Miranda choked out another sob and nodded.
“Then why are you upset?” Adam asked.
“I wanted to stay in the North Pole a little while longer.”
“Maybe we can call my dad and ask him if we can come back after our spaceship adventure?”
“No worries.” She touched her forehead to Adam’s. “I’ll just have to stop complaining and go on this next adventure.”
“It’ll be fun. I know it will.”
The pod stopped, and they were pushed up and out and deposited on a floor. Not wet grass. Not concrete thick mud. Not knee-deep snow. Not cinderblock thick ice. They were on a real floor.
She was officially out of the game. A sob tore through her chest. Fanian stood and offered her a hand. She didn’t take it. Even though she couldn’t return home, he’d still robbed her of the chance to win and control her destiny.
He went behind her to place firm hands under her armpits. She wiggled from his grasp and ground out. “Don’t touch me.”
“Fine. Stay on the floor. I thought you’d want to greet the medics on your feet.”
Miranda looked around, finally taking in her surroundings. How could she not have noticed the five aliens standing off to one side, watching her?
“What the—?” She pushed back, scrambling against Fanian’s legs and feet.
He grasped her by the back of her snowsuit and lifted her to stand. “I suggest only those who are needed stay and the rest leave. When she’s frightened or thinks her children are in danger, she likes to kill. Luckily she doesn’t have any weapons on her at the moment.”
I have to get out of here.
“Relax. You’re safe. I won’t let them harm you,” Fanian said softly in her ear.
As he talked, Miranda's tension lessened, but she was painfully aware that aliens watched her. “I can’t trust you or them.” Even as she said the words, she pressed back against his chest.
“Trusting me is your only option right now.”
She wanted to believe he wouldn’t let the new aliens harm her or her children, and since he wasn’t in the lying business, she did. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t defend herself. She transferred Lexi to her non-dominant arm and pushed Adam behind Fanian.
She fished her knife from her coat pocket and waved it at the alien medics. “Who wants to die first?”
“I told you to get rid of your weapons,” Fanian said.
“I wanted to, but I also didn’t want to. I got rid of the taser, though.”
Fanian sighed, then turned to the alien group and waved a hand casually in the air. “Who here has the ability to self-repair?”
The aliens exchanged glances. The one with brown leathery skin and short, dark blue hair spoke to the others. “Icus will stay. The rest can leave.”
Three of the aliens rushed through a paneling in the wall that slid open. When it closed, it blended with the non-descript wall again.
One of the remaining aliens stepped forward. Jewelry shined around his neck and ears. The oversized purple tunic he wore made his tininess more pronounced. “Welcome to the processing center. I know this isn’t how you’d envisioned The Hunt ending for you, but I want to congratulate you on making it this far. You have proven the most valuable prize.”
“We are no one’s prize,” Miranda bit out, angling her blade toward him. He would be her second victim of the day, and she was okay with that.
The alien inclined his head. “Please forgive my poor choice of words. I’m called Bradliix. I’m here to oversee your transition and make it as incident-free as I can.”
Miranda didn’t miss the way he eyed her knife. “Transition to a life with someone I don’t know, of a future that’s uncertain?”
“Life is what we make it,” Bradliix said. “From what I’ve learned about you, you will not let anyone decide your future. Come now.” He patted what appeared to be an examination cot with long slender fingers. “We will need to perform a full-body scan on you and the children.”
Her arm tightened reflectively on Lexi. “I refuse.”
“Mommy, what’s happening?” Adam asked. “Are we still going on Fanian’s ship?”
She wished she had time to break the news calmly to him. To let him know, she was desperately trying to keep some dignity even as they were being sold off to a life neither of them would be happy to live. Instead, she wiped the tears from her cheeks and put on a brave face.
“Yes, we’re starting a new adventure. A space adventure. Doesn’t that sound great?”
“What about our medals? Will I still get one at the end?” Adam asked.
Fanian nodded. “Of course, you will.”
