[AlexFili]

Chapter 2: Warm Feelings
Silpher approached Tulia. His body appearing as a crimson hue among the light smoke filling the Jacuzzi room. Tulia was soaking her tentacles when she saw him. "Oh Silpher! I'm over here!". She waved at me. I smiled and made my way to the Jacuzzi. I grabbed a towel and left my pants in a nearby storage locker.

Unlike Inna, she was wearing a bra (thankfully). I feel more at ease knowing that she has her own privacy which I respect, It also means that I get a build up of anticipation... I do like surprises.

Tulia was a typical cheerful young female. She often joked and played with me when I was bored. I guess I do spend a bit of time with her, she is probably my favorite of the girls. Inna is also kind, but her flirtation drives me to madness sometimes. I still feel like I'm too young to be thinking about that kind of thing!

The three other females, Lara, Riley and Bitsy usually hang out with the other guys. None of them were attached to any other of us, in a relationship of any kind. That said, Lorn seems to have taken a liking to Lara. Lara is pretty; her skin is a light purple with long eyelashes. Riley is quite talkative and optimistic, she was a light green color. Bitsy was caring, and she didn't like meat as much as the rest of us. She's a light yellow color.

We had all taken an accuracy test today with our pistols and rifles. "How did you testing go?", I asked. Tulia's expression turned into that of remembering something. "Well, I got about 83% on pistol and 65% on rifles... what about you?". Silpher smiled, "I got 85% on pistol and 79% on rifles. Seems everyone prefers using the pistols don't they?". Tulia nodded.

The only people who scored less with the rifles than pistols are Lorn and Karn. Lorn preferred using the rifle as the sight on the gun improved his aim, the pistol was lighter and tended to recoil more and provide less stability. He actually got the lowest mark in the pistol training, 48% compared to 83% on his rifle. Karn only got 29% on pistols and 34% on rifles. He preferred using physical contact rather than shooting with any kind of weapon.

His aim was frequently off-target, and he managed to miss a lot of the targets and took a long time to de-activate the Greeter.

Although we got training, we had never needed to use a weapon because the security in this area was well maintained. We often communicate with the guard Sligs on a regular basis. We both have a mutual respect for another, unlike the Glukkons, who only respect Moolah. We often got called upon by Vykkers as well for diagnostics and mental activities.

Tulia smiled again, "Inna got the highest marks of the females, you know?". I was a bit shocked at this, "No, what did she get?". "She got 86% on pistols and 81% on rifles!", even as Tulia said this, I still could hardly believe it. Not only was she good with both pistols and rifles, she actually scored higher than most of the males! "Wow, I can't believe she never told me!". Tulia laughed, "Well, girls like to keep secrets. I'm sure you have a couple of things to hide as well".

She swam over to me, a gleeful glint in her eye. "Yipes, um...". I nervously pinched my face tentacle, wondering what was going to happen next. "Haha, just kidding! Your look was really priceless", she giggled and swam back to her side. My body became relaxed, I enjoyed the warmth of the Jacuzzi and the serenity of the scene, the bubbles were massaging my back and the steam was giving nourishment to my body.

Silpher looked at Tulia. "What do you think of this place?". Tulia looked towards him, "I actually like it here, we get what we need whenever we want it... we never have to work or anything". Silpher hung his head, "But don't you think it makes life a bit too easy? I didn't expect a struggle, but I crave a more active kind of lifestyle". Tulia looked surprised, "Really? Well I guess we could all do with a bit more exercise now and then, especially Karn!". We laughed.

Tulia was someone special to me. I knew that no matter what would happen in the future, I would protect her.

= = =

It was during that year, something happened that would change our current lifestyles forever. We would be tested beyond our own imaginations and our own trials of life would begin.

Only one thing is certain from this point onwards;
Our lives are on the line.