Her propensity toward politeness helped her hide her sudden nervousness.
“May I help you?”
She would have added “sir” or “ma’am” if the visitor had been human, but the aliens were hermaphrodites, and they took offense when humans labeled them with a gender. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

The District Office was in the city of Merced. The Fourth Assistant was surprised at this development, but it was grateful for the opportunity. It expressed its gratitude, was dismissed, and left the same day for California. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory #alien

Afterwards, the coordinator spoke to the junior colleague who was the Fourth Assistant to the Overall Supervisor of the Caribbean Islands. It congratulated the younger alien on the excellent suggestion it had given regarding the woman. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory

The humans heard noise that they took to be Ragoon laughter. When it became clear that no serious objections would be raised, the coordinator declared that the suggestion was acceptable, and it would be implemented. The meeting ended on this positive note. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

There was confusion as the others consulted their computers, to ascertain the meaning of the word 'custodian.' As the various meanings became clear, amusement overcame their annoyance at the junior colleagues' interruption. They began to make jokes. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion

The other aliens were surprised into silence by the abrupt interruption from someone not sitting at the table. The woman was also startled to suddenly hear a voice, albeit a mechanical voice, speaking in English. They all turned their heads to look at the speaker. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon

Suddenly the alien who had arrived late slid its translator onto its snout and said, "We should give her to that human."
Using one of the digits protruding from its pad, it pointed to the man who was just crossing the entrance, again. The other aliens were surprised into silence. #talesoftheragoon

Some of the Supervisors argued that the woman should remain in the custody of the Ragoon. Some argued in favor of giving her to various men from various parts of the planet. Usually, the man endorsed was under the control of the Supervisor who had suggested him. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon

As the meeting progressed, the alien who arrived late was watching the space between the hallway and the conference room. Several times it noticed the man with the mop moving across the entrance, and it had observed how the man's gaze always moved to the woman who sat in the chair. #talesoftheragoon

The Overall Supervisor of Indonesia made a disparaging remark about bureaucratic scientists, conveniently forgetting that it was also a bureaucrat. The Overall Supervisor of Western Asia observed that scientists were probably responsible for the increase in measurable dark energy. #talesoftheragoon

That was the reality of the galaxy, not to mention that scientists from the various Sections would become hysterical at the mere mention of censorship.
The Overall Supervisor of Indonesia made a disparaging remark about bureaucratic scientists. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #alien

"Even worse is the ‘We the People,’ document," the Overall Supervisor of India stated. "Lower management workers are passing copies of this document around as if it were a happiness drug." #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion

The coordinator said that the Human Physiology Section was insisting that it had issued a report about the unique human Rapid Eye Movement sleep cycle, and therefore it was not responsible for the effects caused by the ‘Dream’ document. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory

Another disagreed, saying that this was indeed a serious problem, and that the translations of the 'I Have a Dream' document alone were already having repercussions across this arm of the galaxy.
The Overall Supervisor of China blamed the Human Psychology Section. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon

His question was rhetorical, for they all knew that it was the captain of their survey ship who had decided that the humans were so close to colonizing globes other than their own, that it was time for the Ragoon to intervene. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory #alien

In the end the majority acquiesced.
“These accursed planets with multiple genders always increase our costs,” the Continental Supervisor for Australia and West Oceana grumbled. “How did we get stuck with such a place?” #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory

Prejudice would be in the favor of the prospective owner, if the female in question was at least eighteen years of age, as this was an age with which most of the earth’s populace could feel comfortable with the transfer of semi-sentient property. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion

There was more discussion on this matter, until it was decided that in instances where the female's owner was not agreeable to the marriage, the District Supervisors would review and finesse the situation. Prejudice would be in the favor of the prospective owner. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon

It asked why the subject of marriage was on the agenda. It pointed out that Ragoon rules were simple. The weaker gender, in this case the child bearing gender, was the property of the stronger gender, in this case the non-child bearing gender. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #alien

The tardy alien could not tell if the grunt signaled forgiveness or annoyance. Maybe it signaled both.
The coordinator cleared its throat. This was a gesture to the others to cease speaking among themselves and to give their attention to the coordinator. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #shortstory