by Luna Hunter
Meeting Theros has sent my powers into overdrive. That moment this morning, when our bodies touched and our thoughts seemed to unite was nothing short of magical.
The silver-skinned warrior is waiting for me outside, keeping watch, and I’m glad for it. We convinced Mikael to call in sick and spend the day in my home, resting. He assured me he’s fine, but he still seems a bit… glitchy.
And that worries me.
A curious file catches my eye. A list of missing staff and guests, buried in the archives of Station Patrol! I download a copy, making sure I don’t leave a trace of my intrusion, and log out.
How SINTRA ties into this I’m not sure yet, but we’re going to find out one way or another. Mikael told me he thinks the company might be targeting me because they want to use me as a guinea pig. That thought has my blood running cold, and I have to fight to keep my fear from consuming all of my thoughts.
By the time I clock out I’m feeling tired and distracted, but that all changes the moment I see Theros outside. My stomach does a little flip when our eyes meet. I want to keep my walls up high, and protect myself like I’ve always done, but I can’t help but bond with the silver alien. The power of our connection is simply too strong to be denied.
Beyond that, he’s more than ‘just’ a gorgeous, Zoran warrior. He has the heart of a rough-edged-but-gentle hero. One I probably owe my life to.
He grabs my hand and leads me home, taking a different route than usual, and this time, I don’t pull back.
When he touches me, I feel safe, and I need to feel safe right now.
“I think we should relocate to my ship, for the time being,” he says. “In case SINTRA tracks you down. They know where you work, so I think we should assume they know everything.”
“What about Mikael?”
“If we bring your charger, we can connect him to my ship without a problem. Furthermore, my kitchen and bathing accommodations are… adequate.”
“And what about Cuddles?”
“I will tend to the beast,” he says. “Until your neighbor returns.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay,” I say. “Let’s do it.”
All things considered, it’s a sensible move. I don’t have any reason to rebel. And, if I’m perfectly honest, I do feel safer when he’s around. The old me would have balked at the thought of ‘needing’ someone — I can take care of myself, thank you very much! — but I’m growing more comfortable with the idea that I’m not completely alone.
And considering the increasingly disturbing position I’m in, that’s excellent news. I don’t know what the intentions of SINTRA are, but I’m sure they’re bad. I can’t shake the feeling that I have an obligation to stop them, not only for myself, but for all the others they’re likely targeting…
Chapter Sixteen
Theros
Okay, she said.
Just like that, the human female agreed to relocate to my vessel. I had prepared a long, winding speech, filled with all the different reasons why she should trust me. And in the end, not a single word was needed.
She agreed.
My belly fills with butterflies, a strange but not unwelcome feeling, as we walk, hand-in-hand. The only thing that comes close is the adrenaline rush of winning a tournament, but even that comparison falls short. The feeling of simply holding her hand is… worth ten, no, a hundred tournament victories to me.
The feeling dissipates when we find Mikael. He’s looking worse for wear, his skin pale and sickly.
“We’ve got to get you out of here,” I say. “I’ll grab a hover.”
“I’m fine, you guys,” he says, putting on a brave face. “Truly. Never better.”
“Stop lying to us,” Anaya says.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To my ship,” I say.
The street is empty, and no one sees us when we carry the AI to the ride-share hover. We arrive at my vessel without incident. Finally, a plan that doesn’t go awry!
That is, until I notice the thick stack of parking tickets stapled to my ship’s door. In my haste to save Anaya, I forgot to hook the ship up to a credit-line.
Oops.
With my help Anaya connects him to the comms of my ship, and while the human female makes herself at home, my mind turns to my duty.
I came to Corlis for a pick-up. Might as well go do that now.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell the duo. “Don’t go anywhere.”
With a hood pulled down low over my face (SINTRA goons might be looking for a silver Zoran by now) I head out to the Port District. There’s aliens everywhere, all going about their day, the strange sounds and exotic smells of Station life all around me, but it doesn’t capture my attention as much as it did earlier.
All of my thoughts are about Anaya now.
She must come with me to New Exon.
There is no other option, for I simply can’t imagine leaving without her. There’s no way I’ll leave my fated mate in the hands of corporate agents hellbent on snatching her for horrid lab-experimentation.
Over my dead body — and I’m very hard to kill.
A seedy looking place named Cloud 69 is my destination. The flickering neon sign catches my attention, and I double check my coordinates to make sure I have the right place. A disgruntled Vechin is waiting for me inside, tapping his comm impatiently.
“What took you so long?” he says, his mandibles clicking. “I’ve been waiting all day for you!”
I ignore him and glance around the room. All sorts of alien sex toys that I can only describe as… complicated line the walls of this place. Why would my commander ever send me here?
I throw the credit-stick provided to me by Helios down on the table. This instantly shuts the grumbling Vechin up, and he directs me towards a bunch of cases in the back.
“Here,” he says with a wicked grin. “Your delivery. Enjoy.”
The alien turns away, our trade completed. I rest my hands on my sides as I stare at the sealed up boxes. They’re locked up tight, their contents hidden.
