United: An Alienated Novel Read Online Free PDF

gave us all salmonella poisoning. It probably goes without saying that projectile vomiting isn’t very romantic, so matchmaking efforts between humans and L’eihrs have been a bit hampered by recent events. But we’ve had some wins in that department. The software created for us by the experts at e-Compatibility has already resulted in a few love matches, and I’m confident that many more will follow.
    We’ll get the hang of this whole “alien integration” thing. Because we don’t make stupid mistakes on our colony. We make spectacular ones!
    Posted by Cara Sweeney
    Cara logged off and stuffed another bite of l’ina sandwich into her mouth, littering the laptop keyboard with crumbs. She tried to blow them away, but her mouth was too full, so she made a mental note to deal with it later. Right now she had to get back to the administrative building before the colonists assembled in the lobby noticed she was gone and came looking for her.
    Because they would.
    A few minutes ago she’d snuck into her apartment for a quick working lunch, typing with one hand while feeding herself with the other, but experience had taught her there was no place to hide from her people. Not even the shower stalls were safe. It was somewhat disturbing how accustomed she’d become to taking complaints while shaving her armpits.
    She grabbed her sandwich and made for the door, but stopped short when she discovered a petite brunette waiting on the other side. Cara recognized the woman, having seen her once or twice in passing. She was young for a colonist, about twenty-three, with an angled bob hugging her jawline and a pair of misty, red-rimmed eyes that formed an instant link to Cara’s heartstrings. Maybe she was homesick. It was a bigger problem than anyone wanted to admit.
    “I saw you come in through the window,” the woman said, fidgeting with her hands. “So I know you want to be alone, but …” Her gaze faltered. “I really need to talk. I’m Mary, by the way.”
    Cara made a concerted effort not to glance at the clock or think about her appointments. Helping people like Mary was part of her role as human representative. “No problem.” She gestured for Mary to come inside. “Are you missing your family? Because I can give you extra time in the conference pods. As much as you need.”
    “No,” Mary said as the door closed behind her. “I mean, yes, but that’s not the problem.”
    “What’s bothering you?”
    Mary smoothed her tunic, watching the floor while she spoke. “It’s my job.”
    Cara mentally groaned. Of course it was.
    “I knew we wouldn’t get to pick for ourselves,” Mary went on. “I read your blog before I applied. But you kind of made it sound like the intake test would match us to our perfect careers, and—”
    “And that’s not the case?”
    “Not even close. They put me in sanitation.”
    “Cleaning isn’t glamorous, but every job is important here.”
    Mary quickly clarified, “Oh, it’s not that the work’s beneath me. I’m not too good to clean. It’s the isolation. I’m on a crew with one other person, a L’eihr guy, and most days we go a whole shift without saying ten words to each other.” She tucked a lock of hair behind one ear and lifted a shoulder. “I thought coming here would be some great adventure, but more than anything I feel lonely. I’m not asking for special treatment, and I’m not afraid of hard work. I just want to be around other people.” She peered up with wide eyes. “Isn’t there anything you can do?”
    As much as Cara wanted to say no, there actually was something she could do, and everyone knew it. As a member of The Way, her decision was law. No L’eihrs would question her if she reassigned Mary’s occupation. Humans, on the other hand, would go berserk. If word spread that she was willing to change people’s jobs, it would open the floodgates for a hundred more requests. She’d told the truth when she’d said every role was important.