Chapter 11 #4
“This isn’t getting us anywhere. Answer Erik’s question.
Please. We are running out of time, but you also know this.
You wanted me brought here for a reason and I think this is it.
These hybrids didn’t all start out as humans.
You knew the second I saw the group I’d figure this out.
Didn’t you? Some are them are your own kind, an attempt to make them more human.
Did you sell their souls, Steen, or were they simply abducted by your orders?
” Steen could easily take my life, directing me to be punished in a way I would never recover from.
I expected the worst. What happened was anything but.
Steen’s features softening, he closed the distance. “You could never understand the horrors of what our civilization had been through over the last several years.”
“Try us, King,” Erik snarked.
“Wait. Let him finish,” I begged.
Steen allowed a long breath to escape before answering.
“Our people are dying, Cassia. I was sent on a mission as a last resort to find some kind of help, refuge for our people. The decision was made literally overnight. Our medical experts were forced to face the fact that they had no answers regarding the disease and no cure. They tried everything. Finally, certain members of the government were told that our entire civilization would be dead either by the disease or slaughtered by these… creatures within two years. Extreme measures had to be taken. I wasn’t the decision maker by any means, merely the one they entrusted with the information and the vital mission. ”
Brexin inched closer, his footsteps heavy.
“There was never a distress call regarding your ship, was there? That was simply the sign for other well equipped battleships to be sent to help you, but in fact be guided to Earth Two, the new Galerius. We didn’t crash land because of some asteroid field.
You made a deal to cohabit with humans and all for a price. ”
“Oh, my God. You came to Earth first. Didn’t you? All the secrets and rumors about aliens visiting Earth were true.” I was astounded, a chill sliding down my spine.
Hissing, Steen glanced at Klar, tipping his head back.
“I had no other choice. We have many enemies in our own galaxy, Cassia. If they found out the news, they would have destroyed our ships before we left the galaxy. I left my home and my sisters knowing that I might not find any species willing to help. After months of trying, my crew and I found Earth, a distant planet in a solar system I’d never navigated.
Humans. What did I know about humans? At first, they were welcoming, vying to help in any way. ” He lowered his eyes.
“Then they wanted something for their generosity,” I chortled. “And you were introduced to Dr. Forrester.”
“Yes. He was my main contact. He was helpful, even gregarious about suggestions for reversing the forced serum.” Steen exhaled. “He also had fertility ideas, enabling our people to have children.”
“Serum?” Brexin asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Yes. We were forbidden to have children, to carry on our genes. That is a law that was enacted before our departure. A serum was developed, rendering both males and females barren.”
“What?” Brexin roared. “Why?”
“Because they suspected the disease could be passed on,” I answered, my heart racing. What horrors they must have experienced.
“She is correct. Our finest people were selected for this trip with hope in their hearts that I would find something or someone to help us, perhaps a new planet to call home. When I gave that distress call, the preselected passengers from every occupation and walk of life, the youngest and certainly the most brilliant on our world, were dispatched. You had no way of knowing that your future had been decided for you. I convinced the captains of those four battleships that my ship needed assistance. By then a deal had been struck with Earth. We had capabilities that your scientists had yet to achieve and we started working together, planning a magnificent design, the finest of our combined breeds.”
I was sick to my stomach, but everything was starting to make sense. “You needed test subjects on both sides.”
“Yes,” Steen said as he glanced at Erik. “There were certain criteria that I believed was needed.”
“And I was one of your guinea pigs.” Erik hissed the words.
“I didn’t know any of you until we were brought into the experiments.” Sweat beaded along Steen’s forehead.
“You walked into those wretched experiments by choice?” Erik demanded. “I watched as Klar was beaten.”
“All for show, Erik,” Klar answered. “Our bodies heal quickly.”
“An elaborate scheme. Why not just share this with both our worlds?” I had to ask. I was sick, in my heart and in my stomach.
“You know the answer to that, sweet Cassia.” Steen smiled, reaching out to touch my face then curling his fingers, offering a respectful nod instead.
“And I was the trial run,” I said to no one in particular. “Because I’d been controlled by my caretaker, the very secretive Steve Forrester. I was the perfect female. No family. No ties.”
“I will kill that bastard,” Erik growled under his breath.
My answer was succinct. “I think you’ll have to wait in a long line.”
“We didn’t crash land. Did we?” Brexin asked in passing, his eyes finding mine.
Steen smiled, such an odd look of relief covering his face. “A controlled crash, Brexin. We certainly needed our equipment in order to build our city and maintain hope. Sadly, we did lose thrusters and portions of the engines in the process.”
I could tell Steen’s hands were shaking, the truth just as difficult for him to face.
“Since our world is dying, our people also having fertility problems, the deal seemed perfect. Splicing DNA in order to create the perfect and very fertile breeding ground while sharing the same planet. My guess is that a group of scientists ordered to help with this endeavor had no desire to share the space with Galerians. And my guess is that you had no desire to share your new world, one you worked diligently to build with humans.” I laughed after issuing the soliloquy. The irony of greed.
“And Galerius? What happened to our people? Are they all dead?” Brexin took gulping breaths, tears in his eyes.
Steen shared a look of acknowledgment with Klar.
“Our last contact with them was a little over a week ago. There are several thousand still alive, sequestered in a very secure location and far removed from the bands of creatures roaming our world. However, they will be out of food and water in a little over a year.”
“And what the fuck does this all mean?” Brexin finally asked. “Are we simply going to lie down and die?”
I looked up at Erik and reached out, taking his hand. When he spoke, everyone seemed to understand, listening intently.
“It means that either one betrayed the other or science has failed us all. The disease has returned with a vengeance and no one is safe from the effects. Whether or not the select group of humans arrives, or that they plan on eradicating what they consider to be their new enemy, they will pay the ultimate price.” Erik pulled my hand to his heart.
Steen nodded. “Two civilizations will be extinct in less than two years.”