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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Groomed: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

34 Kabanata

1

8-YEAR-OLD XIU "Father, may I go with you today," I ask quietly as Father scans his breakfast. Our main housekeeper always prepares Father his favorites, which he scans with a critical eye before eating. "No, Xiu. You must study. One day you will take my place. You will be responsible for our family name. You must be prepared. Taking days off is irresponsible. You must understand this even at your age," he says before glancing at me. "Eat your congee and fruit," he orders and I begin to eat slowly. I knew what his answer would be but I still wanted to ask. Today is my birthday, and I think Father has forgotten. I thought maybe if I spent more time with him today he would remember, but I knew it was a long shot. We see so little of each other. He works long hours and spends all day in his office. I see my tutors more than I see him, but I understand. He wants me to be the best I can be. He owns several companies and I must be prepared to oversee all of them. Being a woman will ma

2

XIU POV My eyelids are heavy but I force them open. I can hear my father's low voice and the nurse's quiet whispers. I know they are talking about me but I can't distinguish the words. I am too drowsy. I just received my medicine an hour ago so I am at my weakest. After a few more blinks I turn my head to find them standing only a few feet from my bed. "My beautiful daughter looks like a skeleton. Why is the medicine not helping her? Money is not an issue. Make her better," my father angrily spews at the nervous-looking nurse, and I smile weakly. Just hearing that he cares about me warms my heart. He has never shown me much attention unless it involved my studies or teaching me something about the company. He had actually started giving me one-on-one tours of our beverage company and talking about when I would be taking over before I got sick. "Sir, her cancer is stage four. Her bones are riddled with it... There is no getting better. Xiu is going to die," she explains yet again

3

XIU POV As Sarah pushes me down yet another hallway, I spot a second wheelchair with another sickly Asian woman in it, and my curiosity grows. Are they testing some kind of new drug? Is it specific to Asian genetics? Father's second-largest holding is in pharmaceuticals. He should have known if such a drug existed... unless America was hiding it. "Evening Sarah. I see your trip out of the country was successful," the other white woman says and Sarah sighs before replying. I stare into the stranger's face, trying to decipher if there is any ill intent, but her blue eyes are as hard to read as Sarah's are. The entire flight over I hadn't slept. I had forced my body to stay awake. I had stared at Sarah and prodded her with endless questions, but she had stayed firm in the fact she couldn't disclose anything else to me. She seemed kind and looked at me with those sparkling eyes while insisting I sleep, but I wouldn't allow myself to be fooled into resting. Even if I was doomed to dea

4 (Modok)

I growl lowly as I think about the Vaals being slaughtered at this very second. Young males who are not even out of training and yet they are having to fight. I will make every dishonorable bastard on that rock bleed. Only cowards attack those too weak to win. "They are going to keep hitting this area if we do not put fear into their hearts," Burk roars as Nole straps his knives to his thighs right beside me. I can see the sweat glistening on my orange friend and I know his thoughts about our enemy mirror my own. We will give them nothing but death. "Our brethren are dying right now! Jahns and Gafrops have attacked the Vaals stationed on the moon of Frole. Are you ready to defend? Are you ready to protect? Are you ready to tell these Beasts we will not succumb to their rule," Burk roars again as he paces the transport room? "Yes, Commander," we shout as the technician finally presses the transport button. A wash of color zooms past us and my body sinks into a crouch. As soon as o

5 (Modok)

I grin as my eyes take in my family's home. I have missed them. Fighting has kept me from visiting for far too long. I straighten my new civilian clothes and switch my bag to my other hand. I take a deep breath and head for the door. I know my family is expecting me since it has already been announced I am a Gold Ranked Harvest Champion, but I didn't call. I needed time to process the last battle and come to terms with all the friends we lost. I stayed in my military-provided living quarters for a few days before transporting home to Gaimo. I refused calls from everyone and sat in silence like I always do after a difficult battle and funeral services. I needed it, but my mother and sister won't see it that way. As I near the door I begin to hesitate. Do I ring the bell or do I use my code and walk in? I haven't lived here in years... But before I can decide, the front door slides open, and I am met with my sister's angry face. "What the Kilkballs, Mo? Mom and I have been calling.

