by Lewis, Anna
Such a race had the power and technology to take out entire planets of creatures. They were no longer concerned with making peaceful alliances with other worlds, but instead wanted to conquer everything in sight. Even their language sounded incredibly hateful, filled with hacking, spitting, and gargling. No one could understand a word of these strange creatures, let alone stand to be in their company for long lest one’s face get sprayed with the viscous saliva that spouted during conversation.
Perhaps this was what drove the Vihatagons to go on a massive killing spree, kidnapping intelligent beings from across the universe and prying knowledge from their brains in an effort to strengthen their own forces. Had they not been the laughing stock of the planet closest to them – Mildgorf, which was predominantly comprised of very short beings with large eyeballs – then maybe they wouldn’t be so enraged and compelled to take down everything in existence. Had the Mildgorfians been more receptive to the hacking and spitting, the hateful Vihatagons might have left them alone. It was the oldest lesson in history, that of accepting differences. Even other species had trouble with this ancient wisdom.
But the past is the past. The future of Earth was lying in a delicate balance. Meanwhile, Trevor and Lena were rushing into the tent to take cover from the drones. What were the drones doing flying through the field? The general instructed them to hold their positions until the attackers fired, warning that they didn’t want to agitate the aliens any further. Like many other parts of the world, the drones flew down between the soldiers and hovered about before retreating back up into the sky. It was the second time they had come down for a visit, formulating an action plan and gaining extensive knowledge of Earth’s layout.
General Sanders told the other military leaders of the world that they needed to gather their scientists at a heavily secure base. It was vital to the continued existence of the Earth to keep the scientists safe, informing them that their base was the safest in the world. In addition, he would have to send the message in code as he knew the aliens had their radios under surveillance, but could not use any of the normal codes, as the Eastern Alliance and other countries would not be able to decipher them. They opted, humorously enough, for pig Latin as it was something likely to confuse the opposing forces. But would it work? It wasn’t necessarily something logged into their language banks as far as an official language, so he was positive they wouldn’t be able to decipher the code. He grabbed one of his generals standing to his right, gripping the shoulders of the frightened man as his face turned red.
“Bring the scientists here,” he instructed the general firmly. “The future of our world depends on it.”
Chapter 3
“Commander Noble,” said General Sanders while popping into the tent. “We need your help.”
Trevor stood from the cot in the corner, saluting his general with his cybernetic arm, and then relaxing when the general raised his hand.
“What can I do, sir?” asked Trevor, standing firmly in place to await instruction.
“Well, what can you do?” asked the general while looking between Lena and Trevor. “Show me what your new parts are capable of.”
“Let’s go out into the open area. This is going to get a little rough,” suggested Lena while taking Trevor’s arm.
“I understand you’re the one who did all this,” said the general, pointing to the cybernetic parts. “It’s quite an accomplishment, young lady.”
Lena smiled.
“Thank you, sir,” she replied, disregarding the pet name she heard a million times under the doctors who taught her. “Trevor, stand out a ways and then start firing.”
Following her instruction, Trevor walked out into the field and began demolishing trees in the distance, nearly missing at one point and causing a group of soldiers to scatter.
“Here,” Lena said while walking over and tapping his left temple. “How’s that?”
Excitement filled him as he realized his optic nerve had been turned into a sniper scope, focusing on distant objects that made it easier to shoot. He was able to analyze all sorts of things from people to plants and could read the temperature as well.
“This is amazing!” he cried. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before when we were shooting targets at the hospital?”
Lena chuckled lightly, shrugging her shoulders.
“I suppose it didn’t cross my mind at the time,” she joked.
Trevor rolled his eyes with a huge grin, joining her laughter and playfully poking her arm.
“You always seem to do that. Is there anything else I should know? Anything...strange?” he asked while looking down at his body.
“I’m just joking,” she replied. “I wanted you to learn your new capabilities step by step, mastering each one in turn. But that’s the last one. I promise. Now, show the General how you can jump.” She turned to the General. “He can jump a huge amount higher than a normal person with that new leg, sir.”
With a wide smile, Trevor winked at Lena and then bent his knees, catapulting himself into the air about fifty feet or more and landing back down with a loud boom. The general’s mouth was hanging wide open, in awe of the amazing machinery that made him capable of accomplishing such a feat. A group of soldiers gathered around him after he landed, applauding him for being able to do such a thing and shoving Lena to the side while they reached out to admire his arm. Upset that she had been shoved away, Lena retreated to the tent. She listened to the sound of excited chatter and wiggled her nose at all the praise he was receiving for being a cyborg. He was her project. Why weren’t they surrounding her with hands of praise? After all, she was the one who developed the technology and the general was the first to approach her about a potential project.
Had she said no, Trevor wouldn’t be standing there receiving all that adulation. She desperately wanted to make an impression on the world, and Trevor was living proof that her genius could make a serious difference. Scoffing, she opened a notebook and began deciphering bits of the language she had heard. There wasn’t much she could do as most of it was spitting and gargling, something she had never heard in a language prior to today. Of course, there were languages in existence that involved the occasional hacking, but not at this magnitude. The tones were different as well and she made a note on the paper next to a few scribbles.
