Chapter 7 – Kerra
My vision slowly cleared as my eyes opened and I felt my body rocking lightly in Motok’s arms. At first, I thought the movement was purposeful as he sought to comfort me, and then sudden realization dawned as we picked up speed and I felt my body become nearly weightless.
“Where am I?”
“Aboard a transport. We’re on our way to the Vindicator. We’ve finally left your atmosphere.” He spoke the words as if I should have known their meaning. I didn’t.
“What’s the Vindicator?”
“A class 4 Battle Cruiser,” he answered, “outfitted with several high velocity plasma torpedoes and phase cannons, a disrupter, and a cloaking tech that rivals the –”
“Wait.” I held up a hand. “Did you just say we left the atmosphere? As in the planet?”
Motok tilted his head to the side as if confused. “Yes. We’re almost ready to dock with the Vindicator. I can answer more of your questions once we’re safely aboard.”
Was he completely crazy? Didn’t the crazy alien realize he’d just kidnapped me?
“Listen, I appreciate all your protection and heroics, but I don’t want to leave Earth. Thanks, and all, but I want to go back. Now.”
A loud chuckle came from the front of the little vessel. I didn’t notice before that we weren’t alone. Another alien was piloting this flying thing . . . ship. Transport. Whatever.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Kerra –”
Poking a finger directly into his chiseled chest – which was entirely too muscled and attractive with the silver skin glistening in the low lighting and revealing every deep groove and valley – I enunciated my point. “Take. Me. Back.”
“E.T.A. ninety seconds. Counting down.”
I spun around on his lap and glared at the two alien men playing with the complicated controls and viewing screen that flashed various lights, some kind of star chart, and other images that resembled planets.
Small clicks and occasional bleeps or beeps would follow the movement of their silver fingers.
My jaw dropped when I saw the massive spaceship that loomed directly ahead through some kind of viewing screen.
The side of the hull was painted with the name Vindicator.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, sliding off Motok’s lap and falling to my knees. “I’m on an episode of Star Trek.”
A deep laugh echoed behind me and I was lifted back into Motok’s arms. He cradled my body close as I watched the large vessel approach.
I barely paid attention as I was strapped into a chair next to my alien rescuer and we glided smoothly up to the ship’s side.
Something made a loud click followed by a sucking sound that grew progressively louder until there was a slight pop.
The ship creaked a moment and then another loud click, followed by a quick snap.
Seconds later everyone unbuckled and picked up bags as they headed toward the rear of the transport.
I’d just experienced my first vessel docking with another in space.
Holy shit! Kacie would be shocked!
The other two silver warriors moved ahead of us as Motok gestured to my seatbelt.
I managed to be rid of the thing without issue as he pulled me close and held onto my upper arm while we moved through a cylindrical corridor.
A hatch opened up ahead and we stepped over the grooved metal ridge into an open hangar.
Boxes and crates full of unknown cargo were stacked against the inner walls.
Every surface was clean and polished, like a shiny new coin.
I paused as my eyes scanned the interior. “Wow,” I whispered.
“Welcome aboard the Vindicator,” Motok laughed. “I am Commander of this battle cruiser. Uh, starship would make more sense to you. You’ll meet the crew soon enough.”
“It’s huge,” I gasped. “Is this some kind of hangar or docking bay?”
He nodded. “Yes, I will show you to your quarters and allow you the chance to rest and freshen up before I give you a tour. Findu is in the galley. He’ll gladly fix whatever dish you desire. He was lately trained in diverse alien cuisine.”
It was the word alien that snapped me out of my stupor and back into the present. Narrowing my eyes, I looked up and caught his guarded expression. “How long am I prisoner?”
Rendered speechless, he sputtered before vehemently denying my accusation. “You are not a prisoner, Hoy’nva. You’re free to roam the ship and do as you wish.”
Right. “Then take me back home.”
He sighed softly as if my response was expected but not appreciated. “I’m unable to do that at present.”
“Why?” I demanded as I planted my hands on my hips. “Tell me. Stop being a pussy. Just tell me the damn truth.”
A loud guffaw sounded behind us. I turned to glare at the next big silver alien and couldn’t help a small twitch of my lips.
He was a slightly smaller version of Motok with longer hair that was double braided.
The silver flowed backward and down his shoulders and seemed to intertwine with those quill-like things on his back.
“I’m Rexnor, Motok’s younger brother.”
“And I’m Orion.” The other male who approached was clearly older with a few lines and grooves etched around his mouth and eyes. “The eldest.”
“Hello,” I greeted awkwardly. “Nice to meet you but I’d like to go back to Earth now. Field trip over.”
