by Maia Starr
Then something else that Alexis said struck me: that I would soon be off to be a forever mate for a Corillion. Baradur must have mentioned it to her in order for her to bring it up. It was probably going to be sooner than I thought. That made me panic beyond belief. I had to figure out a way out of it. But how? There was no way that I could escape. I was not a pilot. I could not steal a ship and fly back to Earth. It was just not possible. Even if I did, I knew they would hunt me down and find me quickly, and then there would be extreme punishment.
There must be some other way. I wondered if any of our crew or science colleagues had made it back to Earth. I did remember that a few escaped. I remembered hearing Dr. Elmore had ejected his escape pod successfully, and a few others. I did not want to tell Alexis this because I knew that telling her meant I was telling Baradur. As much as I had feelings for Duron, the Corillion alien race was still the enemy of humans and Earth. I had to remain on the side of my own species. I just had to.
Now that I knew I was alone for many hours and would not be visited again until the same time the next day by Alexis, I had the freedom to look around the living quarters. I did not know what I was searching for, but I had to find something to help me. I searched every control panel on the walls, opening and closing windows. I opened cubby holes and uncovered shelves with gadgets and guns. There were a lot of hidden things in the walls. But nothing that could really help me, until a panel slid open revealing something that looked very familiar to me.
"No way. Could it be?" I said to myself as I moved to it.
Even in the advanced Corillion technology that I was staring at, I knew what it was because it was my field of expertise. It was a communication set up. I was a scientist that studied sounds and signals in deep space. I could use this. I could figure out how it worked and I could hack it to send a signal that hopefully would reach humans, that would reach Earth. I excitedly sat down at the communication panel and began to play around with the buttons and switches, listening to the signals and sounds that it made. I studied the frequency of the airwaves and the magnitude of power that it had. I knew that Duron was a commander and that meant that he sometimes had to communicate with the ships that were in deep space, so this must be a far-ranging communication device. I could use this. I could do this.
For many hours, I worked on the communication device, sending strong signals in Morse code, something that I knew that humans would be able to decipher, but not the Corillion. I sent my identity and my coordinates of the moon base of Altid. I did this every day as often as I could between visits with Alexis; it gave me meaning and it gave me hope. An entire week went by doing this, not knowing if anyone was receiving it on Earth. I had to try regardless. Meeting with Alexis to eat and get food from her was the highlight of my day, and it was good to have some company. Eventually, she came through on her promise and we walked around the hallways of the moon base for an hour before I returned to the living quarters. It was good to get out.
Then one day when I was expecting Alexis, she did not show up. Instead, a warrior showed up at the door.
"Follow me,” he said to me.
"Why? Where are you taking me? Where is Alexis?” I asked.
"Do not ask questions, human female. Obey my orders,” he said to me.
I followed him out of the living quarters and was terrified. This was it. They were going to put me in a ship and send me off to some Corillion leader that I had never met. He would force me to be his forever mate. I wished that I could speak to Duron at this moment. I wished that I had tried to contact him with his communication panel, but all of that was of no use now. Soon I was pushed into the same room that I had met Alexis the very first time, when Duron arranged for us to meet.
"Hello? Alexis?" I said.
There was no one in the room, and then the door opened. I was surprised by who walked in.
"How is Altid treating you, Shia Heton, human female scientist?” Baradur said as he walked in.
"As well as can be expected for a captive,” I said to him.
He laughed a bit and then said, “I see that none of your fire has left you. It must be from the color of your hair. It is very unusual.”
"Why am I here?” I said, not trusting him as he moved as far across the room from him as possible.
"I must say, it has been difficult getting a match for you. Even though the Corillion leaders are faced with death, rumors of your feistiness and color of hair have prevented many from accepting you as a match. They fear your fiery anger and that you might kill them in their sleep. I must admit, it is my fault. That is what Commander Duron Spaunok whispered in my ear when he first brought you and Alexis to me. That you were dangerous. I allowed that rumor to spread across the Corillion galaxy, and now no one wants you,” he said.
"I cannot say that I am sorry to hear that. I do not want to be matched with anyone. It is not up to you who I spend my life with. I am a human, and I want to go back to Earth. I demand it,” I said to him.
He laughed, “I said it has been difficult to find your match, not that I have not found one.”
I gasped at his words. “Fuck."
He laughed, “I have heard Alexis use that word. Yes indeed. You will be sent to the asteroid known as Crasis. Their leader, Xet Crasis, has agreed to accept you as his forever mate. He only has one year left to find a mate, so he really can't to be too picky. You will be leaving to Crasis in two days time. I called you in here to congratulate you. But you should be warned, he is known to be a ruthless and brutal leader. He will not find your antics charming and funny the way I, and Duron, have. That is why I give you this warning. As a close companion of my wife Alexis, I thought I owed you this warning. You cannot be defiant with him; he will not allow it, and he will punish you in the most brutal way possible. I warn you as a friend. Now you may go," he said as he walked out.
