Chapter 6 – Motok
The translator broke right in the middle of my sentence.
Veet!
What a time to have our communication interrupted and broken.
The female understood none of my words now and what little English I’d learned and studied didn’t seem to help at all.
Human tongues were foreign in their pronunciation and made worse by the common addition of slang and profanity.
I’d heard some of the words she used before but still didn’t understand their meaning.
I’d given up completing any further study many span ago before I entered the Braxthar warrior clan and now I wished I had been more persistent.
She was confused as I led her to the sleeping chamber of her dwelling and she lay down, a curious and guarded expression on her face.
“Motok,” she began and didn’t have time to finish.
I pressed the sedative to the side of her neck and watched as her eyes closed and she drifted asleep.
Guilt washed over me, but I ignored the feeling.
Her safety was first priority and I needed to repair my communicator.
Working on the device as she slept, I was unable to find much to work with as there wasn’t the technology or tools available.
Another reason the humans should have remained in their isolated bubble.
At least I could plug the device into my portable unit and troubleshoot.
My fingers clicked and swiped along the buttons and keys until I found the source of the problem.
A faulty port on one of the power connectors was damaged.
I knew how to fix that and did so quickly, anxious to awaken her without further delay.
An hour and a half later the device was in working condition again and I inserted the translator back behind my ear.
When she awakened, I would be able to communicate the mission and hopefully alleviate some of the anxiety and tension that seemed to radiate between us.
Braxtharian warriors were known for their blunt and abrupt demeanor, soldiers who were prideful and arrogant to a fault.
Her presence caused my toughened exterior to soften and I didn’t like how easily I was molded like a child’s putty in her hands.
My First was hailing me and I answered as my gaze swept over the sleeping female.
“Commander, we need to speak.”
“Yes, Valtus?” I didn’t want to discuss the human female or my conflicting feelings but knew I had little chance of avoiding the subject.
“The female’s vitals are stable, but she appears to be close to some kind of mental breakdown. I fear she is in a state of shock.”
That was probably an understatement. “Continue to monitor her condition and report to me with any changes immediately.”
“Yes, Commander.” There was a pause as he cleared his throat. “I detect elevated levels in your system.”
Ah, there it was. “What levels?”
“Chemical components, dangerous amounts of dopamine and adrenaline. Almost human in their response. Very odd. I detect other functions of your composition that –”
“And?” The word was nearly barked in my annoyance as I cut him off.
“I’m required to inform the council if you become compromised during this mission.”
A sneer crossed my face and I was glad he wasn’t present to see it. “That’s a requirement of all crew members. We will both do our jobs, Valtus. I have not forgotten the mission or its importance.”
“Excellent,” he blurted in relief. “I will await your orders.” My First disappeared and I switched off my comms with irritation. Valtus had no right to question or challenge my choices or this mission. If he proved to be difficult, I would relieve him of duty.
My elevated levels were probably due to the fight with the Zhorn and the Tylons combined with fear and worry over the human.
Concerned and alert, it made sense my body would have chemical reactions to these scenarios.
It was common in battle to experience such fluctuations.
What was Valtus implying? Irritated by his remarks, I began to pace until I heard the female utter a soft sigh.
Soothed by her gentle and even breathing, I decided to wash off the blood and dirt from earlier.
Valtus had left an extra pack and I changed clothes.
The traditional garb of my people was much more to my liking.
The loose-fitting pants buckled snugly above my hips and tapered down the leg where they were tucked into my dark boots with a slightly pointed, reinforced toe.
I preferred not to wear a shirt and instead opted for a filmy mesh guard that crossed over my chest followed by a dark cloak.
The warrior’s uniform renewed my sense of purpose.
I was ready to leave.
Unfortunately, I was rushed and unable to connect with the female properly first.
This proved to be a problem when the next attack occurred only ten minutes later. I’d let the female rest as a multitude of thoughts swirled in my head and I finished cleaning up. She was so different than I imagined. Nothing like I’d thought of humans prior to our meeting.
She was too close to that vile memory of the video.
Her close resemblance to the dead human captive was horrifying and I couldn’t let it go.
With signs of shock present, I didn’t want to traumatize the female further.
Questions could be answered at a later time.
My decision to wait to move her proved inconsequential even as I attempted to let her body recover.
The front entrance of the female’s dwelling was blown open as a landing crew of Zhorn filed into the main living quarters.
I snatched the human up and into my arms as I dashed toward the long, sleek planes of rectangular glass.
The windows of this bedroom, as she called it, would never withstand any kind of attack as I glanced downward.
A narrow metal staircase led to the asphalt below.
Our only chance of escape. Our combined weight was probably more than the flimsy metal could withstand but we were out of options.
The window slid open easily and I slipped through as fat droplets of rain began to drip from her planet’s atmosphere.
I’d heard of this wetness before but never experienced it.
I didn’t like the soggy feeling that soon penetrated my clothes or the dripping that leaked all over the human and made her shiver.
On my home world precipitation was synthesized and scheduled at specific intervals, easily avoided. These humans were so primitive.
I led her to the stairs and slowly shut the window mere seconds before the Zhorn entered her sleeping space.
We began our quick descent as she wrapped her arms and legs around my torso, groggy from the nap she’d been taking.
A small whimper echoed in my ear followed by the warmth of her breath.
She squeezed her eyes shut as I held her closer and broke into a run.
In order for the transport to reach us and not draw attention, we had to get to a less congested space.
Too late, I realized I could have gone upward to the roof of her dwelling facility.
My communicator located the closest satellite and popped up a map. We were less than two miles from something called a park with a field and plenty of trees around the perimeter to shield us from discovery. Perfect. I tapped into my comm device and hailed Valtus.
