Her knowledge of the world challenged, Deborah had to close her eyes. Thoughts raced through her head, colliding with each other in an attempt to form a coherent answer to the puzzle. Predictably, nothing came to her.
“So, Doc, what are we looking at?” The corporal asked, the tone of his voice betraying just how obvious Deborah’s surprise was.
“I… I have no earthly idea. This place…” She approached a wall slowly, running her hands across the smooth surface. “This place, this thing, it defies everything we know about world history.” She turned toward him, intent clear in her eyes. “We’re going to be here for a good while, corporal.”
“We came prepared for that, ma’am.”
“Good… great, actually. I might need some help, you know? If I have to take notes and compare them myself, this investigation might not even get resolved in our lifetimes.”
“We’ll see what we can do, ma’am. Our courier will be due in very little time. We will be able to notify HQ about what we need then. In the meantime, we will—“ He stopped talking and grabbed at his holster with his right hand. His eyes twitched as they tried to penetrate the darkness many times over. In less than a second they fixed onto something, but by then it was too late.
Something hit him in the forehead, affixing itself to his skin as if it was laced with a powerful adhesive. A moment later, the metal thing glowed an intense white, forcing Deborah to avert her eyes. By the time the brilliant display was over the corporal had fallen down to his knees and the device disconnected from his forehead on its own. He hit the ground face-first, raising a significant amount of dust.
“Help!” Deborah screamed out, her voice echoing through the subterranean ruins. Come on, that must have alerted someone! Someone approached her, step by step, from the very direction the device had appeared. Please tell me I’m not alone here. The figure was now visible, the neon light that the corporal had held illuminating some of his features from the floor. I don’t want to die!
“No need to be alarmed, pretty lady,” the stranger said, his voice possessed of an unusual synthetic quality, an obvious effect of the mask he wore. He was very tall and distinctly well muscled, a quality that was further accentuated by the tight black bodysuit he wore. The garment left nothing to the imagination, revealing every muscle as if the stranger’s body had been covered with black paint and subsequently oiled up. The covering over his face was plain, disregarding the voice box over his mouth and something that resembled a pair of shades over the eyes. “I assure you that I come in peace, although your companions made my claim less than convincing.”
What? Is he one of the invaders? A robot? It doesn’t match any description I’ve read.
Deborah had no idea what to say in this situation, so she did what she always did—she said the first thing that came to her mind. “What… what the hell is going on here?”
“I have taken out your soldiers,” the bodysuit-wearing hunk replied as he grabbed his mask with his right hand. In a single motion he removed it, revealing a handsome human face beneath. He possessed strong features with a powerful jaw and prominent cheekbones. His hair was bright brown and slightly messy due to the compression of the headgear.
Not half bad, Deborah concluded. She was just about to comment on the intruder’s appearance when he opened his eyes, propelling her into a state of disbelief and awe. An intense blue light overcame the white one that was still being given off by the torch. It originated from his eyes: they were devoid of whites, and glowed an intense shade of blue.
“You… you’re not human, are you?” she asked immediately, the shock doing little to slow her verbal reaction.
“Not in the least,” he responded in a deep voice, a slight chuckle creeping into his voice. “And you are a hell of a lot of woman. Just the way I like.”
This was the tipping point. The stranger’s inhuman eyes touched some forgotten part of Deborah’s being, and the feeling was terrifying. Shock getting the better of her, Deborah turned around screaming. There was no precise thought or plan within her, only an overpowering instinct to survive. Her surroundings blurred and she didn’t know whether the alien gave chase, but she still ran.
It didn’t last very long. Her plump frame jiggled with every move she made, dragging her closer and closer to the ground. She kept propelling herself forward relentlessly with all the force her body could muster, but the pain that spread through her chest insisted that she stop.
“Goddamn it!” she yelled, or at least tried to. What came out of her mouth sounded more like the death throes of a choking animal than any sound a human would produce.
“I don’t see why this is necessary,” the alien commented, creeping from the dark behind her. The cave gleamed blue again, and her knees started wobbling beneath her. “There is absolutely no way for you to escape from me.” His breathing was steady and well paced, as if he had not exerted himself at all—a sharp contrast to Deborah’s own condition.
“What are you—“ She couldn’t finish her sentence, the contractions in her abdomen forcing her to inhale instead. She extended her hand as if to keep the invader at bay while she regained her ability to reason. Unmoved by her silent plea he drew closer and closer, ending his advance only a foot away from her.
“The finest human athletes could not outmaneuver me, pretty woman.” The way his voice made her feel clashed with the overall sensation of hopelessness that had driven Deborah to flee. Everything she knew kept screaming for her to get as far away from this… thing as she could. Still, there was something… everything about him, now that she thought about it, that grabbed her attention and refused to let go. He finished, “What chance do you think you might have?”
So this is how a moth feels toward the flame?
“I don’t suppose you’d let me go if I asked you nicely?” Deborah finally managed to ask, her voice still shaky and infirm. “If I, say, throw my feminine charms at you, would that please you enough to let me go?”
