Strangetown: Chapter Twenty
Warnings: language, alien sexual situations (with more detail than usual, but nothing really graphic)
Chapter Twenty
Stella Terrano was going to become a pollination technician.
After her time at college on Sim Earth, she would return to her home planet to a career that was already waiting for her. Not many sims could say that they had a job lined up while they were still in the middle of university. For that matter, not many of them could say that they had almost always known their future career and had been planning for it for years. Nearly since birth. And not many of the sims at her college would have spent so many years honing their skills as Stella already had.
In alien terms, her age was equivalent to most of the sims at La Fiesta Tech., but in actual years, as they understood it, she was quite a bit older. But for her, it was much the same. She was at the same phase of her life as an alien as they were in sim terms, so she related to many of their struggles.
Before she had been ready for her studies on Sim Earth, which was something that she had personally decided to do, she had done some job shadowing with a practicing pollinator.
She had driven the spaceship, and had even been given the opportunity to control the equipment that extracted the sim from his environment.
She had been complimented on her efficiency.
They had been witnessed, which resulted in a bit of a lecture afterwards with her mentor, but other than that, the mission had been very successful. She had really hoped that the pollinator would let her do the actual pollinating, but she understood that she wasn't quite ready to tackle that yet.
The pollinator had let her watch, at least.
Other than the witnesses, her first abduction had gone off without a hitch.
It had been successful all around. She had selected a very appropriate target, and this had earned her the esteem of her colleagues. Stella had already built a name for herself as a young pollinator to watch. She was even considered a bit of a prodigy by some. And in their monitoring of her first subject in the years that followed, he had proven to be a very good parent, and generally quite receptive to the idea of the hybrid sims.
He would, no doubt, be having more of them.
It was tricky business, as not all sims viewed the aliens with the same level of acceptance. Many of them viewed their activities as being quite hostile.
There were some groups of sims, like those in the military, that believed that the aliens wanted to eradicate the entire sim species.
They were right.
Or, rather, they were right up to a point. The aliens did want to put an end to the sims as a species, but no more than they wished to do the same to their own kind. They wanted to merge them, fully, and eliminate the two separate species as they existed right now.
With the virus, they really had no choice. They would be wiped out completely. Their only course of action was to change their species. To adapt it. To make it one with the sims.
They would do this by breeding into the gene pool, until there were enough hybrids to self-sustain. Once they were sure that they had won the genetic war, they would allow their own species to fall. And perhaps, if rumours were the be believed, the sims would then fall too.
It wouldn't matter. Both groups would be equally represented and equally benefited by the new arrangement. They were doing the sims a favour, in many ways. There was nothing to stop a similar virus from wiping out the sims, and this way, they had double the immunity.
Any sentient being with the capacity to think logically could understand that, right?
Stella had been thrilled to discover Jayne in her dorm. What luck to be able to observe a hybrid firsthand. And she had been observing her in great detail.
She hadn't exactly intended for it to happen, since she was not directing her studies towards the hybrids, though it did help for her to understand more about their biology as well. It was a nice coincidence.
Stella was glad to have found Jayne, and she felt almost like a sister to her. Back on her own planet, she knew that Jayne would have made a good partner for her. But she wasn't living there anymore, and that sort of life was not to be dreamed of for Stella. She was going to become a pollination technician, and that wouldn't leave any time for families or other domestic things.
If Stella wanted to live in a fantasy world like that, and pretend that her life wasn't in danger, then there would be no hope for the aliens. Some of them did resign to their fate, and lived their lives as if there was nothing they could do about, but not Stella.
Stella was one of those few that would succeed at her mission, or else die trying.
The mission, which they called, most practically, The Pollination Project, had been started shortly after the first strains of the virus had begun to kill off her kind. There were two schools of thought about the problem at that point. There were those that believed that a vaccine could be developed to stop the virus, and those that didn't. So far, the doubters appeared to have been right.
Of those that did doubt the possibility of a vaccine, many simply lost hope. They called it the virus to end them all, and just resigned themselves to death. But there were also aliens in this group that felt the need to find another solution. To move their struggle for survival outside their home planet, and to further "evolve" their species.
The plan, after much exploratory research at the hands of the first great pollinators, was focussed on cross-breeding their kind with this one particular species: the sim.
The sims were the only species in the entire galaxy that the aliens had found to be compatible with their reproductive system. It was extremely compatible, in fact, and very versatile. It was as if the sims had come into existence solely for that purpose.
The alien pollen only needed to enter the sim body in any manner available to them, and it if lingered long enough to harvest and merge with the genetic material in their cells, the reproduction process would begin immediately. Self-sustained, within its shell, until it was ready for birth.
