Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3

“We have to stay sober, but I can offer you a mocktail,” Walsh said. “I’ll ask the computer what’s safe for you.”

Suckers made a puzzled sound. “A kind offer, I’m sure, but I don’t know what to do with a fake tail. I realize you humans have only two non-walking appendages, but two of mine are located near enough to the Fbarian tail location to serve the same purpose.”

Walsh guffawed, something his Ambassador boss would have refrained from. “Sorry, he said quickly. “A mocktail is a kind of drink with flavours and spices.”

“Well, that does sound nice. Odd name for it.”

Walsh accepted the computer’s suggestion of ginger beer with cran-raspberry and a sprig of oregano flower. “My boss would be disappointed you can’t see the small pink flowers on this stock sticking out of the drink. She loves that stuff, so the catering program always wants to add it. It does add a nice flavour to it.”

“No worries, I’m imaging it how you described. Hopefully our tech will get the lights on soon. Mmm. Yummy. We don’t have anything quite like this. So while we wait in the dark, tell me what you have in your office here.”

“Pictures of my children. Do you have any?”

“Oh, yes! That’s why I have to have these pills – which of course you can’t see. They keep me alive. My mate has some too, a different formula.”

“For the love of the galaxy! Some creatures called octopi on Earth die soon after mating. Is that what happens to you? Is it worth it?”

“It’s worth it! Yes, we males use our hectocotylus to insert sperm packs into the female mantle. We’re driven with desire to do it, but then comes the pain. The lady cuts off the hectocotylus, sort of yanks it out of the socket. I’m trying not to remember. They say you forget the pain of fertilisation, but it comes back to you.”

“Ouch! Does it bleed?”

“Oh, yes, but with modern medicine, we’re ready for it. We patch it right up. Never to mate again, though, that’s gone. The lost special little limb is rapidly broken down with enzymes to form a rich broth that feeds the eggs as they’re fertilized and swell. When the eggs are mature enough, the woman lays them in the nursery of the house. We do take time to make sure we’ve got a good house after we find a mate.”