Free Ally or Alien: A Sci-Fi Novel by Mars Dorian

other Newtype unleashed some strange sound effects that must have been their version of laughter. Sounded like a bunch of penguin kids getting mangled by subwoofer, but hey.
    Bellrock wasn't judging.
    The woman bowed.
    "I have heard all about the human humor. It is a unique feature that delights me. By the way, you can call me eLoom. And you can turn off your helmets. We've changed the life support perimeters in the station to meet your demands."
    Bellrock exchanged a confused glance with Dr. Rao. The scientist was the first to open his helmet, despite Bellrock's warning glance. The dark-skinned man breathed in the air and smiled.
    "The oxygen tastes like bubblegum."
    Bellrock flipped open his helmet and had to agree. But this kind of flavor tasted superior to the one found on the International Astroport.
    "True."
    eLoom waved them over with a service smile.
    "Please follow us, guests from lovely Earth."
    During the walk, Bellrock investigated the slick-organic interior design of the hangar bay. Few ships resided in here—mostly cruisers and freighters. Strange construction frames arched over them. Bots crawled along their grid and worked on the hulls and mechanical parts of the ships. Drones carried crates and hummed around the hangar. Lots of traffic, but well orchestrated. 
    Symmetry in motion.
    And now Dr. Rao chimed in. The guy's eyes bulged out as he marveled at the hangar tech and the walker units and drones transporting the cargo. The SoCal doc was probably flying high on cloud 9.
    "By the way, that's some remarkable architecture. It looks like you have fully automated the entire process."
    eLoom bowed.
    "Oh thank you. We're using bio-mimicry for most of our technology. Nature gives us the blueprints and we take her ideas to the next level. So far, it is working splendidly."
    She closed her eyes.
    "May I lead you to your quarters? We have upgraded them to meet human needs."
    This trip started to sound like a holiday resort, but Bellrock remembered the purpose of the operation.
    "When are we boarding Mars?"
    "In 0400 hours, 23 minutes and 16 seconds, according to Central Ares Time."
    "Why wait that long?"
    "We thought we'd give you a generous amount of downtime from your journey. After all, humans are more susceptible to long-term interplanetary travel than we are."
    "Believe me, eLoom, I've seen more action and stress than you in your puppy years. I don't need to recover."
    In the corner of his left eye, he saw Dr. Rao cringing. Was he already overstepping it? He just made a simple statement. But then again, these Newtype were so sensitive, you had to treat them like children with glass skin. Maybe turn it down a notch or two, at least for now, Bellrock said to himself.
    He forced his lips into an upward position.
    "Well, maybe some resting time is good. Helps us getting used to your ways. I'd love to check out our suite. What about you?"
    Dr. Rao nodded with genuine interest.
    "I'd love to see more of your impressive architecture. I'm truly honored to witness it with my own, organic eyes."
    "Sublime," the Newtype woman called eLoom said and rotated her hands.
    Like she was wiping invisible windshields. 
    "Our droids will check your craft for damages. Our serfs will take care of your equipment. You do not need to move a thing."
    Bellrock craned his neck and saw a Newtype with four arms and serf bots with caterpillar shapes approaching their Pilgrim ship. They built one of these wireframe arcs around the vessel and used it to reach every part of its exterior hull.
    Interesting design choice, but he also wondered—were they going to plant some kind of bomb or tracking device?
    He pushed the thought aside.
    For now.
    eLoom danced toward a long mechanical pipe that was embedded into the inner hulls of the hangar. The Newtype version of the Loop, Bellrock thought as he listened to her words.
    "This is our renowned tube transportation system. It is connected to every spot in our ringstation and carries you at the speed