“Sure thing. No problem,” Zelan said as he walked away. I felt a stab of pain when he left. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye. However, I saw enough of his face to know that he wasn’t happy. His veins were pulsing a deep blue, his eyes were furrowed, and he had no smile. Normally, he smiled when he spoke with me. I missed his smile and the purple veins, and these feelings had me confused. But I couldn’t give in. Not now.
About an hour later Paris showed up. I got excited when I saw her. I needed to talk to her about what had happened this morning, but more importantly, I needed to discuss my feelings for Zelan. They were becoming more intense, and I needed some answers. “Paris, it is good to see you. I take it Telan was able to get my message to you?” I grabbed ahold of the bars in front of me as she walked closer.
“Yes, I passed him on the way to the mess hall, and he told me you needed to see me tonight. What’s up? Are you okay?” She looked me over and her brow furrowed when she noticed how dirty I was. They hadn’t let us shower yet, so I can only imagine how bad I looked.
“Is there anywhere we can go to talk? I have some important questions. Questions that shouldn’t be asked out in public like this.” I waved to my surroundings. Talking about my feelings was going to be hard enough, but doing so with an audience? That would not happen.
She looked around the room and grabbed her lower lip with her teeth, “Yes, I think we can get an escort to my room. I will see what we can do about getting you some clean clothes and a shower as well.”
I sighed with relief, “Thank you so much, Paris!” I smiled and backed into Lucy. There wasn’t much room in here, and I needed to make sure the cell door wasn’t crowded or our jailers wouldn’t open it.
Lorlo was the closest guard, and Paris had gestured for him to come over. “Hi there, Lorlo. Can you open this door? I need to take Natalie with me to my room.” She pointed to me.
“Sure, but does the Commander know you are doing this? I don’t want him coming down on me for letting a slave out if there isn’t permission.”
“She is not a slave! How many times do I have to tell you guys! Ugh, just let her out. I will take full responsibility. We are going to my quarters, so the Commander will know, if he doesn’t already.” She pointed to the cameras on the wall nearest my cell. I wondered if the Commander watched her every move on this ship via those cameras.
“Alright, have it your way. It’s your head if he doesn’t like this.” Lorlo shook his head and unlocked my cell.
I walked out and was going to hug Paris, but she put up her hand, “No way. No hugs until you have showered.” Then she waved her hand in front of her face and scrunched her nose. “Lorlo, you guys need to make sure the women are getting a chance to shower on a regular basis. Haven’t you noticed how ripe it is in here?”
“Yes, well, um...” He nervously moved from foot to foot. “The Captain, he doesn’t want the slav…. I mean, humans, to walk around the ship. He told us we had to keep them here.”
“Are you planning on keeping them from showering for the next five months? You do realize they will get sick and could die from infections? Right?” The look she gave Lorlo could kill a lesser man, and he wasn’t immune to it either. He backed up, licked his lips, and quickly blinked his eyes.
“I am just following orders, ma’am. If you can get the Commander to allow it, we would be happy to escort the humans to showers on a regular basis.” Lorlo quickly locked the cell door. He stayed behind me, and out of Paris’ line of sight. What a chicken.
"Come on, Natalie. Let's go get you cleaned up. Then we can chat about what's been going on lately." She led the way to her cabin in silence. A guard I didn't recognize followed us, and after about two or three steps, he increased the distance between us. I lifted up my right arm and smelled. Yup, I was ripe for the picking! Gross! Maybe Zelan wasn't upset with me; instead, he was disgusted with how dirty I was.
We made it to her room and the guard stayed outside. She didn’t say anything to him, he just seemed to know his place. Strange. Once we were inside her quarters I asked her, “Who is that guard outside?”
“Oh, that is just Golen. He is one of my regular bodyguards.” She gestured dismissively toward the door.
“Don’t you mean jailor? Did you just change one cell for another one? Albeit, a nicer cell, but it still seems like you are a prisoner.”
