Page 7 of Alien Naga's Prize
Oh fuck, what have I got myself into?
JENNA
The 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 onBritanniaanyway.”
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 toBritannia, 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.”