Azlo

by Maia Starr

  Zaine and I grew quiet. We didn’t speak again until we were near the entrance to the dining hall.

  “It is only this way because of human warfare, and you would do well to remember that,” Zaine said darkly. “Your kind poisoned the Verian women. Made them barren! You’ve murdered hundreds of Verian children before they even had a chance to live! So excuse me if I don’t think it is all that unfair of us to make up for the deficit by using your bodies to incubate the unborn.”

  The anger had left Zaine’s voice, but the sadness, the bitterness, was potent enough to silence me.

  “I didn’t know…” was all I could say. Had humans really done all of that? No announcements had been made. Was that what the small woman in my cell meant by Project V?

  But we were being shoved into the dining hall, and the conversation was forced to end. I marched to my designated table, my stomach rumbling involuntarily as I waited for the little Pelin men to carry out our plates of food.

  But no matter how good the food was, I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it. I kept sneaking glances at Zaine, who was standing rigidly against the back wall of the cathedral-like dining room, his face drawn and sad. For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of hopelessness. I wanted to make him feel better, but I couldn’t. And even more bafflingly, I wanted to apologize for the human tactic I hadn’t known about. But didn’t it mean we were that much closer to finally ending the war? Life could go back to normal if it did.

  We hadn’t been informed of all the different strategies the armies on Earth had employed against the Verians. All we had ever been told was that they wanted to take over Earth because it was a resource-rich planet, and it was our job to defend it at all costs.

  At all costs. According to Zaine, that meant making the Verian women barren. It meant murdering their children. And, it even meant sacrificing humans here and there to make up for human errors in judgment.

  But that was what we had to do to survive. It was an attack. Everything we knew was in jeopardy, and we were at risk of losing it all to the Verians.

  And yet, despite it all, I was feeling like an asshole, and there was nothing that I could do about it.

  Chapter 4

  Zaine Volaire

  The humans seemed to be getting acclimated to their new settings much faster than I had predicted, especially considering the rabble-rouser in their midst. The thought of Regan’s defiant face filled me with a confusing combination of irritation and longing. She was unlike any other human I had ever encountered, and the idea that she was so close, so ready to be claimed, and yet so unbelievably far away from what I should want made me feel very withdrawn.

  “Yul Volaire, how are things moving along? Well I hope?”

  I froze at the sound of the Doyan from behind me. She had an irritating habit of coming by the prison unannounced, which often sent everybody into a frenzy. Fortunately, the other people working in the prison were preoccupied because of our difficulties in staffing, and so their job performance wasn’t altered by the sudden appearance of the Doyan.

  “Welcome to you, Doyan,” I said, kneeling. I waited for her nod of approval before getting to my feet. “The humans are doing well. Next week we will begin the injections.”

  “Good, very good,” the Doyan said, a shallow smile creasing her lips. “And what of the rebel?”

  “The rebel?”

  “Yes, the Pelin have been quite atwitter with news of a defiant female in your midst,” the Doyan said, raising an eyebrow at me. I frowned.

  “She has been behaving herself after being dealt with by myself,” I said. “It shouldn’t be a problem any longer.”

  “Good to hear,” Doyan Vera said. “The humans we captured this last time are excellent genetic stock. Their tests came back today. I’d like to begin the breeding process as soon as possible.”

  “I understand. We are doing our best to move things along as quickly as we can. We need to be cautious about the future of our people. You understand. But once their bodies have become acclimated to the foods, we can begin injections.”

  “See to it that you do,” the Doyan said, fixing a hard look upon me. “And what of the humans that have been injected in the past week?”

  “They are ready for breeding. Just give me a call ahead of time, and we will move them to the copulation ward.”

  “Of course. And those in the nursing ward are doing well.”

  I nodded stiffly, and she turned away from me. She was silent for a few moments before she finally spoke, without meeting my eye.

  “I’d like to see the defiant human, if you don’t mind. Today.”