I stood there, stunned into silence. I could not believe this was happening, and all I could think about was Duron.
"Move, human,” the warrior that had escorted me out of the living quarters said as he pushed me towards the door. I obediently followed because I was so numb with fear and emotion. I hardly remembered the walk back to the living quarters because I was so overwhelmed. How could this be happening? I refused to believe that my fate would be to end up in the hands of a brutal Corillion that sounded like a complete monster. Something had to change.
As soon as I was back in the living quarters, I waited a few minutes. I wanted to burst into tears because of what Baradur had told me. But instead, I went into action. I uncovered the communication panel and went to work, sending more detailed messages with a further range than I ever had before. It was risky, and I did not know if anyone on the moon base would catch me. But I didn't care; at this point, it was all or nothing. Baradur had pushed me to this point. I worked all day and into the night making sure that every single type of signal that I could muster was executed. Then I sent one signal with a different target and a different message. It was addressed to Commander Duron Spaunok, and it simply stated: “Your captive will be sent to Crasis in 48 hours."
Chapter 8
COMMANDER DURON SPAUNOK
Boom!
The retriever shook violently as we took on heavy fire from the Earth ship that we had tracked and engaged in battle. It wasn't a research science vessel this time: it was an Earth military ship. They were ready and willing to fight against us Corillion. They were winning.
"Commander Duron Spaunok, sir, this just came over the airwaves for you,” a warrior communications officer said to me as he handed me a piece of paper.
"Prepare to retreat!" I shouted on the flight deck as I grabbed the piece of paper. I opened it. As soon as I read it, I felt an overwhelming sense of nausea come over me. Shia was in trouble. She was going to be sent to the asteroid Crasis. I knew exactly who ruled that asteroid: Leader Xet Crasis. He was ruthless, and knowing Shia, her disobedience and fiery resistance would cost her a lot: her life. Xet Crasis would not put up wi
th it and he would punish her, and she would kill herself rather than be subjected to brutality like that. So it would kill her. I had to get back. I had to save her. I had to be with her at all costs.
"Prepare for hyperdrive jump to Altid! Mark the coordinates, Pilot!” I shouted on the flight deck. The chaos of gunfire and battle was no match for what I was feeling with the news about Shia. The battle around us all became a distant echo in my mind. Suddenly the battle seemed not so important or dangerous. The real danger was not returning to Shia in time.
"Commander Duron Spaunok, sir! We have more company. More Earth battleships are arriving; I have them on the radar!”
"Pilot, are we good with coordinates?!” I shouted.
"Coordinates entered and ready, sir!”
"Hyperdrive go!” I shouted.
Swoosh! The Retriever jumped into hyperdrive, leaving the battle behind us. We zoomed through space headed back to Altid. It would take a while to reach them on base. I only hoped that we were not too late. I would kill Leader Xet Crasis if he hurt her. I was already on a death sentence because I only had one year remaining. Then I stopped that because I mated with Shia, but mating with her only sped up my death sentence. So adding onto that death sentence by killing Leader Xet Crasis seemed like little difference to me. I would do it if I had to. I would steal her away and renounce the Corillion race. We would have to live somewhere far away from Earth and the Corillion world.
But would she want to go with me? I did not know her true feelings for me. She could have just given herself to me out of boredom or indulgence. As a scientist, maybe it was just her curiosity of what it was like to be with a Corillion warrior. But I hoped it was not the case, because it was not so with me. I loved her.
Then I remembered the communication that I had received. Who could've sent it? I did not think that Baradur would send me such a message. Why would he? He only saw me as her guard and captor; he would not feel the need to inform me of such a thing, especially while I was in deep space on a mission for him, for the Corillion race.
I moved to the communication room, looking for the officer that handed me the message.
"Show me the transmission for this,” I said, giving him the paper back.
"Yes, Commander sir,” he said. He pulled up the chart of the transmission. I recognized the origin immediately: it was my own communication panel in my home. It was astounding. It must be from Shia; she was sending me a warning. She had figured out how to use the communication device, she was, in fact, a smart scientist, so that should not shock me.
"Patch me through video communication back to this origin,” I said to him.
"But Commander, at hyperspeed, I do not think we can establish a connection,” the officer said.
"Try, dammit!" I shouted, losing my nerve.
"Sir, yes sir,” he said.
He fiddled with the controls and switches as I stood there waiting to send video communication.
"Communication unlocked and opened. Established; you're on," the officer said as a screen came up on the monitor. It was my living quarters, and Shia was sitting by the window, staring out at the moon terrain with a glass of green formula in her hand.
"Shia, it's me, Duron," I said loudly.
"Duron?” she said as she stood up and turned to the communication panel.
"Yes, it is me,” I said with a smile.
"You're breaking up. Did you get my message? I am being sent away,” she said as the communication was breaking up with static. I didn't know how long the communication line would continue to work.
