by Astra Lynne
High above them on the platform, Mattaki's uncle Mashda milled around with the other waiting politicians. A buzz of whispers began spreading over the crowd of warriors. It did not take long for him to realize it was because his father, Joshur, the High Commander had arrived. His father was well respected among the warriors, having proven himself to be a fearless warrior during the Svean conflict, and a brilliant battle strategist even after he left the battlefield. As the High Commander and head of the Academy, he knew each warrior personally and they all deferred to his authority. After clasping shoulders with many of the politicians, Joshur embraced his brother Mashda warmly and then faced the warriors. In unison, the warriors clapped their fists to their breastbone in salute, and Joshur returned in kind. Just before turning away, Joshur found Mattaki in the crowd and nodded. Always careful not to give the appearance of favoritism, the nod was slight and quick, which Mattaki returned in kind.
Science officers and Administrators stood by with strange instruments, ready to hurry the first of the cryosleepers to their designated places deep within the Hive. Tonight, there would be a banquet celebrating the beginning of the Reaping. In the past few cycles, talk had gone around the Hive about Revolution. He had thought it rumor at first, but feeling the nervous energy pulsing through the bay Mattaki could not help but think, with all the talk of Revolution, it may be the last celebration they would be able to have for a long time. He wondered if he would be called to fight, should war come, or if he would be tasked with protecting the Hive. He did not know which he would prefer, but he was ready for either, nonetheless.
Soon, the low buzz grew to a mumble among the Warriors as they waited for the bay doors of the ship to open. "I heard the humans smell like decay." Mattaki heard from behind him. "They are probably as war hungry as the Scincidians, why else would they need us to rescue them?" he heard from another direction. As time went by and bodies began to fatigue from the work on the Hive, and moral began to slip, more and more warriors began expressing their displeasure with the endeavor. Now the endeavor was upon them, and there was little need to keep dissent quiet it would appear.
At last the sound of the ships bay door unlocking filled the Hive. Silence fell once more over the warriors, each craning their necks to glimpse the Humans. Mattaki's Nacresscence seared into his chest with a burning of both pleasure and pain with the building of his adrenaline. All around him he could hear the sounds of his fellow warriors and he knew they were experiencing the same sensation. The Captain of the ship emerged to thunderous applause. In the distance, the high pitched call of his mate greeted him. Everyone laughed as she leaped from the balcony and ran to embrace the Captain at last. Even Mashda managed a smile at the happy reunion. The Captain greeted the Council respectfully, held his hands high at the crowd in greeting and then gestured at the bay door to invite the others to disembark.
A palpable silence spread over the crowd once more. A Mari-Ursian medical officer disembarked first, followed closely by a Human woman with light colored hair. She was tall and carried herself like a warrior in her own right. She walked swiftly to Mashda with her fist clasped over her chest in the traditional Mari-Ursian greeting and then extended her hand in front of her. Mashda, no doubt well versed in Human protocols, extended his hand, grasped the hand of the human female and pumped several times. It was a strange and curious way of greeting someone, Mattaki thought, but it was to be expected. A quiet laugh spread over the warriors when a small human male exited the ship. Even his father the Commander smirked at the slightness of the male. He was small, much smaller than the human female speaking with Mashda, and pale, even by human standards. No wonder their planet was in trouble if this was an example of their men. The squad commanders, smirking themselves, hushed the ranks and order soon returned.
Then, she was there. Mattaki's breath hitched when he saw her. There, stepping from the ship was the woman from his vision. He knew her, even from this distance. He recognized the way she carried herself, her hair the color of Anu's fire, and the beauty he did not expect. Everything around him ceased to exist and he could see only her. His Nacresscence burned into him painfully and his breath growled low in his throat. This could not be. He was both relieved to know his vision had been true, and filled with dread that he would no longer be able to deny his fate was tied to a human. He wanted to break ranks and run to her, throw her over his shoulder and take her away from this place but he knew he must maintain his post. There would be time. She was not among the sleeping, so she had to be an Ambassador. Tonight, perhaps, he would find her tonight at the banquet and she would be his. If not tonight, soon. She was here, he saw her. Fate had paraded her right out in front of him and he would not lose her.