  “What?” I asked, my heart pounding hard.

  What did the Doyan want with Regan? I couldn’t help but feel fiercely protective of the human. It wasn’t that the Verian were cruel, per se, but it was difficult to know how certain people of my species might react to such close contact with our sworn enemies; the people responsible for our lack of fertile females. I didn’t know why, but I didn’t want anything to happen to Regan.

  “The human! The defiant girl. Bring her to me.”

  “What do you want with the likes of that waste of resources?” I asked, trying to conceal my nervousness with disdain. “Giving her special treatment by letting her out of her cell is hardly going to look good to the others. Especially if you want them ready for the injections anytime soon.”

  “It’s hardly special treatment, Zaine,” the Doyan said haughtily.

  “You know that the human nervous system is delicate. We need to make sure they are treated equally for the injections to start working,” I said irritably. “If they’re allowed to move too much, their muscles will be too tight to take in the injections when it’s time to distribute them.”

  “Don’t treat me like a fool,” Doyan Vera exclaimed. “I know all of this. I work side by side with the men responsible for the technology you’re using, you know! I just thought that maybe…”

  I was silent, waiting for the Doyan to continue her thought.

  “I thought perhaps the female with the most courage would make a suitable carrier for my next child; that’s all.”

  I was surprised, then baffled, then concerned.

  “She isn’t the human with the most courage,” I assured her. “She’s just the human with the least sense.”

  “Still,” the Doyan said, making herself comfortable in the lounge outside of my office. “I’d like to meet her. If I have to wait a little longer for her muscles to soften, then I will. It’s worth the risk.”

  I frowned and nodded, knowing that if I defied my duties, I would be in even more trouble than it was worth.

  “I will fetch her for you,” I said. “Please, do nothing to strain yourself. My Pelin or the secretary will attend to you.”

  “Of course,” the Doyan said coolly.

  I knelt again before leaving the room abruptly. If Regan made a good impression on the Doyan, that would mean she would be subject to who knew what kinds of advances from the Doyan’s elderly husband. The mere thought made me want to retch.

  “Yula Lawrence,” I said sternly, banging loudly on the door of Cell 3. The inmates looked out at me fearfully, and I saw Regan right away, her eyes as bright and as inquisitive as ever. “We need to have another talk about your conduct.”

  “But I haven’t done anything!” she protested.

  “Not yet,” I said, opening the cell door and waiting for her to step outside. She was reluctant but soon stood from her spot on the floor. When she was in front of me, the smell of her nearly drove me to madness. The memory of our bodies pressed so closely together during the rush for the dining hall hadn’t left my thoughts since the moment it happened. I’d have given anything to replay it again and again in real life, if I had the means.

  “I don’t think this is very fair,” Regan pouted as I led her down the long corridor. I said nothing to her until we were out of earshot of the other cells.

  “You cannot speak courageously in front of the
female you are about to meet,” I said, my head bent low to her ear, my voice a whisper.

  “What? Why? Who am I meeting?”

  I gritted my teeth. “I am telling you this for your own good. The woman you are to meet is the Doyan of this planet. She is in charge…for now. You have a reputation, and she is considering you to be the incubator of her child. It is an honor nobody should wish to have. So please. Play dumb with her. Do whatever you can. Embody all stereotypes of humans if you must. Just do not impress her.”

  Regan’s piercing blue eyes locked on me and she frowned. “How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”

  “You don’t,” I admitted. “I just need you to try to trust me. This one time. You do not want to bear a child with that woman’s mate.”

  I could tell that my voice came out much more bitterly than I meant it to, and Regan’s features softened.

  “All right,” she said quietly. “I trust you.”

  Heat engulfed my entire body at the words, and I gazed at the small, strong-willed female, feeling as if I were about to burst. If I could have touched her then, reached out to string my hand through the long, silken locks of her auburn hair, I would have. But we were already too close to my office.

