Alien Embrace

by Tracy St. John

  “The embryo she carries is too valuable to destroy, so put your indignation aside. This is research, not an anti-alien crusade,” Joyner continued. He addressed the soldiers. “Since she won’t remove her clothes herself, do it for her.”

  Nurse McInness gasped. Her hands clenched at her sides.

  The soldiers looked to their commanding officer. Croft glared at the doctor. His fists opened and closed. Amelia wondered if he readied to snap Joyner’s neck.

  Joyner returned the stare. “General, do we need to contact Earth Command to settle who is in charge of Amelia Ryan?”

  After a measure of silence, Croft spoke. His voice shook with rage. “Hand me your guns and strip her.”

  The soldiers moved immediately. After surrendering their rifles to Croft, they approached Amelia. The gleam in their eyes told her how much they relished the prospect of baring her flesh.

  “Doctor!” the nurse cried with obvious anger.

  “Shut up or I’ll put you on report,” he snarled.

  Meanwhile, the soldiers stalked Amelia. She hooked her hands into claws and hissed like a cat. Startled, they paused for a moment then came on.

  The struggle was brief but violent. Amelia battled them like a cornered animal, punching, scratching, biting, kicking and kneeing any opening they gave her. She scored one soldier’s cheek with her nails, leaving bloody channels in the close-shaved flesh. She compounded the insult by spitting in his face.

  The men panted and cursed as they ripped her blouse from her body. They manhandled her to the floor, pinning her to the cold surface as they wrestled her trousers off. One tore her bra away, and with a snarl twisting his face, pinched her nipples in turn with brutal fingers. “How do you like that?” he muttered. His erection pressed against her thigh. He disgusted Amelia.

  His partner ripped her panties into rags, exposing her secret flesh. Croft averted his eyes from her nakedness, his lip curling in an expression of disgust. For one crazed moment, Amelia thought of her mother.

  Joyner said, “Get her on the table and secure the straps.”

  They lifted her, their sweating hands slippery on her wrists and ankles. Amelia twisted, trying to slide loose, but they managed to keep their grip and haul her onto the table. Croft and Joyner stepped in to help. The nurse stood in a corner, her expression enraged. She looked like she might launch herself at Amelia’s captors at any moment. Amelia was glad the woman didn’t. She didn’t want her one supporter to come to any harm because of her.

  At last the four men prevailed and strapped Amelia to the table. They forced her legs into the stirrups and bound them, leaving her sex open to the soldiers’ avid scrutiny. Both sported obvious erections now. She felt the violation of their gazes crawling over her vulnerable skin.

  “What’s the drill?” the general asked Joyner. He still refused to look at Amelia. “You’ll verify her pregnancy and then what?”

  The doctor rearranged his instruments and rolled the table next to Amelia’s thigh. “I’ll perform a thorough examination of her and the fetus. Then I’ll induce a coma that won’t affect the embryo but will keep her incapacitated for the duration of the pregnancy.”

  Amelia was too horrified at his words to scream.

  “Once the child is born and it’s isolated, the Ryan woman will be revived so that she can receive her sentence of sterilization, castration, and scarring. After which she’ll be sent to the labor camp.”

  “Excellent. Once we’re free of that stupid stasis field they put us in I’ll inform—” Croft’s com beeped, cutting him off. He grunted and answered it. “Croft here.”

  A disembodied voice pitched with excitement issued from the com. “Sir, Kalquorians are approaching the transport! Saucin Israla appears to be trying to reason with them, but they look angry. Sir, they’re huge! What are your orders?”

  Amelia found her voice to cry out. Rajhir, Flencik, and Breft had come for her! Tears of relief and terror for them flowed down her cheeks.

  Croft spared a moment to glare at her. His attention returned to the com. “I’m on my way. Don’t provoke the bastards, but under no circumstances allow them entrance onto the transport.”

  He snapped the com off and turned to his soldiers. “The prisoner is secure. Come with me and be ready for anything.”

  Croft swept out of the room, and the soldiers reluctantly followed in his wake, their gazes flickering to Amelia’s naked and bound body until they were finally gone.

  Chapter 21

  Private Juan Ramon’s eyes drank in the loveliest vision of womanhood he’d ever seen.

