Chapter 6 - Cracking Conditioned Behavior

Back in the Captain's office, Olton was watching a video feed. It showed Aerialus being escorted back to the hanger bay and to the transporter craft. Seeing that her expression never changed, he imagined that once in the passenger area of the ship she would have faltered. Smirking from thought of wanting to see her break her steel character, he closed the window. Putting his elbows on his desk, he began to brew about something else. It was in regards to what the slave seemed to withhold from answering everything on her mind. Contemplating what kind of means to use to find out, he blinked from hearing a couple of knocks on his hatch door.

[It is me sir] Commander Utern stated over the intercom.

"Ah. Come in," the leader remarked. Hearing the door open and looking up from his desk, his 2nd in command approached his desk. Halting and standing at his usual strict attention stance, Olton snorted.

"Looks like you got something to say."

"Permission to speak freely sir," he asked still at attention. He heard the other man chuckle.

"Permission? This is grand. It has been a while since I got proper treatment. At ease Commander," the higher officer remarked with mirth. Leaning back in his chair and looking amused, he motioned an open palm to his subordinate. The Primusian relaxed his stance and gazed at his leader.

"Why did you allow the slave to go back to the transporter?"

"Why? Is it really that odd that I did that?"

"More peculiar sir...given the fact that the mind sensor device indicated that she withheld information," Utern informed. It generated another mirth reaction from the other.

"Snooping on me huh?"

"Your track record on slave interviews has not always been peaceful and clean sir."

"True...I'll admit to that," the ship leader agreed. Placing one hand on an arm rest, then began to stroke his beard with the other hand.

"Let's just say, the slave Aerialus...is a bit different from the typical Baklavaian prisoner. She hasn't done anything to try to escape or even leave the host family home. Because, and get this, she didn't get a direct order from me. Truly an obedient one."

"...?" the 2nd in command reacted with an eyebrow raise. "You mean, she is your ideal slave subject?"

"Hey, don't look at me like that. We are slave traders by profession. There isn't anything wrong with having favorites. Besides, she is the best representative for us than the other slaves we have sent on the host-program. The others already have dirt on them. Can't continue to use them when they are not loyal to their masters."

"..." Utern responded with a blink. Looking down and not focusing on anything in front of him, he began thinking.

"Come now commander. I know your strategic mind is brewing of what this possible setup could be," the Captain commented. Seeing his officer still in deep thought, a shark smile began to grow on the leader's face.

"Heh heh. Shall I give you a hint?"

"That slave is your cover-up for getting humans on-board...then enslave them."

"Wonderful," Olton commented with a softer tone. He imitated a tear of joy coming down his face with a finger and a smile.

"I'm so proud that you figured it out."

"...mmm..." the 2nd in command reacted with a grunt and narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure that you are not biting off more than you can chew sir?"

"Possibly," the leader answered with shrugging his shoulders. "That's what makes it a thrill."

"...if you say so," he remarked. Seeing him get off his chair and stand up, he put his hands on his hips.

"How can you say that and be a slave trader? Hmmmmm? You are a complete buzzkill."

"Unlike you sir, I'm not keen on taking uncertain risks. That is my defense and drawback as a slave trader."

"Eh. Fair enough," the Primusian captain spoke. Dropping his hands to his sides, he walked around his desk. Getting next to his officer, he slapped him on the shoulder.

"Come. I must go select a scout to spy on our wonderful Baklavaian slave representative."

"...? One of our scouts?" Utern asked. Following, both headed to the office door.

"No," the ship leader answered. Both exited the quarters and walked down the hallway in front of them. Passing the room of where the other participants of the host-family program were, they continued without discussing about them.

"A slave will be used as a scout instead," he clarified with a grin.

'A slave as a scout?' the 2nd in command pondered.

After going through a series of hallways and up an elevator, both stopped. Engaging the panel next to the door hatch, it began to open. Once the mechanism finished and the doorway cleared, they entered a large room. Inside was a maintenance storage room. One of many on the ship, this one had a group of prisoners cleaning. Still puzzled and trying to find reasons for his Captain's decision, he saw the man scan a little. Seeing that he spotted someone, the bearded man pointed at the slave that was in a far corner.

"She will be my birdie," Olton stated with a grin.

