Chapter 4 – Motok
“How did it go?”
My First was leaning against the ship’s interior, a smirk riding his scarred face that made his lip curl up in a decidedly macabre grin.
“Exactly as I suspected it would,” I grumbled, walking around him as I headed toward deck five and the bar with the largest observation window where I could obtain a heated mug of Tandorian Ale.
“If you’re going to indulge in spirits, I must accompany you.” His humored tone irritated my already frustrated disposition.
“The humans recovered their dead and refused to inform the families of the true nature of their untimely demise. Lies have been told and spun just to protect the ISP but the decision was made by those left in charge by the Conclave. I could not dispute or force them to comply. They seem willfully ignorant of the danger.”
Watching the stars as I paused, I remained silent for several minutes.
“At least I’ve been given the freedom to investigate the human female disappearances. The government sanctioned our presence on Earth but made it imperative that we blend in among the humans. They’re concerned about inducing a panic or riot.”
“If the humans knew the truth, I have no doubt they would riot.”
Valtus wasn’t wrong.
Meeting with the human government liaison via the Galactic Ambassador Krol, I was assured the Galactic Conclave intended to keep Earth on the protected list. The Braxtharians would keep our word and follow the orders of our council, providing our assistance as necessary.
“Were the investigations and details discussed?”
“Yes,” I replied with a grunt, unsuccessful in keeping my dissatisfied opinion to myself.
“We keep all knowledge out of the media. I was given the name and address of Kerra Hargrave. She’s the only family by that last name linked to the ISP.
Apparently, her sister Kacie Hargrave is finishing a mission and due home with the Earth week. ”
“We must find this female by the name of Kerra and ensure her safety.”
“Agreed.”
***
THE HUMAN FEMALE WAS near.
Over the last few weeks I had familiarized myself with her delectable scent and could track her now with little difficulty.
She always used the same clean, slightly floral hair products as well as a coconut body wash.
The mixture was unique. It took days for my senses to acclimate to such foreign odors, yet I didn’t find them repulsive.
The opposite, actually. She was nearly intoxicating.
Same with that hint of mint on her breath occasionally although I had only gotten close enough to notice the night that I met her at Riley’s, a human meeting place to consume alcohol.
These humans certainly enjoyed complicated mixtures of scents as well as confusing behaviors.
It wasn’t until I had already pushed forward eagerly to meet the human that I noticed the female’s features clearly.
Before that moment I had tracked her bio-signs and paid little attention other than height, approximate weight, and other basic markers of her human composition.
Only a few steps away in the bar, I became increasingly aware of her beauty and allure.
Dark hair, flashing green eyes, slender build and soft curves – all the same as the young human I had seen months ago when I was briefed by the council on Vindar. Images of the video rose to the surface and I was filled with both shock and confusion.
Who was this human female? How was she related to the captive?
Her features were nearly identical to the one attacked and destroyed so viciously on camera. Was it possible that the human government was keeping secrets? To what end?
I was left with more questions than answers when Valtus discreetly grabbed my arm and frowned, ticking his head toward the female.
She was openly curious but suspicious of my covered face.
I offered her a drink, but her friend declined on her behalf, proving they were both finished for the evening, much to my relief.
Retreating from sight, I ensured her safe arrival home before joining Valtus back on the Vindicator.
That was in the past now. My current mission must take precedence.
Whether the female fought my insistence or not, I intended to bring her back to Vindar as soon as possible.
That decision was slightly delayed when new Intel was discovered that her sister from ISP was due to arrive this evening. I was eager to observe the meeting.
Tucked into an alcove across the street from the human’s current position, I smoothed my fingertip over my handheld device and double checked the reading.
Her vital signs appeared on my screen as I lifted my head and scanned the vicinity.
The female’s heartrate was normal, respiration within expected range.
I relaxed. No threat or indication that anything was amiss.
I’d been following the female for some time, precisely since the minute she entered her training facility, oddly named Pumped Fitness.
