“That’s simple. We aren’t regular people. Some of us are named for our best skill and some of us are named for our favorite thing. Some of us go with names we think describe us best. I picked Breeze because I enjoyed the breeze upon my face most of all after I knew freedom.”

“My name was picked for me,” Halfpint said as she walked to the couch and sat down by Ellie. “When they took me to the medical hospital where they were treating New Species, one of the doctors looked right at me and said that the other women could make two of me. They started calling me Halfpint while I recovered and it stuck.”

Ellie fought a laugh but managed to smile instead.

“The doctors who treated us had only seen our experimental prototype females. Halfpint was one of the first of her kind to be treated,” Breeze explained.

“Tiny is smaller than I am so when they brought her in, the doctors called her that name.” Halfpint beamed.

“Justice picked his name because he wanted it for our people,” Breeze informed Ellie. “He is from a testing facility up north and he chose that as his last name.”

“I thought most of you didn’t have last names.” Ellie glanced at Breeze for an answer.

“No. We don’t. We’ll work on that eventually. When we need one, we’ll pick something. Justice has offered to share his last name with anyone who wants it. What do you think of Breeze North?”

“It’s catchy,” Ellie admitted.

“I like it too. It has meaning and I’m from the same testing facility as Justice.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yes. They used to try to breed Justice and me often. He is a good man.”

“I know he is,” Ellie agreed. The image of Justice and Breeze together shocked her. She was unable to picture them being intimate.

“When you have females and males from the same testing facility chances are we were forced together. The scientists wanted to see if we could have offspring. They thought if one male and female didn’t produce, if they switched us, maybe we could conceive with another male.”

“We were never given to any of our males,” Halfpint whispered in a soft, sad voice. “I wish we had been.”

Breeze reached over to pat Halfpint on the arm. “I am sorry. They were always kind and gentle with us. We shared respect and dignity. I wish you had known that as well but if you are ever ready, you will know it one day.”

Ellie wanted to ask but didn’t. Halfpint looked at Ellie. “I’ve been one of the luckier ones. They only gave me to an older man who didn’t share me. Tiny…” Halfpint blinked back tears. “The man they gave her to happened to be young, strong, and hurt her more. He also made her available to some of his friends. The one who had me was frailer and his strikes weren’t very painful. The last few years he wasn’t able to use his man part. It failed with age. He became angry when he tried and hit me but he didn’t hurt me much. He mostly yelled near the end.”

“I’m so sorry.” Ellie resisted the urge to try to hug the other woman, to give comfort. “Do you know how they found you?”

“The financial records were traced,” Breeze answered. “Anyone who made really large deposits into the Mercile Industries accounts had warrants served on them when we realized some of our women were given away. They found Halfpint. That’s how most of the gift females were retrieved.”

“It was terrifying,” Halfpint whispered, almost seeming afraid someone would overhear. “I heard loud noises and then all these men with guns broke down the door. I thought they’d come to kill me. That’s when I saw a woman behind them and she told the men to leave us alone. She talked to me while she removed my chains and led me safely out of where I’d been kept. She promised to take me somewhere I wouldn’t be hurt anymore.”

“A New Species woman?” Curiosity filled Ellie.

“No,” Breeze shook her head. “She’s a full human. I forgot her name but she goes on all the raids when a new warrant gets issued. She is the one who takes charge of our females when they are found and brings them to us for care and treatment.”

“Her name is Jessie.” Halfpint smiled. “She has fire-red hair and really blue eyes. She is small like us. She has the softest voice.”

“Ellie?” One of the New Species women drew her attention.

“Yeah?” Ellie stood.

“You might want to go home. I just got a call on the dorm phone saying that Fury left the hospital. He’s heading there.”

“But he shouldn’t to do that until the day after tomorrow.”

Breeze snorted from behind Ellie. “Our men don’t always do what they are supposed to.”

“Oh hell,” Ellie sighed. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow. I hope he didn’t hurt anyone,” she muttered under her breath.

* * * * *

Ellie pushed and pulled Fury toward the bed even though he didn’t want to go there. She shot a dirty look at Tiger, the NSO officer who smiled, highly amused at the situation. His arms crossed over his chest and he refused to help Ellie make Fury get into bed. He did back up, making his intention to leave clear.

“I don’t want to lie down. I’ve been doing that for a week,” Fury growled.

Ellie shook her head. “You are going to rest or I swear I’ll borrow a Taser gun, shoot your ass, and tie you to the bed.”