"..." Utern blinked and took out a small tablet. Looking up the maintaince schedule and the prisoners that were on duty, he looked up the profile of the slave mentioned. Viewing it and analyzing the person's characteristics and history, he looked at the other man next to him.

"Can she be trusted sir?"

"Are you doubting my selection...Commander?" the leader asked with a tight smile on his face.

"I'm asking for reaffirmation that the slave will obey your orders...sir," Utern responded with a stoic expression.

"Oh...she will..." the captain stated and rubbed his hands together. "I'll make her an offer she can't refuse...heh heh heh."


'...' Aerialus thought looking at the side viewing window. Seeing that it was just a sight of inside the hanger, she just stared. In seeing mild activity by the crew, they were not doing anything particularly interesting. Standing up and quietly pacing in the locked space she was in, her mind began to drift.

'The captain...gave me privileges to venture out in this world...but why?' she wondered in caution. 'What is the real reason behind granting me more freedom?'

'The calling of a majority of the other participants is not a routine...that is an indication that something wrong was committed.'

'Picking me as the first one and giving me...praise...must mean I was right to not take the representatives word during that home inspection,' the female reasoned with herself. Thinking about how long she has been sitting in the passenger hold space of the transporter before doing laps inside, it had already been several minutes. Only giving that tangent aspect mild interest, she shifted back to her original wondering.

'...did...all the others make a mistake? If so...what kind of errors? Were they mild offenses? Large ones? Or...nothing at all?' Aerialus said in her mind with concern.

Hearing heavy footsteps on the ground outside of the ship, they began to climb up the ramp. Breaking out of her pacing and brewing, she quickly went back to her seat by the side window. Putting her arms forward and hands together in her lap, she pretended to be resting with her eyes closed. The sounds of the weighted steps stopped on the other side of the door then it opened up. Opening her eyes, it was one of the Primusian guards with a blank expression.

"We are leaving slave. Be prepared."

"...yes..."

'...I'm...the only one going back?' the Baklavaian thought with trepidation. 'Or...I'm the only one going back first...then the others?'

'...no...either the others did something wrong...or this is another antic of the masters to cause me worry and fear.'

Adjusting herself in her seat and strapping herself in, she listened to the noises in the ship. Hearing and feeling the ramp mechanism retracting, its gears slowed to a stop. With the hatch door closed and locked, faint footsteps were heard moving away from the space she was in. The buzz of the loudspeaker sounded with the pilots indicating system status of the flying craft. Getting the audible notification that everything was green, the permission to take off and leave was stated.

'I wonder if I am really going back to their home or be sent off to another place,' Aerailus wondered feeling herself get tense. '...it isn't uncommon for them to get rid of slaves that do behave and not.'

'The randomness keeps everyone in fear and obedient.'

Feeling the ship rumble to life with the thrusters engaging, it began to lift off the hanger deck. Seeing the craft slowly turn 180 degrees, it began to move forward. Once it passed the bay door frame and showed the sky, city, and an endless sea to the horizon, it was dusk. The sun star seemed to be half submerged into the horizon. Its blinding illumination turned color to be more orange to red. The low clouds became various shades of warm and cold colors. Seeing purple clouds seemed marvel when all the ones she had seen were white and gray during day time.

Going over the city again though later, she saw how bright it was. It seemed that even though this was the time period of staying indoors, life and the city did not turn in. Vehicles still moved and bustled around. Various buildings were still opened with the sight of thousands of humans not slowing down. Advertisement and building names were illuminating more clearly while in the air than on the ground. It painted another shade of understanding for the female alien.

'The family was not lying...it is like this establishment and the humans...don't sleep...just like how the neighbor is a night worker, there is a populous that does the same things as well,' Aerialus thought feeling better from comprehending. Getting away from the harbor and downtown, the transporter began to go into suburban areas. After a few minutes, the ship began to slow down before descending. Looking out the window, the Baklavaian was surprised.

'...they returned me back to the family...' she thought a bit shocked. Feeling the ship drop in altitude, it made a semi-soft landing. Feeling the mild jolt snap her out of her daze, she collected herself. Hearing heavy footsteps and muffled chatter in the other compartment space, she looked down at the floor. Seeing the hatch door open and looking up, one of the ship's representatives was there.

"Come slave. The home's porch is your drop off location."

"..." she responded with a nod.