“No, he really is here to protect me. I can go anywhere I want and no one says anything. Well, unless I try to go outside. Venay doesn’t want me anywhere near those insectoids. I don’t blame him. They are pretty dangerous, and I am still healing from when I first met them.” She chuckled as she led me to the bathroom.
“Why are you laughing? That seems like it would be awful, not funny.” I stepped inside their bathroom. It was small compared to the ones back home. However, it was the largest I had seen on either space ship.
“Sorry, I was just remembering yesterday. I got turned around on this ship, and Venay was just walking with me. We were out for a stroll, so to speak. Anyway, I was leading and led us straight outside. He thought it was a ploy on my part to go somewhere. Not really sure where he thought I would go. However, he wasn’t too happy with me. Instead of saying anything, he picked me up caveman style and threw me over his shoulder. He hightailed it back here, and when he put me down, the look on his face was priceless!” Instead of a chuckle, she was full on laughing now. She even bent over at the waist and held her stomach. I didn’t see what was so funny.
The Commander walked into the area where we were standing, “It wasn’t funny. I truly thought you were trying to run away. The Captain had been putting negative thoughts inside my head all day regarding the humans and how dangerous they were. He isn’t a fan of mating with humans. He said he preferred to be single if his fated mate turned out to be a human.” He sighed and kissed Paris on her forehead before heading back into the bedroom.
“I don’t get it. What was the look that made you laugh?” I scratched my head as I looked between the two of them.
“He was so distraught. Instead of being mad, he looked like he was about to cry. His forehead was creased, and I could see the hurt in his eyes. I thought I even felt the sadness coming from him. When I explained that I was just turned around, his expression quickly changed, and he kissed me long and hard. We, well, nevermind. But it was funny how he thought I wanted to run away from him, especially after the mating ceremony and the wonderful nights we have had since then. There is no way I would leave him now. We have become bonded in a way I never thought possible.” She smiled, pulled out two towels, and handed them to me.
“Thanks, but that still didn’t seem very funny. At least not that funny. But I guess I it was one of those, you had to be there, moments?” I took the towels, turned and set the towels down inside.
“Yea, probably. I will never forget that pained look on his face. At least I know he never wants me to leave him. That’s good.” She turned to leave, then over her shoulder she said, “I will bring in some clean clothes for you. I don’t want you putting any of those clothes back on again.” She plugged her nose letting me know I stunk. “Their washing machine probably won’t be able to clean those so we might as well burn them.”
"Ok, sure." I went inside and took one of the best showers I’d ever had. I washed and conditioned my hair twice. That was probably overkill, but you never knew what yucky stuff made it back into the ship with me. The shower water ran quite dirty for the first seven or eight minutes. So, I didn't feel too bad about taking a fifteen-minute shower.
Once I was ready, Paris was in the living room waiting for me. She had set out a tea service with something that looked like it might be cookies. Since it was alien, I couldn’t really tell.
I sat down next to her on the couch. “Here try this tea.” She handed me a cup of warm tea that smelled like a mix of peppermint and cinnamon.
“Hmmm, what is it? It smells wonderful!” I took a slow sip, and it was fabulous.
“They call it
comfort tea. Or at least that is the closest translation. I have been drinking this since I made my way back to Venay when we were on the other ship. Maybe each night you can join me and some of the other mates for our evening tea. The last few nights we have made it a tradition. I would have invited Lisa and Sheila tonight, but it sounded like you wanted to talk about something more than gossip. Am I right?”
“Yes, although I think I might like an evening of tea and gossip.” I took a deep breath and decided to go for it. “Paris, how can you be married to a man who abducts humans for a living?” I put the tea down on the saucer in my lap and looked at her.
“I was wondering when I would be asked that question. However, I am surprised it is you who is asking me first. Have you changed your mind about mating with a V’Zenian?”