From what I could tell, the equipment was adequate for a rigorous workout, but she seemed to enjoy something called yoga.
Just last night I investigated this gym and watched some of the classes trying to learn more about these humans and their interest in various forms of training. I wasn’t impressed.
Braxtharian warriors would scoff at such primitive forms of exercise.
I would know. I commanded a large legion and oversaw the training schedule and regimen myself, organizing the rigorous workouts that required discipline and extensive personal sacrifice.
Our males were battle hardened and strong.
This was how we protected our home world for generations, so many span that I lost count of the multitude.
Unlike the Braxtharians of Vindar, these humans were completely oblivious to their surroundings.
Untrained and undisciplined, I saw nothing that would indicate they were ready to enter the Galactic Conclave.
My opinion was taken under consideration and rejected.
The Braxtharian council agreed with my report, but the Conclave made their choices apart from the other thirty-five percent of species who agreed humanity was far too primitive.
This wasn’t the first time that an attempt was made.
First contact was well over a century ago and humans still weren’t ready.
The Cardinal Edict was rigidly enforced for this exact reason.
Introducing higher tech and alien culture could compromise their society.
And so, the humans had been left alone .
. . until fifty of their years ago when the Interstellar Space Program was created.
My people had stayed clear of any human involvement until now.
There wasn’t a choice to be involved after the council’s intervention and my recent briefing.
The survival of Vindar demanded our response.
Once the directive had been issued, all of the previous rules were dissolved in an instant.
The desperate need of my people superseded any negative impact upon the human culture by the Braxtharian race.
Time would decide if that choice was fortune or folly.
Moving from the shadows, I spotted the human female as she left the gym and headed toward her place of dwelling, oddly enough called home.
The wind blew her scent in my direction as I inhaled and smiled, feeling comforted by a scent that was no longer foreign to my senses.
Slowing my brisk pace, I tried to keep my distance even as I longed to close the gap between us.
There was something about this female that snared my interest more than any other that I had ever met.
The knowledge wasn’t as unwelcome as I would have thought.
My quills trembled along my spine as I sensed another presence and my thoughts were interrupted.
The scent wasn’t human. I inhaled deliberately and smelled the distinct and rotten odor of the Tylons.
Their oozing tentacles smelled like raw fish and secreted a toxic poison that caused their victims to fall unconscious.
A cowardly and disgusting lure for their intended prey.
Veet!
Just my luck.
A quick glance at the female’s vital signs proved she was in distress.
Crouching low, I whispered as the comms engaged with Valtus back on the Vindicator. “Tylon vital signs detected. Female appears to be in danger. I’m closing in.”
My First answered with a snarl. “Understood, Commander. I’ll monitor all vitals.”
I shoved my device into one of the pockets on my pants – oddly called cargo jeans – and moved forward stealthily.
The dark night was nearly cloudless with a pale moon that shone in willowy and sparse beams. The meager light was more of a faded glow that didn’t hinder my sight or the Tylons but would certainly slow the human female.
Partially blinded, she wouldn’t suspect the attack until it was too late.
As I rounded the next corner, I caught the light as it bounced off red scales.
Veet!
Not only Tylons but Zhorn, too. Slavers!
A thick scaly tale was wrapped around the female’s waist as she screamed and began pounding on her attacker’s flesh. For a moment I was struck dumb by her courage and subsequent stupidity. The Zhorn had fierce tempers. Their reputation for brutality and rage was infamous.
Pulling my hood forward farther to prevent discovery of my identity, a small snarl issued from my throat. It wasn’t until I had already rushed forward eagerly to engage in combat that I noticed the female’s injury. Her skin was raw around her neck, discolored and slightly swollen.
Focused on the human in front of me for entirely too long, I didn’t notice the swipe of the Zhorn’s tail until I was lying flat on my ass.
A loud growl rumbled deep in my chest. What a foolish and amateur distraction to allow myself to be targeted so easily.