Cheering erupted from outside the tent after a mild explosion, Trevor likely discovering more functions of his parts. She should be out there supporting him, but her jealousy was overwhelming. Why would she subject herself to watching adulation for him, when it was she who deserved it? Many of the men expressed interest in having cyborg transformations, the lot of them raising their voices in heated discussion over what they would do. Outside of the tent stood Trevor who was looking around for Lena. She had disappeared after he had landed from his jump, the group crowding the area and effectively hiding her body.
How desperately he wanted her next to him even in the midst of being praised, knowing that it would make her proud to see him succeeding in all of the tests they had previously thought might fail. He was able to catapult himself out into the field a lengthy distance and land without breaking anything, something that he had feared the first time he had tried it. The arm’s ray gun was easier to control, his head no longer feeling faint after he used it, even a few times in a row. He wondered if there was a limit to that considering how he had been dizzy the first time. Would he ever run out of that energy? A thousand questions filled his mind that only Lena could answer, but she wasn’t present.
Looking around, Trevor noticed the light coming from the tent and figured she had gone inside to rest, the events of the day taking a toll on their bodies and minds. He could use a meal and a nap himself, walking in the direction of the tent only to be stopped by his commanding general.
“Are you up for the task, Commander? We’re relying on you to lead us to victory,” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” said Trevor, standing stiff in the face of his superior. “I will do
all that I can.”
“Good. We’ll bring you a meal before the sun sets. I’m sure you two are hungry by now. It’s been a hell of a day,” said the general.
Nodding, Trevor walked in the direction of the tent and stopped outside the fabric, peeking through the slit of the opening to see what Lena was doing. She was sitting on the cot writing furiously into a notebook, her forehead breaking out into a sweat. The intense concentration on her face made his loins stir and he thought about earlier in the day when they had made love. It was strange how these stressful situations made him crave her touch, the mere thought of being wrapped up in her body enough to cause him an erection. He peered around to see if anyone was watching. No one was within the vicinity to see his embarrassing arousal, though there was nothing embarrassing about his lover causing him to become stiff.
That brain of hers is working hard, he thought. I should make sure she’s okay.
Without hesitation, he walked through the opening of the tent and went to his beautiful lover who smiled as she greeted him, setting the notebook aside. Marching greeted their ears from the distance and they embraced, listening to the sounds of the thumping of boots pass by their tent. It was indeed a hell of a day.
Chapter 4
During their embrace, Lena sniffled as she realized the situation they were in. It was difficult to understand why this was happening or where it might lead. It was a maddening circle of thoughts that caused her to begin weeping in her lover’s arms. The concerned Trevor laid kisses upon her neck and rubbed her back as consolation while her sniffles began to subside. He leaned back and peered deep into her eyes, searching for that hint of hope that had been there earlier.
“What’s the matter, darling?” he whispered.
“I’m just worried,” she said. “And hearing you get praised just made me feel a little…less appreciated.”
A silence formed between them as Lena continued to sniffle, thinking about the incident that had happened earlier in the day. It was time to tell Trevor.
“I got fired today,” she said quickly, turning her gaze away from her lover.
“What?!” he cried.
“Dr. Grand found out about us and he fired me,” she explained.
“Why would he do that?” he asked, rubbing her arm.
“It's part of our oath. We're not supposed to get involved with patients. I thought it would remain a secret, but apparently he found out,” Lena replied. “I just can't believe I lost my job...”
Trevor’s eyes conveyed sympathy.
“Sweetheart, you are the brains behind my body,” he reminded her. “There’s no shortage of appreciation from me and from everyone else. That beautiful brain of yours brought me back to life. You should be proud. And screw anyone who can't see how much joy you bring me.”
Lena smiled, wiping any errant tears that proceeded to fall.
“I am proud,” she said. “And I’m glad I met you despite the fact that it cost me my job. It's just a little overwhelming. Everything sort of came down on me at once.”
“I understand. It’s been a rough day for us all. I’m sorry, darling,” he said as he pulled her into another embrace. “I wish there was more I could do to soothe your anxiety.”
“Just hold me for a while,” she whispered, shoving her face into his neck.
“Of course.”
Trevor continued to dot her shoulder with kisses, prompting her to moan softly in the dimming light surrounding them. Laying her back on the bed, she pulled open her coat and pulled him on top, the tiny cot squeaking beneath them. He turned to check the opening of the tent to make sure he had closed it and then proceeded to devour her breasts, taking each one out of its bra cup and wrapping his lips around the nipple. A soft bay escaped her lips and she quickly covered her mouth, hoping nearby soldiers couldn’t hear her. Swift lips slid down her torso and beneath her skirt to remove the barrier of her panties, her mouth humming in response to the stimulation between her soaked lips.