"No, well, I don't know. There is one alien who has been paying me special attention. But I can't forget what they do and what happened to me. Although, I have come to realize that this really was a good thing for me. My fiancé was a horrible man. It took me until earlier today to realize this. At the same time, I realized that I am too strong to let myself back into an unhealthy relationship." I took a sip from my tea and relaxed my shoulders.
“What makes you think that choosing a mate from those here on this ship would be unhealthy?”
“Choosing any alien who abducts people to use as slaves would be unhealthy. I thought you felt the same way? Which is why I am here right now. How can you be okay with what the Commander does for a living?”
Paris took a deep breath, “I am not okay with what he has been doing for the past few years. But, I chose him because I am in love with him. Truly, I believe that I can help our people more by being right where I am. In time, an opportunity will present itself where I can change the status quo. If I am elsewhere, say as a slave, I won’t have an opportunity to do anything except cause a revolt on their planet. That won’t help either side.”
“Will you accompany him on his next trip to Earth to grab more women and men?”
“Yes, they are gone for almost a year when everything goes as planned. I can’t be away from my husband that long, it isn’t healthy. Also, it might afford me an opportunity to change a few things. I have been discussing with him the possibility of taking longer to get the women, and even men. There are a couple of ideas in my head rolling around. We have discussed some of them, but I think we need to see what happens in the next year. You never know what their leaders might decide, especially since it looks like there will be war with the Zateelians.” She picked up a cookie and offered it to me.
“Thanks, what are these?” I looked at it closely before taking a small, tentative bite.
“I don’t really know what they are, but they remind me of madeleines. My favorite coffee house sold them. Once in a while when I had some extra change I would get one with my coffee. They were my second favorite treat.” She smiled as she remembered her experiences.
“Paris, what happened to you? I heard you were homeless at a young age. Did your parents die?” She never did explain to any of us what happened.
“Sorry, I can’t share that with you, at least not until I explain it all to Venay. He has asked a couple of times, and I just can’t bring myself to talk about it yet.” She sniffed and wiped a tear away from her face.
"Sorry, let's talk about something else. Did you hear about my adventure today?" I said in a not so excited voice. It was anything but an adventure. Why those stupid aliens thought to bring a bunch of women along for that journey…I just couldn't believe it.
“Yes, Venay was pretty upset with Zelan. After you found those women, you should have come back to the ship. I think that Zelan just wanted to spend time with you so badly that he wasn’t thinking about the dangers for you. And now we have lost a warrior to the insectoids. Venay is very protective of his people. Losing a warrior has affected him, more than he wants to acknowledge.”
“What about those women? They died such a horrible death. Did he think about them at all?” I knew that Tosie died a painful death, but at least it was quick. Those girls suffered for hours before we found them.
"Yes, he was heartbroken when he found out. At least he can visit with Tosie's family and tell them their son died with honor in battle. The families of those women will never know what happened to them. And the way they died… Venay actually shuddered when Zelan told him. He told me it is one of the worst ways to die. Tomorrow he is sending out several search parties to see if he can recover any more of our people before the bugs get them." She shook her head and sighed.
“Do you think that anyone will willingly come back here? I don’t think they would. If it was me, and I hadn’t seen the insectoids yet, I wouldn’t do it.”
“Same here. I think that is another reason why Zelan wanted a few of you along. So you could explain to the survivors why it is so important they come back willingly. Venay said it was too dangerous, so no more humans on the missions. At least, not until they have killed every single cockroach.”
I nodded my head in agreement. “That’s smart. Do you think they will get any replicators tomorrow? I don’t know if I can take another day of that gross chalk they have been feeding us.” I almost gagged just thinking about it.
“I must admit, that was one of the biggest reasons why I accepted Venay’s offer!” She laughed and I followed suit. “He promised me real food, so I said yes.”
I could believe that. If I hadn’t of just decided earlier today to stay out of unhealthy relationships, I might let Zelan claim me as his mate. Just so I could have better food, and a bed!
“I hope they do bring at least two back. Feeding our ‘guests,’ as Cazon affectionately calls them, is going to be difficult if we can’t get them better food,” she said.