It was even simpler than reproducing amongst themselves.
In order to do her job to the best of her ability, Stella would have to understand the sim body, how it could be manipulated by alien reproductive material, and that of their own kind. She would also need to learn about their sexual practices. Their incredibly varied sexualities. That was important to understand also.
To this end, they had been able to equip her with the proper outward physical traits to blend in with the female of the species, and ample ones at that, so it shouldn't be hard for her to attract a suitor or two.
She would begin her studies with the sim male, since this was their most frequently chosen and best target for abductions.
The male of the species did not gestate sim offspring in their own body, so it only made sense that the aliens take advantage of that opening in their reproductive system. All those useful vessels, going unused, just waiting to be filled with developing hybrids.
It was almost too easy.
In fact, they had a keen interest in any sim that was unlikely to gestate a fetus from their own kind, for whatever the reason.
They targeted male sims, single sims, sims with reproductive difficulties, and sims which found themselves in any romantic relationship that could not result in offspring. Those that paired with others of their own gender.
This last point was something that Stella herself had taken a keen interest in, and it was to be the focus of her thesis.
Sella was determined to learn more about sim sexuality. It was not something that existed among the aliens. All those variations. They needed to be able to identify the subtle differences, to make sure they made the right choices.
She was going to be the specialist in this regard.
Stella knew that this would be a crucial factor in their success. It was a significant percentage of the population, which they estimated to be between 5% to 10% of all sims, but Stella was convinced that it was even higher than that. Either way, they would need to be able to accurate identify them. They needed to target that group, and be successful at making the right choices.
To learn everything that she needed to, Stella would need to examine numerous sims, but she was very careful about who she approached. Her request might be viewed as rather odd until she learned a bit more about how they usually went about such things. For a start, she could also use someone who had some experience. That seemed like a wise choice.
She had been waiting and observing for quite some time, as she continued her less hands -on studies, but she had finally singled out her first target.
He was nearly perfect.
She had seen him performing in his band, The Shifting Paradymes, which Stella quite enjoyed listening to.
He gave off the right sort of energy, and he seemed very open and easy going about most things.
She had observed the way he casually and frequently went off with other sims, with what she assumed was the intention to mate with them. She had heard others say as much.
So, finally, Stella had decided that it was time for him to go off and mate with her. She waited around after a show to try to speak with him.
"Well, that's last call, bitches!" Jaxy roared. "If you're gonna fucking drag someone off, the time is now. I hear that Gunnar over here is still looking, and I'd be only too fucking pleased if you took him off my hands for a night. If you liked rocking out to that beat, just think of what he can fucking do for you in a more intimate setting..."
She re-adjusted her guitar. "This is our fucking last song. It's called "Sunshine and Grease". Go on and fucking give it to us, there, Ripp."
Stella watched them perform their last song, which was one of the rare ones that featured Ripp's vocals as much as Jaxy's.
"You're just a summer love,
But I remember you when winter comes."
"So far away, you left me a sweet memory,
In the night, we are together in my dreams."
"Make a sunshine glow some way to snowcone beat.
Dripping all over,
Trying to run and asking anyway.
He's dripping and he's watching and he knows what you need.
He'll take you on and leave you squeeze."
"Everyday I see the same faces, yeah.
The same old crowd, the same old friends.
So I think about our favorite places.
Will you be there when summer comes again?"
"And then the jack says somebody's gotta lose.
Yeah, you'll never, never, never be that summer breeze again."
"Summer time, you ought to want to be there this year.
Lurking around, you want be here this year."
"I don't need a reason to call you love.
How 'bout your kiss, it's more than enough."
"In the summer time and you got right I see.
Sky, you gotta leave that beast,
Out on the porch, just the longer you left."
"You're just a summer love,
But I remember you when winter comes."
"Yeah, you'll never, never, never be that summer breeze again."
"You're just a summer love,
But I remember you when winter comes."
"You're never gonna feel it."
"You're just a summer love."
"... and we're done!" Jaxy yelled, over the last dying breaths of feedback. "Now go out there and fuck the pain away, boys and girls. Goodnight!"
After she put down her guitar, Jaxy turned to Ripp. "That green chick at the bar, with the weird hat, was totally fucking checking you out, honey."
"You could totally seal that deal. No fucking problem." Jaxy demonstrated how awful she imagined Ripp's technique was, and he laughed.
"Is that so?" He looked over to the bar, and saw that she was, in fact, checking him out. "Yeah, no doubt. Well, I can't very well pass on that opportunity, now, can I? She's really fucking hot too."
"Ripp, If you didn't try to fucking nail her, I would call a doctor in to check your fucking head, hon." She poked him in the chest. "She's even green - your fucking favourite colour!"
