As they approached the small building which housed her friends, Alana struggled to hold back her tears. She couldn’t believe she had literally fallen into the alien’s arms. In the darkness she stumbled over the uneven surface. The alien’s grip tightened. Its warmth seeped through her cloak giving her an unexpected feeling of comfort.
Nothing was going right.
Her shoulders slumped as resignation flooded over her like a tsunami, as dark as the night enveloping this foreign world. Her friends were going to be very disappointed but what choice did they have? They were outnumbered, out-gunned, by both the Elite Forces and these overgrown brutes. So far, though, these aliens had not hurt them, rather, their leader had treated her with a surprising consideration that frightened her on a wholly different level. Alana shivered again and the alien pulled her closer still until she was jammed up against the hardness of its protective armour. Alana wondered what manner of being inhabited this shell. She had to work hard to repress her over-active imagination as images from old vids flashed across her mind.
No way, was she going to think about that ‘research’ business.
“Which building?” At her side, the alien’s soft query interrupted her chaotic thoughts.
Alana hesitated.
She lifted her manacled hands to press her aching temples. Make a decision and see it through—her step-father’s favourite mantra. A sob tightened her throat. Oh god, this is not the time to lose it. She needed to maintain a confident facade for her friends.
“It’s this one.” She gestured with her linked hands.
No light leaked through the one small window. The building was a dark hulking shadow melding with an even darker sky. Alana glanced up and for the first time realised she could no longer see any stars. The mist had risen, forming a heavy blanket of cloud above her head and blocked her vision of the night sky.
Bloody hell it was cold.
With clumsy hands she knocked the agreed signal on the door. After a few moments wait, she heard the rusty scrap of bolts being drawn back. Once again, she found herself being thrust behind the alien as it interposed itself between her and the opening door.
The alien forced its way inside.
“Oh, moma!” Jessamine shrieked.
“I’m thinking this would have to be a classic case of out of the frying pan and into the fire,” drawled Linette. “I’m also thinking we made a mistake accepting you as our leader, Alana.”
“Rubbish!” Jessamine stomped over to thrust her angry face nose-to-nose to the blonde woman.
“I’m not so sure. If she’s so top notch, than why was she sidelined into testing military equipment?”
All eyes swivelled in Alana’s direction. The familiar clutch of guilt squeezed her gut. She licked her dry lips. “I asked to be transferred.”
Linette narrowed her eyes. “By the look on your face, I’m surmising there was a reason.”
“Yes, there was a reason. A good reason.” Alana took a shaky breath. “My last active mission resulted in several casualties. I took full responsibility.”
”I told you so. We don’t need a loser giving us orders.” Her voice almost a shriek, Linette stabbed an accusing finger into the air. “Our lives are at stake here and she has given us over to the enemy!”
“No one could have done better than Alana. Certainly not a stuck up toffy-nosed bitch!” Jessamine bristled in defence.
“Oooh! I’m the daughter of a baron you tenement low-life. My family can trace our line back to William the Conqueror. Yours probably goes back to the trees. How dare you speak to me like that!” Linette’s hand flashed out and was caught in a hard grip before she could make contact. She whirled, panting with both dislike and fear.
“Enough! Both of you.” Alana gave the directive with confidence. She released her hold over Linette’s hand and thrust her shoulder between the two snarling women. “Our enemy is not in this room. It’s outside. Linette, if you’re not happy with our current arrangement, I’m prepared to step aside if you have an alternative. But I have to remind you I’m the only one here who has military training. Plus, the UEC made me second-in-command; now that our Colonel is missing with the men that makes me in charge.”
No one spoke as Linette evaded her eyes and turned away with a sullen shrug.
“Ok, moving on people. Now I know we’re all disappointed and scared, but I can assure you being here on this ship is our best option at the moment.”
“Our one option really,” Elise agreed, her serious expression making her look a lot older than her seventeen years. Her long brown lashes fluttered over her sky-blue eyes. She spread her hands wide in a conciliatory gesture and smiled. “You did the right thing, Alana, and I for one am happy you’re taking charge. We’re safe for the moment and that’s the most important thing.”