“If you did something like that, my dear, I’m afraid that I would never release my grasp.” The alien seemed amused, but somehow a bit hurried.
Oh, well. She hadn’t expected it to work, but something had to be attempted.
“Now then, let me help you up so we can get you to the ship.” He extended his hand gently, but the air about him communicated that he was just as capable of dragging her by force if she resisted.
“To the ship!? No way, no how, not ever!” As quickly as she was able, Deborah straightened herself up again, taking special care not to touch the alien’s hand in any way.
“I’m afraid you don’t have any real choice in the matter.” Even without whites, it was strangely apparent how his eyes simply ate her up. “In a couple of your minutes we will be back in my ship, and it is up to you whether you will be there by will or force.”
“Is that how you usually woo girls?” She tried to smile but her lips simply wouldn’t move in that manner. “Is that standard procedure where you’re from?”
“I’m afraid not,” the alien replied, the expression of amusement disappearing from his face without a moment’s notice. Slowly, he lowered his hand before he spoke again. “We don’t woo girls on my home planet anymore.”
“And why is that so?” Deborah inquired, now genuinely interested.
“Because we don’t have girls back there anymore.”
An unpleasant silence crept up between them. The invader said nothing for a good while, merely staring through her with those bizarre eyes of his.
How do I reply to that?
“As I was saying, you will end up in my ship one way or another. He extended his arm yet again, this time in a much less courteous manner. “What is it going to be, pretty lady?”
“Can we stop at a McDonalds before you take me up into space? Tension always gives me the munchies.” She grabbed his fingers firmly, more on autopilot than from any conscious intent.
“I applaud your eagerness,” he replied, regaining a little of his previou
s enthusiasm. “But first you and I need to talk.”
“Talk? Did the other aliens also talk to those they took? If so, then I have doubts about the fairness of this talk you speak of!”
“I do not know what methods my peers used on your kind, nor do I care.” The tone of his voice slightly wavered when he mentioned his kind, prompting Deborah to consider the possible implications. “I am Var’ghan of the Ar’chameet tribe, and I do things my way!”
Deborah couldn’t help but feel somewhat impressed by the boast, even though she had no idea what it meant.
Before another pyramid
The cave rumbled. The blue of the stranger’s eyes gleamed with yellow diodes. The pyramidal structure before them shifted, opening its front doors and exposing its chrome-colored inner chamber.
“How the hell did you do that? What in the world is going on here? Why is the inside of an ancient building as high-tech as that?” The questions kept pouring from her mind faster than Deborah was capable of speaking them out.
“All in due time, my curious little… ahem, not so little cutie. Be so kind as to step inside, and all your questions will be answered.”
Reluctantly, Deborah stepped forward. Then she did so again. She still wanted to run, but the hopelessness of her situation prevented her from attempting that course of action again.
The last thing I need is a heart attack…
“Good girl. Just a couple more steps now… that’s it! You are done.”
The cave started rumbling again, shutting the door behind the two of them. She was trapped inside with the invader, whatever slim chance she had of escape now extinguished entirely.
Suddenly, the yellow dots in Var’ghan’s eyes lit up again, adding some yellow to the blue light that permeated the room. In response, a dull buzzing sound could be heard. It was not especially loud, but it was constant and somewhat annoying. Then, actual illumination took over, bathing the chamber in clear white. The smooth walls of the place interacted strangely with the various sources of light in it, creating an effect she wouldn’t have been able to imagine if she hadn’t seen it.
“So, we are here, Mr. Alien. What now?” Her better judgment had tried to prevent her from being a smart-ass toward the alien who was in complete control of the situation, but she just couldn’t help it. Please don’t flip out due to my mouth.
Instead, he merely smiled. The buzzing intensified, and with it, the room changed. The flat floor of the structure grew some protrusions that quickly formed into something resembling a table and two chairs. Then, the center of the table opened up, revealing a large bottle of expensive champagne and a pair of metallic-looking glasses. Actually, the champagne would have been expensive before the war. Now it is priceless.
“Be my guest, please,” he said, gesturing for Deborah to take her seat. “I take hospitality seriously.”
Still on guard (for whatever that was worth), she obliged. The chair was comfortable, but some of Deborah’s ample behind spilled over its edge. It was embarrassing, and she squirmed in her seat. However, Var’ghan seemed to approve, the intensity of that inhuman gaze becoming more tangible with every second that passed.
“Please, allow me.” He took the champagne bottle, ripped the cork out with his bare hands, and emptied some of the contents into both glasses. Then, as if to prove that everything was fine with the drink, he downed his own in a single motion.
“Your turn,” he commented as he refilled his glass.
Ponderously, Deborah extended her right hand and wrapped it around the metallic glass. She took a sip. It was more sweet than strong, precisely the way she liked it. Downing the drink in one go was easy.
“More?” Var’ghan asked, ready to provide a refill.
Deborah replied with a question as she put the glass back in its place. “Are you going to kill me like the others?”
“Like the others, you say?” He poured her next drink. “What others? The soldiers have been merely knocked out. They should regain consciousness within several hours.”
