Chapter 2 - The Scheme

Upon reaching MW-3, the planet showed its hues of blue, green, brown, white and shades in between. Sending a transmission to the planet's space traffic controller about who they were and documentation numbers, a reference check was commenced. Hearing that they were cleared to enter Earth space/air traffic, they could descend down to their destination. The captain made the announcement to the crew of going down to the planet's surface. Telling all to get to their stations for turbulence, all complied without second thought.

The space craft went through Earth's atmosphere without too much trouble. Sinking further down, air traffic in their flight path was clear without many other flying ships around. Heading toward one of the major inter-species organization harbor docks, it was at an establishment called New York City. Seeing the specialized docking bays and flashing lights, the pilot steered the massive ship towards it. Getting a radio call from ground control to park in lot 4 section E, it was a designated placement for spaceships larger than normal ones.

Landing in one of the slots in lot 4, an announcement of landing completion was stated. Hearing an automated transmission of docking in progress, a connection bridge began to activate. Extending like a metal slinky from the building side to the ship, it made connection with one of the passageway external hatches. Locks and gears engaged sounded like a sequence of mechanisms. It ended with an electronic "bing" sound indicating that docking has been successfully. Hearing an automated announcement from the bridge, it addressed them with instructions.

[Welcome to Earth...Captain Olton...please make your way to the administration desk in your terminal, port# 5 to check in. I repeat. Captain Olton...please make your way to the administration desk in your terminal, port #5]

"...I guess that is our cue Captain," Commander Utern mentioned.

"Interesting welcoming party," he agreed and stood up from his chair. "Let's go see what is in store for us."

"Yes sir," the other said.

The two leaders left the bridge and made their way towards the connection bridge. After a short walk and going through an elevator or two, they reached the pathway point. Clicking the terminal to have the dock hatch open, the two saw a long hallway. The width of it was wide enough to have 5-6 people standing side by side. One half of the ground was on rotating belt while the other was just a floor panel for walking.

"Have you been to this planet before Captain?" Commander Utern asked as they stepped on the automated conveyor belt. At the pace they were traveling, the terminal area would be reached in a couple of minutes.

"I have a couple of times, but only briefly. This will be the first, long-term stay on this rock."

"How long will this stay be?"

"What? You want to go home already?" the leader asked with a smirk on his face.

"N-no Captain. I was just wondering."

"To be honest, I ain't got a clue either," he answered with a small shoulder shrug. Reaching the halfway point, they could hear the outside noises of the airport. It was a little different due from them being in an enclosed passageway versus their normal open method.

"So it was our superiors that made the decision."

"Partial. They laid down an advance credit for conducting business relations with MW-3's people," the Captain explained and began to rub his hands together. "The other was my insistence for coming here for better reasons."

"I see...what made you decide to have us come here?" Commander Utern pondered.

Both made it through most of the constructed tunnel. Seeing the conveyor ending, the remaining stretch of the pathway looked more furnished. It was carpeted and had solid walls. Walking to the opening at the end, the 2nd in command glanced at the walls of information and advertisement humans put there. It was similar marketing and information ads they have on their world.

"The host-program. From the times I visited here and have read about it, the whole thing is favorable to us. Governments here pay well if we put one of our kind through this...assimilation period with the humans. Not only would we get free of charge for being in dock for an extended time frame, but we would be allowed to gather resources."

"Gather resources? Last I checked the inventory report, we have a moderate amount of supplies."

"Think broader Utern. Not only do the human's planet have an abundance of food and materials, they have an over-abundance of people...9 billion of them on this rock. So while one of our kind is in an alien home, we will be collecting sample subjects," Captain Olton explained. He heard his commander halt. Stopping and looking back at him, there was a look of surprise.

"...you want to collect human subjects? And make them slaves as the Baklavaians?"

"This is what I am driving at."

"You do realize the abduction or enslaving any human is punishable by decades in maximum prison...sir," the 2nd in command stated in a serious tone.

"Baaah," Olton remarked with a dismissive wave. Turning around, he continued walking and heard the other man walk to keep up with him.

"That is if they catch me in the act. I am not afraid of these humans. They look weak and small just like the slaves on this ship," he commented. Getting out of the connection bridge and into a small lobby area, the administration desk was nearby followed by a registration office behind it.

"I must protest this thinking sir. You are jeopardizing not only yourself, but all of our crew members as well as our citizens. We will be stained with being law breakers and rogues. Our superiors will severely punish you," Utern continued with the same firm tone of voice.

"Are you going to go against my orders and stop me Commander Utern," the Captain asked with a tight smirk. His expression became a smug seeing his subordinate give a small frown.

"Negative...sir."

"I had a feeling you would say that. Now come on and quit your whining. We'll be in and out of this easy operation. It will be like taking a treat from a Gyson-hound."

