Torn from the Alien Commander (The Klendathian Cycle #5)

1. Tyrxie

Chapter 1

Tyrxie

Stars

X andor moves to set me down, but if I could, I would rest in his arms until the day his strength finally waned. Never wanting to be apart as our bodies press together, our ragged breaths mingling. The sound of his heart, the heat of his skin, his breath—something I never dared hope for, but now crave. Our closeness, our belonging, is overwhelming. Tears tumble from my eyes, but for the first time, they are tears of joy and acceptance, not pain.

I’ve cried enough tears of pain.

Even as my feet touch the ground, I cling to him still. “Just a few more minutes,” I suggest, squeezing against him.

Xandor strokes my hair with gentle brushes. “I’m yours forever,” he replies, sending my heart fluttering. His words suggest such permanency, as if he sees us together forever. It should shock me, maybe even frighten me, but I can’t deny I enjoy his bold words, hoping he believes in them as much as I wish them to be true.

Something deep within me tells me that Xandor is the only male for me. Feeling him beside me, I silently vow to always be by his side, knowing we both fought so hard for each other. A glowing warmth surges throughout my body at the thought, prompting me to squeeze Xandor even tighter.

I think I love him!

But I dare not speak the words; it’s much too soon, and he’ll think me a na?ve girl. Xandor leans down to rub his nose against mine, and I rub back, feeling a little silly but enjoying it too. Xandor chuckles, then leans in again. This time our lips meet in a gentle kiss, full of affection and tenderness. My heart soars once more, wrapped up in our little bubble of bliss.

“Exposed mammaloids!” The screeching voice of Job explodes our bubble like a popped balloon. In a panic, breathless, I break our embrace to cover my nakedness. Voiding voided void tits! “My workshop now, breeding ground for mammaloids! Yes?” Job demands, flailing his arm limbs and fluttering his antennae.

Xandor stands with confidence, not bothered in the slightest, while I’m sure my skin has turned as red as my males. “You should really tidy this place up, Job,” Xandor suggests with a smirk as he turns to face the approaching Glaseroid. “We could have sat on something sharp.”

Job stops in his tracks as Xandor’s member swings with wild abandon, “Eww.” He recoils in horror. “Fleshy bits flopping excretions over my tools! Yes?” Job shrieks.

I struggle not to laugh despite feeling mortified, scurrying to put my clothes on as fast as I can. It’s a struggle to remember where I left my shirt amidst our heady, chaotic embraces. Yet Xandor moves with languid grace, unperturbed.

Job approaches a device bundled along the wall and tests it, sending long jets of flame bellowing out. “Will take hours to cleanse mammaloids juices,” he complains, adjusting dials on his flamethrower with quick movements. “Containment breach, atmosphere contaminated, stench overwhelming. Yes?”

Xandor finally begins equipping his armor while I, already dressed, attempt to creep out the exit with delicate steps, eager to escape this terrible embarrassment. “You, supposed to help fix cargo hold,” Job demands, while I wince at being caught. “Instead, you desecrate workshop. Yes?”

“No!” I shoot back, my mind going blank, unable to think of an excuse, literally caught with my pants down. “I... I—”

“Tyrxie’s with me,” Xandor interrupts, nodding in my direction. “She’s my temporary co-pilot and navigator. Until the other two get their shit together.”

I breathe a sigh of relief at Xandor’s timely rescue, but also worry that I don’t have the slightest idea how to pilot or navigate this ship. My eyes snap to Xandor as I tilt my head and scrunch my face.

“Her?” Job scoffs, activating his flamethrower, which now shoots a much smaller jet. “She can’t bolt straight, like blind pupa pilots ship. Yes?”

“Hey!” I snap back, glaring at Job in annoyance. “If I can’t bolt straight, then why do you keep asking for my help? Answer me that one, antennae-get-stuck-in-everything-Job? Hmm?” I challenge him with a smirk.

Job taps his head with one of his many arm limbs, as if unsure if his antennae are stuck, before returning to blast jets of flame over the benches and tools, grumbling about “Purging juices.”

As I watch Job, a pang of guilt nags at me. I promised to help him and still plan to, but I just want to spend time with Xandor first. “Job, leave the cargo hold for me. I’ll get round to it later.” I smile at him with a nod. “And thanks for your advice earlier,” I add with a side glance at Xandor, who’s just finished dressing. “I think it helped.”

Job waves a dismissive hand, “You return help by breeding elsewhere next time. Yes?” he states, continuing to fire short blasts of flame over the area.

He’s such a grump.