My gut tells me something is up. How could something bought here be of benefit to the regiments? Cloud 69 hardly seems like the place to sell weapons or supplies…
Everything the Thaboists do is on a need-to-know basis. I’m expected to do as I’m told. To follow orders. To be obedient. I’ve done my duty, but I’m at the end of my rope now. I’ve ignored the blatant corruption, the sheer favoritism, the purist philosophies.
Now that I’ve met Anaya, I can’t turn a blind eye to all of that any longer.
Anaya is visually human, but she shares Zoran blood. And she is my fated mate — of that I am sure. What are the Thaboist Decrees for these gray areas? If I take her to New Exon, will we be shunned? Exiled?
How could a Zoran ever do a thing like that?
These thoughts are swirling in my mind as I carry the heavy boxes to a hover, and my doubts still haven’t left me when I arrive back at my vessel.
I’m glad to see Mikael and Anaya right where I left them, and I push my doubts away for the time being. I want to enjoy this moment fully.
“How’s he holding up?” I ask.
“Poorly,” Anaya says. “I hooked him up for another recharge, and I hope that’ll sort him out. He did find this, however.”
She presses a button on her comm and shows me a digital copy of a contract between SINTRA Corp. and Corlis Station that the AI has snagged out of the data-stream. We pour over the lengthy document together, and de-code all of the legal language.
The contract gives SINTRA Corp. far-reaching security clearances. They have the permission to oversee all AI functions on Corlis, in order to prevent ‘unauthorized access’ and ‘protect the integrity of the Station’.
“This is a bad deal if there ever was one,” Anaya says. “Technically, Mikael is ‘property’ of Corlis — and this means SINTRA can legally to do him whatever they want!”
My brow furrows.
“How can you own a person?”
“Exactly!” Anaya says. “Thank you! I’ve been saying that for years, but no one seems to think synthetics are people. I know Mikael, and he’s every bit as alive as I am.”
I have to admit I haven’t given it much thought, as there are no synths on the Thaboist areas of New Exon — Thaboists are generally distrusting of technology — but Mikael strikes me as very much alive. Different, yes, but there are many different alien lifeforms in the galaxy.
I’m not sure what SINTRA’s plans are with the AI, but whatever it is, it can’t be good.
Chapter Seventeen
Anaya
Mikael is growing paler by the minute, and my worry deepens.
“Have you ever seen him like this before?” Theros asks.
“Not this bad,” I answer. “When AI’s get like this, it usually doesn’t end well. When they get glitchy, they get ‘reassigned’.”
“What does that mean?”
I fiddle with my thumbs as I try to push the dark thoughts away. “Most of the time it means termination. Sometimes the AI’s are actually reassigned to some menial tasks, but… I don’t have a lot of faith in Corlis, and especially not now that SINTRA is involved. Screw it, we have to do something,” I say as I stand up. “I can’t sit here and watch him deteriorate.”
Every second that passes breaks my heart.
“What’s your plan?” Theros asks.
A name suddenly springs to mind: Zaid! I’ve heard Mikael and Sanura discuss his exploits over lunch before. He’s a Corlis legend, an AI gone rogue, with unmatched hacking skills. If anyone can help us, he can.
If he even exists…
“We should ask the other AI for help,” I say. “It’s our only hope.”
“Then let’s go,” Theros says decisively.
I’m happy we’ve got a plan, however, we’ve got to be very careful who we ask for help. I just know that Station Patrol will be on the lookout for Mikael. A complex, AI-personality like him? Doesn’t come cheap, that’s for sure. And the fatcats who built him want to make sure they’re getting their money’s worth. To him, he’s simply a tool. A machine. It’s insane to me. He’s every bit as ‘human’ as I am. He has the emotions, the intelligence, the awareness. Everything. Stars know there are some humans on this station with less emotional depth than Mikael! However, technically, Corlis owns him. It’s cruel and inhumane, but I can’t do anything about it. Not right now, with SINTRA on our asses.
Together, Theros and I head out towards the center square where most of the mid-tier AI’s hang out on their off-hours, our bodies wrapped in heavy cloaks. Normally, talking to strangers is not something I’m good at, but tonight I have to push through that fear.
“Excuse me,” I say to a group of AI’s in one of the many SythBars littering the plaza.
“Buzz off, fleshbag,” one of them bites. His eyes are so clear it unsettles me. “We’re off duty.”
“It’s important!”
“No, my drink is important,” he says. “Can’t you read the signs? No organics allowed.”
“What? That’s ridiculous!”
“No, your organs are,” he says with a arrogant grin. “Now, buzz off.”
Normally I would give this macho-AI an earful, but tonight, I need his help.
“Look, I’m trying to find Zaid.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the synth says stiffly. He turns his back to me, as do all the other patrons.
I try all the different bars, but every single time I mention Zaid, the conversation turns quiet. I don’t dare mention I need help for Mikael’s sake, because news travels fast in Corlis. A bit too fast.
