“I don’t understand. You’ve done all kinds of things to me. How could a kiss and having sex be so different?”
“I’m training you, making sure you’re ready when he takes you, but you belong to him.”
“I don’t belong to anybody,” she hissed under her breath as she dropped her eyes. “I suppose you’re going to punish me for saying that.”
“No, Abby, I won’t punish you for speaking the truth, and I misspoke. You are here for the ruler, and I can’t interfere with that, but you belong to the ruler after you accept him.”
“I’ll never accept him, not in a million years.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“He’s a total stranger! For a race so advanced you’re not very smart, especially about things like this. I can’t imagine giving myself to anyone, human or otherwise, if I don’t care about him. I suppose you’re like a human male that way. Men don’t have to care. Sex is just sex, and I suppose some women can be that way but I’m not one of them.”
“But you wish to give yourself to me, Abby,” he murmured, staring at her intently. “Does this mean you’ve come to care for me?”
“Uh, yes, I admit I’m starting to feel things for you, though I shouldn’t be. You’re an alien. How can I care for an alien? But none of this makes any sense, so why should my feelings?” she declared, then pausing, she mumbled, “I’m sorry, that wasn’t the whole truth.”
“Do you want to tell me the whole truth?”
“I’m not starting to care for you, Zaroff,” she said softly. “I do care for you. I know that’s crazy, but that’s the way it is.”
“That’s not crazy. I’m training you, we are sharing intimate moments. It’s only natural you should develop feelings.”
“It’s not natural. You kidnapped me. This is so messed up. You feel nothing for me, and you’re going to turn me over to some alien I’ve never met.”
“But I do care for you, Abby. I care for you very much.”
“Then why would you hand me off?”
“He chose you! I know this is confusing, but you’ll understand when you meet him and you learn more about us.”
“I seriously doubt that, but at least I’ll be able to say no. That’s the only thing that’s keeping me sane.”
“This discussion must end. It’s only upsetting you. It’s time for nourishment, and I must apply the calming touch.”
“I am hungry, but I don’t want the calming thing. I’m not on the verge of having a nervous breakdown if that’s what you’re worried about, and I want to feel everything, whatever it is.”
“The powerful orgasm settled you, and I do sense you’re in a better frame of mind,” he remarked, releasing her from his arms. “I’ll have the keeper bring nourishment while you dress.”
“I’m going to take another quick bath. I’d like a rinse off after all that,” she said, reluctantly sitting up. “Thanks for having it ready earlier. Oh! I can’t believe I almost forgot. I had a visitor while I was sleeping. One of your workers was here.”
“You had a visitor? A worker? No, that’s not possible. You must have been dreaming.”
“That’s what I thought while it was happening, but it touched my hand and left a gummy mess between my fingers here,” she exclaimed, holding out her hand and pointing to the area. “I had to rub it off with a face cloth. That’s what reminded me to tell you. When I said I wanted another quick bath.”
“This is impossible. Completely impossible.”
“My astronomy professor used to say something is impossible only until it isn’t. Whoever, or rather, whatever it was, it was definitely here, but Zaroff, why are you looking at me like that? Wasn’t the creature one of your workers? I assumed it was. How else could it have been in here?”
“What did this visitor look like, and why are you calling the creature it?” he asked, taking her hand to make sure there was no rash forming, or any evidence of harm.
“There was no way for me to know if it was male or female, and I don’t remember much, except it was ugly. Really ugly, with buggy eyes and green scales, like some kind of weird reptile. I’m remembering something else. It wanted me to wake up and it was annoyed that I wouldn’t.”
A deep line carved its way across his forehead.
“Did you say reptile?”
“Yes. What’s wrong, Zaroff? Oh, my gosh, it wasn’t a worker, was it?”
“I’m not sure, but no, Abby, it definitely was not a worker,” he replied gravely. “I’m afraid I must put you under constant watch.”
“Then you know what it is? Does it want to hurt me?”
“You just described a Faylin, and if it wanted to hurt you, it certainly had the opportunity.”
“And a Faylin is...?”
“Faylins are the scavengers we chased off.”
“I thought you said they were weak and no threat.”
“I have no idea how one of them was able to board this ship,” he said grimly as he slipped off the bed. “The Faylins are a curious race. We know little about them, but their weapons cannot compare with ours, though it seems they have skills we’re unaware of. Or perhaps new technology. Honestly, I have no idea, but I must sound the alarm immediately. We’ll find this creature, and when we do it will tell us everything! Take your bath, Abby.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Not at all. The only way in is through this chamber, and the keeper will be standing guard. Go into the bathroom. I need to call him in and I don’t want him to see you naked.”
“I’m scared.”
“I understand, but you needn’t be. Take your bath. This wretched Faylin won’t be able to hide for long and you’ll be closely guarded.”
She wanted to believe him, but as she hurried into the bathroom she wasn’t convinced. The odious alien had made it to her bedside and touched her. If he managed it once, he could manage it again.
* * *
Zaroff’s instincts had been right. His fear had been realized. Though he found it inconceivable, a Faylin was on the ship.