“Farewell, my little friend,” Xandor calls back, taking my hand and leading us out the room. Excitement surges through me at the sight of our joined hands. It feels good, like we’re a team or something. His hand is massive, with a texture like leather mixed with stone, and I can sense the immense strength simmering beneath. But for me, his powerful hands move with careful, delicate grace.

“What advice did you speak of?” Xandor asks, with a casual tone, yet it still stiffens my back. He misses nothing!

“Oh, nothing.” I look up at my towering male, who’s now watching me with a curious look. “Actually, it was for a very important project,” I correct with a beaming smile.

“Is that right?” Xandor chuckles, before continuing, “Something to do with that?” he asks, pointing at my chest.

My face heats, thinking he somehow knows about ‘exposing my fleshy bits,’ until I realize he means the scorched flesh on my chest. “Yeah... Yeah, that was part of it,” I add in relief, struggling to tell the truth without giving away the embarrassing details.

Xandor gives a knowing smile, and I suspect he might already be aware of every detail. We continue walking together, clueless where we’re headed, but enjoying the relaxing experience. Then, as we turn a corner, I realize Xandor is leading us to the bridge. My breath quickens at the thought; the bridge is a place of danger.

But so much has changed now!

Without the Captain and Hyanxa, it’ll be safe. I can gaze at the stars again, like in my childhood! A smile crosses my lips and I squeeze in tighter to Xandor, almost bursting with joy.

“I only mentioned the co-pilot duties to throw off Job. In case you’re worried,” Xandor says, shaking his head before continuing. “For a second, I thought the little Glaseroid meant to turn his flamethrower on us.”

Would he? “He might if he thought he’d get away with it,” I jest, my tone dripping with sarcasm, knowing Job is impatient, even plain rude, but he’s never been violent with the crew before.

“I’m glad. I’d regret having to kill him,” Xandor states with complete seriousness, causing my back to stiffen. “I’ve grown fond of his strange ways,” he adds with a fanged smile.

He might feel differently if he worked under him!

“So, I don’t have to pilot the ship or navigate?” I inquire, glancing at Xandor who nods in reply. “That’s a relief,” I add, feeling the tightness leave my shoulders.

“I could teach you if you wished?” Xandor offers, farrowing his brows. “Thing is, the ship’s so voiding old, it might be like learning to fight with your arms tied behind your back,” Xandor adds with a soft laugh, “And take it from me. That’s a terrible idea.”

I could learn to pilot the ship?

I clutch my locket at the prospect, never imagining I’d be given the chance to learn. A flutter of excitement and anxiety surges through me, overwhelming me with questions about the future. Will I live on ships or on a planet? What planet? Will Xandor stay? So many queries I could bombard him with, but I must tread carefully and not scare him off.

“I... I’m not sure,” I stutter out confused. The bridge door looms before us, sliding open with a smooth swooshing sound. The pungent scent of alcohol assails my nose, and I almost miss the many bottles strewn around the cramped room, because my sight hungers for something else.

“Oh!” I exclaim, rushing over to the viewport and pressing my face against the window. The void of space hurtles past, obscured by the flicking, mesmerizing lights of our hyperspeed cutting through the fabric of space. Yet in the distance, stars still twinkle and blink, each one a mystery, a story, perhaps even beautiful and safe.

Xandor laughs, “If we had you here, the Mutalisk would’ve never taken the Captain by surprise,” he states, activating the navigational console.

I wish I could’ve sat here gazing out, but it became too dangerous.

“Voiding Kaanus,” Xandor complains, removing some bottles near the navigation console. “He’d give us Klendathians a run for our money, with the amount of drinking he can sustain.”

I feel a pang of guilt at the mention of Kaanus, now noticing the sheer number of bottles cluttering the room. He must be in a terrible state. But I harden my heart, turning my attention back to the dancing green and purple nebulas embracing millions of light-years away.

He’s not my problem, not anymore.

“Good, the scans still show all clear,” Xandor declares, manipulating the glowing blue projection with deft, experienced hands. He takes a deep breath before continuing. “Won’t be long now until we reach Nebia.”

My eyes flick to Xandor, his form bathed in the glowing blue hue of the terminal in the darkened room. The mention of Nebia bringing my earlier unspoken questions to the forefront. “What... what’s your mission there?” I stammer, struggling to find the words, my future hanging in the balance.

Xandor turns to me with a smile, “Don’t worry, you’ll be coming with me,” he replies, yet I clutch the locket hidden in my pocket, wondering what could’ve driven a male like Xandor across the galaxies to a war zone. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?” He inquires with a raised eyebrow.