Ripp introduced Jaxy to his middle finger, but smiled and headed off to see what he could do.
He approached the bar, where Stella was waiting for him.
"Hi there." He said. "I couldn't help but notice that you were watching me."
"You did a great job on that song." She said. "I really like your band."
"Thanks."
"Listen. I don't mean to sound too forward but..."
"I'm doing research on sim anatomy, and you seem like a good example of your sex and species, so I was was wondering if you'd be willing to have sex with me."
Ripp had definitely never heard that line before. He smiled.
"Yeah, I just might take you up on that offer... what's your name?"
"Stella Terrano."
"Ri-"
"Ripp Grunt. I know. I really am a big fan of our band. I'm not just saying that to get you into bed." Ripp laughed. Like that was so hard.
"Wow. You must be. Well, I'm happy to know that we have a following among seriously fucking hot alien chicks."
"Awww, you're sweet."
"Well, let's call a cab and get to this. It's going to take us most of the night as it is."
Ripp was liking this more and more all the time.
As they were leaving, Stella glanced over at the rest of The Shifting Paradymes.
"They're what you call lesbians, right?"
"Pretty much." Ripp laughed. "Well, one of them is more like what we call "adaptable", but yes, they like the ladies... what's not to like about ladies, right?"
"Can you explain that to me? The adaptable thing?"
During the cab ride to Stella's place, Ripp explained the intricacies of his bandmates' sex life, and she told Ripp about her goals to become a pollination technician, though she kept it fairly vague. He didn't appear to be all that bothered by it. He was used to the idea of aliens, it seemed, and didn't really object to the idea of abductions, at least not in theory.
In no time at all, they arrived at Stella's apartment.
And soon, they were standing in her bedroom.
"Well, please remove your clothing." Stella instructed.
Ripp didn't need to be told twice. Clothes began hitting the floor immediately, like debris in a meteor shower. Stella was pleased to see that he was interested in assisting her in the removal of her garments as well, which she considered to be very polite, and very helpful.
She took his hand. "Shall we do this, Ripp?"
He smiled and nodded, which was one of the very first gestures that she had learned, so she knew that it meant yes. She also recognized the particular expression he was giving her as the same one he used on the other women he procured for mating purposes.
He held her by the waist and moved her towards the bed, and then she lowered him back onto it.
"Now, before we get started, I need to ask you some questions to make notes for my research. Is that okay?"
"Sure. Fire away."
"Is this your first sexual experience?" Ripp nearly choked on his own laughter.
"Does that mean no? I still don't have all the gestures down..."
"Definitely not my first time."
"I didn't think so, but I don't like to make assumptions." She said. "So, would you consider yourself experienced?"
"I'd like to think so."
"With men or women?"
"Ummm... women... "
"So, you only have sex with women? Do you not like men too?" Stella found this aspect of sim sexuality, with all of its extremes and variations to be fascinating, and so different from her own species.
"I have to honestly say that I've never given it much thought." Hadn't he? Ripp wasn't sure if that was completely true. Well, maybe once or twice. That was normal, right? Surely no more than anyone else did.
"Okay. So how many women have you had sex with?"
"Fuck... I don't know. Maybe ten or eleven... fifteen, sixteen. Twenty? I have no idea. I don't actually keep a tally, you know. That would be pretty fucking creepy." Stella thought about that statement for a moment and wondered why keeping track of the number of partners might be considered offensive to sims. She kept very detailed records of her own sexual practices, especially anything relating to pollination. That seemed prudent to her.
"And how often do you have sex with each one?" Ripp laughed a little.
"Well, that really depends on them, Stella, but I generally take advantage of any opportunity that I can."
"Do you have any children?"
"I really fucking hope not."
Again, Stella wondered why a sim would be so interested in sexual reproduction, but have no desire for offspring. And how he might have managed such a feat, while mating so often with so many different partners. Interesting, indeed.
"Now, I can ask you about your sexual practices in more detail, but it would be easier and clearer if you just showed me. Is that okay?" She looked at Ripp, and he smiled.
"Yeah, that would be no problem at all." He was eager to skip the clinical examination phase of this encounter and get on with it.
"Don't leave anything out." She demanded. "I want it to be completely thorough."
"Are you sure?" He raised an eyebrow. "You really want me to do everything?! Most girls aren't usually into that... at least not until the second or third time."
"I'm sure I can handle it, Ripp."
Again, he smiled, but then paused, thinking something over carefully.
"You're not planning to fucking pollinate me one day, are you, Stella? Suck me up and probe me with your fancy equipment? I have to warn you, I'd probably make a pretty fucking shitty father."