Neither Orion nor Motok had a clue what I meant. Their expressions were almost comical.
Rexnor was greatly humored and hugged me close to his side as his boisterous laugh filled the vast, nearly hollow space. “You’re a refreshing and welcome change aboard the Vindicator.”
I couldn’t suppress my answering giggle. He was sweet and charming, obviously knowing quite a bit more about Earth social customs and culture than his brothers.
“Step away from her. Now.” Motok’s growl was nearly a snarl.
Rexnor’s grin widened as he dropped his arm but didn’t move from my side.
Instead, he stooped down from his towering height and placed a quick kiss on my cheek.
I knew it was harmless and immediately enjoyed Rexnor’s playful nature.
Motok didn’t agree. He roared and rushed forward, body slamming his brother into the nearest set of crates.
Rolling my eyes at their antics, I stepped around the feuding pair and scattered boxes as I followed Orion from the hangar.
We entered a narrow corridor brightly lit with bluish white LED lights and walked up a ramp that led to what I assumed was the front of the ship.
Several crew members were seated in what could only be described as a cockpit and were punching buttons, swiping their fingers across holographic displays that hovered in front of their faces. Every last one was male.
An entire crew of muscular and well-built silver skinned aliens that reached well over six feet in height.
Some had longer ears than others, but every toned back sported those quills, although length must be a sign of age.
Younger males had shorter quills while mature males had longer quills that were darker in color toward the tips.
Some had spikes too. Many were also tattooed with strange symbols like Motok.
They communicated easily among one another with some kind of clicking sound and that rumbling growl that I recognized from Motok.
No claws were visible, but I was certain their species was quite dangerous and victorious in battle. After all, I’d seen it firsthand.
“How are you adjusting so far, mistress human?” The deep voice that greeted me was foreign, and I lifted my head to gaze into the intense regard of a male with an odd shaped pin attached to the upper left breast of his chest. When our eyes met, I gasped at the long, jagged scar that pulled his right eye slightly downward and crossed over the apple of his cheek before burying into his upper lip.
Oddly enough, he was still ruggedly handsome.
Completely mortified to be caught staring, I nodded and stuttered. “Uh, good, I mean, I guess.”
“I am the Commander’s First, Valtus ‘the Scarred’.”
Seriously? He wanted me to call him scarred on purpose? “Nice to uh, meet you, Valtus.”
“Likewise, mistress. I will show you to your quarters.”
Glancing around, I gulped as the entire crew bowed their heads in response. All the Braxthar males we passed on the way gave a similar nod or bow and many stared like I was some anomaly. The entire experience was super weird and uncomfortable.
“These are your accommodations. I hope you will find them suitable for the remainder of your journey. I’ve taken the liberty of having a tray sent to your room within the half Earth hour.
Please reach out via the comm system if you desire anything else.
” He bowed and spun on his heel as he left me standing outside the door.
Sighing, I wondered how long it would be before Motok arrived. There was no handle on the door but as I approached it made a swoosh and opened. When I didn’t step through, it slid shut again.
“She bears the mark?”
My solitude was interrupted by a male voice further down the corridor and beyond where I could see from this angle.
“Yes,” Motok answered gruffly. “The only one I’ve found alive since we began.”
“How marvelous you stumbled upon her.”
The other male’s voice was slightly higher but no less full of growls, grunts, and strange clicking than the others. He didn’t sound like either Orion or Rexnor. Not Valtus. The male was someone I had yet to meet.
“She’s quite remarkable.” Motok’s words were surprising. He thought that I was remarkable?
The voices approached as I contemplated escaping into my room, but I paused instead, certain this conversation was about me and hoping to hear more.
“How does she understand us?”
“I implanted a translator as she slept although she can’t detect every dialect we use. Our communication is critical. I must be able to explain our current crisis.”
“Ah, yes. No indication of any more of these marked females?”
“I’ve searched this entire time and located no others that survived.
There are none in hiding, the auctions, or any of the undeclared planets.
We’ve been to every system. She’s the last one and I found her on Earth.
It’s quite disturbing.” He paused for a few seconds and his voice lowered slightly.
“None have surfaced since the video. And this new female is strangely identical to the other.”
“This is deeply troubling.”
“Yes,” Motok agreed.
The conversation didn’t make much sense, but I did understand the part about implanting a foreign device into my body.
Pissed he didn’t tell me, I decided to stop listening.
I’d probably only find out more that I didn’t want to know.
My hand lifted and the door whooshed open, enclosing me inside as I sank to the floor in despair.
How long would I remain a ‘cherished guest’ of these aliens?