“Commander, I have the transport ready to leave on your mark.”
“Send it to these coordinates.” I spoke the location and signed off as I picked up speed.
The rain fell heavily and was followed by loud booms and crackles that nearly shook the ground beneath my feet.
My hearts were beating fast by the time we approached the entrance.
The park gates were wide open, and I didn’t hesitate to dash inside.
In only minutes, we made it to the field.
The human’s sudden scream was loud in my ear and followed by her tightening hold as she clung to my frame and tried to climb up my body. The Zhorn had caught up to us.
“I will protect you,” I promised as I untangled her limbs from mine and stood in front, effectively blocking the female from the ruthless slavers.
Rage exploded from my chest and without thinking I let my hood fall back and the cloak fall down to the ground in a heap.
I couldn’t fight off the enemy without using my abilities and this wasn’t the time to worry about the female’s reaction.
Her life was in danger and I needed to protect her from the imminent threat. I’d deal with her response later.
My spine extended outward as I bent forward, and I felt the row of quills rise upward as my spine lengthened and my back cracked.
Vision sharpening, I knew my senses were now hyperaware and in defensive mode.
My claws pushed through the flesh in my knuckles as I flexed.
The Braxtharian war cry launched from my throat seconds before I barreled into the first Zhorn.
The smooth red scales of his outer plating shifted as my claws slid down two of his bulky arms. Roaring with frustration, I ducked down and charged into his chest, knocking the seven-foot-tall barbarian into the nearest tree.
The female screamed and I spun to find two of the Zhorn advancing on her the moment my back was turned. Cowards! They worked in tandem to distract me from the female, hoping her vulnerability would provide the opportunity needed to capture their prize.
Not while I breathed and lived would she come to harm.
The Zhorn grossly underestimated my ability to protect the female.
I was ruthless and didn’t stop until every last one lay in pieces on the ground.
Several bodies were ripped entirely in half while scattered and severed limbs lay next to the vacant eyes of the dead.
Red scales bobbed in pools of pale blue blood and were buoyant in various spots, floating in a turbulent current as the stream trickled down the nearest hill courtesy of the Earth’s precipitation.
My claws retracted and my quills deflated of blood, once again resting flat against my spine as I turned to the female in triumph.
The thrill of victory coursed through my veins.
I briefly wished I could hold her close and inhale her scent or perhaps steal a kiss in recognition of my success.
The thought was fleeting but tugged in my chest for long minutes afterward as the urge to reach out and touch her nearly overwhelmed my senses.
All of the pride and glory was snatched away when I saw her horrified expression.
“What the fuck are you!?” she shouted as her voice rose with every word. “The Silver Surfer?”
She was panicking, her gaze darting anywhere but my face.
Anxiety rose within my chest and my hearts thrummed against the bones so hard I thought they may burst clear through.
Her fear tainted the air as the sickening realization that I was the one she was terrified of sunk into my rage filled brain.
How could I expect any other reaction from a human?
She didn’t have experience with the Braxthar, much less a warrior of my stature.
Aliens were a foreign and mysterious concept.
Why was this human female the only one I had found alive and bearing the mark?
Her exposed wrist briefly flashed the familiar symbol as she pushed wet hair out of her eyes.
My shoulders slumped as I dared to look at her, my doubts insignificant. Nothing changed the mission. My frustration rose when the human’s eyes grew wide and she backed away, bumping into the towering tree behind her so hard she smacked the back of her head.
Veet!
A shrill sound escaped my throat as she stared into my eyes, her own dazed and frightened.
Another high-pitched sound filled the air as she lifted her hand to the back of her head and glanced down.
A smear of bright red blood was visible on her palm.
My hearts skipped a beat. She was injured.
A sound of anguish vibrated my chest followed by the heralding trumpet of my quills as they fanned out.
That was when I realized I’d just used my mating call on the human.
Forbidden.
Snarling, I fought against the imagery those words conjured in my head.
Shocked to find a possessive instinct rise within my body so recklessly, I froze as she relaxed and responded without hesitation.
How would a human know the proper mating response?
Fascinated by her reaction, I watched her bright green eyes glaze over.
Her body collapsed as I darted forward and caught the attractive female in my arms, hauling her up close to my chest as my hearts pumped wildly in response.
Against my better judgement, I leaned in and inhaled her sweet but musky scent that reminded me of the noravock bushes that used to grow along the edge of my ancestral home as a child.
A sweet and decadent but also deadly fruit with rich undertones.
The velvety texture was prized for its medicinal properties but was lethal when ingested raw.
Only great healers knew how to handle the delicate berries without risk of serious harm.
Her limp body fit perfectly against mine as if she was created to fit my other half.
I ignored the fact that her fainting had nothing to do with how she reacted to my mating display.
Every curve of her frame seemed to mold into a valley of mine as if we could intersect like a precise lock and a finely carved key.
One for one, no chance of completion unless the connection was exact.
Perfect.
Venya. Mate.
The word burst inside my head and I chose to forget the implication until a time when I could think on it properly.
There would be hours and days to contemplate all that had transpired but now my only focus was to ensure Kerra’s safety.
For the first time, I felt free to use her given name.
As of this moment, I would think of her more intimately than I had previously dared.
Despite the feeling that I should keep my distance, I knew I would never follow through.
I was already much too interested in the human and entirely too invested.
Perhaps Valtus was correct. Maybe I was compromised.
Relieved to find the transport had landed and was awaiting our arrival, I climbed aboard with Kerra. She remained secure in my arms as I buckled myself in and prepared for liftoff. None of these feelings I possessed mattered now.
The female was coming back to Vindar. And no one would stop me.