“Never,” I shoot back with more intensity than I intended. But Xandor nods in approval, pleased at my resolve. “It’s just I have no idea what to expect, or what you’re going to do afterwards.” My eyes shift back to the stunning void of space, the blinking stars as numerous as my questions and concerns. “What about Earth, where I come from?”

My rapid breaths obscure the window as the low vibrating hum of the ship’s engine fills the background. Xandor’s heavy boots echo through the floor as he approaches the captain’s chair. He promised to show me, but maybe he only spoke those words to lure me back?

“I will show you Earth. I promise you,” Xandor declares with a solemn tone. My wrist console blinks with a notification. Activating it, I glance through the strange message—some terms of a treaty between Klendathians and Nebians. “That is why I seek Nebia. To form an alliance with them.”

Relief washes over me at his words. “So, it’s a mission of peace?” I inquire, glad I might find safety on Nebia.

“Yes, it doesn’t come any more peaceful than this.” Xandor smiles as the captain’s chair creaks in protest at his hulking presence. “A treaty to end a war, one that’s raged for too long.” His hands dart over the ship’s controls. “I intend to meet Felixus, a Nebian engineering friend of mine. We met under... interesting circumstances on Terminus Exile Station.” He lets out a short laugh. “Voiding short-stuff got himself captured by pirates and locked up. So, me and High Chieftain Krogoth rescued him. But the funny thing is, Felixus was with an ambassador heading to Klendathor to bring us surrender terms—I mean peace terms, before the bastard pirates killed the ambassador. So now I must play the part, the dutiful speaker, a warrior of peace.” He finishes tangling his fingers behind his head.

A warrior of peace?

I study Xandor for a quiet moment. His words imply such gravity, the fate of worlds and civilizations hanging in the balance, but he appears so casual and relaxed about it. I pay no heed to politics or conflicts, struggling enough with my own problems, never mind worrying about galactic empires being devastated on planets I’ve never heard of, let alone seen. But still, if I were in his position, I doubt I’d be so calm—I admire his attitude.

Stepping away from the window, I approach another alluring sight—Xandor relaxing, appearing very inviting and comfortable. A reflex, a remnant of my childhood, compels me to hop into his lap with an unusual boldness. He protests with a surprised grunt as I scoot and squirm, creating a comfortable seat. “What about afterward? What will the warrior of peace do, then?” I ask, reclining back, enjoying his solid heat against me and the view of us hurtling through the cosmos.

Xandor wraps his massive arms around my midriff, bringing a smile to my lips. “Then me and you are going to visit Krogoth and Rocks. You remember the Earth female I spoke of?” he asks, to which I confirm with a quick word. “You two will have a lot to talk about,” he adds before going silent for a time, prompting me to glance back.

Meeting another human like me! What will she be like?

Xandor has a scrunched expression with his eyes downcast, a rare look of uncertainty. “What’s wrong?” I ask, enjoying the soft glow of his golden eyes.

“After that, I’d hoped to return to Klendathor for a short time before taking you to Earth,” Xandor says, his tone hesitant.

Is he worried I’ll be upset with a brief delay?

“I don’t mind going to Klendathor first. But don’t forget, you promised me a perfectly cooked steak,” I remind him with a smile, almost tasting the deliciousness he promised.

Xandor laughs, “Oh, you’ll be eating only the best food from now on. Once we get off this ship, that is.” I could swear my mouth is salivating at just his words. Then his expression turns serious. “But on Klendathor, I want you...us to attempt the Mortakin-Tok,” he states the strange words like they carry the weight of the universe upon them.

I blink at my handsome Xandor, confused. “Mortakin-Tok.,” I repeat the odd phrase. “Is that like a food ritual or something?” Sounds delicious!

Xandor taunts, “Food ritual!” and I feel my face heat with mild embarrassment. “Well, maybe afterward,” he adds with a short laugh. “It’s a... bonding ceremony,” he finishes with a piercing gaze.

A voiding bonding ritual? Already?

My face heats even more and my heart hammers in my chest. I’m tempted to feign shocked denial at his bold request. But I’m excited, very voiding excited at the idea. From this day forward, I want to be true to myself, no hiding, no regrets.

“Think it over, by the—” Xandor starts.

“Okay,” I interrupt, beaming at him, “I’ll do it.”

“Really?” Xandor says, looking surprised before his expression shifts to one of happiness that sends fluttering through my chest. “I thought you might want to wait before deciding.” He lets out a feigned weary sign. “But because it’s me, it’s only natural you couldn’t resist.”

