Jenna

JENNA

T he Starlight Lottery offices are very nice. Soft, deep carpeting, mood lighting, the same smiling, overly made up woman from the day I bought my ticket. A very comfortable seat.

“We’re so glad you got here so quickly,” she says with a big smile.

“Anxious to find out where you’re sending me,” I respond.

“Is that all you’re bringing?” The woman, whose name tag claims she’s called Carole, looks at the small bag I’ve packed.

“I travel light.” I smile-grimace at her. “It’s not like we have much space for personal items on Britannia anyway.”

She gives me an indulgent, pitying look, and I manage to stop myself from punching her. “Of course, but where you’re going, you’ll have everything you ever wanted!”

I’m about to ask how that could even be possible when she jabs something into my arm.

“Ow!”

“So sorry!” she says, the smile fixed and with a look in her eyes which says she’s not sorry at all. “This is a quick DNA test to make sure you’re compatible.”

“Compatible with what?” I query. “With the atmosphere on the planet you’re sending me to?”

“Yes, that’s it,” she says distractedly, looking at the screen in front of her. “The atmosphere.”

The hairs on the back of my neck lift, but I ignore them. I have a job to do.

“Ah, perfect!” she exclaims, and I nearly jump out of my seat. “You’re good to go.”

“I am…” I look over my shoulder at the door. “What if…”

“We have a bonus scheme available for all our prize winners,” she says, pulling me out of the seat and propelling me towards the back of the office. “If they reach the hub within the first nova-day.”

She presses a button and a door slides open.

“What’s the bonus?” I ask as I’m shoved into the elevator.

“Ten thousand credits,” she says as the doors close, and I’m whisked down to one of the ports, my head spinning.

“Follow me,” a large, square bot says as the elevator doors open. “Your transport is waiting.”

“Where are we going?”

“You are going to the hub.”

“What’s the hub?”

The bot doesn’t reply. Instead it hovers menacingly next to a gangplank up to a sleek looking space ship.

My heart hitches in my throat. Other than the shuttle to get to Britannia , I haven’t been in space. My stomach contracts with excitement.

This is an adventure, and regardless of what British ‘intelligence’ wants me to do, I can make the most of it. With an unnecessary nod at the bot, I make my way inside the ship to find it’s very similar to the Starlight Lottery offices. Top of the range, rather than bargain basement.

“Please, take a seat.” A slimmer bot glides towards me, gesturing to the banks of seating. “We will be taking off soon.”

“Is it just me?” I query.

“If you can take a seat, Miss McMahon,” the bot says again. “I will bring you refreshments.”

My stomach growls. I didn’t get breakfast or my usual cup of tea this morning. I take my seat as I hear the door being closed up.

There’s a row of windows next to me, and I watch with growing anticipation as the port is cleared and the ship begins to move. We reach the forcefield and pass through, out into open space.

I feel like cheering. At least until I see the comm on my wrist and I’m brought back with a bump.

“The trip to the hub will take a nova day, Miss.” The bot is back. “For your comfort and safety, I’m authorized to give you this.”

“What?” I ask as yet again, without warning, I’m jabbed in the arm. My vision dims, and my ability to speak disappears as the drug takes effect.

The last thing I hear is my own voice attempting to get out a final insult.

“You utter bast-t-”

“Ah! Awake! Rise and shine!” A shape looms over me as I jerk upright in yet another squashy chair.

I’ve been drooling on my own shoulder, and I feel like complete crap. The shape resolves into a figure—blue skin, a shock of pink hair, and…tentacles.

“I’m Piet, your Starlight Brides liaison officer,” he says, far too brightly. “You’ll feel better in a few nova-minutes. I’m sorry we had to knock you out. The more primitive species don’t cope well with wormhole travel.”

“Starlight what?” I’m definitely sitting straighter.

“Starlight Brides,” he repeats. “Now if you’ll complete this form and make your mark at the bottom.”

He hands me a vid-tablet. I stare at it. The heading is “Starlight Brides.”

“There’s some mistake. I won the lottery. I’m not a bride or anything like that.” I stare up at him.

I’d like to run, but my legs are not playing this game. They are resolutely still asleep.

“The lottery is to be matched with a suitable mate, so you can start your new life,” Piet says with more excessive brightness. “There are so many males who need brides. It’s the reason the lottery was started.”

I shake my head. “No, this isn’t what I won at all.”

“Oh.” The smile fades a little from Piet’s face. “You don’t want a new life then?”

“I don’t want to marry someone I don’t know to get to it,” I respond.

My eye is caught by the wrist comm glinting under the cuff of my jacket. Intelligence said they’d get me out if I needed to get out. Perhaps I should play along. After all, I’ve already uncovered something about the lottery which is of interest…it isn’t a lottery.

“But I’m here for adventure,” I say, matching Piet’s earlier brightness. “And if it involves being”—I check the form I’ve been given—“a bride or… a breeder ?” I stare up at him as I grasp the meaning of the two words.

“You only have to choose one,” he says with an indulgent smile. “Or both if you wish.”

I stare at the options.

“Oh well, I guess I’m up for it. In for a penny, in for a pound,” I say out loud. “That’s my motto.”

And I tick both boxes.