“Keon, report immediately,” he ordered, turning his attention to the rippling screen.
“Yes, sir?” Keon asked, coming into view.
“Prepare yourself. A Faylin is on board.”
“But that’s not possible, sir? I can’t believe it.”
“I don’t know how that reptilian creature managed to slip in, but it will be caught, and when it is, I’ll have my answers. Issue a silent alarm. I don’t want it to know we’re aware of its presence.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I want another guard here. A female would be comforting. Who would you suggest?”
“Minerva, sir. She ranked number one in the last drill.”
“Brief her and send her to the chamber immediately. I’m returning to the command center shortly.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That is all.”
As Keon disappeared from view, Zaroff lifted the cuff of his sleeve to his lips.
“Keeper, are you there?”
“Yes, sir. How may I help you?”
“We have an intruder. A Faylin is on the ship and visited Abby as she slept. Did you hear or see anything?”
“No, sir, nothing. This is terrible.”
“Keep vigilant watch for anything unusual, and I do mean anything.”
“Of course, sir.”
“She cannot be left alone. Minerva will be arriving shortly to stay with her. Come to the chamber now and bring nourishment, then remain until Minerva arrives. I must return to the command center.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That is all.”
Quickly returning the implements to his small carry bag, Zaroff changed the training bench to its previous form as the dining table, then hurried through the bathroom opening.
“Zaroff! Oh, my gosh, you scared me!”
Her eyes wide, sitting up in the bath, Abby crossed her arms over her chest.
“I have no time to knock and wait,
” he said briskly. “The keeper is bringing nourishment, and a female is on her way to stay with you. Her name is Minerva. She’s a highly trained officer. You’ll be safe with her.”
“Is she replacing the keeper?”
“No, he will also be on guard outside the chamber and continue his regular duties, but Minerva will be with you at all times. The Faylin will not be in your chamber again! I must go. That is all.”
“Will you let me know what’s happening?” she asked as he started to leave.
“As best I can,” he replied, then pausing his step, he looked at her earnestly. “Abby, I meant my words,” he said, softening his voice. “I do care for you. I will protect you. I will lay down my life if I must.”
“Zaroff...”
His lavender eyes had narrowed, and as a red blush moved across his handsome face, he pivoted and marched through the opening.
“He cares about me,” she murmured as the wall closed behind him. “He really cares, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll say no to the ruler, then I’ll go home. I’m not going to let myself fall in love with an alien I can’t have. Fall in love with an alien? What am I saying? This whole thing is completely absurd.”
Chapter Eight
With Keon supervising the search for the intruder, Zaroff reported the suspicious activity to Commander Sinjin, the captain of the patrolling battleship on its way back to the area.
“If you cross paths with the Faylins, snare one of their vessels,” Zaroff told the commander. “I’m still waiting for news from the search parties scouring the ship, but regardless, we need to intercept those scavengers and make them understand we’re in charge of this solar system. They’re not to mess with Earth’s compound on Mars, and they’re not to approach Earth.”
“We haven’t seen any sign of them,” the commander replied, “but if one of those lizards has found a way on to your ship we’d better get to the bottom of it. I’ll send out the long-range scanners.”
“When will you be here?”
“Very soon, and you’ll be able to start the journey back to the alliance headquarters.”
“I hope the searchers find the creature before we leave. I don’t like the idea of traveling into deep space with one of them on board. I’ll speak to you when you get here.”
Ending the communication, the first report from a search party lit up on his desk screen. There was no evidence of an intruder on the upper deck.
“You’re on this ship,” he muttered as he paced, “but how are you able to hide? We have monitors everywhere, and your body heat would show on our scanners.”
Changing the large viewing screen from the craft’s schematic to Abby’s chamber, he found Abby and Minerva watching someone on the wall screen. The peaceful picture was comforting.
“Checking in,” he declared. “It appears everything is quiet there.”
“Zaroff,” Abby exclaimed, jumping to her feet and walking closer to the wall. “I’m so glad to see you. Has the Faylin been found?”
“Nothing so far. Minerva, do you have anything to report?”
“The keeper is patrolling the passages. Nothing will get past him.”
“I’ve sent a physician to check on you, Abby. I want to make sure you have no ill effects from the residue the creature left on your hands.”
“I was worried about that too, but I feel fine, and there’s no sign of a reaction.”
“I want to be sure. He’ll be here soon. Ah, Keon has arrived. I must go.”
“Bye,” Abby said, lifting her hand in a small wave. “Please keep me posted.”
“You can count on it. That is all.”
As Abby and the chamber disappeared, Zaroff turned to greet his lieutenant, knowing immediately from the expression on Keon’s face he carried news.
“Keon, what have you found?”
“A senior from Sector X8 just contacted me. A worker has reported an unfamiliar substance on the floor in the energy cell compartment.”
“X8. That’s only one sector away from Abby’s chamber.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you alerted the laboratory?”
“Yes, sir. They’re sending someone down there now.”
“I must see this,” Zaroff declared, marching from the room, “and I want to question the worker myself. What’s his name?”