  Despite the two gargantuan Kalquorians who flanked her, Saucin Israla took center stage of the young man’s attention. Her skin had a sheen that made her look as if she’d just emerged from the ocean, or perhaps her bath. She looked youthful, the resoluteness in her expression the only betrayal of her age. Her breasts, exposed but for a heart-stopping tiny strip of fabric, were bronze mounds that demanded kisses. He wanted to curl himself in her lap and suckle them like a baby. He saw the sternness in her eyes, and his heart leapt. This lush Plasian looked fragile, but he knew a strong, powerful woman when he saw one. He drew a shuddering sigh.

  Ramon barely acknowledged other ships’ crews gathering around the Earth transport. The busy space dock had come to a halt to watch the excitement. A buzz of conversation rose and fell, but the dazzled Ramon fell deaf to the chatter.

  Ramon had entered the military right out of high school still an untried virgin. However innocent his body remained, his imagination made up for it. His boyhood friends’ mothers were the stars of his fantasies. They had wisdom and experience, qualities that excited him. The girls his own age invited no interest. Their innocence equaled his own, so they had no knowledge to offer. When he factored in the strict laws making extramarital relations deadly undertakings, seducing young girls became even less titillating.

  As Ramon looked at the Saucin, he imagined that lissome body hovering over his, her sex’s delicate lips parting to admit the exclamation point of his shaft, happily ending his purity forevermore. His imaginings were based on the illegal pictures and illustrations his fellow soldiers bought on Earth’s prolific black market. The pictures were known as ‘secret sweeties’ among the men. Ramon had committed those pictures of lush breasts, rounded buttocks, and secretive sexual folds to memory.

  Israla was more slender than any of the secret sweeties, her curves less pronounced. Still, Ramon found all the seduction he needed in her intelligent eyes and the knowledgeable expression on her face. He knew her guiding hand, along with other delightful body parts, could easily lead him from childhood into the exciting but fearsome life of a man.

  The thump of boots on the transport’s entrance ramp where Ramon stood guard woke him from his trance. At the sound of General Croft’s voice, he snapped to attention.

  “Saucin, I demand you remove the Kalquorians from this area and release my ship immediately!” Croft raged, his face crimson as he stormed past Ramon.

  Two well-worn career soldiers, one whose face bled rivers from deep cuts, scurried behind the general. Both sported obvious erections. It was nice to know the advanced age of the two men didn’t inhibit the joys of the flesh. They had to be what, 45 or 50 years old? That made them ancient geezers in the naïve Private Ramon’s eyes.

  They must have noticed the Saucin to be so excited, Ramon surmised. He wondered what had happened to the guy who was bleeding. It looked like he’d lost a fight with a tiger.

  The Plasian leader’s voice tickled Ramon’s ears like the ringing of sweet bells. “One of my people has been injured while in your custody, General. Reparations must be made. In addition, the Kalquorians have lodged a formal abduction charge against you. You have taken a member of their clan by force.”

  “Abduction!” Croft’s roar, louder than usual, made Ramon blink before his thoughts immersed themselves again in contemplation of Israla’s beauty. The remainder of the general’s comments distracted him only slightly. �
��Amelia Ryan is bound by the laws of Earth and is in violation of those laws. I’m taking her back where she belongs to face serious charges. You have no business harboring this fugitive.”

  The deep voice of one of the Kalquorians intruded. “Amelia is Matara of my clan, our most important member. She carries our child, the future of Kalquor.”

  “We do not recognize any claims of Kalquorians on Earthers!”

  To Ramon’s joy Israla spoke again, her chiming voice a heady aphrodisiac. “Plasius does recognize clan bonds. I also recognize the Kalquorian citizenship of the unborn child. I must consider all arguments in regard to Amelia Ryan’s disposition.”

  In his fantasy, the Saucin spoke to Ramon in the same firm tone. She taught him, chastising him with stinging slaps on his naked buttocks when he failed to perform to her dictates. He licked his lips. He wondered how it felt to be spanked by Saucin Israla.

  Croft’s bellow again disrupted the fantasy. “We’re taking her back to Earth! End of discussion!”