"I am on my way. Shia, I am coming!” I shouted at the monitor.
"I am being sent to Crasis. Help me, Duron!” she shouted with fear. Just then, I saw her turn to the left suddenly. A warrior came in and grabbed her by the arm.
"It is time, human female,” he said as he yanked her away.
"No! Duron! Help me!” she shouted.
The warrior turned and looked at the monitor. He had a look of shock on his face. It was obvious that he was going to report this to Baradur. Our secret was now out. Why else would she be speaking to me on the communication panel, pleading for my help? The warrior did not make any sort of facial expression; instead, he just went on about his orders from Baradur. He yanked on Shia's arm and dragged her out toward the door. Then I didn't see her or hear her anymore.
I was filled with rage. It was an uncontrollable feeling. It was unlike anything I had ever felt or experienced in my existence as a Corillion warrior. The communication officer gave me a strange look.
"Say nothing to no one; is that understood? It is a direct order,” I said to him sternly.
"Yes, Commander Duron Spaunok,” he said.
I moved back to the flight deck; hyperdrive could not be fast enough to get me there. I needed to get to Shia, and I needed to get to her now. For all I knew, she was boarding a ship and I would not be arriving in time. Then I would have to defy orders again and set out for Crasis and steal her from Xet Crasis. It was going to be messy; it was going to be worth it.
"What is the status on landing?” I asked the pilot.
"We are coming out of hyperdrive in 10 minutes, then we can make our way to Altid,” he said to me.
"Do not wait for landing command to approve. Simply land as soon as you can,” I said as I moved away from the flight deck. The pilot looked at me strangely but followed commands.
"Yes, Commander,” he said.
I quickly moved to the arsenal and armed myself with as many weapons as I could. I pushed knives into my boots and guns in every holster. I didn't have a plan, but I also didn't have a choice.
Minutes later, I felt the engines powering down; it was time. We were landing. I was going to get Shia back if it killed me. I was already dying anyway.
The door to Retriever opened and I quickly ran out of the ship, down the landing port of the moon base. I needed to find Shia and I needed to find her now. I burst into the meeting room of Baradur. He was sitting at a table.
"Where is she? Where is Shia Heton?” I said sternly.
"Commander Duron Spaunok? What are you doing here? You should be pillaging an Earth vessel right about now.”
"Answer me," I shouted.
Baradur stood up angry. “How dare you speak to me in that way! Do you forget that I am your leader?”
"I have not forgotten. Where is she? You cannot send her to Leader Xet Crasis,” I said.
"Oh, I see what is going on here. My warrior reported the communication between you and Shia and your living quarters. He thought it was strange. Now I know the reason: you love her. Have you touched her? Have you mated with her? You do know the penalty if you have,” he said coming toward me.
"You cannot send her to Leader Xet Crasis; he will kill her. It will be a waste of a human female. She is too defiant for such a brutal Corillion warrior. Find another,” I said to him.
"You do love her. It is written all over your face. He will definitely kill her once he realizes that she is carrying your offspring. You cannot tell me that you did not mate with her. Not now, after you barge in here like this risking everything. You risk your life for her.”
"Where is she?"
"Her ship is preparing for departure right at this moment. It is too late,” he said to me. I began to run toward the door ready to leave.
"Stop!” Baradur shouted at me, and several warriors blocked the doorway. “You cannot go after her. She does not belong to you. You will be punished for your disobedience,” he said.
BOOM! An explosion rocked the entire base!
We all fell to the floor. It was complete chaos as all of the buildings shook and the walls vibrated. I knew immediately that we were under attack. I quickly jumped to my feet before the others did, as they were still dazed and unsure of what was going on. I had been in too many air battles to let a single jolt make me hesitate. It was just the distraction that I needed to run out of the room and toward the launching area.
"Shia…” I said as I r
ealized that perhaps the blast was at the launching pad. If she was hurt or dead, I didn't know what I would do. I ran as fast as I could as sirens blared. Through the glass sky domes that I ran under, I could see glimpses of Earth ships firing here and there. It was the same vessel that I had been engaged in battle with. They had followed us. They had used hyperdrive to follow us to the moon base. This was my fault. But it also was the perfect distraction. If Shia and I lived through this, we would have to leave, and that would be easier in this chaos.
EXPLOSIONS boomed all around me. I could not get to the launch pad fast enough. When I finally arrived, there were fires burning and the roof threatened to collapse.
"Shia! Shia!” I shouted. There were dead Corillions all around me on the ground. Many of them had been hurt in the blast. I could now see a clear picture of the battle outside. Corillion ships had taken to the air and there was an air battle between Earth ships and Corillion ships. It was a battle that I should be in, but all I could think about was finding Shia. Perhaps her ship had already launched before the battle siege began. She could be halfway to Crasis by now and to Leader Xet Crasis. I ran to the monitor log to search for ships that were launched.