“Sylvan, sir,” Keon replied, trying to keep up. “His senior is Elmus.”
“Elmus, yes, I’m familiar with Elmus. He’s extremely trustworthy.”
“Do you want to take a passage pod, sir? It might be faster.”
“Yes, good idea.”
Like trains in a subway, the small round cubicles traveled noiselessly through their corridors, whisking passengers from sector to sector. They climbed into the compact cab, and it zipped them the short distance in seconds. Stepping out, they hurried to the area, and like sentries on duty, Sylvan and Elmus were waiting outside the energy cell compartment.
“Elmus, good to see you,” Zaroff said as he approached.
“Thank you, sir. It’s my pleasure to see you, sir. This is Sylvan. He found the mess.”
“Hello, Sylvan.”
“Hello, sir,” the young worker said nervously. “I’m very honored to meet you.”
“You reported finding an unknown substance?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Where is it?”
“Inside the compartment, sir.”
“The moment Sylvan made the report I locked it down,” Elmus declared. “We’ve been standing here ever since. I wanted to make sure no one went in.”
“Good work, Elmus. Sylvan, when you found it did you notice an odor?” Zaroff asked. “Did you feel any ill effects?”
“No, sir. No odor and I feel fine.”
“It’s time we saw this substance. Please show us, Sylvan.”
“Yes, sir.”
The wall revealed its opening, and moving inside, Zaroff and Keon studied the splotches of the green goo on the floor.
“I came in to do my routine check, sir,” Sylvan volunteered. “I was aware of the silent alarm of course, and the moment I saw that stuff I reported.”
“I contacted Keon before I even took the time to look at it,” Elmus declared. “These compartments cannot be compromised. I was extremely concerned.”
“You were right to be,” Zaroff said grimly. “Sylvan, I take it you haven’t run the check on the cell yet.”
“I haven’t, sir. Elmus didn’t want me to do anything until you arrived.”
“Run your check now, but be quick, and keep your eyes open. There may be more of this stuff. If you see any let us know right away, and make sure you don’t step in it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Elmus, I take it there’s nothing in the cell that could have caused this spillage.”
“No, sir.”
“How often is this compartment inspected?”
“After every transition, sir.”
“Sylvan, come here a moment.”
“Yes, sir?” the worker asked, moving back and being careful to avoid the mess.
“I’m sure you’re aware we had to chase off the Faylins.”
“Yes, sir. We were all alerted when their ships were sighted, and I felt the energy waves.”
“Think carefully. Did you see this substance before that happened?”
“Let me think. No! No, sir, it wasn’t there. I’d done the check after the energy transferred to cell Y7. The floors were clear. I came back in when the energy transferred back, and that’s when I found it.”
“Thank you. You may go back to work,” Zaroff said solemnly, then turned to Keon and Elmus. “I’m viewing this as confirmation a Faylin was, and probably still is on board this ship.”
“But, sir?” Elmus exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock, “surely that’s impossible.”
“We cannot ignore the facts. The substance speaks for itself, and bear in mind, Keon, everything is impossible until it isn’t,” Zaroff remarked, recalling Abby’s
astute comment.
“I suppose that’s true, sir.”
“Where is that scientist from the laboratory?” Zaroff muttered impatiently, as they stepped out of the compartment and into the passage. “What’s taking so long? Keon, call and check.”
“I’m here, sir,” the lab worker said, appearing from the pod passage and hurrying up to them, slightly out of breath. “My apologies. My name is Vannen. The lab was locked down for a short time.”
“Why?”
“We were killing a virus. Until we were sure it was exterminated no one could enter or leave the area.”
“Ah, I see.”
“It probably came in on the human’s clothing and escaped before the garments were destroyed, but how can I be of help, sir? I know about the alarm. I assume something has been found.”
“Yes. There’s a substance on the floor in the cell compartment. I’m sure it was deposited by a Faylin.”
“A Faylin on the ship?”
“I’m afraid so. Difficult to believe, I know, but that’s where the evidence has led me.”
“I’ll take samples then disinfect the area, but if you want to wait, it will only take me a short time to know if it’s toxic.”
“Absolutely, I’ll wait.”
“If you would please stay outside,” Vannen said, placing a mask over his head. “The process will create fumes. It’s not a good idea to breathe them in.”
“There’s a worker in there,” Elmus said. “His name is Sylvan. Tell him I said to come out.”
“Ah, yes, sir. Will do.”
“I don’t understand,” Elmus muttered as Vannen stepped into the compartment. “I understand the notion that something is impossible until it isn’t, but how could a Faylin, or any intruder, enter this ship without being detected?”
“I don’t know,” Zaroff said gravely. “The thought is a confounding one, but we know so little about the Faylins. Ah, Sylvan. Good. Wait here with us.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Keon said. “I’ve just received word the patrol has arrived. We can finally start back to the alliance headquarters.”
“Good! The Faylins will stay away now the battleship is in the area,” Zaroff declared. “This drama would have been avoided if they hadn’t left for repairs while we brought the human on board.”
Trained by the Alien Page 6