Imago

by Octavia E. Butler

But Aaor was not comforted. “I’m one more mistake!” it said. “One more ooloi who shouldn’t exist. There’s no other place on Earth for me to find mates. And if their people are collected and given the choice of Mars, union with us, or sterility where they are, I’ll never get near them! Even the ones who choose union with us will be directed to other mates. Mates who are not accidents.” “None of them will accept union,” Jesusa said. “I know them. I know what they believe.” “But you don’t know us well enough yet,” Aaor said. “Did you know what you would do… before Jodahs reached you?” “I know I won’t lead you or anyone else to my people,” she told it. “If your people can find mine without us as Jodahs said, we can’t stop you. But nothing you can say would make us help you.” “You don’t understand!” it said, leaning toward her. “I know that,” she admitted, “and I’m sorry.”