Unbuckling and standing up, she forced herself to walk. Feeling each footstep to be strapped with sandbags, she passed the Primusian. Hearing him follow behind, they stopped at the door leading to outside. Watching him access the control panel, the ramp began activating. At the same time, the hatch door started to open itself. Seeing that darkness was beginning to take over the day, night time would soon occur within the hour or less.

"Move," the man said with a grumbling tone.

Not flinching and beginning to walk forward, each step towards the home was relieving. Instead of invisible weights being put on her shoulders from when she was leaving the house, they seemed to be lifting getting closer to it. At the same time, she had a knot in her stomach from wondering how the family members would react. Telling herself they would not berate her or anything, the conditioned fear and behavior was deep rooted in her mind. Glancing left over to the neighbor's house, seeing it again seemed to give her comfort. Now knowing that someone did reside inside, it meant that her quest to find out more of the barely known individual could continue.

Stopping at the front door of the home, its lights were still on. Watching the Primusian press the doorbell, it sounded. Feeling tense on the inside, she kept still and waited. Hearing faint footsteps and the lock being turned, it opened and showed Robert. He blinked in surprise and looked at her first.

"Greetings human. The slave's in person status with the Captain has been completed. Returning so the host-family program may continue," the representative stated with slight irritation.

"...uh...thanks," the young human responded. Looking at the other alien and nodding his head, the guard turned around. Watching him walk away, the son looked the female Baklavaian. Keeping the door open and approaching her, he stopped in front of her.

"Hi Aerialus...are you okay?" he asked quietly.

"...yes...I am...just relieved is all," she answered with a small smile. She was suppressing herself from wanting to sigh heavily in relief.

"Come inside. It's cold out here."

"...yes...it is rather chilly-"

[Hey...getting a strange reading nearby] a voice from the Primusian's headset spoke. It was loud enough for both Aerialus and Robert to hear. She felt her blood run cold from wondering if this was part of a bait and switch tactic.

"Where?" the representative asked touching his head gear.

[50 paces at 45 degrees from the ship...30 paces at 90 degree right of where you are facing]

"...that's...the odd neighbor's house," the human male whispered.

"...!?" Aerialus reacted with instant relief then curiosity.

"What is it?"

[...strange...it went away...scans couldn't read it completely for a check...possibly a glitch of some kind]

"Aye. Heading back to the transporter."

[Aye]

"What's going on son?" Harold called from inside. Both Robert and Aerialus watched the Primusian head back to space craft.

"...!?" she reacted with a jump from feeling a hand on her left shoulder. Looking back quickly, it was the younger human male.

"S-Sorry," he spoke and held up both hands. She let out a sigh of relief.

"N-No...I-I'm sorry."

"...uh...how about we head inside?" the man asked again putting his hands down.

Seeing her nod, both headed inside. Aerialus took one look back in paranoia if she was going to be captured. The last thing she saw before the front door closed was the representative going into the ship. There was no turn around, no yell ordering her to halt, or the other Primusian staring her down. It appeared to be truly a drop off and nothing else.

'...I...I don't really believe this...' she pondered lost in thought. Hearing something, she blinked and looked towards Robert.

"Aerialus is home dad," he called back.

"..." she reacted from hearing footsteps. Coming from different rooms on the first floor, Sue came out from the kitchen. Seeing her face and the expression she had, she immediately walked quickly to her.

'...why...why is she...' Aerialus stated in her head a bit bewildered.

"Thank goodness!" the mother stated with relief. Without stopping, the female human hugged her and gave a small squeeze.

'...what...' the Baklavaian thought with widen eyes. Perplexed and nervous her action, the older man came into view. Seeing a relieved smile on his face, it made her mouth part a little.

"Welcome back home Aerialus," Harold greeted. Standing near his son, both males gave small smiles to her that looked more of comfort than keeping up an appearance.

"Yes! Welcome home dear!" Sue agreed happily. Pulling back and standing nearby, she gently grabbed the alien's hands and held them.

"We were so worried about you. Did everything go alright? Did they injury you in any way?"

"..."

"Honey...calm down," the husband remarked. "Let's all go to the kitchen and sit down together. It will allow her to relax."

"..." the woman responded with a deep breath in and out. Giving a small smile, she looked at her spouse and nodded.

"You're right dear...I can't help it. She's part of our family."