“We need to scan you to see what you need,” Bradliix said.
She turned her attention back to Bradliix and spoke through clenched teeth. “I said, I refuse.”
“I see,” Bradliix said. “Are you also refusing to have the parasites clinging to your skin and hair removed? Or to have your children treated for their vitamin deficiencies? Should we not provide the antibiotics that will help kill the infections in your intestines as well?”
Doubt crept its way through Miranda’s mind. She’d tried to ignore Adam scratching his head uncontrollably or that she did the same. She’d dismissed the patches of missing hair on all their scalps or how her legs cramped painfully at night. She’d also ignored how Adam’s cute round belly was now flat. All his baby fat was gone.
Miranda blinked, trying to get her brain to grasp time. How long had they been here? Weeks? Months? She frowned. Her days blended together. She’d lived from alarm to alarm.
“It would be silly for her to refuse medical treatment,” Fanian told Bradliix. “Of course, she wants the children to receive proper medical care.”
“I’m obviously not refusing medical treatment,” she muttered.
“I didn’t think you were.” Fanian led her to the cot since she had trouble making it there herself. “Sit.”
Icus grabbed Lexi, trying to take her away. Miranda tightened her grip and slashed the knife in the space between them. “Touch her again, and I’ll gut you.”
Icus stepped back. She was a small thing, shorter than Bradliix. She had light bluish-purple skin, large eyes, two holes where her nose should be, and thin lips.
“We need to treat the children too. We promise not to hurt them,” Bradliix said.
“Complete the physical exam and treatments without splitting up the family,” Fanian told him.
Bradliix looked at Fanian. “But we need to run diagnostic tests on all of them.”
“They stay together,” Fanian stated firmly.
“May I ask for her to at least put up the knife?” Bradliix asked.
Both Fanian and Bradliix glanced her way. Why in the hell would she give up her knife? Miranda snorted and shook her head.
“She keeps the knife,” Fanian said.
Realizing it would be a losing battle to fight her on this, Bradliix sighed. “All right then. We’ll do our best, given the circumstances.”
Bradliix and Icus brought over handheld devices Miranda didn’t recognize. They waved them over her and the children, then Fanian. After reading and hmming over the results, they assembled items on a tray and brought them over.
“I assume you would like starting doses of nanomites and an updated universal translator?” Bradliix asked Fanian.
“Yes, the best you have to offer.”
Bradliix unhooked her collar. If her hands weren’t full of children and a knife, she would’ve touched her neck. Without the collar, she could breathe better, deeper. The collar was something else she’d tried her best to ignore. If she didn’t focus on it and pretended it was a fancy necklace as she’d told Adam, the lie was more comfortable to believe.
Now she was free of it. She stretched her neck from side to side. Nothing hindered her movements.
“Your necklace is gone.” Adam’s little fingers were on her bare neck, rubbing the skin. “Your neck is dirty. You need a bath.” He gi
ggled.
Miranda’s lips trembled as she smiled and nodded.
“We can’t offer you a bath, but after we treat you, you’ll all have access to the sonic shower to clean.”
“Sonic shower?” Miranda asked.
“It’s a better cleaning source than water, but I have to admit, it isn’t as calming.”
“I think I would like that,” Adam said.
“You like the not getting into water part,” Miranda told him, trying to make her voice as carefree as possible so he wouldn’t pick up on her anxiety.
“Then you’ll love life on my spaceship,” Fanian told him. “It’s small, so I don’t have running water. I use a sonic shower.”
Miranda gave him a look. “And how long will we be on your spaceship, Fanian?”
One day? Two? Three? A week? How long would it be until Fanian handed them over to Az’ud?
Fanian cleared his throat and sat next to her on the cot. “Adam, do you know what nanomites are?”
Adam shook his head.
“They’re little microbes that get injected into your bloodstream. They help make repairs and stave off any sickness or diseases that you come across by boosting your immunity.”