“Yeah, but, do you think we will be here for five months? Stuck in this ship?”
"Most likely. Venay said the other two ships that were fighting the insectoids in space left to get needed repairs from the closest space station they have. But they were not going home. Instead, they received new orders to patrol the border between the Zateelians and V'Zenians. I guess war is on the horizon, and they need more warships on the border. Venay isn't even sure if he will go back to Earth anytime soon. He might need to command a battle cruiser. His commanding officer, an Admiral Hosha'an, told him to stay here and help protect the settlement as well as this ship until reinforcements arrive." Paris took another sip of her tea.
“Does that mean that you will be leaving us and going to the outpost?” I sat up straight and wondered how bad it would get if the Commander left the Captain in charge here. Something told me that would be very bad for us humans.
"Only for a few days. Venay wants to make sure their defenses are appropriate and he also wants to take the shuttlecraft they have and see if he can find any more of our people or the insectoids. We have to find everyone before the re-supply ship arrives. Maybe if we can secure the planet, then Venay will allow more freedom for all of you. Hopefully, me too! I know he means well, but at times it does feel like I traded one jail cell for another. Although, I do enjoy this one!" She raised her eyebrows in a suggestive manner, and I knew I did not want to know any more details.
“Will you go with the Commander when he leaves?”
“He won’t leave me here. He said until we get to his home world he doesn’t want me far from him. He feels safer that way, and quite a few crew members have asked that I not fight him on this. Apparently, when I am not around he is a real bear to deal with. Even the doctor asked me to stick close to Venay.”
“Yikes! Alright, can I go with you? Do you think you could find a reason to take me along? Paris, you have seen the cells here. It is so packed that we can barely move around in there. Maybe take a few women with you.”
“What reason do I give? I am not going to suggest they stay as slaves here on this planet. I am still hoping to get them freed by the time we get back to their home world.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you
could say some of them want to see if their mates are in the settlement? Would the Commander buy that excuse?” I asked.
She tapped her forefinger to her lips, put her thumb under her chin, and “hmm’d” for a while. “That might work. But I think Venay knows who your fated mate is. Although, if we could get Zelan to go with us, then it would make sense to bring you. That would be an easier sell. I’ll talk to him tonight about it and see if I can finagle a few more women too.”
“I can hear you even with the door closed, you do realize that don’t you?” Venay said as he walked out into the living room.
"Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"
“No, I just heard you mentioning my name so I paid attention. As soon as you said, ‘gossip,’ I tried very hard not to listen.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Then sat down right next to her.
“So, Natalie, you want to go to the outpost with us? Why?” Venay looked at me and I quaked a bit in my boots, so to speak. He was very imposing. Even sitting down, he still towered over me. He didn’t pulse blue or purple, he was pulsing orange and yellow. Didn’t orange mean frustration? I hoped he wasn’t frustrated with me.
"Well, I’ll be honest. Those cells are so tight we can't even sit down in them. We are packed in there like sardines. I had to ask to see Paris in order to get a shower. Since we arrived on ship, no showers have been granted to any of us." I tried looking him in the eyes, but I couldn't. He made me nervous. How did Paris deal with him? Surely he always got his way with her. Maybe that is why she married him? He strong-armed her into it.
“I have not been down to the cells yet. First thing tomorrow I will take a look. However, I will make sure that everyone gets a shower on a regular basis. There is no excuse for not keeping you all clean. If the doctor knew this, he would be livid.” He stood up and went back to the other room, but stopped just short of the door, “Natalie, if I were you, I wouldn’t keep Zelan waiting too much longer. I have heard the gossip about him and some other woman. Zelan wants a mate. If you care for him, you will find a way to accept what he does. Paris has accepted what I do. Maybe she can help you.” Then he walked into his room.
Worlds Collide: Sci-fi Adventure/Romance (Alpha Alien Abduction Tale Book 2) Page 4