A tongue unfurled to greet her engorged tulip, tracing circles around the swollen skin that begged to be devoured. Her lips twitched in response to his tongue trailing down to her opening where it penetrated with ease. Fluid rushed from within to meet his mouth which he licked up fervently, relishing the delectable taste of her nectar. Another squeak escaped her lips as she writhed between the sheets, pulling her skirt up higher so she could watch him lap at her delicate flower and moaning at the sight of him licking her clean.
As he dipped down again, her eyes rolled up and her head fell back upon the pillow, her hips rolling forward as he lapped ardently at her opening. Circling back up to her bud, he pulled the swollen skin into his mouth and sucked, her thighs twitching under his grip. A wave of heat washed over her body as his tongue continued to trace over her petals and she bucked forward while gripping his hair. It inspired him to lick in a fervor, stimulating her into a state of bliss. Another round of moans indicated her impending climax and she shoved his face further into her petals as the moment arrived.
Her thighs squeezed together and she convulsed, feeling the tingle spread over the length of her torso and up into her throat. As a long moan escaped her lips, Trevor covered her mouth and sucked a little harder to elicit a fit of shaking. Her hands pulled at his hair for him to stop, giggling and shaking intermittently as he pulled away from her soaked lips.
“Baby, that’s enough,” she whispered through his fingers.
“I just had to make sure you were done,” he said, wiping his mouth on the sheet beneath them.
“I’m definitely done,” she said with a giggle. “Where did that come from?”
“I figured you could use the relief,” he said, crawling up the bed to kiss her lips. “I didn’t want you to feel stressed.”
“Thank you,” she whispered between kisses. “It felt good.”
“I’m glad,” he said.
“Do you want me to return the favor?”
Just as Trevor was about to respond, they heard a chorus of voices crying out from across the field and a number of explosions following. They both jumped from the cot, fixed their clothing, and ran out to meet the general who was panting. The scene unfolding before their eyes was one only written in books, a slew of colorful rays falling from the sky and causing a chaotic haze. As soldiers dodged the dangerous fire, they shouted between each other in an attempt to communicate. Another wave of rays came down and set the trees on fire in the distance, some of the explosions landing particularly close to their camp and causing them to hit the ground.
The earth shook with a great force as the camp erupted into a fit of chaos. Soldiers ran left and right in a frenzy, rushing towards injured comrades and trying to drag equipment to set up to return fire. While watching the wild scene, from the radio came another message in the gargling alien language, which the general asked Lena to translate.
“Do you have a computer?” she asked.
The general pointed to the tent.
“Give me an hour!” she shouted and retreated behind the fabric.
Typing furiously, she looked between her notes and the screen to see if she could find anything useful in the process. The transmission was loud enough for her to hear through the tent and she made a few more notes on the page. Her eyes darted across the screen and then back to the paper where she rushed to get the information sorted. This was a particularly difficult dialect as it was mostly comprised of hacking and spitting, something she had noted earlier during her brainstorming session. Another piece of the transmission floated to her ear and she stood quickly, knocking over the chair in triumph.
While running back out to the radio, she tripped over a fallen piece of shrapnel and hit the ground, her notes flying forward and landing at the general’s feet. Trevor helped her up and brushed off her clothing to which she thanked him. Leaning towards the speakers, she listened carefully while looking over her notes and began to vocalize what she thought they might be saying.
“Useless humans...send scientist
s...or face death.”
The general stood in shock over the statement, their eyes locking as she translated more of the garbled language.
“Face us…and meet your fate.”
Chapter 5
“What the hell do they need our scientists for?” asked General Sanders while pacing the ground.
“I’m not sure, sir, but it doesn’t sound good,” said Lena as she listened to the rest of the transmission. “They keep demanding them and saying to meet our fate. That’s all that they’re saying.”
“We can’t do that,” said the general, holding his head in his hands. “We simply can’t do that.”
“Then, we must fight,” said Trevor.
He stood tall in the rain of fire from the sky, his face stern amidst the chaotic panic that surrounded the three of them. Lena admired his strength and nearly fell into a fantasy about it until one of the explosions brought her back to reality.
“Sir, we must keep firing back. We can’t let them down here. Where are all the scientists now?” she asked.
“They’re being hidden in the secure base,” the general whispered over the sounds of men crying. “We have to protect that base.”
“Send reinforcements that way and make sure they don’t penetrate that area. I’ll go out into this field and help these men fire back,” said Trevor.
As soon as he said so, he dove into the field and began shooting at the drones buzzing about the field. They were relentless, covering nearly every inch of land as he dipped and ducked behind trees. Men around him fell in agony with all sorts of injuries, their blood soaking the earth just as his had weeks ago. Up above, the Vihatagons were speaking heatedly amongst themselves in their spitting, hacking language as they attacked the ground, watching the results of their destruction with what appeared to be grins. It wasn’t easy to tell whether the Vihatagon was smiling as their faces were so distorted into ugliness from the years of killing.