“Ah… Why? I mean, I’m grateful, and I’m sure they are too, it’s just… why would you show us the courtesy? I’m sure our guys wouldn’t have done the same for you.”
“All life is sacred, pretty lady. Sometimes life must be ended so that more life might thrive, but today this was not the case. By the way, would you tell me your name?”
Can’t hurt, I guess. Although I do enjoy being called “pretty”…
“Deborah Hall,” she said after a short pause.
Var’ghan’s expression told her that he liked the way it sounded. “Pleased to meet you, Deborah. You already know what I am called, so that part is over. Now please tell me about yourself.”
“How about you tell me a bit about yourself?” She couldn’t resist turning the question around, despite her situation. “I think you owe me that much,” she added in an attempt to add more credibility to her claim.
“Owe.” The way he pronounced the word was similar to the way someone would speak out a good, short joke. “Very well, let’s pretend like I do owe you that. What do you want to know?”
“Why are your people here? Why are you here?” She gestured around herself, flailing with both of her arms. “What’s the point of all this horror?”
Horror. Maybe too strong of a word. Still, what’s said is said.
“Horror, Deborah? You think you know horror?” The way he looked at her as he talked was somewhat angry, yet still in control. “Try being the scion of one of the highest of your world’s elite tribes. Try losing the love of your life over something you had no control over. Try spending decades utterly deprived of anything resembling romantic companionship. Alone in in every way that mattered. Finally, try watching your children grow up without a mother, as well as any potential mates for them to continue the dynasty. Can you identify with any of this? Is that enough horror for you?”
I seem to have hit a nerve.
“I don’t understand the first thing about what you’re talking about, Var’ghan. Care to elaborate?”
“It’s excessively long and complicated,” he responded, a bit less unnerved this time. “The short version is that we lost all our females some time ago. Our great race is dying. We came here to get some of your females, those who are genetically compatible with us due to a mutation. You fought back. Of course, we were winning, but then you fielded new weaponry that made our combat robots laughably ineffective at capturing prey. Are you following this?”
Like a soap opera.
“I’m listening to every word, and let me tell you, it sounds completely bonkers.” She remembered the anger he had shown a little bit ago, and decided to soften the blow of her previous sentence. “But what do I know? I am but a simple archeologist. Please continue.”
“There is absolutely nothing simple about your area of expertise, Deborah. I myself share a passion for things that were. In fact, it is the reason you are here.”
What?
“Erm… come again? This ruin is the reason I’m here. Don’t tell me you’ve been hiding in this old place, waiting for someone interested to come.”
Because that would be just silly.
“Yes and no.” He smiled, betraying his own excitement about what he was about to divulge. “This isn’t an old ruin, Deborah. I had it made just last month.”
You have got to be kidding me.
“No way, no how, no chance! This place is ancient! I’d bet my career on it!”
“And you’d lose it if you did,” Var’ghan replied, the grin still gracing his handsome face. “The things one can do with our level of technology… You’d be astounded.”
“So, let me get this straight. Instead of abducting someone, say a supermodel, you’ve settled for plain old me?”
“In essence, yes. But there is a reason for it. And stop badmouthing your appearance. It is simply divine.”
Divine? Deborah could not prevent the red from spreading across her round cheeks. Var’ghan took notice, and his di
sposition brightened up even more.
“I did not take part in the fighting on this planet, Deborah. Only one elite tribe was sent on this mission. Others, including my own, were sent to other regions of the cosmos. The commander we’ve sent to this part of space succeeded in finding a race that was more or less genetically compatible with ours. The rest of us did not.” His gaze darkened again, and the light from his eyes appeared to have taken on a darker shade. “By the time I came here, your soldiers had already been armed to the teeth with their new weapons, and abductions had become difficult. Most of them have outright failed, with all of you held up in your military bases. Lost inorganics are not easily replaced without the ability to salvage, so our attempts to find mates proved tenuous and costly. That, in essence, is why I’ve made this place.”
That’s crazy! And also kind of flattering…
“Wait, wait… so creating this ruin, fixing it up to be a mishmash of cultures and then aging it artificially was not expensive, then?”
“Of course it was. However, the important thing is that I realized that I was going to have to work for my mate either way. If I’m going to have to jump through hoops, as you say, I might as well attract a female who shares my interests. The science you call archeology, for starters.” He remembered his drink and downed it again in one go, and Deborah did the same. “The stage was set, and here you are, even better than I had hoped for!”
This seems way too bizarre to believe. However, if it is true…
“Wait, hold on!” She lifted both of her hands up, palms extended toward Var’ghan. “So, I am not going to be dragged up into space against my will?”
“You do not like my offer?” His expression changed into a look of disappointment. “I can give you everything you ever wanted. You don’t even have to be capable of bearing my children. I just want… need, your company.”
“A handsome man in need of my company? You’re definitely from space!” Her joke didn’t seem to take. “I never said I would refuse, Var’ghan. It’s just… having the choice is important.”
Highlander's Pride: Winter Solstice (Against All Odds Series 1) Page 41