It didn’t escape Miranda that Fanian hadn’t answered, but she didn’t press.
“Do you have nanomites in your blood?” Adam asked in a wonder that only a child could have.
“My body naturally does what nanomites in your system would do, so I don’t need it, but most other species do.”
“I have them in my blood,” Bradliix offered. He held up a metal tube and placed it on Adam’s skin. After a puff of air sounded, he said, “And now you do too.”
Adam rubbed his arm. “Really? I didn’t feel a thing.”
“They’re in there. Already working,” Bradliix said.
Bradliix pressed the metal tube on Lexi’s arm, then Miranda’s. Adam was right. She hadn’t felt anything at all. They moved through the rest of the procedure quickly.
“Fanian, I have documents for you to sign and the synthetic blood that we’ve configured for you.”
“I’ve determined there was nothing wrong with the synthetic blood in the food processor. I won’t need a re-configuration,” Fanian replied.
“Ah, I’m glad that you’ve figured it out on your own.”
Figured what out? Miranda wanted to ask, but before she could, Bradliix turned toward her. “Now, we’ll escort you all to get cleaned up and into fresh clothes. Then you can be on your way.”
It all sounded so normal, but nothing about this was.
Chapter Eighteen
Miranda thought boarding a tiny shuttle and launching into space to dock at a space station had been nerve-wracking. She’d been the only one. Adam had squealed and kicked his feet, Lexi had been fast asleep the entire time, and Fanian hadn’t said a word as they blasted from the planet’s atmosphere and into outer space. Miranda was too busy swallowing the stomach acid burning the back of her throat.
It had all been nerve-wracking, but now, as she stood on a metal plank waiting to board Fanian’s spaceship, she realized this was nerve-wracking on steroids.
Although Fanian had described his spaceship as “small,” the thing docked in one of the ports was anything but. It was dark and looked to be made out of some kind of superior metal. There were dings across the body, and it looked very much like it had been around a while.
If she could compare the size to anything, it was probably the same size as a four-bedroom, two-story house. It was long and, despite the height, appeared flat. It was a structure she’d never seen before. Totally alien.
Miranda took gulping breaths, forcing what was in the back of her throat down. Her main concern was not letting Adam know her fear. When they reached Az’ud’s, she had to act normal for as long as possible.
Is that thing even safe? How far are we traveling? What if it breaks down somewhere in space? Who would come to fix it? Are there space mechanics? What about a crew? Does he have one? Oh, Jesus, do I have to meet even more aliens?
Hot sweat prickled against her forehead. Her nostrils seemed too small to allow air into her lungs. It was getting harder and harder to breathe.
“Is that a for-real spaceship?” Adam asked, turning his head to glance up at Fanian. They were holding hands.
Miranda would prefer it if Adam held her hand, but she didn't press the issue with it shaking as bad as it was.
“I’ve named her Fortitude. She isn’t much, but she’s mine.”
“I think she’s awesome!” Adam pulled away and ran ahead.
“Adam!” Miranda called.
“He’ll be fine.” Fanian pressed a button on his comlink.
Bradliix had removed their old ones and given them all-new ones while Fanian was provided the one he’d had before. Hers could do more than her previous comlink—no calling for pods, ordering food, or anything like that—she had to take some time to figure it out. Later. Right now, she didn’t have the brain bandwidth to devote to it.
The door to the spaceship opened with a groan of metal grinding against metal and churning gears. As a ramp descended, Adam danced from one foot to the other.
“I don’t want him touching anything.”
Fanian smirked. “Are you worried that he’ll break my ship?”
“I’m more worried about him hurting himself. I don’t care about your ship.”
When the ramp finally met the floor, Adam darted up. Miranda cringed at the loud sound of his feet, pounding on the metal. The sounds bounced off the walls amplifying it.
“No need to be quiet any longer,” Fanian said softly.
“Is it obvious noise still bothers me?”
“You’ve been traumatized. It’s expected.” He waved a hand forward. “After you.”