When the last human had filed off the vessel, Mashda stood, with great effect, and began speaking. He welcomed the Humans as noble ambassadors of their race. He commended them for their accomplishments as Scientists and Leaders which had lead to their being chosen for their new role as Ambassadors. They would be tasked with ensuring their people understood their fate and knew the endeavor was for the protection of, not the invasion of their planet.
Mattaki watched his woman as Mashda spoke. He could feel the blood in his veins boiling with desire for her. It was all he could do to keep from running to claim her right there. Having a fated mate was much rarer these days, and he knew it made it virtually impossible to deny the need for one another, but he never expected the pull to be so strong. His eyes zoned in on her to the point that everything around him faded to black. She was exactly as his vision had shown him. Her skin was as pale as he could have ever imagined, and he could not wait to feel her delicate body beneath his. He wondered if her body would react the same as a Mari-Ursian woman. Physically, humans were very much the same as Mari-Ursians, but did they mate the same way? Would her breath catch, her skin flush and her heart quicken beneath him? He had had his share of women and, though he was confident in his ability to please a Mari-Ursian woman, he could not be sure his human woman would be the same. Would she want him in return, or would she recoil at the thought of their mating? The thought had not occurred to him until now.
He shook his head and closed his eyes to center himself. He must find a way to calm himself until he could claim her or the other warriors would certainly sense what he was feeling. Now was not the time, he admonished himself. When at last he opened his eyes again, he caught sight of Susuda. Susuda's Nacresscence was glowing hot. His face was locked on something or someone on the platform above, his body vibrating with adrenaline. It was then Mattaki felt it. That unspoken, indescribable but undeniable surge of energy and intuition right before 'something' happens. Instantly, the surge went through all of the warriors as each of them became more agitated. Mattaki kept his eyes trained on Susuda, who looked as if he would explode with anger at any moment. Even the Commander looked agitated as he felt the energy of the bay changing. All around, warriors began shifting from one foot to the other in a show of readiness. A hum of agitation began to grow from the ranks as each member began taking on the energy of those around them. It was as their training had taught them to be in tuned with their brother warriors to keep them safe in battle. Intuition was a valuable resource cultivated through the warrior's training. On the platform above, his father Joshur stood, followed closely by some of the other Commanders. They had felt the energy change as well.
Mattaki looked once more to Susuda who looked even more agitated than before. Unable to contain his growing adrenaline a moment longer Susuda let out a war cry. Instantly other warriors joined suit. The frightful sound of the war cries stopped the presentation at once. Before the council could react, there was a flash of bright green light from one side of the platform. If it made a sound, Mattaki was too amped to hear it. At once, he leaped over the shoulders of his brethren and charged towards the platform. He had to get to his human woman to safety. The Hive was under attack and he had to protect her. All around him debris fell, bodies collapsed and warriors charged, but all
he could see was her clinging to a bit of the platform, holding on for her life. Just as he reached the platform, Susuda charged in front of him, holding the pale haired human, tossed over his shoulder, bright red blood dripping from her head. He bared his teeth at Mattaki in warning, and Mattaki returned in kind. If Sussuda stood in his way, Mattaki would gladly kill him to save his fated mate. The two warriors squared off, eyes locked, but before they could continue, a flash of understanding passed between them. Sussuda was protecting his mate, just as Mattaki was rushing to protect his. Just then another explosion rocked the Hive and Mattaki spat to the side in dismissal. Sussuda was gone in a flash, swallowed up by the chaos below. Mattaki jumped to the platform and searched for his woman. He could see his uncle being scurried away by several warriors and the captain shielding his wife as he led her to safety. In the center of the platform he could see several humans and Mari-Ursian medical officers laying dead, all shot through the head, but Mattaki knew instinctively his human was not among them. He pushed the bodies aside and found her shivering beneath a dead Mari-Ursian woman. She looked terrified and screamed as Mattaki pulled her free and tossed her over his shoulder in one deft move. He had to get her to safety; there was no time to think about the consequences.