  “You take her nowhere, Earther,” the lead Kalquorian said, his voice low but full of threat. Animal instinct for danger kicked in, and Ramon finally took a good look at the aliens.

  The Kalquorian speaker and his bigger companion stepped forward, closing in on Croft, their faces brutal with anger. Ramon gasped to see long fangs protruding from their upper jaws. The dark-skinned Kalquorians bulged corded muscle beyond any Earther body builder he’d ever seen. Those bastards were huge.

  Ramon’s hand went nervously to his sidearm, but the its cold presence gave him no comfort. He wasn’t sure his tiny gun with its grenade bullets would stop the behemoths. It would probably just piss them off if he shot them. Then they might tear his throat out with those nasty rattlesnake fangs.

  Fuck this. I’m not giving them any reason to come after me. If they start fighting with Croft, I’m getting the hell out of here, he thought.

  The Kalquorian’s voice was an animal’s growl, making Ramon’s hair stand on end. “We will fight to the death for our Matara and child.”

  “Death is exactly what you’ll get, you sick freaks.” The general also stepped forward. He craned his neck back to stare into the lead Kalquorian’s eyes. “You’re outnumbered and unarmed. You wanna dance? Let’s dance.”

  Both Kalquorians started forward. Croft reached for his sidearm. Ramon got ready to run for cover. Israla whipped around to face the massive aliens, pressing her palms against their chests. The sight of the Plasian leader’s naked backside stopped Ramon’s breath. Her rounded buttocks gleamed like polished marble, making him momentarily forget the escalating situation. Ramon barely resisted an urge to run to the Saucin and cup her perfect fleshy mounds.

  “You will not fight!” Despite the lovelier tones, her voice held as much command as the general’s and the lead Kalquorian’s. The Kalquorians glowered at Croft but advanced no further.

  Croft, for his part, was just as surprised as Ramon by Israla’s nudity. His eyes bulged. His mouth worked. He left his gun on his hip, his hands going up as if to ward off Israla’s nakedness. He backed up, bumping into the two staring soldiers who’d stormed off the transport with him. He nearly knocked the bleeding one over in his haste to get away from the trio of aliens.

  “Is the entire universe corrupt?” he shouted. “Do you godless aliens have morals? Any grasp of decency?”

  Private Copeland, the other guard posted on the ramp, snickered. The sound diverted Ramon enough for him to see Copeland motion him over. Ramon glanced around to make sure no one saw him abandon his post. Worry proved unjustified; everyone’s attention focused on the drama involving the Kalquorians. He sidled across the transport’s entrance ramp to Copeland’s side.

  “Look at that idiot challenging the aliens,” Copeland whispered. “No way in hell I’d get in their faces. He should give up the girl before they squash him.”

  Copeland’s words gave Ramon the courage to voice his own opinion. “If he starts a fight with them, I’m hiding until it’s over. No way I’m crossing those two monsters.”

  “Not only is he stupid where the Kalquorians are concerned, but listen to him preaching to the hot Plasian chick! I always thought Croft preferred the boys,” Copeland confided. “Now I’m sure of it. How else could he look at a gorgeous ass like that and spout morals and decency?”

  “I sure hope he doesn’t ruin our relations with the Plasians.” Ramon felt little surprise at the tremble in his own voice. “I’d sell my soul to the devil to be stationed here where I could look at her every day. She’s magnificent.”

  “She’s an older one.” Copeland leered. “To be so hot at her age, can you imagine what the girls our age are like?”

  Ramon dismissed the thought of young Plasian girls. He wished for the wisdom of the Saucin.

  He forgot to resume his position on the other side of the ramp. Copeland forgot to remind him. No one noticed the Kalquorian who slipped behind them onto the Earth transport.

  Chapter 22

  The doctor began his examination. Amelia bit her lip to keep from crying out as his gloved finger shoved its implacable way inside. The thick digit felt like a violation. Joyner’s exam succeeded in doing what her clan’s most demanding lovemaking never managed; Amelia felt as if he raped her.

  Fingers brushed hers, gently squeezed, and let go. The nurse didn’t look her in the eyes, paying attention to Dr. Joyner, waiting for his orders. Still, the tiny gesture of kindness was monumental given Amelia’s situation and the danger such an action could land Nurse McInness in.

