“Some males have water in their ears. They cannot hear the sound around them.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“We do not consider you male.”

I said it louder this time, “Thanks.”

“It’s a compliment Earthling. You give birth. You are different. Don’t look for insults where there are none.”

Back on Earth telling a guy he wasn’t completely male was an insult. Here it was simply true. Having a life inside changed me.

What better way to grow up, than to grow something inside you?

One of the ‘twins’ plucked a small, grey slug out of the water. Tiny little spikes protruded out of its withering body.

She held it to my neck, and I recoiled back. “What’s that?”

“Something we need to put on you.”

I inhaled deep. “You guys... uh, gals are frustrating. I’ve never seen anyone say so much and say nothing. You want it on me, and it can’t be good.”

One paused before she continued. “You presume much. It will not harm you or your baby. It’s what you would call a monitor.”

The other spoke. “What would you do if it were to harm you? You cannot escape. Especially in your condition.”

She had a point, even if I didn’t want to acknowledge it. I’ve heard pregnancy was a beautiful bonding time for mothers. Maybe it was a gender difference but most of this was annoying. I wasn’t myself anymore. Just Peter in a body that wasn’t his. I had to pee constantly, my stomach went out so far I couldn’t see my dick. Back pain didn’t leave, and even my nipples were constantly sensitive. Yes, they felt good, but that wasn’t the point. I wanted the old me. The one that – even small – had a fighting chance against someone.

Fighting two military guards wasn’t workable – at least not physically. It’s not that I was afraid for myself per se - even if I wanted to live. This body was... delicate. A fight would hurt him inside. He was helpless.

I rubbed away at the gooseflesh. Even thinking about that made my stomach churn.

“Relax,” one said. “We won’t harm you or your baby. You have our promise.”

My eyebrows rose. From everything that Matros said, they were true to their word. Almost like ocean lawyers. Maybe the Volardi gave their race a valuable lesson about deal making. They would honor it to the letter, even if there were interpretations otherwise.

I winced as the wet slug sucked at my neck.

“Is this so you know more about our biology?”

Both spoke in unison. “Yes.”

That wasn’t reassuring, but I stayed quiet.

I grimaced from the movement on my neck. Maybe, time to talk about something else?

“What are your names?” There were two in the room, but it was easier to think of them as one entity. “Do you have children?”