"..." Aerialus responded with feeling an intense emotion building. She willed herself to not give into it to cause them even more concern. At the same time, their compassion was beginning to overwhelm her.

"Maybe after eating dinner, we all can feel a little more normal," Robert mentioned offhand. However, it caused the younger woman to freeze.

"...what..." she asked and looked at the son. Looking back, he blinked and stared.

"W-What do you mean...eating dinner?"

"Oh I was telling the boys that we couldn't have dinner without you. You helped me make it so we waited for your return," Sue stated as a matter of fact with a confident smile. Looking at them, she continued.

"Ain't that right?"

"Mmm-hmm," Harold responded with a half-smirk. "With that invisible crack of the whip you did."

"..." Robert suppressed a snicker while trying to keep face.

"Oh hush you two!" she stated with a frown seeing their expressions.

About to say something, she felt someone shaking a little. Turning to her left, her face became concerned. Both men saw what was happening as well and changed their demeanor quickly. Approaching a little closer, their extraterrestrial exchange person was crying. Her face seemed on the verse of breaking down.

"Aerialus...what's wrong?" Sue asked quietly still holding onto her hands.

"...I..." the Baklavaian spoke with a harsh intake of air. "...I...have...n-never...b-b-been...t-t-this...c-cared...f-for...b-b-before."

"...I-I...h-have...a-a-always...b-beeeennnn," she continued.

Slipping a little to let out a choke and more tears, she scrunched her lips together. As if triggering a flashback, the memory of it was not pleasant. It was scarring. Expecting something demeaning to come from them from those past experiences, she looked up with blurry eyes. All three family members were looking at her with worry and sympathy. The sight felt too foreign for her to where she spoke her mind.

"I-I a-a-am...j-just a...s-s-slave!" Aerialus spoke louder. Sniveling a little, more tears flowed out as she struggled to talk more.

"I...a-am...n-not...one...o-of your...k-kind!"

"I...only...t-take from...you...all!" she stated sounding of a mixture of upset, embarrassed, and pent up. "...I...I d-do not...d-d-deserve...y-your...k-k-kindness...I-I-"

"...Aerialus..." Sue spoke softly and gently squeezed her hands again. Hearing another choke from the alien, she looked at her with her ugly face showing.

"It doesn't matter who you are dear...or what your status is. We accepted you for who you are...all of us did," she continued and gave a warm smile. "We treat you with kindness because we like you."

"...!?" Aerialus responded flabbergasted with her eyes widening more.

"...and...we love you as part of our family. That's why we choose...to wait for you...to worry about you..."

"..." the female Baklavaian reacted with quivering lips.

Feeling more tears coming out, she looked at the two men nearby. Both of were looking at her with sympathy. Though Harold looked more mature and had warmth of a father she wish she knew, the son reacted slightly different. He seemed a little choked up as if he was becoming emotional. The showing of empathy and sharing the same emotional sensation was a sign. It became a visual significance of bonding with the family on a different level. Unable to contain herself from the learned fear behavior and happiness, she hugged Sue. Put her head down on her left shoulder, the uncontrollable sobbing commenced as she firmly held the human.

"...I...I...I d-don't...w-w-ant to b-be..." Aerialus spoke through gasps of air and crying. "...a...s-s-slave...I...I...w-wish...t-to stay...a-a-and l-live...w-w-with...a-a-all o-of y-y-you."

"We'll all be here with you Aerialus," the mother spoke softly and gently hugged her. Being teary eye, she began to pet the back of her head. Feeling the alien tremble more made her worry that the in-person status on the slave ship was far worse than being okay. Looking at her husband and son, she motioned them to come closer. Seeing both approach, she shifted herself to be facing them and Aerialus in the middle.

"Me...Harold...and Robert," she continued leaning her head against the female Baklavaian.

"..." she responded with feeling two other bodies next to her. Shaking and lifting her head, her eyes were blurry and her nose was running. Sniveling and wiping her face with her arms, she looked to her left. Seeing the older human male in front of her, he continued to have a small gentle smile. Getting something out, he handed her a handkerchief. Seeing her grasp it, she began to wipe her face.

"I may not be as emotional showing as my wife or son...or as you Aerialus," Harold began then put a hand on her shoulder. "But if you are okay with me, I won't mind calling you my daughter."