Mattaki jumped from the platform and landed centimeters from the bodies of several councilors, each shot in the head. This had been a targeted attack. There would be much retribution and consequences, but for now, Mattaki could consider none of it. He could feel her begin to stir and protest, but his grip was so tight she could not escape. He would explain everything to her later, for now, there was not a second to waste. He would get her to one of the tunnels and when things had cleared he would take her to safety.
Dodging and jumping around bodies, falling debris and laser cannons, Mattaki noted again the explosions were green. It was the signature of the Scincidians. His people had a tense relationship and a fragile peace with the Scincidians for centuries, but now that peace had been broken and it had nearly taken his fated mate with it. Mattaki cursed under his breath as he rounded the corridor and ducked inside a storage closet. Once inside, Mattaki looked around and disabled the automated entry with a single punch to the control panel. He held up his hand to calm his human woman. Her eyes were wild with fear. Her face smeared with the dark magenta of Mari-Ursian blood, but she did not appear injured herself. Another explosion startled her and she began screaming. "No, no. . ." Mattaki managed. He spoke the human language fairly well when he had time to form his words, but in the excitement, the words failed him. Not knowing what else to do he closed his hand around her mouth and faced her in an intense gaze.
"Do not be excited!" Mattaki knew this was the wrong phrasing but hoped she would understand. "I will help," Mattaki added. He tore at a tile on the wall with more force than he had ever used. Behind it was a small venting duct. He motioned for the female to crawl in but she only looked fearfully between him and the hole. "Y-y-you want me to crawl in t-t-there," she asked. Mattaki nodded. When she hesitated, he grabbed her by the arms and all but threw her near the wall. He did not have time to be gentle and persuasive. If he was to save her, she would have to submit to his command and go where he told her.
Mattaki pushed her through the duct for what seemed like miles, twisting and turning until at last they emerged in a dark warehouse. The sounds of the attack were ongoing, but seemed to be more distant now. Mattaki grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her along to a small shuttle craft. He touched several panels on the side and the entry opened. He pulled her inside and threw her in the navigator's seat. After punching another panel, he turned and strapped the human to the seat. In her shock, she said nothing but her jagged breath betrayed her fear. There would be time to console her later, for now her safety was all that mattered.
Chapter 8
Amelia didn't know if she should scream, cooperate or try to escape. Was this big alien trying to help her, or was he one of the ones trying to kill her? In her fear and adrenaline, it was hard to say. She told herself she should try to calm down and think things out rationally, but right now the tiny spaceship or shuttle or tuna can, whatever, was dodging and weaving through laser beams and explosions making her feel as if she had been sucked into a very realistic video game and all she could handle at the moment was her next breath. She was too afraid to scream, to afraid to react, and if she were honest, she was still hoping to wake up from whatever crazy ass dream she was having. That is, if she could keep from puking from all the jerky motions of the shuttle. The big alien guy had a look of utter concentration as he maneuvered around and through the obstacles. It seemed to be happening in both rapid and slow motion all at once. Flying debris flew up and hit the window of the craft and the big alien guy let out what Amelia could only guess was a string of profanities in the Mari-Ursian language. There didn't seem to be any damage and he kept flying, so he must not be too worried about it. That was some comfort at least, she thought.
At last they were through the worst of it, and stretching out before them appeared desert with bright red sand and strange yellow cacti, not unlike the images Ellenaki had shown her on the ship. Ellenaki! Amelia didn't know if she were alive or dead. Her thoughts turned to those of her friend. When the chaos erupted in the bay, Ellenaki had pulled her down into a deep crouching position and covered Amelia's body with her own. She had yelled at Amelia to not go back to the ship whatever she did, no matter what happened. Ellenaki had grabbed her shoulders and pushed her aside just as a piece of metal came falling and knocked her off of the platform. Amelia tried to look over the side to see if Ellenaki was ok, just as another Mari-Ursian medical officer collapsed on top of her. She whispered a small prayer in hopes her friend was ok.
