EVX651 frowned at her reflection as she loaded the last mirror on to the robot’s trailer. She was tired of searching for somewhere to live, but mostly she was fed up with SMX214.
Just then his unsmiling face peered round the door. “Stop gazing at yourself. There’s work to do.”
With a silent wish for luck, she sent the robot scout on its way then turned to her companion. “The planet looks promising don’t you think?”
“Too soon to say EVX651. Oxygen levels fall with acceptable limits and there appears to be abundant vegetation and water.”
EVX651 turned her gaze from the robot as it disappeared in the distance. “Do you think I’m beautiful SMX?”
He frowned. “Please call me by my full name, EVX65. Regarding your strange question, your features are 96.3% symmetrical and you have been certified fit for breeding purposes, if that’s what you mean.”
It wasn’t what she meant. She was a woman, not a piece of equipment. “This could be our new home, SMX214. We could start a family here.” She reached over and touched her mate’s arm making him flinch.
“Not now,” he snapped. “There’s work to do.”
The robot scout came back sooner than expected, badly dented and with its trailer missing.
It related its findings in a bored and flat voice. “There is humanoid life but it is primitive. I was attacked.”
“Savages!” cried SMX214.
The robot continued. “They surrounded me, stole the mirrors, then started to throw stones. I was forced to retreat without completing the tests.”
“Then we must prepare leave,” declared SMX214. “Immediately. “
“But the mirrors! The rule book says that any interest in mirrors has to be investigated.” She had him. SMX214.lived, and breathed by the book.
He looked at her, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “You are right. We will investigate in the morning.”
EVX651spent the night staring out into the blackness. She found herself longing for the things she hated about her home planet. Things weren’t that bad really, were they? But she knew she was fooling herself. Their home planet was so overcrowded. If she’d stayed, she would never have been allowed to start a family.
She was ready at first light. “Can I come with you SMX214?”
“No. This is man’s work,” he said gruffly.
There was nothing to do but watch and wait for his return. After a while she saw movement. A humanoid, but unlike any she’d seen before. Long black hair fell round his shoulders, and his skin was dark, so unlike her own fair skin.
When SMX214 returned she ran to greet him. “Is it good news? Can we stay?”
“When I am refreshed, we will talk.” He pushed her aside and went to his quarters.
In desperation, EVX turned to the robot. “Show me what it’s like out there.”
With a whirring sound, the robot projected images on to the wall. The planet was like a garden, with trees, and rivers, just as she imagined Earth to have been, so many centuries ago.
Squirrel-like creatures with yellow fur, clambered through trees, birds like purple sparrows flapped and squabbled, sending feathers flying. Next she saw a settlement. Just some crudely built huts, arranged in a circle. In the centre two females sat round a fire.
Her eyes widened. These creatures liked mirrors. They used fire. Surely their long search for a home was over?
She found herself looking at the male she’d seen the day before, at his dark brown eyes, and smiling mouth.
“How beautiful he is,” she said, then laughed at her foolishness. Despite herself, she imagined how it might feel to run her hands through his hair. Suddenly SMX214 came back making EVX jump to her feet. “Are the humanoids intelligent? Can we stay here? It looks so wonderful!”
“When you’ve finished gabbling,” he said. “I will tell you of my findings.”
He cleared his throat and spoke in a voice as flat as the robot’s. “The creatures recognised their own reflection in mirrors, so they are self aware, intelligent beings. They know how to make fire and use tools and have a rudimentary language.” He stopped and she knew he was waiting for her to interrupt. Somehow she managed to stay quiet.
At last he continued. “However, my conclusion is that human life here is too primitive and not suitable for our purposes. We leave at dawn.”
EVX’s face remained passive.
“I am glad you re taking this so well,” he said with a rare smile. “I began to think my choice of mate was unwise, but it seems I was wrong.” He held out his pale hand, but she couldn’t bring herself to take it. Her mind was elsewhere. The need to settle down somewhere was like a physical pain. It could be years before they found another planet with humanoid life. She couldn’t wait any longer.
Once SMX214 was asleep, she sprang into action. Silent as a snake, she flung some provisions into a bag, and left the spacecraft, then she began to run, sucking in the fresh clean air.
When she stopped she knew someone was watching her. It was the male she’d seen the day before. Calmly, she held out a hand and walked towards him.
“Hello, I’m Eve,” she said.
Copyright © 2008 Rob Richardson. All Rights Reserved.