"I'm very happy to welcome you to the team, Mrs. Spitz."
"It's Miss." I correctly him softly.
"But, your paperwork says here firmly that you are married to an Alpha for the past five years." His finger taped the clipboard in confirmation.
I bristled. "The recruiter said it would increase my chance of getting an interview if . . ."
His voice deepened. "...you lied on the form. Ms. Spitz, do you know what I do to liars?
"Well, I did have an annullment," I said in a panic. Why had I made that up? I could feel my fists clench into balls as I reminded myself that I needed this job. I needed to find a way in. I was determined that my status wouldn't hold me back.
"Well in that case, Miss Livia Spitz, welcome to the team. I am Dr. Manfred Dawson, one of the associate professors. I am no means, the head of this whole operation, but I would like to say that, I am hoping that my efforts will be recognized at one point. My point is, I will be keeping you on track as your guide in the upcoming weeks and I hope that you won't let me down. We have few good scientists as it is who are not slaves to their species."
I swallowed involuntarily.
My eyes saw the yellow of his eyes gleam as his adam's apple bobbed as he had locked in on his target. I tried to smile as I could feel him trying his alpha approach to even out the odds. He was going to try to get credit for my contributions the same as he was trying to remind me that he was taller than me, broader than me, and deserved these things to his name. Biology had given him the upper hand in this, but for his species, alphas. He was a bit, scrawny. The lab coat didn't help either, he was lanky and lean.
Definitely not the best meat of his species.
I bowed my head, like a good beta should. Appealing, I hoped, to his sensibilities. "I really appreciate the thought of someone taking care of me, Dr. Dawson. I am really happy that even with my imperfections I am being allowed to join your pursuit. I know that you keep your nose to the grind to produce results. And I would very much like to be included. I have been attentive to your efforts. Behind every big university research, I see you in the footnotes."
"Oh no, how do you seem to say everything I want to hear?"
I tensed again. I wasn't exaggerating. In between checking tabs and collecting orders, I did like to scroll over Dr. Dawson's contributions in the astrobiology of our origins for years. My academic journey had been non-traditional, taking an extended six years, instead of four. I was behind in everything, but my academic advisor of my department had always sent quarterly emails of openings. These things I would just browse at, but when I saw Dr. Dawson's name, I was so excited that I had dropped my phone in the pasta sauce bucket at work.
I couldn't let this chance pass me by.
Who knows what advances they were hiding in government labs these days. Every time I would hear about 'astrobiology' in a news programs, I would get goosebumps. I had majored in astrochemistry as it was the only thing that was offered at the local community college. My bachelors was just biology and even then, it was Dr. Dawson and I was sure he would help me get to the final degree I had always longed for.
This was a step in the right direction.
His expression calmed. The menace slowly seeming to be controlled, I assumed through some calculation as he viewed my resume again. He touched my hand like it was a butterfly. "You have the minimum qualifications. I suppose I could use a blank slate that I can teach. I know how difficult it is to attend community college and then transfer. I know the fundementals are there. I taught some of your old professors, and they have done the noble thing. Full of betas, community colleges are so they tend to be soft. But I can definitely turn you into an astrobiologist, even with your chemistry background.
My foot hit the ground in an involuntary skip as I met his clipboard with a fist bump--god I wasn't at basketball practice. Why did I do that? I could tell that he was as shocked as I was. I was definitely community college material. It was definitely not a good look.
He looked away as if I had not done something agregious and offensive.
I stuttered. "I definitely have a lot to learn. But an alpha is a natural leader."
"That I am," he said coldly. He scribbled his signature in an untidy scrawl at the bottom of the page, another signature of his species, bad handwriting. "I can see that you will be interesting to lead, but never mind that. Discipline can be taught. The first step should be that you are able to access my office so I can instruct you?"
"Yes sir." I showed him the badge which had been hanging out of my back pocket. "I got it from the reception area. The attendant there was very nice to me."
"The best disguise is always a smile. There should always be a distinguish between what is predator and what is prey. I will have our administration department make a lanyard for you. It will be mailed to you so keep an eye out for snail mail." Dr. Dawson swiped his badge to get me out of his lab.
I could take a hint.