Ahead of her, whispering to himself in a language she did not understand, the big alien guy looked from one screen to the next, typed in something that had to correspond to some otherworldly speed because in the next second, the shuttle shook and the scenery outside the window turned into nothing but blur. Amelia's stomach lurched and threatened revolt. As if he anticipated this, the big alien guy held up his hand to calm her. As if it were that easy, she thought.
Just as quickly as it had accelerated, the shuttle came to a halt. Gone was the desert, and in its place was a strange alien jungle. Amelia stared out in wide-eyed shock and wonder. Though they looked strange, there was no denying the lushness of vegetation, flowers and oddly shaped triangular trees. Amelia craned her neck to see as much outside of the window as possible while the big alien guy scanned some screens on the control panel. When he was satisfied, he turned and moved quickly to where Amelia sat strapped to her chair. Instinctively, she crossed her arms in front of her chest to protect herself. She was still unsure if she was a rescue or a captive. He met her eyes in a deep intense stare causing Amelia's heart to stand still. She knew those eyes. It seemed impossible, but they were the eyes from the countless dreams she had had aboard the spaceship. He held up his hands as if showing her he had no weapon. When Amelia could breathe again, she relaxed her arms and the big alien guy went about unstrapping her in a few deft moves. He hoisted her from the chair like she weighed nothing and threw her over his shoulder. Before she could even react he had them off the shuttle and inside some sort of house.
He deposited her quickly to a chair and knelt in front of her. Unable to contain herself any longer Amelia began crying and silently cursing herself. This was not the time to panic. She had to keep her wits about her, but everything was too much. Her adrenaline was coursing through her and making her shake all over.
"Do not be excited," he said looking at her with those intense and starry eyes. Amelia's breath hitched in her throat and she fought to not hyperventilate. She squeezed her eyes closed and concentrated with all she had to swallow the burning lump in her throat. She tried to concentrate on her breathing but it was difficult. She knew she was losing the fight to remain calm. She yelped when she felt his tough in the center of her chest. His massive hand spread acros
s her upper chest and he locked eyes with her. He breathed in, held it and then exhaled slowly. Soon Amelia mirrored his breathing and she felt herself calming.
His hand moved from Amelia's chest and he brushed a single tear from her cheek with his thumb. His tender gesture, intimate by Earth standards, was confusing given her current situation. "I am Mattaki," he said. Though she had heard him speak back at the Hive, it was still shocking to Amelia to hear him speaking English to her.
"You-you speak English," Amelia asked nervously.
"I speak Earth language," Mattaki acknowledged, not entirely sure if there was a difference.
"Do you . . . work at the Hive?"
"I am a warrior. I am assigned to the Hive. To protect it."
Amelia weighed her next question, not entirely sure she wanted to know the answer. "Do you know who attacked it?" Even as the words left her, she could feel her chin quivering.
"Yes, Scincidians," he spat with distaste.
"Why?"
"I do not know this," Mattaki answered.
Amelia had a thousand questions, but there was only one that she really needed an answer to, and that was the one she was most afraid to ask. She could feel herself tremble from the center of her chest, all the way down her back and through to her limbs. "Are you going to kill me?"
Mattaki looked at her strangely. How could she ask such a question? He wiped another tear from her cheek then tilted her face up to meet his intense gaze. "No, I wish to not harm you," he said with sincerity. Though she didn't know why, Amelia believed him. He could have left her on the platform to be killed, or he could have killed her a dozen times over by now. His eyes scanned over her face as if he were remembering and memorizing her at the same time, making her feel suddenly exposed. Too afraid to look away or move, she cleared her throat. "I'm Amelia," she whispered so softly she wondered if he even heard her.