  “Remember your manners,” I said sternly, pushing the heavy doors open and showing Regan inside.

  She knelt reluctantly, studying the Doyan with a little frown. Thankfully, she said nothing.

  “Well, she’s not much to look at, is she?” the Doyan said, taking Regan’s chin in her hands and studying the girl’s face roughly. I could tell this irritated Regan, but more than that, it bothered me. What wasn’t to like about this female? I would have enjoyed looking at her all day if I could. But I couldn’t tell either of them that.

  “Can you imagine the offspring that would come out of her?” Vera let out an unkind laugh, and I prickled.

  “Just the same as any other hybrid offspring, I’d wager,” I said, trying not to let my anger out in my voice. Regan glanced at me, a look both pleading and grateful. Did she know I was trying to defend her? I’d tried to sound objective. I would have to be more careful.

  “My children would be much more attractive than you are!” Regan said, looking steadily into Doyan Vera’s eyes. I grinned secretly. Not only was it true, in my opinion, but Regan had done well in utilizing one of the human stereotypes: unabashed vanity.

  “Is that so?” Vera exclaimed, her voice high-pitched and affronted. “Just what makes you so sure of yourself, Yula?”

  Regan held her gaze, the same defiant expression I had grown to expect from her firmly fixed on her face. “Internition.”

  “Intern…Volaire, is she trying to say ‘intuition?’ Darling, English is your first language, is it not?”

  “First and only!” Regan exclaimed delightedly.

  “That’s odd…most humans at least have a basic understanding of the Verian linguistics…”

  Doyan Vera walked slowly to the other side of the room and looked up at me, her face filled with concern. Finally, she spoke to me in our native Verian tongue. “I mustn't have an idiot child! It would already be too hard to bear to look human, let alone to think like one.”

  “Perhaps another female would suit you better,” I said politely. “This one seems to have her own set of troubles. No need to pass them along to Verian spawn. Especially not one to be born and raised in nobility.”

  Regan raised her eyebrow at me, and I smiled patiently at her. “Poor thing can’t understand a word that we’re saying. She must have some kind of learning disorder.”

  Now I was just teasing her, and Regan’s cheeks flushed an attractive pink color. Vera saw me gazing at her and followed my eyes.

  “What is it, human?” she asked suspiciously in English. “Are you ill?”

  Vera moved even closer to the edge of the wall, her eyes wide and disgust etched in every line of her face.

  “I just don’t like when people talk about me behind my back!” Regan exclaimed. “You Verians are the rudest race I ever saw. If I had a chance, I’d -”

  “That’s enough!” I barked, startling everyone in the room. Regan’s eyes widened on me, and I saw a distinct question in them. Was I truly yelling at her, or was this all part of the act? Did I really want to protect her from the Doyan and her nauseating family unit, or was I just attempting to serve my own interests?

  None of those were questions I could answer. But not just to Regan. They were questions I needed to truly ask myself. What was the cause of my fixation? It was absolutely forbidden to form any attachments to humans, let alone tender feelings that could lead to the biggest sin of all: love.

  “Is she dense?” the Doyan exclaimed. “Does she not realize that speaking such things, in front of the leader of the Verian race no less, could get her killed?”

  “If she did realize that, then it would appear she has a death wish,” I muttered, glaring at Regan. I wished I could tell her that she was going too far before she even went there, and longed to be able to hold her gaze for longer than a few seconds without betraying my fondness of her to the Doyan, even to Regan herself.

  “I don’t want to die. I want to live long enough to see the humans win their victory. Because we’re the best there is in the univers, and don’t you deny it!”

  I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from laughing as Doyan Vera began to grow different shades of orange I had never seen before. It was quite a sight.

  “Get her out of here, Zaine, before I kill her myself!” the Doyan shouted, pointing at Regan as if sentencing her to an execution.

  “Of course, Yula,” I said, kneeling briefly before shoving Regan out of the room and leading her down the hallway.

