Contents INTRODUCTION 5 FIRST HAPH 6 SQUATCH 37 FROM THE BLUE WORLD 43 TENTACLE 56 TEST 3 62 POV 75 DEHRA 86 Dehra The xenopet agent had only casually mentioned that "special arrangements" were possible, and that was Susan's cue. Nervously, she repeated the alien code phrase her friend had given her. The agent looked at her for a moment, cocking one of its three eyestalks. It scanned the room with its two independently moving eyes, as if to seek out eavesdroppers, then asked a clicking-chirping question. The translator box on the table relayed the words in a pleasantly modulated synthetic voice: "Are you sure? Most human women are quite satisfied with the gelding. Studs are much more expensive—and much more...intense." The static from the translator indicated words it couldn't translate well, followed by a "best fit" language analog in a slightly different tone. Susan paused a moment. Dee had let her try her neutered dehra last week. It had indeed been fun—quite the experience, in fact, but not the kind of thrill she'd read about on the hypernet. She'd pestered Dee about it. Dee had told her she'd thought about it too, and even had gone far enough to find a dealer who could do it—the very alien Susan was now negotiating with. Dee had chickened out in the end, and settled for the one she had now. Dee sounded quite satisfied, but Susan resolved she wasn't going to compromise easily. She wanted to find out what it was really like. She pressed the dealer. She insisted, placing the credit stack on the table. It eyed the cash with one eyestalk and fixed her gaze with the two others. Its next translated words cautioned her. "You know it is also illegal to own a non-neutered dehra on this planet. Do you think I want to lose my license or get deported off world?" Susan was ready for that, and laid the second credit stack on the table, next to her ID-chip, which showed that she wasn't involved with any kind of law enforcement. The dealer looked like it was thinking for a while—though Susan could not read what passed for its face. Then it spoke again. "I'll tell you what. I'll make you a special deal. I have a yearling dehra—fully mature—scheduled for neutering in two weeks. You can try it out, now. If you take to each other—and not all do—I'll consider bending the rules. You can clearly meet the price." "Try it out now? You mean here?" "Yes. I have an interview room, in the back. It is comfortable and private. I can promise no interference or interruption, and I'll be available for aid or assistance should they be needed." Now it was Susan's turn to look warily at the agent. She'd never heard of any of its species being pervy or involved with humans in that way. In fact, they were supposedly monosexual. From what she had learned, this particular individual's reputation was good. Moreover, it was her only chance to get what she wanted. Finally, she agreed. Instinctively she extended her hand for a shake to seal the deal. The alien agent's three-digit paw was cool and rough to the touch. * * * * The "interview room" was small, spare, and devoid of furnishings. Rust colored curtains nearly covered three synthetic brick walls, the fourth wall having the door through which they entered, and a fairly stylish bathroom-type sink. The door was lockable from inside, the agent assured her, but not out. The center of the floor was covered with a futon-like mattress covered with, Susan assumed, some kind of water or stain-repellant fabric, since it looked brand new. The agent placed a small box on a side table next to the door, indicating a button that would automatically unlock the door and summon him if she needed. In two of its other arms, it cradled a metal box about half a meter cubed. This it positioned in the far left corner of the room before placing the electronic opener in Susan's hand and excusing itself. Susan's heart was already beating faster, and she felt nervous tingles of excitement and arousal as the door clicked shut. She tested the door for security, then walked over to the metal box and placed her hand on it. She could almost sense that there was something inside, waiting, but dismissed that as her own mind playing games. After looking around the empty room furtively, she finally stood and began to undress. She placed her shoes and socks near the side table, and folded her pants and blouse, placing them neatly on top. Then, after a final hesitation, quickly removed her bra and slipped off her panties and added them to the pile. Feeling nervous and exposed, but also terribly excited, she grabbed the door-release device and put it on corner of the mattress, then tiptoed over to the box. She knelt down and inserted the opener into the box, then quickly slid back to crouch at the edge of the mattress.