Jex

by Maia Starr

  “A few more days? That long?” Malaya said.

  “When things are done in haste, that's when mistakes are made. There is much for me to find out before I can make a plan. Besides, I want to question her. She was living with the Waysaw in the city. She could have valuable information for us about them that only someone living there could know. She is a tool of war as far as I'm concerned,” I said to her.

  “What if she is a spy?” Malaya asked.

  “I doubt that. I don't think she would put her well-being on the line the way she did. She was running from something. I will take this clothing to her now. Do not worry Malaya; this will all be over before you know it. Just keep your secret and say nothing to no one. I will take care of the rest,” I said as I walked out.

  I walked along the elevated cliffside paths to my home. I was glad that the human was all right and happy that she was speaking. I was fascinated by her. I wanted to have a real conversation, not just about what she knew about the Waysaw, but about humans as well. They had been forbidden to us; that only made it more fascinating to me. I wanted to know more about her and see more of her.

  I walked into my home and locked the door behind me. I could not have any unexpected visitors; not now. I walked into the main living area; she was not there. I felt panic; I hoped that she did not leave. She would not last long out there in this village and would be taken into custody immediately. I moved to the back where I found her sitting in a tub of hot water. I stopped. I was frozen as I watched her pour water on her back. Her pale skin was delicate and smooth. Her red hair was down and wet, clinging to her body. At this angle, I could see the side of her breast and a glimpse of her nipple. It was erect. I felt myself growing hard. I was not expecting to find the human like this, and I was not expecting to be so aroused by her wet body. She was so petite, and I had an urge to take her against my body. I wanted to enter her. I suddenly understood why the Waysaw Zenkian found these human slaves so irresistible. I sighed.

  “Agh!” she must have heard me and looked over her shoulder. She wrapped her arms over her breasts and slid further into the tub.

  “What are you doing?” she said.

  “Sorry. I am sorry, Samantha. I brought you this clothing,” I said smiling.

  “Thank you; you can set it down. Can I get some privacy?” She asked.

  “Of course. I was just about to gather food to eat. Are you hungry?”

  “Yes, I am very hungry. Thank you,” she said still slumped down in the tub.

  “I will return shortly,” I said.

  I walked out of the bathing area back into the main living room. I took a deep breath. I had to calm myself. Seeing her naked body was a lot to take in. It was the first time I had ever seen a naked human female, and I liked it. I liked it more than I had expected to. I really had to restrain myself from touching her. After I was able to get things under control and get back to normal, I once again left my dwelling and went down to the kitchens.

  The kitchens were filled with joyous Zenkians preparing meals. It smelled of thick spices and herbs. I looked around, suddenly feeling suspicious that maybe someone had heard about the human or seen me bring her in the night before.

  “Commander Qoln! We never get you in our kitchens! Can’t wait for the meal services?” Rekon said. He was the overseer of the kitchen structures and food systems.

  “I am just famished and have work during the services so I thought I would take a meal in my dwelling,” I said joyously.

  “That is a good reason. You are always welcomed in the kitchens, a battle hero such as yourself,” he said patting me on the back.

  “Just doing my part, and thank you for the welcome,” I said.

  “Here,” he said handing me a tray.

  “Give the commander anything he needs!” he said loudly to all the cooks who had smiles for me.

  I filled the tray with roasted meats, fruits, and vegetables. I loaded it with enough for leftovers so that if she grew hungry a bit later, she could snack before I brought her the next meal. I carried the food back to my home. When I walked in, I did not see her.

  I set the tray down on a table. “Samantha? It is I, Trent.”

  She came out into the main area.

  “I am sorry, it is just when I hear the door open, I do not know who it might be, so I went to the back to hide.”

  “I understand. Thank you for being thoughtful about that. Come; I have brought food. You must be starving,” I said. “Will you join me in eating?”

  “Yes, thank you,” she said as she walked to the table.

  “I see the dress fits you well,” I said looking at the dress on her body. She was now very clean and smelled fresh with the long dress draped on her.

  “Yes, thank you, though it is a little long,” she said dragging about three feet of cloth on the floor around her.

  “Yes, the females here are just as tall as the men. I can cut the excess off if you’d like later,” I said.

  “Thank you; I can do it myself if you will just give me the instrument to do so. We call them scissors on Earth,” she smiled as though she was reminiscing.

  “I would like to hear more about your Earth home. Here, I have roasted meat, fruit, and some greens for us to eat. I believe you have probably had most of this in the city.”

  “Yes, I have. Thank you for all of this. Also, Trent...” She said as she looked at me with a bit of sorrow on her face.

  I looked at her concerned. Her pink lip began to tremble a little. For some reason, I felt the urge to pull her into my arms and to console her. It was a feeling that I had never had with any other female.

  “Yes, Samantha?”

  “I want to say thank you for saving my life. I know how dangerous it is for me to be here. You did not have to stop to get me from the outlands, yet you did. I am forever grateful. If there is anything that I could do in return to repay, you just let me know. I don't have much to offer you, but if you think of something,” she said.

