480.
They only scored a 480. The score would hurt them both, but Nettie far more. Craig had actually gotten a series of scores in the 600 range so for him the 480 would be considered a fluke.
But Nettie only had one score, and that was below average. Dangerously so.
Bessie tried to impress on Robert that Nettie needed to partner again, and soon. But Nettie would have none of it. She was so traumatized by her experience that she told her father in no uncertain terms that she would never partner with anyone else ever again.
Robert was bewildered. Nettie would not talk about her experience with Craig but obviously it had been a less than positive one. He wondered how that could be since Jennifer's experience with him had been just the opposite. He tried to reason with her but Nettie was adamant. She wouldn't partner with any other men.
Robert went back to Bessie for advice. He had mixed feelings about the First One. She had essentially blackmailed him into having sex with her. And yet, he felt at the same time that there was a kindly bond between them, that despite the unpleasant thing she did that she was still looking out for his best interests, if only because of her continued attraction to him.
"I would never have sent Nettie to Craig if I ever dreamed this would have happened," said Bessie. "Craig is one of our most kind and gentle test subjects. You saw how well Jennifer reacted to him."
"I know," said Robert. "But whatever happened between them, it traumatized her. She doesn't want to partner with anyone else."
"How unfortunate for her," said Bessie.
"What does that mean?"
"Officially nothing," said Bessie. "But unofficially...." She let her words trail off. They both knew. Bessie sighed, causing vibrations in her blubber. "If only there were someone who Nettie could partner with. Someone she trusted and loved unconditionally."
"There's no one like that here," said Robert.
"Isn't there?"
The silence was deafening as reality suddenly set in.
"No. You can't be serious," said Robert.
"I am."
"But I'm her father," said Robert. "And she's my daughter."
"One follows from the other," said Bessie dryly.
"But... moral implications aside... the genetic implications of incest-"
"Are irrelevant. Even back on Earth in the 23rd century we could have adjusted for those sorts of problems. The Federationistas, who are far in advance of our technology, can only do it better. You don't have to worry about producing any two headed monsters with your little girl."
"But... you're asking me to have sex with my daughter."
"I'm asking you to partner with her," said Bessie. "More importantly, I'm asking you to save her life. You have to decide, Robert. What is more important to you, your personal morality, or your daughter's life?"
********
"Daddy, what are you saying?"
"You and I... we have to partner with each other," said Robert. He had spent nearly ten minutes trying to find some way to say the unsayable, and finally as Nettie pressed him hard he found no other way to express it.
"What?" said Nettie. "How can you suggest such a thing!"
"Nettie, listen. You saw that dead girl who was paraded through the lounge yesterday, didn't you? Didn't you?"
"Yes," she said reluctantly.
"Well, that's what going to happen to you if you don't partner with me!"
"You can't know that-"
"Bessie basically confirmed it. You've only partnered with one person since you've been here. Craig. Your score has been below average. If you don't partner with me, you'll die. You'll die and leave me all alone here." He hugged her tightly. "Please, baby girl. Don't do that to me. Don't make me watch you die."
Nettie gasped, and started crying. Finally she said, "All... all right, Daddy."
********
They felt all eyes on them at dinner that night. The smiles, the leering looks, all of them were torture for poor Nettie.
"Hey there you too," said Susan Shinn with a warm smile as she walked by.
"Hi Susan," said Robert. He sighed. Susan was about the fifth person who had walked by "just to say hello".
"They know," Nettie whispered.
"How can they know?" said Robert. "No one knows except us."
"Us and Bessie," said Nettie darkly.
No, not Bessie. Bessie would never tell anyone!
Shelly Rendler came over to their table next. "Good evening you two. How are you all doing?"
Robert put on a brave face. "We're fine, Shelly. How are you?"
"Doing well. Beautiful evening, isn't it? It would be very romantic to go down to the beach and watch the sunset, don't you think?"
Robert was about to politely decline when he saw Shelly glancing at Nettie.
Shelly isn't inviting me. She's talking about me and Nettie!
"Yes, I imagine it would," said Robert.
"Well, I hope you two have a beauuuuutiful evening." She wiggled her ass as she left. Robert watched her return to the girl's table, where they were having an animated discussion and laughing. It seemed to him they were all looking his way.
"They know!" Nettie hissed.
"It doesn't matter," said Robert. "They would have found out anyway."
"Afterwards. After we had done it!" For some reason the distinction was important to her.
And then Craig Cobin came over to their table. Nettie felt like crawling under it and hiding.
"Hello friends!" he said cheerfully. "How are you doing tonight?"
"Fine, Craig. How are you?" Robert asked.
"Couldn't be better!" said Craig cheerfully. "Hey Nettie, how are you? I haven't seen you since, well, you know." He grinned confidently at her.
"I'm fine, Craig," said Nettie, gripping the tabletop tightly. "What do you want?"
"What do I want?" He raised his voice. "What do I want?" He smiled at them. "Why, simply to wish you a pleasant evening." He tipped an imaginary hat to them. "You're very lucky, Robert, to have a very attractive young woman there."
"I know I am, Craig," said Robert evenly.
"I'm sure she's going to make some man very happy. Perhaps as happy as me." He winked at Robert and sauntered off. The sounds of laughter from the women's table reached a new high.
"Daddy, let's get out of here!" Nettie cried, as she felt all eyes on her.
"Are you ready to-"
"Yes! Let's just get it over with!"
********
Robert wrapped an arm around his daughter's shoulder as they walked back to his quarters. "There's something I need to tell you."
"What, Daddy?"
He stopped and faced her. "You have to look like you're enjoying it."
"What?"
"You have to look like you're enjoying it, or else it will be for nothing."
Words stuck in Nettie's throat. She hadn't enjoyed having her virginity taken by Craig, not in the slightest, but that hadn't affected her pairing with him. Or had it? She had gotten an unusually low score....
"I, I understand, Daddy," she said softly. She intertwined her fingers with his.
He kissed her on the forehead. "Whatever happens, remember I will always love you very much."