Candidate (Selected Book 4) by Robin Roseau Page B

other ways."
    "Get rid of the males, and I'll skinny dip," I offered.
    She looked through the glass. "No, but I'll let you have a towel and robe, and I'll tell the males to leave you alone. That's the best you're going to get."
    I turned away. "You're an evil woman. I hope someday someone does something to you like you're doing to all of us."
    She ignored my comment. "So, do you want to swim?" I didn't look at her, but I nodded.
    "Come." She turned us to the right, and we entered what was clearly a locker room that looked like any found at a modern health club. "This is for females." She led me to a rack, and there were waiting robes. Beside them were towels in a bin. I shrugged into the robe and held it tightly around me.
    "Thank you," I whispered.
    "There is a rack near the pool," she said. "It is far enough from the water to avoid being splashed." She led me to one of the lockers. "This is now yours. It will open only for you or me. Leave your under clothes here. There will be fresh clothing here for you after your shower. You will return the robe and dress only in what you find here."
    "I understand."
    "Wait here. I will summon you when you should come."
    "Yes, Administrator."
    She left me for perhaps five minutes. It was hard, but I took off everything under the robe, setting them in the locker and closing it. Then I pulled the robe tightly around myself and waited.
    Then in front of my eyes appeared a word. "Come."
    I looked around, saw the path to the pool, and soon emerged in the big room. The humans were all gone, but Jasmine and a number of the other aliens were watching for me to appear. I walked straight to Jasmine. "They're watching me."
    "Yes, they are," she said. "Take off the robe and leave it here." She gestured to a standard clothing rack, complete with hangars. "You can leave your towel here or use one of the chairs."
    "Please tell them to turn around."
    She crossed her arms and said nothing.
    "Fine," I said. I walked to the edge of the pool and called out, "Do any of you speak English?"
    One of the males moved slightly closer. I don't even know how to describe him. He was clearly an alien. Envision a scene from Star Wars, if you want. Pick one of the aliens. Does it really matter?
    "Many of us do," he said, his words heavily accented.
    "I wouldn't suppose you would give me an ounce of privacy," I asked.
    He shifted weight and looked around then looked back. "Speak more slowly."
    "Will you all please turn your backs while I get into the water?"
    "Why?"
    "Because Administrator Brighteyes won't let me wear any clothes."
    "Speak slowly."
    "Because. I. Am. Naked."
    He gestured. "You wear this."
    "I. Must. Take. It. Off. To. Swim."
    Again he looked around. "Human females small. Different bodies. Curiosity."
    "Please," I said. "I'm really upset. Please do this for me." I turned to the Catseye. "Will you at least translate for me?"
    "You don't need me," she said. "You're doing fine."
    I turned back, and everyone was still watching. Then the male who had been speaking turned, speaking rapidly in one of their languages. Then he spoke in a second language. A moment later, everyone in the room, except the Catseye, turned his back on me.
    "Thank you," I said.
    "Better hurry," said the Catseye. "They aren't necessarily patient."
    I ran to the rack, slipped the robe from my shoulders, and shoved it onto a hangar. I sent the towel flying towards a chair and was pleased my aim was gone. Then I ran for the water and dived.
    I came up, turned around, and looked up to the Catseye.
    "There," she said. "That wasn't so hard. Were you going to swim laps?"
    "Yes."
    "They'll let you have the lane," she said with a gesture. "I'll keep the human males away for two hours and warn any other males who come down to give you some distance."
    "Thank you."
    "You're welcome. Ms. Hayes, you are the first mating candidate to be offered use of this pool, unless it was part of a challenge. When word gets out, others will come. I encourage you to