  “You don't have to thank me, but I accept. I would not leave any creature, human or Zenkian out there like that to die. It is not the Grantsion way. But there is something that you can do for me,” I said.

  “What is it?” she asked with wide eyes as she bit into a piece of meat.

  “After we eat, perhaps you can answer some questions for me about the Waysaw. As you know, we are at war with them. I assume since you ran away that you are no friend of theirs either. I don't blame you with what they have planned for Earth. So if there's any information that you might have to share with me, it could greatly help us in this fight against them.”

  “I understand. I am more than happy to answer your questions,” she said with a smile.

  “Good, I am happy to hear it. Now please, eat. You are too thin,” I said.

  She laughed and took another bite of the meat. Her cheeks were full as she chewed and it made me want to laugh a little. She was irresistible in an adorable sort of way. It was unusual to me. I could not take my eyes off of her.

  “Are you alone, Trent? Do you not have a wife and children?” she asked in between bites.

  “No, I have not taken a wife yet. Once I do, I would like to have children. Right now my focus is on my work as a commander.”

  “You are a commander? You must be very skilled,” she said.

  “I like to think so,” I said.

  “Do you like your work?” she asked.

  “I do. I love it,” I said.

  This was how we spent the time eating until we were finished. Then I got down to the real questions.

  “Thank you for the meal,” she said. She had eaten everything I’d brought for her, even to snack on later. I was impressed with her appetite.

  “You are welcome. Now if you don’t mind, the questions….” I said.

  “Yes, of course, anything I can do to help,” she said.

  “Are you aware of a commander known as Jenku Vade?” I asked.

  She looked at me with wide eyes. She swallowe
d hard. I noticed a shift in her; she looked frightened.

  “I have come across him before. He is a fierce and unkind Zenkian,” she said.

  “Yes, he is. Crossing paths with him is never pleasant,” I said knowing that perhaps he had beaten her or something of the like.

  “No, it is not. What of him?” she asked.

  “Are you aware of any raids he was planning on us here? Did you overhear any of the Waysaw Zenkian speak of a raid in the near future?” I asked.

  “No, but as a slave, I am not included in talks such as these. I am sorry,” she said as she stood up and went to the window. I walked after her, sensing her distress. I moved closer to her and put my hand on her shoulder.

  “I am sorry; I did not mean to bring unpleasant memories of your time as a slave,” I said. She turned and faced me. She looked up at me with her eyes tearing up. I wanted to console her further.

  “I do not mean to be so weak right now, it is just…”

  “They were cruel. I know. It is fine; you are safe now,” I said moving closer to her. She looked at me, our eyes locking. The energy was radiating between us. I felt my body responding to her, and then I remembered, it was forbidden. I quickly moved away from her.

  “Let’s talk about Earth instead for now. We will come back to the Waysaw question,” I said taking a seat at the table.

  Chapter 5

  Samantha Gaines

  Two days passed and I was surprised at how well I got along with the commander known as Trent. He had shown nothing but kindness to me, and I was not used to such a thing being in the Waysaw City. When he asked me to answer his questions about the Waysaw, I was more than happy to. I was glad to give any information to take the Waysaw down. I did not want to see them succeed either; the rebels and I had that in common. They were our common enemy. But I did not expect him to mention Jenku Vade. It brought knots to my stomach. Did he know who I was and just pretending not to know? Was it a trick? I had no idea, and I had to keep my wits about me and only provide the information he wanted without the most crucial part of that information: I was the slave of Jenku Vade. I did not want Trent to know that. I did not want anyone to know that. I knew that it was dangerous information, especially because I carried his child. It was a complex mess.

  But I did not expect to feel the chemistry that I felt with Trent when he was so close to me. We had that moment. I never thought I would feel that moment with a Zenkian ever in my life after what I had gone through with the Waysaw Zenkian. But the Grantsion Zenkian were completely different if they were all like Trent. I found myself attracted to him. I could not help myself. Maybe it was because he had saved my life and that of my unborn child. There was something about being attracted to a hero that was completely beyond my control. He was a strong, skilled Commander, yet he was tender. We got along as though we had known each other for years and I had only known him a short time. It was very strange. But in the time that I had been here, I knew that I would have to leave soon. It's only there was a way for these rebels to fight with Earth against the Waysaw. But who would negotiate such a thing? Then I realized, I could do it. I sat up straight in the living area as I waited for Trent. I suddenly felt full of hope.

  The door opened, and he walked in.

  “How are you feeling today?” He asked.

  “I feel stronger and stronger every day. Thank you for taking care of me,” I said with a big grin.

  “Good, I am glad that you are stronger. We must talk about what is to be done with you. I don't want to do anything against your wishes; you have been through enough already being taken from your home planet. But we must speak of this now; you cannot stay here forever. I know that you know that,” he said sitting across from me.