“Absolutely,” muttered Jessamine. She stepped away from the other girl and held out her hand. “Sorry, Linette. Guess I just got carried away.”
The blonde woman’s lips thinned with constrained emotions, but she shook the proffered hand.
“Now that’s all settled. Anyone else?” Alana took her time to look into the other women’s faces, seeing all too clearly, weariness, despair, fear and to her surprise, trust.
Trust in her.
With effort she buried her fear of failure deep within herself. The luxury of giving in to her feelings was something denied as a leader. And what these women needed now was a leader, not a woman giving into a full blown display of feminine hysterics. She sucked in a deep breath and took a moment to steady herself.
“Don’t forget we escaped once, we can do it again,” interjected Elise with a cheerful grin.
“So true, honey,” agreed Jessamine.
The women murmured their assent and tension lightened in the small room. Her friend continued, “Any clues as to where this ship is headin’?”
“None so far. All I know is the Elite Forces want us dead in the water and these Darkons want us alive. Hence my choice of what I considered to be the lesser of two evils.”
”Bein’ alive is sure better than dead.” Jessamine nodded and her long dusky curls bounced on her shoulders.
“Yes. Mmmm.” Alana hesitated, searching for the right words. It wouldn’t do to start a panic attack if what she suspected was true, at least not yet. “I believe they want to keep us unharmed.”
“So what now, Captain?”
“Now, I think we should all take some time out and get some rest. We’ve been on the go for—” Alana checked her watch. “Wow. It’s been almost twenty hours since we last slept. Now, is not the time to be making any decisions people. Grab a bunk and try to sleep. You too, Norman.” She reached out and briefly touched his arm. “I’m sorry your friends chose to leave us. But, at least they are free.”
Norman’s small mouth puckered into a tight dot. He nodded.
“What I sure wouldn’t give for a shower right now.” Jessamine sighed. Her pretty face registered distaste as she plucked at the sleeve of her flight suit.
“You wish to be clean?” queried Norman. Interest flared to life in his eyes.
“Well, yeah.”
“Why do you not use the cleansing tubes?”
Jessamine gaped at him. “You mean there is a method of actually gettin’ clean here and you didn’t tell us?”
“I did not consider it relevant,” huffed Norman.
”Okay, settle down.” Alana felt her lips twitch with suppressed amusement at her friend’s outrage and the alien’s bewilderment. “Norman, please show everyone where these tubes are and how to use them.”
“Very well, Alana,” he said in huffy tones and stalked over to the far wall, Jessamine hot on his heels. His lecture was succinct. Soon the women were lining up to use the facility.
Some time later, having made use of the cleansing tubes with their blasts of hot humid air, water on the battleship being restricted for internal use only, Alana sat on the floor with her back propped against the wall. Her friends a
nd Norman squatted close by and watched the line of tired but happy women moving in and out of the small passageway at the far side of the room, which led to the cleansing tubes. “This seems to be lifting morale a little.”
“Definitely and you’re also avoiding the subject.” Elise narrowed her eyes at Alana. “Now we have a bit of privacy, you can tell us what you think is really going on. Seriously, you didn’t think we could be fobbed off with platitudes.”
“Yeah, time to spill, honey.” Jessamine wriggled over to sit beside her and leant her head against the wall. “I sure am tired but I just know I won’t be able to sleep a wink. All I can think of is those damn experiments. I know if I continue to think about it, I’ll probably throw up those yummy rations we ate.”
Tina grimaced and placed a hand on her tummy. “Ugh, now I feel sick again.”
Ignoring the others, Elise continued, “Come on Alana. We’re not idiots and we can take it.”
Alana sighed. “You’re right. I need to fill you in on what I know so far.” She went on to relate the brief history lesson Norman had given her earlier at the crash site.
Elise wrinkled her brows. “Energy spheres, wow.”