Heading over to the registration office, they opened the door. Upon entering, both leaders saw much foot traffic going from one end to the other. There were aliens in line to booths that had human attendants addressing their needs or questions. Some of the extraterrestrials were in groups while others were here by themselves. From the general view, it appeared to all of them that there was nothing odd about it. However it was a bit surprising to the two Primusians. Especially given how out of sorts the habitants of MW-3 were for years.

"I must say sir...this is not what I was expecting," Utern remarked losing the disapproval tone he had before.

"Expecting?"

"I thought there would be more...segregating sections for all."

"...I can see why you say that...well, it must be that the humans don't have much power over all the space races," the Captain remarked putting his hands in his pockets.

"I did read that humans were considered a quite adaptable species."

"Higher ups said the same thing about the Baklavaians. Half a century under our regime, they have adapted quite well to being sub-class."

"Another peculiar thing Captain...a good majority of the aliens here have adapted to MW-3's technology and communication. Especially the devices called mobile and smart phones. If I remember correctly, our rear-admiral hailed us with one of those before we left for this planet."

'...yeah...they were able to reprogram them so that the humans wouldn't detect a signal when using them here. More in likely to show these lowlife creatures a false sense of acceptance. Our technology is far superior to this crap,' the ship leader thought.

"Where the hell is this place for the host-program?" he asked impatient. The massive amount of activity going on in the registration section was making him irritable and want to leave. The sight of all the other races that were wildly different made him cringe. Seeing movement to his left, his commander pointed at something.

"I believe it is the human booth over there captain. With the sign stating of Host-Program Exchange and Information."

"Ah good! No one is there. Which means first in line to be served!" Olton declared. Leading with his subordinate following, they headed over to the moderate size stand. Upon reaching it and interacting with the attendants, the two were asked about who they wished to be in the host-program.

"Who are going to pick Captain?" Commander Utern asked.

"Hmm," the Primusian responded. Rubbing his beard thinking, he closed his eyes.

"Which of my slaves would be the most obedient? Never faulter. And not get bright ideas about escaping."

"I have a list sir," the 2nd in command answered and got out a thin tablet. "These individuals were identified as being less resistant to commands and orders."

"Oh?" the Captain said opening his eyes. Looking at what his underling had in his hands, he smirked and put his hands on his hips.

"Look at you being prepared. Good. Let's see."

"..." Utern spoke and handed the device to his superior.

While his leader was going through the list, the man glanced over at the two attendants on the other side of the counter. Both women's faces and stances were rather stiff. An uncomfortable aura surrounded both of them that made him feel a little cautious. Knowing that Primusian males had more prowess than the human female, he didn't know if they were hiding weapons behind the desk. A notation was put in from their superiors about the one incident of an alien being hostile and brandished a weapon. He was killed swiftly by a human guard with a pump action gun.

"Ah ha!" the Captain said slapping the device. "She'll be perfect for this!"

"Who did you select sir?"

"Aerialus," he answered and gave a soft chuckle to himself.

The second in command pulled out another digital small monitor and began looking up the profile of the slave mentioned. Once finding it and viewing it, he could see why Olton picked her. Stepping forth to the counter and handing over the device to the two attendants, one took it and looked at it. The other began typing on the computer in front of her while the other began listing the profile information. After several minutes, the information was loaded up and the attendant handed back the device.

"Once the information has been processed by our central office, it will go through a routine check. If accepted, we will let you know that it has been given the go ahead."

"Excellent. Let us head back to the ship," the Captain stated and turned around.

"..." Utern responded with giving both female humans a small head nod. Both mimicked his gesture but did not say any other statement. The usual greeting or welcoming was not there. Seen that they became displeased with their terms of using slaves, he remembered reading a little of human history. Turning around and following his commander, a small smirk came on his face.

'A race that used to do slavery then to see it as a crime...how fickle of a species.'


Inside the slave trader's ship, there was a humanoid slave that was mopping a corridor's floor. Like all Baklavaians, she shared very similar characteristics with humans. Her skin was pale, but retained a very light tan. Reaching down to the bottom of her neck, her hair was mostly black with a couple of strains of dark violet. Rubbing one of her eyes with the palm side of wrist, the other showed a faded orange iris with light grey sclera. Not particularly short or tall, she was considered favorable to the Primusians in other attributes.

Aerialus finished her mopping and began cleaning up. Once finished and wiping the sweat off her forehead, she proceeded to dump off the dirty cleaning liquid. Finding a janitor closet, there was no one stationed inside. Feeling relieved to not have to be stared at or interrogated, she emptied her pail. Ringing out the mop and hanging it on the wall, she put away her remaining items.

[S-0923: Aerialus. Report to the quarter's hall. I repeat. S-0923: Aerialus, report to the quarter's hall] an overhead speaker announced.

'Oh no,' she thought cringing with anxiety. 'What did I do now?"

Getting out the janitorial room, she closed the door and walked to her new destination. Along the way, the Baklavaian saw crewmen looking at her from different glances. Some were blank while others seemed more predatorial in nature. In the beginning of being a slave, she would have walked a little faster due to apprehension. Over time, she was able to contain her emotions and just walk on by. Those that reacted got hazed or messed with as if they were a target.