But, somewhere, my doubts still stirred. "Then? Sir, did I get the job? I am not sure by your actions. Your words say yes, but your body language says no.""Do you not understand? Let me spell it out for you, wait for the badge and then it will be real to your primal beta mind."A retort was on the tip of my tongue, but I nodded as he ushered me out.=//=I had finished another shift at the Italian restaurant when I finally checked my mailbox. I usually dreaded checking my mailbox as it was usually people asking me for money that I barely had to begin with. I could see the negative balance in my account that gave me so much anxiety.But when I took in a deep breath and then tried to unlock my mailbox. My key was stuck and then somehow as it jammed, I shoved my shoulder into it and my box opened showing me the id card had been on the side which had caused it to become stuck.I took out the id and looked at my own photograph. I didn't feel great as it wasn't the most flattering
The way he said specimen I shivered. What did he mean by that?The smaller beta male got to his feet and he finished chewing before putting his hand forwards gently. "It is a delight to meet another lovely beta female, Miss Spitz. It's wonderful to have your energy added to our team. I always think feminine should balance the masculine energies.""I couldn't agree more." I tried to smile to diffuse the tension between the who of them. I tried to look at the other artwork around the room, I was finally doing the job I had dreamed of for the last week."But why would there be a gender difference in research. If so wouldn't it make more sense for me to work under him?" I wondered, turning from Dr. Igarashi to the man who was claiming to be my mentor. "I know the documents were heavily censors so I assume that I have joined when we are going to be starting human trials? It seems quite a late stage in which someone should be joining a research team. I'm trying to make sense of th
I wasn't naiive though. I knew that these men could become monsters. No woman could be without the fear of seeing that aggression in the other gender when the species known as alpha. Their body size was imposing and looking up to them had already placed their position as primal to us. These were the ones commanding the legions as we fought against the darkness that threatened to engulf from extra terresterial threats. To fight back to keep our planet safe, our society needed dominance and aggression where the fighters would keep getting up even if there was no hope for survival. It wasn't something that we talked about in the news anymore, but the tariffs and the quiet rations--were something we all accepted but refused to speak up. It was always a part of a society that it was a requirement that there be a weaker sex and that was we."I am not one who is often seen with the most violent species. I hope that you will not see this as more weakness. But, sir, what do you mean t
"I'm sure you can understand the reasons for such an airtight NDA. We wouldn't want it getting out there, what our government is working on. Your entire discretion is advised or you will be sued into oblivion. You're signature was of utmost importance to me. But, now that the legalities are out of the way, we can move on to more pressing matters. I want to show you what I have been perfecting these past few months." Dr. Dawson decided onto the bottom floor. There was a hiss as the assistant beta males in hazmat suits stepped out of their decontamination zone and bowed before scurrying off. I felt awkward as I was left behind. Dr. Dawson raised his eyebrows to look at me and I came closer to him. "Come. Come on, this isn't a place to be getting lost. I really want you to be aware of this specimen. You know we have astronauts who were involved in the first phase of defending our planet before we had the invasion and the war. It's not really much left in his pique physical
"I'm sure you can understand the reasons for such an airtight NDA. We wouldn't want it getting out there, what our government is working on. Your entire discretion is advised or you will be sued into oblivion. You're signature was of utmost importance to me. But, now that the legalities are out of the way, we can move on to more pressing matters. I want to show you what I have been perfecting these past few months." Dr. Dawson decided onto the bottom floor. There was a hiss as the assistant beta males in hazmat suits stepped out of their decontamination zone and bowed before scurrying off. I felt awkward as I was left behind. Dr. Dawson raised his eyebrows to look at me and I came closer to him. "Come. Come on, this isn't a place to be getting lost. I really want you to be aware of this specimen. You know we have astronauts who were involved in the first phase of defending our planet before we had the invasion and the war. It's not really much left in his pique physical
I wasn't naiive though. I knew that these men could become monsters. No woman could be without the fear of seeing that aggression in the other gender when the species known as alpha. Their body size was imposing and looking up to them had already placed their position as primal to us. These were the ones commanding the legions as we fought against the darkness that threatened to engulf from extra terresterial threats. To fight back to keep our planet safe, our society needed dominance and aggression where the fighters would keep getting up even if there was no hope for survival. It wasn't something that we talked about in the news anymore, but the tariffs and the quiet rations--were something we all accepted but refused to speak up. It was always a part of a society that it was a requirement that there be a weaker sex and that was we."I am not one who is often seen with the most violent species. I hope that you will not see this as more weakness. But, sir, what do you mean t
The way he said specimen I shivered. What did he mean by that?The smaller beta male got to his feet and he finished chewing before putting his hand forwards gently. "It is a delight to meet another lovely beta female, Miss Spitz. It's wonderful to have your energy added to our team. I always think feminine should balance the masculine energies.""I couldn't agree more." I tried to smile to diffuse the tension between the who of them. I tried to look at the other artwork around the room, I was finally doing the job I had dreamed of for the last week."But why would there be a gender difference in research. If so wouldn't it make more sense for me to work under him?" I wondered, turning from Dr. Igarashi to the man who was claiming to be my mentor. "I know the documents were heavily censors so I assume that I have joined when we are going to be starting human trials? It seems quite a late stage in which someone should be joining a research team. I'm trying to make sense of th
But, somewhere, my doubts still stirred. "Then? Sir, did I get the job? I am not sure by your actions. Your words say yes, but your body language says no.""Do you not understand? Let me spell it out for you, wait for the badge and then it will be real to your primal beta mind."A retort was on the tip of my tongue, but I nodded as he ushered me out.=//=I had finished another shift at the Italian restaurant when I finally checked my mailbox. I usually dreaded checking my mailbox as it was usually people asking me for money that I barely had to begin with. I could see the negative balance in my account that gave me so much anxiety.But when I took in a deep breath and then tried to unlock my mailbox. My key was stuck and then somehow as it jammed, I shoved my shoulder into it and my box opened showing me the id card had been on the side which had caused it to become stuck.I took out the id and looked at my own photograph. I didn't feel great as it wasn't the most flattering
I was trying to remember the interview answers that I had memorized. The unnatural sounding words came through my mind as I knew corporate jargon had nothing to do with what I, the employee, wanted to achieve. I wanted to achieve so much and--"I'm very happy to welcome you to the team, Mrs. Spitz.""It's Miss." I correctly him softly."But, your paperwork says here firmly that you are married to an Alpha for the past five years." His finger taped the clipboard in confirmation.I bristled. "The recruiter said it would increase my chance of getting an interview if . . ."His voice deepened. "...you lied on the form. Ms. Spitz, do you know what I do to liars?"Well, I did have an annullment," I said in a panic. Why had I made that up? I could feel my fists clench into balls as I reminded myself that I needed this job. I needed to find a way in. I was determined that my status wouldn't hold me back."Well in that case, Miss Livia Spitz, welcome to the team. I am Dr. Manfred D