"...!" the young female outer spacer reacted with surprise.

Feeling uncontrollable emotions still in full swing, she gave him a hung with a sobbing face. Feeling him pat her head and give a gentle embrace, he let go of her after a couple of seconds. Slowly removing her arms around him, she looked up a little to view his face. Seeing him still giving the same mild expression, he motioned to the last person near them. Turning to her left again, she saw the son still look emotional.

"...I...um..." he began looking a little out of sorts. "I-I'm not good...with this kind of thing...but I'll take you anywhere."

"...!?" Aerialus reacted with a start. He grabbed her hands held them up between their chests.

"I can show you what Earth has to offer...show you all kinds of things...and what it means to live like a human...experience all the things here to your heart's content...t-that is...if you are allowed to...a-and you are...you know...okay with m-me showing you...around."

"...t-that's..." she began feeling her heart flutter from the statement. Still not able to control herself in her emotional state, she embraced him and leaned her head against his. Feeling much warmth from him, he slowly hugged her back. The sensation from having each human's embrace and acceptance of her made the alien smile and tingle her insides.

'...is...is this...what I have heard in this world...fate?' she pondered in her mind continuing to hold him. '...despite knowing that I am still a slave to the Primusians...this desire to be freed from them...to stay with these humans...burns so fiercely in my chest and mind.'

'...I've...never felt this way before...it feels...so warm...so comforting...so compassionate...' Aerialus wondered in a mild form of bliss. The tears coming down her face did not feel the same ones from being hurt or induced by fear. It was more relieving to let them come out with a wide smile on her face.

'When...was the last time...I have smiled...or have felt...happy?'

"..." both parents reacted from seeing the two youngins embracing each other. Their expressions slowly morphed into small smirks from their son's behavior. While Sue held her tongue, her spouse didn't.

"Son...you can't be that new to wom-"

"Shut...up...dad," the son remarked through clenched teeth.

Looking at his old man with an irritated face while still holding onto the young women, his red face indicated something else. Suppressing a snicker, Harold raised both his hands despite smiling wider. His wife held a hand over her mouth though looked to be giggling with how her eyes looked. Being distracted from hearing Aerialus still crying, it didn't sound as wrenching as when she first balled her eyes out. Rubbing his hand on her back and patting it, the indirect language seemed to have told her to let go.

"..." the alien woman spoke wiping her face again. Trying to control herself and calm down, she closed her eyes and tried deep breathing. Feeling that she was still surrounded by them, it made her force herself to shape herself up and to show strength. Able to feel water stop pouring out of her eyes, her emotions were a little more stable. Feeling ready, she spoke first before opening her eyes.

"...I-I'm...sorry for being...e-emotional."

"It's okay sweetie," Sue remarked calmly. Seeing her turn towards her voice and open her eyes, the Baklavaian's eyes were red and irritated. Giving a small smile, she walked beside her.

"Come on. Let's go eat together as a family. I'm sure we'll all feel better after having some warm food. What do you say?"

"..." Aerialus answered with looking at her. Turning her head to both Harold and Robert, both were giving the same expression as her. Seeing the husband give a small nod, she gave the same gesture back. Looking back to Sue, she bobbed her head a little.

"That sounds...good...t-thank you."

"We'll probably have to nuke all the plates to get them to be warm again," the son commented. Heading into the kitchen first, the two parents saw the startled and frightened look on the young female alien's face. Hearing a snort, the older male smirked and shook his head.

"Nothing like warmed up radioactive food to ingest. Cold one anyone?" he asked.

"...Harold..." Sue began and gave a tight smile. "...your lightening of the mood...is scaring her."

"Oh?" he continued. Having the same jester face, he turned around and headed into the kitchen.

"What...ever do you mean dear?"

"Ugh...that man," the mother muttered with a sigh. Looking back at Aerialus, she looked lost and confused. It made her look frail and very tired from what just happened.

"Don't mind them dear. Let's go sit at the table and wait for them to reheat dinner."

"...b-but...he...Robert...said..."

"Hee hee...you act so cute when you are like this," Sue indicated with an amused smile. "Remember...both Harold and Robert like to use interesting vocabulary to describe things."

"...y-yes..." the Baklavaian agreed. Letting the older human woman lead her to the dining table, both sat and waited for the food. Once ready and served, the four consumed the late served meal.