  “Looks like you pulled it off for now,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I pushed Regan around the corner. We were facing each other suddenly, Regan’s clear blue eyes boring pensively into my own.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Why did you do that?” she asked, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Why did you help me?”

  I furrowed my brow. If she knew I had been trying to help her, that would be it for my position. She could report me, and I would be discharged from my position (and quite dishonorably). It would be a blight on the rest of my life.

  I wanted to tell her the truth; that ever since the first time I’d seen her, I’d wanted her. In my mind, as far as I was concerned, she was mine already. And anybody who wanted to harm her had to answer to me. But those kinds of feelings weren’t just taboo. They were against the law.

  “Who says I was helping you?” I asked pointedly, trying to keep my voice from wavering.

  I wanted more than anything to hold Regan’s slight body against mine; feel the curves of her pressed against me as I had when I’d been behind her in the lunchtime rush. But that wasn’t possible. Especially not with the Doyan present at the prison. Who knew what kind of punishment I would be asking for if she caught me? Breeding and mating were two different things, and the thought of any self-respecting Verian man being attracted to an Earthling was laughable. They were there simply for our utilization, and nothing more.

  “Well, whatever you were doing, I wouldn’t have wanted to leave with that woman. She makes me nervous.”

  “Well then. Keep that in mind next time you’re misbehaving. I could have you sent right to her door.”

  “Sure,” Regan said, looking at me with her eyes dancing. “If she’d allow it.”

  The human had me there.

  We ceased speaking once we reached the hall where the cells were kept and walked silently down the long, winding corridor. I deposited Regan sternly in her cell, much to the delight of the other human females that were staying with her.

  I felt a twinge of worry when I noticed the off-putting look of malice emanating from one of the women in the cell, directed at Regan. I had seen that look before. This was a female who would do whatever she could to let out her aggressions on somebody els
e, and she had obviously picked her target. I would have to look out for that one.

  I caught Regan’s eye briefly as I locked the cell behind her, and she turned her head away quickly. I wished I could say something more to her, but I could feel the tension of hundreds of pairs of eyes on me, watching my every move carefully as if it might somehow lead to their own release…or punishment.

  “Stay out of trouble, Yula,” I said without glancing back at Regan. “Or you will learn what trouble is.”

  And with that, I left the ward.

  ***

  I was in my office alone during the middle of my meal break – the Verian people need to eat only once per day as our metabolisms are quite slow and thorough compared to humans – when the alarm rang.

  “Freg,” I grumbled, pushing aside my meal. Something was wrong in Ward B, where the humans were kept. I grabbed my weapon and rushed down the deserted hallways as quickly as I could. Nobody else would be willing to respond to the signal, except a few reckless Pelin who wanted to be recognized for their bravery.

  “What’s going on?” I shouted over the blaring alarm. I could hear women shrieking and yelling, while others laughed and cheered. It sounded like a fight had broken loose, and I had a sinking feeling I knew exactly who it had broken out between.

  A chorus of shrill female voices started filling the narrow hallway.

  “She started it; get her!”

  I peered inside Cell 3, fearing the worst. Most of the humans were crowded in toward the back wall, shouting indistinguishable things to the two females who were fighting. It didn’t take long to make out the swollen, bleeding features of Regan’s face being struck again by the tall, brawny woman in front of her.

  “Go, Casey, go!” a woman exclaimed.

  “Silence!” I shouted. It wasn’t difficult for me to reach very high volumes. It was a skill humans lacked, but the Verians were equipped with a vocal range unlike any other race in the universe. We could hear and speak in frequencies many lower life forms couldn’t hear. It came in handy during the war.

  The females suddenly froze in place, Carmen hovering above Regan’s head with her fist poised in the air. Regan’s blue eyes were huge and terrified. I saw suddenly that her arms were being held back by two other females, who dropped them quickly as soon as they felt the heat of my gaze turn on them.