, meatloaf, baked fish, a variety of vegetables, noodles, rice, and desserts. After being deprived for three days on the space station while the brides were all gathered, Geena’s mouth watered and she filled her plate. Once finished she moved to a table to sit with Karen right behind her. Maybe she did need to have at least one friend among the other brides. She felt lonely and this was estimated to be a two week trip. Karen was smart, pretty, helpful, and friendly. It felt nice to have a friend after her work and lack of family had isolated her in the past.
    It was nice to sit down, eat exceptional food, and talk to someone who had things to say. Besides, she was also gathering information. “I heard the Mazlans were buying all the latest tech for their ships, factories, and even homes. Word has it they are drowning in credits.” Karen whispered as if this was a secret. It wasn’t since this had been on the news, in magazines, and discussed on the streets.
    “Really? I hadn’t heard.”
    Karen’s head swiveled towards her. “Where have you been living? Under a rock?”
    “I was in a study group.” Karen would understand that. Study groups were a big thing right now as Earth tried to balance its skewed ratio between the sexes.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
    “Tell me about it. I’m just thankful to be out of there.” It was true too. Normally she was too valuable to send away for research but they were afraid she wouldn’t come back after this mission. They had every reason to worry about that but they knew she would do what was needed for a successful conclusion to the mission because she was too anal to fail.
    They finished their meal but the talk had slowed. The mention of study groups had reminded them of all that was wrong on Earth. A large percentage of women never made it out alive. She knew she was lucky that they needed her. Female lives weren’t valued because there were so many but that might not always be the case. At the rate they killed and sold them, add in a few that escaped, in a decade they might be forced to rethink the value of females. Geena hated Earth’s government and she hated the president more than anyone. Corrupt, selfish, and stupid, he ruled like a king of old with no concern for his people.
    Until they changed things at the top nothing would change anywhere. It made her wonder why she had even agreed to help them. It wasn’t as if she liked any of the men in charge. Even though her immediate supervisor had been a woman, she’d been hard to like as well even though she’d tried. Once they were done eating, Geena and Karen headed their separate ways. It was time to explore and there was a huge ship to look at. It was best, she decided, to start at the bottom and work her way up. It wasn’t hard to find a lift so she opened the doors, they didn’t appear to be restricted, and pushed the lowest button. Her stomach was left several floors above, or at least seemed to be, when she hit the indicated level. Taking a deep calming breath prevented her from losing her dinner.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Who is She?
     
    An alarm sounded briefly before it went out. The flashing light that had been on for less than a second indicated the cargo hold had been breached. The Oison weed had been unloaded safely, a large part of his job completed, but it wasn’t all done yet. The hold was now full of equipment for the fields and the factories. Even a small section had been reserved for office and personal equipment and luxuries. Stevr loved his own personal luxuries so he had no problem with others having theirs. Some of the items were the latest learning computers for children like the nephews and nieces he would