My entry into Renderosity's 2024 Writer's contest. Image made in Daz and slightly retouched in Photoshop. -- "I know they asked for samplings from Earth but I doubt if they wanted all the samples to be of SHEEP," Android GEO-42X7 spoke in an irritated tone. "Well if that is true then they should have been more specific," Gosha said defensively, "Sheep are a very good Earth sample. They are in large numbers, they are apparently good for not just meat but for their hair which they call wool, which can be made into all sorts of clothes. Clothes! Think of how much clothes we can make with this new material. That's why I think we need so many so we can get a whole production line happening." Android GEO-42X7 cringed. "More clothes. That's all you need." Gosha's eyes narrowed. "You better not be making fun of my hat." "Wouldn't dream of it," Android GEO-42X7 drawled in a tone that clearly stated that she would. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, next time we'll pick up different samples. Like alpacas! I hear they can produce more wool than even goats. But if we can't find any, we can always pick up goats instead!" Gosha chirped excitedly. The happy tone of Gosha's voice made Gosha's pet plant smile. Android GEO-42X7 on the other hand, groaned and face-palmed. "Hmf! Well, next time YOU pick the samples then, fuss-budget," Gosha grumbled, obviously offended. "Ooh! But I want to pick next time!" Jelly squeaked as he oozed across the controls of the ship, "I saw a bakery that I wanted to swipe samples from. Though most of them probably won't make it back to our planet before I ate them." "Neither of you seem to get that scientific samples should be of something useful for study," Android GEO-42X7 complained, "Endless amount of clothes-making animals and edible samples that never make it back are NOT good candidates." "I beg to differ!" Gosha and Jelly yelled back in unison. They both smiled at each other as if saying it at the same time meant they were right. "Whatever. I'm not taking responsibility for any fallout from this," Android GEO-42X7 said rather matter-of-factly as she crossed her arms. "Fallout? What fallout could we possibly get from this great haul?" Gosha asked, clearly confused. "You know I think you single handedly gave aliens the reputation for swiping sheep. It's all over the Earthling's social media. Missing sheep. Mysterious lights. Could it be aliens?!" Android GEO-42X7 dryly read out as she scrolled through on her own portable device. "Ah, they always think anything unusual is aliens. It'll blow over," Gosha dismissed. "Not if you go for the alpacas next," Android GEO-42X7 grumbled under her breath. "What did you say?" "Nothing…" Android GEO-42X7 knew there wasn't much of a point of arguing, if Gosha or Jelly wanted something they would go ahead and do it, no matter the consequences. Or Android GEO-42X7's advice for that matter. If Android GEO-42X7 had a choice she would of opted out of going with Gosha and Jelly on any of these Earth's missions. It was a bit of a nuisance having to tag along, and having every bit of advice you gave being ignored. "It sounds like you're a bit upset," Gosha prompted. Android GEO-42X7 looked at Gosha in surprise. She didn't expect Gosha to care. "Well, it would be nice if you took some of my advice once in a while," Android GEO-42X7 spoke slowly. "Okay. I guess you feel like Jelly and I have been ignoring you," Gosha responded, "And I guess that would be infuriating. So, how do we do better?" "To make up for it, as a start, maybe you could pick up the samples that I suggest next time we go to Earth?" Android GEO-42X7 suggested. "Sure - after we pick up the alpacas, goats and bakery goods," Gosha promised. Android GEO-42X7 felt like pulling her hair out. Some things would never change. -- Inspiration: All the references of sheep being kidnapped by aliens.