"Well, I could "probe" you, as you say, right now. It's not exactly how it works, but I do have all the equipment I need for pollination right here." She was pointing at herself. "And I would like the practice."
"You have... a probe?!"
"Well, not exactly, like I said. More like a stamen, actually, as it is on your Sim Earth flowers. But yes, all aliens do have one. We're all exactly the same. We each have what is roughly the equivalent of a stamen and a stigma."
"You have BOTH parts?! All aliens do?" Ripp's eyes widened. "What about half aliens?" Ripp suddenly found himself wondering about the possible lady parts that Johnny might be hiding away in his pants. Was that why got so fucking bitchy every 28 days? Ripp could see this information giving him a clear advantage in future arguments with Johnny. He could see it now... Johnny, not only are you the world's biggest pussy, but you fucking have one too. How could he come back from that?
"Well, no. The hybrids seem to resemble sims more than aliens, at least in a superficial way, and they have the outward physical sexual characteristics of sims. But they do retain the ability to pollinate."
"What the fuck?! They can pollinate other sims?!"
"Yes. Mostly the men, obviously. The woman can do it also, but they probably would be less likely to, given their sim biological characteristics. But yes, they can still pollinate, as long as the pollen enters the other sim's body, the genetic material can merge. And the hybrids can also reproduce in the typical sim way." Ripp was speechless. If he wanted to, Johnny could actually knock him up. Even Jill could probably knock him up. How weird was that?
"Shall we try this out, Ripp?" Stella directed him back to the task at hand. "I promise I won't impregnate you."
"Fuck, Stella. I'm usually more of a prober than a probee..."
"I thought you said that you were up for anything."
"Well, did I say no?" He smiled again, with that look.
"So you're willing to let me practice on you?"
"Yeah, why not? I'll do fucking anything once... or twice. Maybe even three times, if I don't get a good read on it the first few times."
"Shall we get started here, Ripp?"
"Well, fuck yeah! Probe on, brave pollinator." He grinned. "Just, please... hold the pollen."
"No problem, Ripp. I can control it."
"Errr, I'd feel much better if you used something. Do you have a rubber?"
"A what?"
"Dear god. You do have a lot to learn." He reached down into his pile of clothes and retrieved a chain of condoms. "Here - use mine. I have plenty."
And so, Ripp Grunt did his part to aid the alien invasion. He helped the aliens move towards the very same goal that his own father had worked so hard to prevent from happening.
"How do you feel?" Stella asked when Ripp woke.
"I feel... rather well."
"That's good."
"So, did you learn everything you needed to?"
"Well, it was an excellent start."
"Do you need more practice? You need to know what you're fucking doing, right? I mean, if I was going to be abducted, it would kind of be like going to a doctor, and I'd want to be pretty fucking sure that the P.T. knew what they were doing. " There was that look again.
"Of course, I'll need more practice. Lots more." She smiled. "Do you mean right now?"
"Well, yes. I thought that you might - we both - could use just a little more practice."
"I knew that I picked you for a reason, Ripp."
"I aim to please."
They passed the hours away until the sun came up, and Ripp decided that he should head back to his apartment.
"I'd better go." He smiled. "I could probably stay here all day too, but I do need to get home."
"I'll walk you out."
"It's fucking pouring rain out there." The downpour that they had been predicting on the weather channel all week had finally decided to show up.
"It's okay, I have a helmet."
"Now, I know that you understand that this isn't a romantic relationship, Ripp, but I must insist that we do remain friends." Stella said, taking his hands in the pouring rain. "I know you probably don't usually do that, and it's not really my intention either, but I quite like you."
"That would be fine, Stella." Ripp smiled. "As long as you don't mind fucking your friends sometimes."
"I have no problem with that."
"Well, that's just great." His hair was soaking wet, and water was running down his neck. "Just let me know whenever you feel like going for a drink, or if you just feel like having your needs attended to. I'll be on call."
"Don't forget about your own needs, Ripp."
"Don't worry, I rarely ever do."
"Such a cute nose. It's so delicious, I want to eat it." She proceeded to attempt that very thing, nibbling and sucking on his nose.
"That's really fucking weird, Stella."
"Well, it's a pretty common sign of affection, where I come from." She grinned. "And you didn't seem to have a problem with some of our other cultural differences last night."
"No." He laughed. "You're right. I really didn't."
"Are you actually blushing?!" Stella marveled. "Awww, that's so adorable! I've never seen it before."
It was a new experience for Ripp too.
( Continue to Chapter 21...)
Again, the song that the Shifting Paradymes played is a Royal Trux song, which is what I imagine they sound like. The song, as Jaxy said, is called "Sunshine and Grease", from their album "Pound for Pound". It's worth checking out if you like rock music, in my opinion.