She held Lexi tightly and made her way up the ramp. She stopped short at the entrance, as big as a cargo door, and took a deep breath. She wanted away from this place, which was about to happen, but her path was now laid clear. Once she went inside Fanian’s ship, there was no turning back. They were on their way to a new life.
“It isn’t much,” Fanian said. “But you’ll be comfortable and well-fed. It might not have all the comforts you had at your home on Earth, but it’s a lot better than what you had on Turolois.”
She took another deep breath and stepped forward, entering the ship to the sounds of Adam’s squeals and a “Cool” coming from him every few seconds. While Adam was gung-ho about wanting to explore, she stood rooted at the entrance, unable to move.
It smelled old, not foul, but stagnant like it had sat empty for a while. The yellow and soft lights lining the area made it dim.
Fanian placed a hand on her back, gently pushing her forward. When she was entirely inside, he stepped around her and went up metal stairs on the left-hand side. He hadn’t waited to see if she would follow. Why wouldn’t she? Adam was somewhere up there, and what was her other option? Return to Turolois to be hunted? No, she was out of the game. The Hunt was over for her.
Now that she was alone, she looked around. The area wasn’t big. There was a round doorway on the other side of the stairwell. Hanging from the walls were belts, harnesses, and other things that didn’t seem threatening. The fast thumping on the level above her was Adam running. She was sure of it.
“Is this where I sit to fly it?” Adam asked.
That was the motivation she needed to move her feet. She adjusted Lexi on her hip and took the narrow stairs. Upstairs was larger and brighter than below. There were four chairs placed in front of different instruments in the room. Adam sat on the larger chair Miranda assumed was the Captain’s chair. Fanian sat in another chair. He didn’t bother looking up when she entered. He concentrated on a screen as his fingers moved fast over the instruments. A few seconds later, the ship grumbled, and she guessed the ramp was retracting.
“It’ll take a few minutes for the ship to power up and the systems to come online,” Fanian said. “You’ll begin to have bet
ter air in a little while. The circulation systems are powered on high.” When she didn’t say anything, he continued, “There are some spare cabins on deck three. You can have your pick, except for the last door at the end of the hall. That’s where I am. There are a few with adjoining cabins. Three and seven. One of those should suit your needs. Give you and the children extra space.”
“Deck three? How many floors does this have?” She’d thought maybe two levels? She glanced up, wondering about the actual size of the ship.
“You entered on the ground level. That’s where the engines and cargo bays are. You’re on the second level, the bridge.” He pointed behind her. “That way is the dining area with the kitchen, the medical bay, and a recreational room. The third floor is where the living quarters are, and the top-level is where the tactical equipment is kept.”
“Tactical equipment? What’s that?”
“The weapons.”
“Why would we need weapons?” she asked slowly.
“To defend against space pirates or anyone else who wants to take what’s mine,” he said.
This was a lot of ship. He couldn’t possibly run and maintain it by himself.
I guess this is the part where I meet new aliens.
She glanced around again, expecting them to come forward. “So, where’s your crew?”
“I don’t need a crew. My ship is equipped with an AI. Omni, say hello, please.”
“Hello,” the voice came from everywhere at once. “Fanian, I have taken the liberty to mask their biometrics. They will register as Sket to anyone scanning the ship.”
“That’s my girl,” Fanian chuckled.
Adam launched from his chair and went to stand next to Fanian. “What’s an AI? Another robot like you?”
Miranda cringed as Fanian’s face became an unreadable mask. “Not exactly. She doesn’t have a body. She’s an artificial intelligence that lives in the system of the spaceship.”
“Can I see her?”
Fanian turned his attention away from the controls and leaned forward, so they were eye level. “You can’t. You can only hear her. But the good thing about not having a body is that she’s able to be everywhere at once. She can be with you while you’re eating breakfast and also be here to help me navigate the ship through meteors. She’s special.”
Hunted by the Alien Vampire Page 16