by Maia Starr
"No, I rarely see him. You see that door there? I am locked in that bedroom most of the time unless he leaves, and then I am allowed to roam the rest of the living quarters,” I said, realizing that she had already started her investigation. She was prodding me for information. I had to be careful with my words. She could not know that I had bonded with Duron because she would figure it out, any woman would. “In truth, I hate him. I have not forgotten that he made me watch as he blew up our colleagues and peers on the space station. You cannot forget that either,” I said to her. She stopped digging through the basket and had a sad look on her face.
Then she continued with her information gathering. “Do you think any of our colleagues escaped? What did you hear on the intercom that day? I was so panicked and terrified that I did not even pay attention. I just remember scrambling to try to get to the escape pod and not making it. Surely a few of them escaped; they had too. Do you remember?” she asked.
Why was she asking me this? Had Baradur told her to ask me this, or was she genuinely concerned with the well-being of our colleagues and crew? Perhaps Baradur was worried that a few of the colleagues that got away would be reporting the incident to Earth and there would be repercussions. We were at war, after all. I did remember that Dr. Elmore had ejected in an escape pod, but I wasn’t going to tell her this.
"I wish I remembered. But like you said, it was chaotic, and I was terrified. I was on such adrenaline, but a part of me thinks that no one got away,” I said to her.
"Let's eat something. I am always hungry now,” she said to me with a smile, changing the subject.
We sat down to eat and had light conversation, joking about our scientific experiments that never came to fruition. Then I asked her, “What do you know about the Corillion race, Alexis? Do you know how they came to be? Do you know where they are from?” I asked her.
"No, I do not know very much about them. Baradur and I have mostly spent our time getting to know each other. I really didn't ask about the background of the race. Do you know?” she asked.
Sensing that perhaps Baradur had been keeping it from her on purpose, I decided that I should not be the one to tell her. I wouldn't want him to have any reason to keep her from me while Duron was away. And seeing her would be the highlight of every day for me.
"No. I know nothing; it is just the scientific curiosity in me wanting to know more. They are very fascinating creatures,” I said with a smile.
"That is true,” she said laughing.
We finished eating, and before too long, the warrior was signaling at the door that it was time for her to leave. “I must go, Shia. I will come tomorrow at the exact same time. Who knows, in a few days maybe I could even get permission to take you on a walk inside the base. It is good exercise and you need to get out of this room. I know that before too long, you will be taken from me to another place to be a forever mate for a Corillion leader. I want to make the most of our time together,” she said.
"I do too,” I said to her, giving her a hug. “Thank you for the food. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,” I smiled.
She left, and I was once again alone. I went over every detail of my meeting with Alexis. It was very strange. It was like talking to a completely different person from the one that I knew previously. Being cautious around her with my words was hard but necessary. She was, in fact, a very observant person; that is what made her a scientist. I did not know if she believed anything that I had said, but I hoped so. She was in very deep now that she was carrying the offspring of a Corillion leader. Then I remembered, I could be too. How would I ever know? It was too early to tell, or at least it would be if it were human-with-human offspring. I didn't know what to expect with a Corillion pregnancy. It could happen very rapidly for all I knew. It was a mystery to me. But what if I was pregnant too?
Then something else that Alexis said struck me: that I would soon be off to be a forever mate for a Corillion. Baradur must have mentioned it to her in order for her to bring it up. It was probably going to be sooner than I thought. That made me panic beyond belief. I had to figure out a way out of it. But how? There was no way that I could escape. I was not a pilot. I could not steal a ship and fly back to Earth. It was just not possible. Even if I did, I knew they would hunt me down and find me quickly, and then there would be extreme punishment.
There must be some other way. I wondered if any of our crew or science colleagues had made it back to Earth. I did remember that a few escaped. I remembered hearing Dr. Elmore had ejected his escape pod successfully, and a few others. I did not want to tell Alexis this because I knew that telling her meant I was telling Baradur. As much as I had feelings for Duron, the Corillion alien race was still the enemy of humans and Earth. I had to remain on the side of my own species. I just had to.
Now that I knew I was alone for many hours and would not be visited again until the same time the next day by Alexis, I had the freedom to look around the living quarters. I did not know what I was searching for, but I had to find something to help me. I searched every control panel on the walls, opening and closing windows. I opened cubby holes and uncovered shelves with gadgets and guns. There were a lot of hidden things in the walls. But nothing that could really help me, until a panel slid open revealing something that looked very familiar to me.
"No way. Could it be?" I said to myself as I moved to it.