“Some form of energy source which powers their spaceships. They use it to get from different points in the universe by travelling through black holes.”
“This is so totally amazing.” Elise eyes widened with delight. “I wonder how they work. I can’t wait to find out. This is so awesome!”
“Please, honey. I beg you. Don’t get technical. I can’t stand it.” Jessamine groaned.
Tina and Linette exchanged horrified glances.
Jessamine heaved a loud sigh and said with slow emphasis, “Let me get this straight here. We are in the middle of a war between technologically advanced aliens and we’re also being hunted by all of them?”
“Yeah, that’s about it.” Alana closed her eyes. Damn, but she was tired. “The good news is these aliens don’t want to kill us. They also helped us to escape the traders’ ship by engaging the Elite Cruiser.”
“I suppose that’s good news,” admitted Jessamine. “But why? I sure can’t see why we’re so important.”
Alana shrugged and kept her eyes shut.
“What if they’re cannibals?” Elise’s voice shook.
”Now, I coulda sworn you could only be cannibals if you’re human. These guys could be anything!”
“Who cares what they are? You know what I mean!”
“That makes so much sense. Don’t forget they were willing to pay the traders. It’s not as if there’s a supermarket close by here. I can’t believe I’ve been reduced to the rank of food,” Linette whispered in a hoarse voice.
“Oh my God!” White faced, Tina’s expression fixed with fear. She gave every appearance of a woman on the verge of fainting.
Alana’s eyes snapped open. Oh, oh hysteria alert! Time to reduce everyone’s emotions a notch or two. Facts would be handy. “Okay everyone, let’s have some quiet. I seriously don’t believe we’ve been kidnapped to be served up on someone’s plate. I’m sure Norman can confirm whether these aliens are cannibals or not. Well, Norman ?”
The Jurian turned towards her. His eyes were standing out like stalks as he interpreted the gist of the conversation. “You think they wish to eat you?” he squeaked. The incredulity in his voice had the women relaxing with relieved sighs.
“We’re not sure, which is why we’re asking you,” Alana reached over and patted one of Norman’s thin hands.
Norman snorted. “Of course this is not right. The Darkons do not eat other races.” He paused. His eyes rolled until nothing but white showed. He edged away from them. “Do not tell me you come from a planet where this occurs?”
“Well …,” began Elise who prided herself on facts and figures.
Alana interrupted before the young girl could destroy their burgeoning friendship with this alien. Their only ally. It was plain to see Norman was not comfortable being in the presence of possible cannibals. There was such a thing as too much information. She rubbed a hand over her face, recognising from her wild distorted thoughts she also was on the verge of losing it.
“Norman, I assure you not one of us here intends to eat anyone else. We are not cannibals.”
The Jurian nodded his large head.
An uneasy silence fell over the small group until Jessamine snapped her fingers. “I’ve got it!”
At Jessamine’s excited tones, Alana frowned. Her friend had leaned forward and her dark brown eyes sparkled with life. Curious, the other girls leaned forward too.
“Sex.” She smacked her lips. “I just bet these guys want us as sex slaves.”
“What!” shrieked Linette.
Several women turned their way.
Smiling, Alana waved a casual hand in their direction and said through her teeth, “For heaven’s sake, keep your voice down. Jessamine. Why the bloody hell did you say that for?” She was relieved when the other women lost interest and turned away.
“‘Cause I think it’s true.” Jessamine tilted her pointed chin skyward.
“Shush,” Alana warned again.
”Now listen, here.” Jessamine lowered her voice to a whisper and the others scooted closer. “Somethin’ happened to me, when we were being escorted through the ship.” Jessamine paused.
“Well, go on!” demanded Elise.
“There were these two hulkin’ guys. Aliens. Whatever they are. I mean, they sure were huge. I’m tall but they were way taller than me. Anyway, they just strode over. One sniffed me. Right there. Near my neck. While the other guy ran his hand over my hair.”