When I get cussed at for the 20th time, I give up. There’s only one person I can turn to now: Sanura. I call her on my comm, but she doesn’t pick up. I leave a message. She’s never given me the idea the she likes me, but she just might be close enough to Mikael to want to help me. I have no other choice but to trust her.
On my way back to the ship, I stop at the waterfront. The walls that I’ve built around my heart are dangerously close to cracking. I can’t stomach the thought of facing Mikael and telling I haven’t been able to find any help.
Before I know it, tears are spilling down my face. Theros gently lifts my chin, his silver eyes searching for mine.
I don’t like crying in front of him. Or anyone. Never have. My father raised me to be a fighter, to be self-reliant, but it’s not easy to erect my walls with a Zoran warrior standing there, with his heart in his hand, wanting nothing more than to love me.
Why don’t I just let him in?
“We will help your friend,” he says, his low voice comforting me. “Someone will fix him.”
Just the sound of his voice makes my heart race. I was half-convinced I’d end up spending my days with a handful of Zerusian cats for roommates, but here is Theros, a gorgeous, alien warrior, his thumb stroking my cheek.
Here is nothing less than unconditional love, demanding I pay attention to a connection I’d never have imagined crossing my path in a million years.
Theros says we’re fated. And he’s so perfect that I’m starting to believe it.
The silver-skinned warrior leans down and kisses me.
We explode in a ray of light, a brilliant starburst that knocks the wind out of me. Energy swirls all around us, my entire skin feeling warm, feeling perfect…
I surrender myself to him completely. I don’t hold back, I don’t doubt him any longer. The sensations that spreads through my entire body are all the proof I need.
He was made for me.
When I open my eyes, I see that we’ve attracted quite a bit of attention. Several tourists are filming us with their comms.
Oops. So much for being careful!
Chapter Eighteen
Theros
We take the long way back to my vessel, avoiding the tourists recording us where we can. It seems our kiss attracted quite a bit of attention.
It felt to me like an explosion of color, of pure energy, but at first I thought that was just a feeling.
I was wrong. That actually happened. Energy swirled all around us, making Anaya’s pink hair float, and my heart race. Our souls are truly connected, and the power that surges through us both when we touch is awe inspiring.
When we mate, we’ll bring down this entire damn Station…
“Can you believe that?” Anaya asks, her voice giddy. “Did you see their faces?”
“I can’t ever forget,” I say. “It’s like we were in a zoo.”
“We made their trip memorable, that’s for sure,” Anaya laughs.
I feel a warmth in my belly when she laughs. Her voice is music to my ears, and I want it to surround me all the time.
That warmth turns to an ache when we arrive at my ship, and my thoughts turn to my commander. He’ll be expecting me back on New Exon soon. We have to make a decision.
I hunger for Anaya’s presence. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would feel like to be separated from her. She has to travel with me.
Mikael is where we left him, asleep — or whatever AI’s do. I’m not familiar with synthetic lifeforms, as Thaboist scripture consider them an abomination. One more reason to doubt all that I have learned.
My ship’s comm blinks with a missed message. I take a deep breath to steady myself and hit play. Instantly, Commander Helios’s face pops up, his holographic image filling the room.
“Theros,” he barks. “You are late. Return to New Exon promptly, or face the consequences!”
My fists clench up, rebellion boiling in my blood. I will show you the consequences of treating me like a dog, Helios.
Anaya wraps her hands around my fists, and my tension decreases easily under her warm touch.
“Calm down,” she says. “Who was that?”
“My commander,” I sigh. “I am supposed to go back home.”
“Will you?”
The pop of a spark plug reminds me of our
effects on the technology around us. I touch her cheek, our eyes meeting. She struggles to keep her voice calm, but I can tell there’s a lot more emotion surging inside of her than she lets on.
“No,” I say. “Not without you.”
Anaya swallows the lump in her throat, a small smile forming on her lips.
“What about the consequences?”
“Damn the consequences,” I growl. “You are my fated, you are one of the Chosen.”
“Ch-chosen?”
I nod decisively. “The Mating Star Prophecy is coming true right before our very eyes. The Rift, our powers… it is all connected.”
“But I’m just Anaya,” she mumbles, her eyes darting towards the floor. “I’m nobody.”
I tilt her chin up and force her to look into my eyes.
“You are Anaya! Of human blood, of Zoran blood, a fierce warrior, a beautiful woman. You, Anaya, are special. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Stop,” she blushes.
“Never.”
I lean down and kiss her again. The moments my lips touch hers, I’m in heaven. My hand slides to the back of her neck, holding her as I explore her tongue, her mouth, her lips, everything she has to offer.
The lights flicker, the engine buzzes, the ship itself rumbles slightly, and I even hear the ring of Anaya’s personal comm. We’re really setting off every bit of tech on this ship the moment we touch…
“Wait,” Anaya says, pulling away. “I’m actually being called!” She glances down, and her eyes grow wide. “Sanura!”
“Take the call,” I say, a spark of hope infusing the air. Perhaps our luck has finally changed.
Chapter Nineteen
Anaya
“This makes two favors you owe me,” Sanura says.