I found their objection laughable, responding coldly, "If you aren't happy about it, why didn't you speak up just now?"
"You already agreed on our behalf, how were we supposed to object?"
"We should be standing together as one, not giving in to these unreasonable demands!"

They looked mortified by the agreement I had just made.
"What do you mean 'unreasonable'? This is their planet, you can't impose our customs on them. Could you move to another country and ignore their laws when we were back on Earth? No. So, why should things be any different here?
"We're refugees. The astrals took us in when we had nowhere else to go. Even their high lord has to abide by the alliance's rules. Why should we be any different?"
My expression was dark and somber.
Places on the ark that had escaped the dying Earth had been scarce and hard to come by. Naturally, it was only the rich and powerful who managed to get aboard.
They were used to having their own way. How could they possibly accept their current plight?

But we were of the same species, I had to find a way to make them see clearly. Otherwise ...
"We've been on Tambas for two days already. You've had more than enough time to see that they're more advanced than we are. Stop looking down your noses at them. They live longer lives, possess more advanced technology, and have more developed brains than we do.
"You can always refuse the offer they gave us. Why not see what happens if you don't choose any of their men to be your guardians? Tell them you'll find jobs and look after yourselves. None of you are stupid, I'm sure you can figure out how that might end."
In my previous life, most of the women from Earth proved to be exactly like my sister. They were too proud and principled to accept the advances of the astral males.

They refused to compromise on their ideals and paid the price.
Just like my sister, they were confined to the breeding centers to suffer the ultimate torment.
Of course, just like her, they had been happy to accept the gifts that were showered on them.
Had they not, they would simply have been forcibly assigned guardians, in accordance with astral law.
It wasn't just themselves who suffered as a result of their willingness to accept the benefits of courtship without giving anything in return.
The human men—who were already at a disadvantage due to their stature and comparative lack of strength—were tainted by association.
The astrals started referring to humans derogatorily as conniving and greedy.
The faces of the women confronting me contorted in anger.
"Are you threatening us?"
"She's merely giving you some friendly advice. If you try toying with us, you'll soon end up in the breeding centers. Your lineage on Earth doesn't count for anything here."
A taunting voice suddenly made itself heard from a nearby window.
We turned this way and that, eyes wide with shock.
A man with a bushy red tail was perched languidly on the windowsill.
His sparkling eyes were slanted slightly upwards.
I subconsciously took a step backward, only for him to leap down from his perch and land right in front of me.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Enoch. I'm 115 years old, which would make me about 25 on Earth. In case you can't tell, I'm a fox."
He held out his hand toward me.
His tail was swaying furiously.
I took another step back, wanting to flee.
Despite my entreaties to adjust to the astrals' customs, like everyone else, I needed time.
I certainly didn't want to end up with two husbands so soon.
Before I knew it, his bushy tail had wrapped tightly around my wrist, holding me in place.
"Leaving so soon? Do you not like foxes?"
"I don't like degenerates," I shouted, angrily. "What sort of man lurks outside the women's bathroom listening in?"
Despite my admonishment, his smile didn't diminish one bit.
He pulled a green crystal from his pocket and handed it to me.
"This crystal can extend a female's life by 50 years. Choose me as your guardian and it's yours."
"Ignore him, dear wife. I can give you my own."
Isaiah's cold voice appeared, as if out of nowhere.
A flash of white light filled my eyes and the fox's tail immediately let go of my wrist.
I was enveloped by a familiar warmth.
"Admiral Isaiah, don't be so rude; your wife will not be pleased," Enoch said, disdainfully.
"She's my wife." Isaiah's voice grew darker.
It looked as though they were about to start fighting. I quickly grabbed hold of Isaiah's arm and said, softly:
"I have a year and a half to make my choice. Before that time, there's no way I'll be choosing a second guardian."
"No matter, I can wait," Enoch said, provocatively.
He seemed to be looking for trouble. I let go of Isaiah's arm, loathe to rob him of his just desserts.
"Fine, I won't stop you from killing him; it seems that's what he wants."
A look of fear suddenly flashed across Enoch's face.
"Maria, please reconsider. Don't do this to your future husband!"
"Nonsense!"
Isaiah rushed straight at Enoch in a blind rage.