  “Yes, I do know that. I was hoping that I could talk to you today about the same thing,” I said grinning.

  “By that massive grin on your face, it sounds like something that is going to make you very happy. I like that,” he said. He looked at me for a moment. Our eyes locked again. I had to snap out of the hypnotic state he was able to put me in with just one look.

  I cleared my throat and looked down at the table. “I sort of have a plan, but I do not know if it is possible.”

  He smiled, and his shoulders sort of dropped in relief. “I would love to hear your plan. Lay it on me, human,” he said playfully. He crossed his hands as though he was giving me his full attention. It made me laugh.

  “I was thinking, the rebels and the humans have the same enemy: the Waysaw Zenkian,” I said easing into my unusual and new plan.

  “Yes, that is true. They are our only enemy and what they are doing to Earth is horrific,” he said.

  “Well, what if there was a pact between the rebels and the humans to help each other in defeating the Waysaw? Don’t you think that would be a good idea? Together they can be defeated,” I said getting excited.

  He arched his brow at me. “What does this have to do with getting you to safety?”

  “Well, if such a pact were to happen, then there would be some negotiation involved, and Earth would need to be contacted. I think a journey to Earth would be necessary. I could be on that ship with whoever is sent to Earth to speak to the humans about being allies against the Waysaw, and then I could go home. I could be on Earth again,” I said.

  He looked at me with no emotion on his face. He was stone cold expressionless. He said nothing and only looked at me. I wondered what was going through his mind. Was this a red flag? Was I making him think I was a spy or something because I wanted something so drastic? My stomach felt like it was in knots all of a sudden.

  “Trent? Commander, what is it? Is my idea so far-fetched?” I asked.

  “Yes, it is. But it is also brilliant. But it is not up to me. I am a commander I am not a leader here. Therefore I don't see how your idea could possibly happen, and we will have to think of another way to make you safe,” he said.

  “Who would make a decision like that? Who are these leaders you speak of? Is it like the leaders in the Waysaw City?” I asked not wanting to take no for answer just yet.

  “Yes, it is fairly same structure. We were all one union before the rebellion, and a lot of things have stayed the same way,” he said.

  “Great. Take me to these leaders, and I shall speak to them about this,” I said.

  He laughed. “You really think you can do anything, don’t you?”

  “I have made it this far. I guess that gives me confidence,” I said.

  “You do see that I cannot take you to my leaders. You are not even supposed to be here. It is forbidden,” he said as he stood up.

  I stood up and walked to him pleading. “Please, Trent. Don’t you see that you and I could make a difference? Now is the time. I didn’t think of it this way before, but it all makes sense to me now. For me to have run away and for you to be the one to have found me. Don’t you think that happened for a reason? I think it did. The coincidences are just too much,” I said.

  “Like what coincidences?” he said.

  I realized that I had been thinking about the fact that the last time I was with Jenku Vade he went looking for Trent, and instead Trent found me. But I could not tell Trent this. I had forgotten myself and my secrets in my excitement.

  “I just mean that it all adds up perfectly. I know about the Waysaw Zenkian, and I know about Earth humans. Who better to help get an alliance going between the humans and the Grantsions than me? I know of all three involved in this mess. I can do it.”

  “You ask too much, Samantha. It is just not possible. It would put you in too much danger,” he said turning to me. When he turned, he did it abruptly and pushed up against me. His hard stomach brushed against my breasts, catching me off guard. I gasped a little and looked up at him. He looked down at me. He stopped as though he was about to say something more but said nothing. I looked up at him, suddenly realizing just how turned on I was by his presence. My breathing grew irregular and faster. His manly scent enveloped me. I wanted to re
ach out and touch the stiff uniform that pressed against his hard chest and stomach so badly. It had been a long time since I’d had tender male affection. I wanted something to wipe away the horrors that I had dealt with when I was with Commander Jenku Vade.

  “I just think there is some hope,” I whispered.

  “You are a hopeful human,” he whispered back. His voice was husky. Neither of us moved. We just stared at each other.

  “It is all that I have. I have hope,” I said.

  “No, it is not all. You have me, human,” he said. Then he leaned down and clamped his mouth over mine. I gave in immediately. I felt my body go weak as he kissed me. I didn’t plan on this. I swore to never let a Zenkian touch me ever again after what happened to me in Waysaw, but here I was willingly giving in to this alien soldier. I pushed my hands up his broad shoulders. I felt the stiff material of his uniform underneath my hands as I ran them up. I got onto my tiptoes to try to reach him more. I put my hands around his neck and into his thick black hair. I desired him so much, and now I was getting some relief from that. I pressed him to me more. I was hungry for him. Something inside of me took over. I turned into a wild animal as I kissed him harder. He groaned in my mouth. I felt his large, strong hands against my back. He rubbed them up and down, and then moaned louder. Then he pulled away from me. He stepped back with a jolt as though he had been pushed off of me.