I chuckle at his fake arrogance. “We’ll, of course I agreed because it’s you, you big dummy,” I retort, folding my arms as I turn away from him, pretending to be annoyed.

Xandor pulls me back, his eyes twinkling with affection. “My beautiful, brave Tyrxie, you’ll not regret this, I promise,” he murmurs, pressing his forehead against mine. A smile spreads across my face as warmth floods through me. Xandor rubs his nose against mine, making me giggle. “There’s a chance it won’t work. The Gods may not bless our bond. But I feel it in my heart—you are my bonded female,” he whispers.

Gods may not bless our bond?’ What the void have I agreed to!

“Um, Xandor, when you say ‘Gods,’ you mean some holy people speaking words and vows, right?” I ask, my mind racing with the possible madness I’ve stumbled into. “Like other coupling rituals where we confess our love before others?” I continue, my words tumbling out as I gaze into Xandor’s eyes, worried about his response.

“It’s nothing like those superficial events,” Xandor declares, waving a dismissive hand, crushing my vain hope. Of course, Xandor’s people would have some extreme, perhaps terrifying version. “No, the Gods themselves will judge us worthy through a vision in the grand temple of Lanaisor.”

“A vision... from your gods?” I repeat with incredulousness.

“Yep,” Xandor affirms with a casualness that borders on space madness. “Krogoth and Rocks did it. First in two hundred years, and the first Klendathian and non-Klendathian too. Thing is, though, Krogoth wouldn’t speak a word of the vision to me, no matter how drunk I got him,” Xandor says with a chuckle.

He can’t be serious. This must be some kind of joke?

“So, you have no idea if it’s dangerous or not?” I ask, growing more worried as I clutch the locket in my pants to soothe my nerves.

Xandor scratches his head. “No one’s been hurt afterwards,” he replies, rubbing his chin. “Except for the relationships of those that fail. They tend not to last, cursed by the Gods most likely.”

“Cursed by your gods... oh, good,” I say, my tone dripping with sarcasm. I’ve been cursed my whole life, until meeting Xandor, only then did it finally lift. Should I risk throwing that away?

Xandor wraps me in his massive arms again, his long green hair tickling my face. “Don’t fear, Tyrxie. The Gods will bless us. I feel it in my soul, and together we’ll ascend to new heights!” he exclaims, his joy overflowing. “Trust me,” he adds with a solemn tone.

I breathe a deep sigh, brushing my hands over his. “I do trust you... If you’re certain, then let’s do it,” I declare, resolved in my decision.

“I’ve never been more certain in my life,” Xandor replies, nuzzling against me and planting alluring kisses along my neck, sending tingles down my spine.

“Have you been to Earth? What’s it like?” I ask, my voice breathless from his eager attentions.

He halts to consider. “Not on the planet, but I viewed it from our ship. A planet of blue that sparkles in the void, framed by a golden sun. So much water, you see, unlike my home planet,” he answers with pauses, as if reliving the memory.

I gasp as joy overwhelms me, the closest I’ve been to my mysterious past. “Tell me, more Xandor. What’s the planet like and the people?” I ask in a rush, yearning to learn more—anything.

“Hmm.” Xandor pauses, teasing my desperate impatience. “Like I said, I was on the ship, but I did review combat capabilities. Many fractured nations, primitive ballistic and missile capabilities, the warriors physically weak. Motivated by greed rather than honor or warrior ethos. It’s why Krogoth went alone; they posed a minor threat,” he recites, as if reading a report until he pauses. “No offense.”

I feel no offense, only disappointment, not caring about how they fight, but how they live their lives. The life stolen from me, the one I should’ve had. “What about normal people? How do they live?” I insist, nestling into Xandor.

Xandor pauses again. “I could see the lights dotting the dark side of the planet. So many, it looked half-aflame. Your people must be a frisky species, home to many billions,” he chuckles.

He’s words amuse me as I try to picture lights blinking on a blue glowing planet. “Tell me more.”

“Let me think,” Xandor states with another pause. “Oh, humans require many horns of drug bean juice to survive. Like fanatics, they worship in the temples of their bean gods of many names. It’s unclear as to the purpose or what effect this provides.”

I frown at his words, full of doubt. “That doesn’t make sense, Xandor. I don’t need any of this bean juice to survive!” I challenge.

“True,” Xandor concedes. “Perhaps it’s infused into your very being, a gift from your bean gods?” He muses, lost in wild speculation.