Even in the advanced Corillion technology that I was staring at, I knew what it was because it was my field of expertise. It was a communication set up. I was a scientist that studied sounds and signals in deep space. I could use this. I could figure out how it worked and I could hack it to send a signal that hopefully would reach humans, that would reach Earth. I excitedly sat down at the communication panel and began to play around with the buttons and switches, listening to the signals and sounds that it made. I studied the frequency of the airwaves and the magnitude of power that it had. I knew that Duron was a commander and that meant that he sometimes had to communicate with the ships that were in deep space, so this must be a far-ranging communication device. I could use this. I could do this.
For many hours, I worked on the communication device, sending strong signals in Morse code, something that I knew that humans would be able to decipher, but not the Corillion. I sent my identity and my coordinates of the moon base of Altid. I did this every day as often as I could between visits with Alexis; it gave me meaning and it gave me hope. An entire week went by doing this, not knowing if anyone was receiving it on Earth. I had to try regardless. Meeting with Alexis to eat and get food from her was the highlight of my day, and it was good to have some company. Eventually, she came through on her promise and we walked around the hallways of the moon base for an hour before I returned to the living quarters. It was good to get out.
Then one day when I was expecting Alexis, she did not show up. Instead, a warrior showed up at the door.
"Follow me,” he said to me.
"Why? Where are you taking me? Where is Alexis?” I asked.
"Do not ask questions, human female. Obey my orders,” he said to me.
I followed him out of the living quarters and was terrified. This was it. They were going to put me in a ship and send me off to some Corillion leader that I had never met. He would force me to be his forever mate. I wished that I could speak to Duron at this moment. I wished that I had tried to contact him with his communication panel, but all of that was of no use now. Soon I was pushed into the same room that I had met Alexis the very first time, when Duron arranged for us to meet.
"Hello? Alexis?" I said.
There was no one in the room, and then the door opened. I was surprised by who walked in.
"How is Altid treating you, Shia Heton, human female scientist?” Baradur said as he walked in.
"As well as can be expected for a captive,” I said to him.
He laughed a bit and then said, “I see that none of your fire has left you. It must be from the color of your hair. It is very unusual
.”
"Why am I here?” I said, not trusting him as he moved as far across the room from him as possible.
"I must say, it has been difficult getting a match for you. Even though the Corillion leaders are faced with death, rumors of your feistiness and color of hair have prevented many from accepting you as a match. They fear your fiery anger and that you might kill them in their sleep. I must admit, it is my fault. That is what Commander Duron Spaunok whispered in my ear when he first brought you and Alexis to me. That you were dangerous. I allowed that rumor to spread across the Corillion galaxy, and now no one wants you,” he said.
"I cannot say that I am sorry to hear that. I do not want to be matched with anyone. It is not up to you who I spend my life with. I am a human, and I want to go back to Earth. I demand it,” I said to him.
He laughed, “I said it has been difficult to find your match, not that I have not found one.”
I gasped at his words. “Fuck."
He laughed, “I have heard Alexis use that word. Yes indeed. You will be sent to the asteroid known as Crasis. Their leader, Xet Crasis, has agreed to accept you as his forever mate. He only has one year left to find a mate, so he really can't to be too picky. You will be leaving to Crasis in two days time. I called you in here to congratulate you. But you should be warned, he is known to be a ruthless and brutal leader. He will not find your antics charming and funny the way I, and Duron, have. That is why I give you this warning. As a close companion of my wife Alexis, I thought I owed you this warning. You cannot be defiant with him; he will not allow it, and he will punish you in the most brutal way possible. I warn you as a friend. Now you may go," he said as he walked out.
I stood there, stunned into silence. I could not believe this was happening, and all I could think about was Duron.
"Move, human,” the warrior that had escorted me out of the living quarters said as he pushed me towards the door. I obediently followed because I was so numb with fear and emotion. I hardly remembered the walk back to the living quarters because I was so overwhelmed. How could this be happening? I refused to believe that my fate would be to end up in the hands of a brutal Corillion that sounded like a complete monster. Something had to change.
As soon as I was back in the living quarters, I waited a few minutes. I wanted to burst into tears because of what Baradur had told me. But instead, I went into action. I uncovered the communication panel and went to work, sending more detailed messages with a further range than I ever had before. It was risky, and I did not know if anyone on the moon base would catch me. But I didn't care; at this point, it was all or nothing. Baradur had pushed me to this point. I worked all day and into the night making sure that every single type of signal that I could muster was executed. Then I sent one signal with a different target and a different message. It was addressed to Commander Duron Spaunok, and it simply stated: “Your captive will be sent to Crasis in 48 hours."
Chapter 8
COMMANDER DURON SPAUNOK
Boom!
The retriever shook violently as we took on heavy fire from the Earth ship that we had tracked and engaged in battle. It wasn't a research science vessel this time: it was an Earth military ship. They were ready and willing to fight against us Corillion. They were winning.
"Commander Duron Spaunok, sir, this just came over the airwaves for you,” a warrior communications officer said to me as he handed me a piece of paper.