“This can’t be happening. Now I’m going to be ill.” Linette moaned, rolling her eyes, her face as white as snow.
“And I sure can’t help wonderin’ what’s under all their armour,” Jessamine murmured. A frown drew her dark brows together while she absently twiddled with a lock of said hair.
Tina and Elise exchanged horrified glances. “And that’s it? That’s all that happened?” Elise queried.
Jessamine huffed out a breath. “Honey, it wasn’t so much as what happened, it was the way they did it. Got me thinkin’ it has to be about sex. Norman says they’ve been looking for females. He refers to them as male. And they sure just stand and stare at us a lot. The whole thing gave me shivers down my spine.”
“Oh, yes,” Linette agreed and shuddered with distaste.
“Lin, honey, it wasn’t that type of shiver.” Jessamine’s mouth twisted into a wry smirk.
Alana swallowed hard on the bubble of laughter that welled up at Linette’s appalled expression.
“Same here.” Tina blushed when they all turned to stare at her. “I mean, not the shiver. Just the attention one of them gave me.”
“See! There was this here amazin’ pull feeling. As if I was being drawn towards them like a magnet.” Jessamine slapped her hands together then pointed theatrically at Alana. “And you can’t deny the leader sure has an interest in you.”
Despite her best intentions, Alana’s cheeks burned as everyone turned towards her and stared. She ignored the question in Jessamine’s eyes. There was no way she was giving voice to the confusing sensations which beset her every time the alien leader got close to her. It had to be a combination of loneliness, tiredness and fear.
That was all.
She hoped like hell it wasn’t a case of Stockholm Syndrome.
“Well, nothing like that happened to me.” Elise sounded almost aggrieved and Alana rolled her eyes.
“Early days yet, girl.” Jessamine comforted the young girl.
Alana rubbed her hands over her face, concealing her amusement at her outrageous friend’s comments. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. But in the meantime, we all need to get some rest. And I don’t want any of this conversation repeated to the other women. Is that understood?”
”Yes sir, Captain,” Jessamine quipped. “No seriously, you know I wouldn’t alarm the other women, Alana.”
“I know. It looks as if everyone has finished. Norman, can you please try to dim these lights?”
“Yes, I can do this, Alana.” Norman, who had been a silent and thoughtful spectator throughout, hurried over to a panel on the wall.
The lights dimmed. Alana cast herself onto a bunk, linking her hands together above her head to stare at the ceiling. She could hear the other women’s soft voices, the rustle of clothing and hoped they would be able to sleep.
What a day!
She smoothed the skin around her wrists where the manacles that overgrown moron had clapped on her, had left faint bruises. A quiver ran through her tired body. Her clothes offered little protection against the chill of the low temperature which the aliens favoured. She could rise and pull on the flight suit over her cargo pants and tee but even performing such a simple act seemed too much effort.
A bone-deep weariness crept over her. Her limbs grew heavy. Her lids drooped. Despite her best intentions to plot and worry over their situation, her eyes closed. She drifted off.
Something feather-light and gentle touched her face. It travelled a path from her temple to her chin. It moved with excruciating slowness over her lips, lingering on their contours.
This was no dream. It was here. Beside her.
Alana came to full wakefulness, but a strange lassitude kept her eyes closed. Life fizzled and zapped along her nerve ends. She heard its breathing even and deep, sensed it was bending over her. Studying her.
His touch left her face.
Then he placed a hand onto her stomach, his heat searing through her pants, the tip of one finger resting on the edge of her mound. A tingle flared to life, frissoned over her skin like the stroking of a million feathers. Alana’s eyes snapped opened. She reared up from the bunk. Outraged at the intrusion, she grabbed his hand forcing it away from her body and glared at his dim outline. Only when he evaded her grasp and enclosed her hand with his, did she realise he wasn’t wearing his armoured gloves. His skin rough in texture warmed her cooled flesh. His grip remained firm and sure when she tried to shake free.
Legend Beyond The Stars Page 6