Reaching the quarter's hall, Aerialus stopped a little aways from the doors. Straightening herself out and taking a deep breath, she mentally told herself to not react. Letting it out, she walked to the entrance. Seeing the doors open up, she continued into the room. The captain of the ship was sitting at a table with one of his commanders. Both were facing each other, but that changed when she entered the room. The men saw her stop a little aways from the door sporting the only slave attire of a grey jumpsuit.

"..." she spoke and gave a small curtesy. "You called for me sir?"

"Yes...I did Aerialus," Olton said and stood up. "I have use for you in a certain program."

"...program...?"

"Yes. It is called in the human world, the Host-Program. Have you heard of it?"

"I am afraid not...sir. News outside of here is limited to me and my kind," she answered calmly.

"Not to worry!" the Captain said with a shark smile. Standing up, he approached the slave. Stopping near her, he could sense her being a little afraid. Satisfied, he continued.

"My trustee comrade will give you a synopsis of it. Commander?" he finished. Putting hands behind his back, he walked past her and went to a monitor on the wall.

"..." Utern responded with a passive expression. Blinking, he sighed through his nose.

"...right..."

Putting on his reading glasses, the 2nd in command began to read from the digital document. While he was explaining, the commander saw in his peripheral vision the reactions from both the slave and the captain. The female was well composed. He could see that she had years of experience being obedient, quiet, and attentive. In this case, her eyes seemed to be interested of the information being given.

His leader was looking at the servant with a smug on his face. From knowing the captain for a while, Utern knew what it signified. This "host-program" was a favorability to his scheme in his mind than anything else. If the setup and conditions were not to his likely, he would have intervened already. Focusing back on the document and scrolling down a little more, he finished detailing what was written.

"This is the summary of what the host-program is. Do you have any questions?" the commander asked looking at Aerialus.

"...umm..." the Baklavaian stated a little lost for words. Seeing her trying to collect herself, it did not take long.

"How...long will I be doing this...host-program?"

"Good question...Captain?"

"Hmm? What?" Olton reacted blinking and looking at his right-hand man.

"Do we know how long she will be in the host-program?

"Ahh, why worry about that? That will spoil the experience right from the beginning," he explained. Walking over to be next to her, he put a hand on her shoulder. It made her flinch and stiffened.

"We will contact you and tell you when to come back or not. Just take this as an opportunity to experience a new world and culture!"

"..." Aerialus spoke very unsure of the proposal. The thought of a bait and switch was probable given the nature of the slave traders. Feeling the Captain turn her to face him, he put both hands on her shoulders.

"You will do this...yes?" he asked looking at her with a sly smile. Knowing the circumstances of not agreeing to the head leader, goosebumps filled through her skin.

"Y-Yes s-sir...I...I will do it," she answered with much anxiety.

"Captain...stop scaring her," Commander Utern remarked with a sigh. "You selected her."

"What is the deal? She just agreed given my charm," the leader commented taking her hands off the slave. "You take this way too seriously. You know?"

"If you say so sir."

"Don't spoil the mood Utern," Olton stated with a small frown. Reaching his right hand to his left wrist, he pressed a button on the tech gauntlet.

[Yes Captain?] a male crew member responded to the call.

"Bring me a guard to escort S-093 to the supply room. She is part of the MW-3 host program. File for supplies and clothes are in the database. Make sure she meets the code to pass."

[Aye aye sir]

"A word of warning for you...slave," the Captain informed with an even voice. Looking at her sternly, he removed his finger from the comm button.

"We will be watching you very carefully. Any attempt to try anything to run away and escape...we will hunt you down. You will be thrown back into a solitary cell for...a very long time."

"..." Aerialus responded with stiffening and listening.

"Do you understand me?"

"..." she answered. Scared from losing her voice, she bit her tongue hard enough to be painful. Getting a small sense of control back, it helped her breathe.

"...yes sir..."

"Good!" Olton reacted with a cheery voice. Finding enjoyment from seeing her almost become frozen scared, his quarter's door opened up.

"Ah, there is the escort. Now off you go!" he said. Turning her around, he gave her a push. Seeing her stumble a little before recovering, the escort came in and grabbed her arm.

"Move," the guard said sternly and pushed her again. When both got outside, the auto door closed.

In tow with the escort, the female Baklavaian thought more of what will happen to her. The wonder of what was on this human world over the captain's comments became the focus in her mind. The more she pondered about it, the more ambivalent she felt. It was a sense of freedom and uncertainty. Possibilities of the hosts be good or bad was unknown. Despite all this, it was something she had no choice but to do.

'Whatever happens...will happen...I guess,' Aerialus stated in her mind. After a few minutes, she and the guard reached the supply room. Getting pushed forward after the doors opened, she got in line with the others that were taking part of the host-program.