"Prepare to retreat!" I shouted on the flight deck as I grabbed the piece of paper. I opened it. As soon as I read it, I felt an overwhelming sense of nausea come over me. Shia was in trouble. She was going to be sent to the asteroid Crasis. I knew exactly who ruled that asteroid: Leader Xet Crasis. He was ruthless, and knowing Shia, her disobedience and fiery resistance would cost her a lot: her life. Xet Crasis would not put up with it and he would punish her, and she would kill herself rather than be subjected to brutality like that. So it would kill her. I had to get back. I had to save her. I had to be with her at all costs.
"Prepare for hyperdrive jump to Altid! Mark the coordinates, Pilot!” I shouted on the flight deck. The chaos of gunfire and battle was no match for what I was feeling with the news about Shia. The battle around us all became a distant echo in my mind. Suddenly the battle seemed not so important or dangerous. The real danger was not returning to Shia in time.
"Commander Duron Spaunok, sir! We have more company. More Earth battleships are arriving; I have them on the radar!”
"Pilot, are we good with coordinates?!” I shouted.
"Coordinates entered and ready, sir!”
"Hyperdrive go!” I shouted.
Swoosh! The Retriever jumped into hyperdrive, leaving the battle behind us. We zoomed through space headed back to Altid. It would take a while to reach them on base. I only hoped that we were not too late. I would kill Leader Xet Crasis if he hurt her. I was already on a death sentence because I only had one year remaining. Then I stopped that because I mated with Shia, but mating with her only sped up my death sentence. So adding onto that death sentence by killing Leader Xet Crasis seemed like little difference to me. I would do it if I had to. I would steal her away and renounce the Corillion race. We would have to live somewhere far away from Earth and the Corillion world.
But would she want to go with me? I did not know her true feelings for me. She could have just given herself to me out of boredom or indulgence. As a scientist, maybe it was just her curiosity of what it was like to be with a Corillion warrior. But I hoped it was not the case, because it was not so with me. I loved her.
Then I remembered the communication that I had received. Who could've sent it? I did not think that Baradur would send me such a message. Why would he? He only saw me as her guard and captor; he would not feel the need to inform me of such a thing, especially while I was in deep space on a mission for him, for the Corillion race.
I moved to the communication room, looking for the officer that handed me the message.
"Show me the transmission for this,” I said, giving him the paper back.
"Yes, Commander sir,” he said. He pulled up the chart of the transmission. I recognized the origin immediately: it was my own communication panel in my home. It was astounding. It must be from Shia; she was sending me a warning. She had figured out how to use the communication device, she was, in fact, a smart scientist, so that should not shock me.
"Patch me through video communication back to this origin,” I said to him.
"But Commander, at hyperspeed, I do not think we can establish a connection,” the officer said.
"Try, dammit!" I shouted, losing my nerve.
"Sir, yes sir,” he said.
He fiddled with the controls and switches as I stood there waiting to send video communication.
"Communication unlocked and opened. Established; you're on," the officer said as a screen came up on the monitor. It was my living quarters, and Shia was sitting by the window, staring out at the moon terrain with a glass of green formula in her hand.
"Shia, it's me, Duron," I said loudly.
"Duron?” she said as she stood up and turned to the communication panel.
"Yes, it is me,” I said with a smile.
"You're breaking up. Did you get my message? I am being sent away,” she said as the communication was breaking up with static. I didn't know how long the communication line would continue to work.
"I am on my way. Shia, I am coming!” I shouted at the monitor.
"I am being sent to Crasis. Help me, Duron!” she shouted with fear. Just then, I saw her turn to the left suddenly. A warrior came in and grabbed her by the arm.
"It is time, human female,” he said as he yanked her away.
"No! Duron! Help me!” she shouted.
The warrior turned and looked at the monitor. He had a look of shock on his face. It was obvious that he was going to report this to Baradur. Our secret was now out. Why else would she be speaking to me on the communication panel, pleading for my help? The warrior d
id not make any sort of facial expression; instead, he just went on about his orders from Baradur. He yanked on Shia's arm and dragged her out toward the door. Then I didn't see her or hear her anymore.
I was filled with rage. It was an uncontrollable feeling. It was unlike anything I had ever felt or experienced in my existence as a Corillion warrior. The communication officer gave me a strange look.
"Say nothing to no one; is that understood? It is a direct order,” I said to him sternly.
"Yes, Commander Duron Spaunok,” he said.
I moved back to the flight deck; hyperdrive could not be fast enough to get me there. I needed to get to Shia, and I needed to get to her now. For all I knew, she was boarding a ship and I would not be arriving in time. Then I would have to defy orders again and set out for Crasis and steal her from Xet Crasis. It was going to be messy; it was going to be worth it.
"What is the status on landing?” I asked the pilot.