My fingers flexed as I jumped up and spun on the Zhorn.
More of his fellow slavers stepped forward from the shadows.
I was on my feet within seconds and rushed into the first, knocking him back into the brick facade.
A loud crack split the air as broken pieces fell to the ground the same moment my fist connected under his jaw.
The hit was precise and slammed his head backward long enough to expose his unarmored throat.
The Zhorn’s scales served as a strong plated armor but certain areas were vulnerable to attack and injury.
Claws extended from my hands as I swiped across his thick vein and stepped away as the body crumpled to the ground.
The other Zhorn grunted and shook their blackened horns as I lashed out and fought my enemy without delay.
My claws were a brutal weapon and pierced through the gaps in their armor with ease.
The scales were strong but only from a distance.
The Zhorn weren’t as invincible in close combat and their enemy was familiar with their physical structure.
My long span of discipline and training paid off. The slavers didn’t stand a chance.
Soon, I was standing with their bodies piled at my feet as I panted, my chest rising and falling quickly with the excellent workout.
My hood was still covering my features as I breathed deeply and detected no other hostiles in the area.
Hoping I was right, I pulled the scanner from my pocket and noted with alarm the Tylons I had smelled were still in the vicinity.
A single scream caused my head to snap up and I ran toward the source.
The female had been standing there in shock moments ago and was now being accosted by the long, greenish blue tentacles of a Tylon male.
He leaned in and used his many appendages to slap around her body and pull her closer as the suckers oozed their slimy and foul secretions.
Her eyes wide, she shook her head as her mouth opened and another scream pierced the air.
I was certain she hadn’t any clue what was happening, and I didn’t hesitate to slash downward with my claws and separate the Tylon from the female.
I’d succeeded in breaking her free, but the tentacles were flapping wildly and excreting extra goo as she fought to detach them from her body.
The horror on her face spurred me into further action.
I pulled the worm-like tentacles from her torso and arms and flung the appendages at the shocked Tylon as the female scrambled away from us both, falling on her bottom as her horror filled cries launched into the air.
Tylons and their gel-filled tentacles. Veeten Seekers!
The female continued to scream, and I ignored the shrill sounds as I picked up the Tylon and smashed his body into the nearest wall repeatedly until he was limp, and his color faded to a sickly gray.
No more gloppy tentacle sex for him.
A quick scan of the area confirmed that we were no longer under any threat. For now.
“Who are you?” the female asked with a breathless whisper as she stumbled to her feet.
Unstable, she wasn’t going to remain upright long.
I rushed forward and caught her seconds before she collapsed.
Worried and remaining on high alert, I held her close to my chest. She was trembling and began to shake harder. It wasn’t only shock.
My body curled around her slender frame with a possessive and vicious snarl when I heard the sound of sirens. None would harm her again. I’d kill any who dared to venture too close.
The human female was under my protection. The Seekers and slavers were playing a dangerous game. One I would win without hesitation. My double hearts beat erratically as I left the shadows and ran toward her pod, noting with alarm the toxin was already taking effect.
“Valtus!”
My First was quick to answer as I hailed him on the comm. “Yes, Commander?”
“I’ve left behind a nasty mess.”
“Already on it. The humans will find nothing,” he assured me.
The female interrupted our conversation when she began to convulse. “Veet! She’s having some kind of allergic reaction!”
“Get her to a flat surface. The toxin needs to be extracted from her body or she won’t survive.”
“How do I do that?” I yelled in a panic. “There’s no medical bay here.”
“Hold on, I’ll be there in less than five Earth minutes. She won’t perish before I arrive.”
I didn’t bother arguing about his wry sense of humor. Earth minutes. Ridiculous.
The female’s pod was close. I was soon bursting inside, busting the primitive locks into pieces before laying her down on a flat table while I awaited Valtus.
If he didn’t save her, I’d never forgive him.