  The finger jerked out of her sex. This time a whimper escaped Amelia’s throat. The doctor, his eyes never leaving the view between Amelia’s legs, snapped, “Nurse, give me—”

  The ceiling vent cover exploded into the room, smashing into the back of Joyner’s head. He fell to the floor with a grunt as Breft burst from the ventilation shaft.

  The nurse inhaled, ready to scream. Breft sprang at her, faster than Amelia’s wide eyes could follow. One moment he was below the vent, the next he was halfway across the room, grabbing the nurse by the throat.

  “Don’t hurt her, Breft!” Amelia cried out. “She tried to help me.”

  Breft smiled savagely at the wide-eyed brunette. “You will make no sound,” he said, tightening his grip in warning. She trembled in his grasp and kept quiet.

  The gasping doctor managed to get up on all fours. The Nobek kicked him in the side of the head while holding onto Nurse McInness. The doctor slid into a boneless lump on the floor.

  Breft returned his full attention to the young woman he held. “I would never harm a woman,” he breathed. “But I must be sure of you.”

  He sank his fangs into the nurse’s neck. She whimpered at first, then her body relaxed in his grip. She sighed and smiled a little as the intoxicant took hold. Her eyelids fluttered.

  Breft withdrew the bite. He cradled Nurse McInness in his arms and carried her to the corner. He propped her in a sitting position and straightened, standing over her. She watched him with half-closed eyes.

  “Good female,” Breft said with his trademark predator’s smile. “You will stay here and keep quiet.”

  “Take me with you,” she whispered. “I’ll do whatever you wish if you get me out of here.”

  Breft shook his head. He bent to stroke her cheek, his ferocious expression suddenly tender. “Kalquor would welcome you, little one, but I cannot help you now. I must rescue my Matara. After we leave, get off this ship if you can and look to the Plasians for aid.”

  Through it all, Amelia watched, disbelieving that Breft had really come to rescue her. As he approached the table to which she was tied, her eyes filled with tears.

  “Breft … oh Breft, I’m so glad to see you.”

  His hands cradled her head. His teeth clenched to see her bruised and swollen from Croft’s attack. “Who hurt you, my Matara? Was it this one?” The fierce Nobek snarled at the unconscious doctor.

  Amelia was afraid he’d kill the helpless Joyner
. “Not him. I’ll be all right, and they didn’t harm the baby, thank goodness. Let’s just get out of here.”

  Breft nodded and moved down to her ankles bound to the stirrups. As his hands grasped the straps on one foot he looked at her open sex. His breath caught.

  “Amelia … Matara.”

  The heavy Kalquorian cinnamon smell permeated the room. Amelia saw his arousal strain against his formsuit as he stared at her vulnerable openings. His fingertips skimmed up her legs and stroked her furred sex. He raised eyes dark with desire to hers.

  “I want you,” Amelia gasped, needing him with desperation.

  Breft’s face warred with want and regret. “You will have me, very soon. But we don’t have time right now. Someone might come back at any moment and give me no choice but to kill. My Matara, I feared—” his voice caught. She saw he couldn’t voice the pain of nearly losing her.

  He wasted no more time, releasing her from her bindings with that blurring, inhuman speed. Amelia watched him as he freed her, not quite able to speak. The emotion welling inside her choked off anything she might say.

  What does the condemned say when the execution is halted at the last possible second? There are no words she decided.

  “We move quickly now,” Breft said as he freed her from the table. He lifted her in his arms and carried her across the room to the vent. “I will be right behind you.” He boosted her up into the shaft. She crawled inside and moved forward a few feet, waiting for him to climb up and join her.

  Amelia didn’t hear the nurse speak, but Breft turned to the drugged woman before leaping into the shaft. “I cannot, dear one. I am truly sorry. Go to the Saucin. See what she can do for you.”

  Amelia felt a stab of pain in her heart for Nurse McInness’ plight. If only they could help her!

  Then Breft jumped into the vent with Amelia, prodding her to move forward. “Quietly,” he breathed. “But fast. I do not know how long before those two recover enough to go for help.”