6

My body aches as I begin to regain consciousness. I have no idea how long I have been asleep, but my joints aren't happy. I try to open my eyes but the bright colors in the room make me close them again almost instantly. I can hear someone else in the room with me, but my mind is groggy. I try to lift my arm to rub my face and wince. Everything is still as sore as it was on Earth. Either they haven't healed me yet or the entire thing was a lie. Suddenly, someone touches my arm, and my eyes fly open. When I am able to focus I see a dark blue alien man with red eyes and hair looking at me, and I instantly scream. "Who are you," I demand in Mandarin, and he backs away as if afraid of me with his hands in the air. I try to sit up, but my arm gives out on me. The male tries to approach me, but I yell again. I don't want him anywhere near me. He is too tall and too large. I have no way of defending myself in my weakened state. He stops in his tracks and once again puts his hands up as if

7

"The other humans should be here already," Baalee says as she presses the button to open the door. The door slides open immediately, and my eyes skim the room. The two small humans sitting in the room full of colorful people are easy to spot. Baalee leads us toward them, and as we approach, I hear a bit of their conversation. "The Peulos come from a watery planet and like to swim. They are blue or green in color. Kea's are all around you. We are the most colorful. We view everyone as family and hate conflict. Fighting in this war is hard for our people. That is why Keas hosts the Harvest. We are the most trusted," the green Kea is saying to the caucasian human and my mind soaks up the information greedily. "Oh, look. The other humans have all arrived. That was faster than usual," the purple Kea says as she sees us approaching them over the human girl's shoulder. All the heads at the table turn toward us at her announcement and I lift my chin a little. My back straightens even more

8

I silently glance around at the colorful walls as Liamee leads me to the room I am supposed to be staying in. The other girls will be in the same hall as me, and I pray they leave me alone for the evening. I have so much to think over. "Here is your room, Xiu," Liamee says as she comes to a halt. The door slides open and my lips tilt up as soon as I see the luxurious space. At least the room I will call home is nice and calming. "I see you like it," Liamee says as she looks over my expression. I smile at her and nod. "Well come in. Let me show you some of the things that might be different than Earth," Liamee says and I follow her inside the big room. She glides around pointing at things, but I only half listen. My eyes are making their own assessments as she talks. The linens are nice, the rug is expensive, the artwork is simple, and the touches of red make me happy. The sitting chairs look comfortable, but the bed looks overly plush and I know it will hurt my back by day t

9

I sip my tea silently as the other girls talk amongst themselves and laugh. I don't often partake in their social activities, but I have come to like my fellow Harvestees. They are all sweet and openly fond of each other. They aren't like the cutthroat businessmen my father was grooming me to shut down. We have been here on Kea for a week and I have studied every scrap of material Liamee has brought me. I have learned about each of the planets in the Allied forces and I have narrowed down which planets I could see myself potentially calling home. Now I just have to wait until the actual tournament begins. "Xiu, what do you think," Krystal asks and my eyes snap to her face. I didn't catch what Jia and her were talking about. I was too focused on fantasizing about my future. "I am sorry. I wasn't listening to the topic," I admit and Krystal sighs before pointing her finger at Jia. "Jia thinks we should ask for a larger tour of Kea. I said we shouldn't focus so much on Kea since the

10 (Modok)

"You still haven't found a place," Nole asks as he downs another shot of Cok alcohol. I shake my head. The tournament is six days away and I have yet to find a suitable home for my future mate. "Not knowing what species she will be is making me hesitant. I don't know what her preferences will be," I say before taking my first shot. The strong liquid scorches a path down my throat, but I keep my face blank. Cok liquor is strong and requires a strong stomach, but we have been drinking it for years. "Just pick something fancy, but easily defendable. I found a place two days after we were retired," Nole says with a slight slur and I notice his orange skin looks blotchy. He beat me to the bar so who knows how many shots he took before I arrived. But blotchy skin means he has reached his limit. "Slow down. You have had enough," I say to my friend, and he grunts but doesn't reach for another. "Are you more nervous than you are letting on? Drinking that much before I even arrive.

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