“Void, sake, I’m not possessed by bean juice gods!” I shoot back, wondering if Xandor is just making this whole ridiculous thing up.

Xandor shrugs, not convinced at my protest. “Who can say what form the gods may take?”

I sigh, deciding to drop the topic. “Is there anything else you know about Earth?” I persist, hoping there’s something more believable.

“Yes... yes,” Xandor stumbles, his eyes downcast. “I remember something hinting at a leadership caste. Perhaps a parasitical overlord species,” he states, scratching his head. “If I’d known your need now, I would’ve paid more attention during Astraxius’ boring lectures.”

I wish he paid more attention; each nugget of information is like a pinch of Elerium to my desperate greed.

“Some furry varmint, which the humans cater to their every whim. Numbering in the millions, they live amongst your kind, kept in esteemed luxury, lauded like high merchants. We even observed stone monuments built in their honor. A testament to your people’s devotion or their enslavement? And how this all relates back to your bean juice gods is the true mystery,” Xandor ponders, resting his hand on his chin.

I rise a skeptical brow. “So, my people are drug-worshipping slaves to furry varmints?”

Xandor lets out a sigh. “I’m afraid so Tyrxie, I hate to be the bearer of ill news,” he laments, placing a reassuring hand over my shoulder.

How could there be billions of humans if we live such wretched existences? I frown in doubt, convinced Xandor has mis-crossed connections on a Polysynth board. Yet all this talk of Earth prompts me to uncover my golden locket.

“This is the only thing I have from Earth,” I say, marveling at the fact that my people created it so far away. The sole connection left to me, a source of strength and of frustration.

Xandor leans forward, studying the object with a keen eye. With a gentle movement, he takes the locket, turning it over. “You can open it,” I offer. Our hands meet as I press the delicate latch that reveals the old picture of me, the Earth version of me. “That’s me as a child. See how happy I looked?” I ask, gazing in wonder still after countless viewings.

“You wear the same expression now,” Xandor says, glancing between me and the locket. Heat blooms on my face at his words. Really? Am I happy now, like back then? The thought makes me smile as I wonder if I’m becoming like the person I was always meant to be. “You look cute and innocent. Who could’ve guessed the trouble you’d get into?” he adds with a short laugh.

Tell me about it!

“Thanks, Xandor,” I state, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, feeling a sense of joyous contentment wash over me.

Yet Xandor’s eyes remain locked on the picture. “There’s text written here, some form of Earthling language,” he declares, his voice growing eager as he activates his wrist console.

“Yeah, no one knows what it says,” I lament watching Xandor as a surge of enthusiasm builds. “Do you know what it means?” I inquire, clutching Xandor’s arm, unable to hide my excitement.

“Me? No,” Xandor says with a smirk, “But this thing might.” He waves his wrist console projection over the engraved text as my heart hammers in my chest. “Astraxius was a genius. He upgraded our wrist consoles with Earth languages, so if it’s from Earth, we’ll soon know.”

The projection shows the strange word and under it, even stranger runes glowing in shimmering blue. The runes of the Klendathian language. “Interesting,” Xandor intones.

“What does it say? Tell me!” I demand, my heart filled to bursting. My entire life, I’ve wondered what these words mean. Some kind of message? A name? A location?

“Rebecca,” Xandor whispers, his eyes shifting to me.

“Re...bec...ca?” I stumble over the strange syllables. Void is that my real name? Tears gather behind my eyes as I gaze into Xandor’s.

“It’s nice to meet you, Rebecca.” Xandor smiles, his golden eyes full of warmth.

I’m Rebecca.

The name feels foreign to my tongue, yet it tugs at something deep within me. I glance down at the locket, the only piece of my past I have, now carrying a name—my name. Rebecca.

But Tyrxie is who I am now. Tyrxie is the one who survived, who fought, who found love and purpose. How do I reconcile the two?

“I... I’m not sure what to call myself now,” I confess, my voice trembling slightly.

Xandor’s expression softens, his hand cupping my cheek. “You don’t have to decide right now,” he says. “Whether you’re Tyrxie or Rebecca, you’re still the same brave, beautiful soul.”

His words soothe the turmoil within me. Maybe I don’t have to choose one over the other. Maybe I can be both.

“For now, let’s stick with Tyrxie,” I say with a small smile. “Rebecca can be our secret.”

Xandor nods, his eyes twinkling. “Our secret,” he agrees, pulling me into a tender embrace.

As I rest against his chest, I realize that discovering my birth name doesn’t erase who I’ve become. It adds another layer to my identity, enriching the person I am.

And for now, that’s enough.