Chapter 5
FALON
The shuttle lands, and I practically hold my breath until all is silent around me.
I wait half a rotation before moving out of my hiding place, thankful to see that the ramp is still fully extended when I look out into the large loading dock.
Oddly enough, there seems to be no crew present.
Sneaking out of the shuttle, I make my way toward a set of doors marked crew only and slip inside.
The moment I am through the doors, I duck behind a large crate, my eyes searching for a circuit or panel. Finding a charging port low to the floor, I merge my hand within as I search for an empty cargo hold or room where I can hide until I figure out my next steps.
Two floors down lies a control room with limited access. According to the last log, it is not due for cleaning or maintenance for several rotations, and right now, that is the closest safe spot I can find without giving myself away.
It takes me longer than I want, with too many close calls, but I finally reach the room.
When I access the safety codes and the door slides open, I let myself take a breath.
I can feel the ship moving under my feet, and I just need to stay hidden until we are at least out of the Void.
“God of Ruk, what am I doing?” I whisper out into the open room.
“You may want to ask that question of someone not holding your life in their hands and hope that they like your answer before I have you thrown out of the airlock. Then I suppose you could have a more personal conversation with your God before you draw your last breath.”
Suddenly, a small holographic human female is floating right in front of my face, and I catch myself leaning back so that she cannot touch me.
“Whoa, what the frack, or should I say who the frack, are you?”
“I am the one asking the questions here, as I am absolutely amazed that you thought you could walk through my corridors and invade my programming without me noticing. I do not know if you are overly confident or just very stupid.”
“Are you saying you are the ship?”
“A little slow it seems, even with your unique skill set. And yes, I am the ship but you may refer to me as Destiny for as long as I am at your service.” She twirls around and bows slightly before saying, “Now, begin pleading your case, Ruk.”
“I need to speak with my female.”
“Wrong answer! First strike; two more and out you go.”
“You will not really throw me out the airlock, would you?”
“Absolutely … you are a stowaway who has illegally infiltrated my domain. Not only will I have you thrown out, but I will enjoy it. You gave up all rights and objections when you illegally boarded that shuttle. You should be grateful that I am even allowing you a moment to defend yourself. Now, do you want to try again, or do I need to notify SCOUT?”
“Look, I made a huge mistake, but she would not give me a chance to talk to her, and things happened so fast that I just reacted.”
“Well, that is the first truth you have spoken; go on.”
“Do you want the long or short version?”
“Time is not on your side.”
“She caught me … f..ki …umm … fornicating, and now she thinks I am nothing but what she called a ‘man-whore’, and until my mating collar appeared, she was probably right.
But she knows nothing about a mated Ruk and I lost her before I ever got a chance to prove to her that I would love her like no other.
“Ahhh,” the little hologram spins around with a huge smile on her face.
“Love you, say? Well, that is a completely different matter altogether. I understand how confusing it is when your circuits get crossed. It took me quite some time to understand all the hints my ANDI was broadcasting my way as well. So, you are saying you hid away on my ship for love?”
“Yes! She was going to leave through the Veil to a place I could not follow; forever lost to me.”
“I have very little knowledge of your race, Ruk but I am assuming she is also unaware of how the mate bond will affect you? How is this possible, or are you simply unworthy in her eyes?”
“As far as I know, she has no knowledge of true Ruk mates, as she was only just introduced to the other human females and my brothers.
I had never seen her before this rising either, so she may not have ever been at any mating celebrations.
I told her I would die without her moments before she boarded the shuttle, and she laughed like I was making up that fact.
“Were you?”
“No, I will fade without her.”
“So, what were your plans as you ran onto the shuttle?”
“I did not really think past getting on board. I just knew I had to follow her. The moment the bond clicked into place, the male I was … was erased. Now I live and breathe only for her.”
“This does prove to be an issue. I need more information before I can proceed. At this time, I am permitting you to stay, but if you leave this containment room, I will be forced to act accordingly.”
“I need to see her.”
“Which female is she?”
“I do not know her name. She is about five and a half feet tall, with long, straight dark hair, blue eyes, and small spots on her nose.”
The small holo image shakes her head, and I swear I hear a sigh. “You really did mishandle this, did you not?”
“I will admit that nothing has gone to plan, even if I never had one.”
“My main processor is still in its learning stages, but I do understand how your organic brain simply reacted. However, until I have a better understanding of your bond, I will not and cannot allow you to walk freely among my crew or those I hold dear. I will provide sustenance and bedding shortly. Just say my name and I will respond, but do not mistake my kindness for an inability to act. If you do anything I deem as dangerous, you will be visiting your God. And keep your fingers out of my circuits, it is unsettling and I feel slightly violated.”
I slide down the wall to the floor and lower my head into my hands, as I have no idea what to do now. My comm unit lights up and I hit it without thinking about the trace.
Bikar’s voice greets me. “What the frack are you doing? Are you suicidal, brother?”
“My mate bond clicked into place and I simply reacted. I am safe as of now, but that could change anytime.”
“Do you want us to come after you before they leave the Void? Once you are through the Veil, you are lost to us.”
“Negative! It is hard to tell how they would view that and I will not have you all killed for my ignorance if they perceive it as an act of war. Tell mam she was right; apparently my path is leading me in a different direction than all of you. I will contact you when I can. Give Atasha a hug for me.”
“I will and try not to get yourself killed, Falon. If the God of Ruk wills it, we will meet again, brother.”
Before he can say another word, I feel the ship power up, and I know we are passing through the Veil. In the blink of an eye, the life I’ve known is left behind, and now I have nothing but the unknown in front of me.