by K. A Knight
“Frend.” It nods.
“Yup.” I nod back.
“Frend.” It points into the forest where I see a trail, and then it mimes walking on its palm with its other fingers. “You want us to follow you?” I ask. It does the mime again. “I’m going to take that as a yes.” I turn back to the others. “Well, I say we follow the aliens,” I joke.
“They tried to kill us!” one humans defends.
“Did they? ‘Cos from what I saw, they put you in cages and were trying to figure out who and what landed on their planet and then we tried to attack them.” Silence stretches and I carry on, “So, I say we follow them and see what they have to show us. We don’t really have another choice.” I start to walk, ignoring everyone else, letting them make their own decision.
Auden and Eldon race to my side and each grab a hand as I head down the path, I hear others scrambling to follow after us and when I look over my shoulder, Barrott is behind me, his eyes taking in everything. Cain skips in front and starts walking backwards, grinning at me.
“So, does this make me the damsel and you my saviour?” he teases.
Despite my reservations on the fact that Cain clearly knew about Ayama and the rebels, I find myself grinning. His short blond-brown hair is messy on his head, but his baby blues sparkle with amusement. I notice the bags underneath and know they probably didn’t sleep, but not even being kidnapped by aliens can keep Cain down.
“Yep, I guess that means you owe me now.” I grin back and he winks.
“That can be arranged, Speed Demon.”
“You are going to fall, shut the fuck up,” Barrott growls from behind me, more irritable than usual, but I guess being held captive by aliens and not knowing how to protect me is really rubbing on him.
Eldon squeezes my hand and I look up at him. His brown eyes are focused on me, calm and happy. “Missed you, good looking,” he whispers, and I smile softly back.
“Missed you too.” I nudge him as we walk and he grins, glancing back up.
“I missed you three,” Auden adds, wrapping his arms around us both and making us laugh as he squeezes. We almost fall and I hear Barrott mutter something as we laugh and go back to walking again.
I glance at Auden, his brown wavy hair moving in the breeze, his eyes open and excited as he looks around at everything. He always sees the good in everything. Where Eldon is quick to anger, Auden is hard to anger. With their hands in mine as they walk by my side, I wonder what happened to their dad. It sounds horrible, but out all of the people I hoped survived, he isn't one of them. I don't wish death on anyone, and I know the devastating effects of losing someone, but some people are better off forgotten and he is one of them.
“Where do you think they are taking us?” Auden asks, looking around as we walk.
“Probably for probing,” I joke, and he shivers as Cain laughs.
I grin and look about as well. The trees are so different here, and even the path we are on feels hard, not like dirt but metal. Slowly, the land starts to incline and I’m sweating again. Pulling my hands from the brothers, I grimace at the clammy palms. “I hate sweating,” I mutter.
“I don’t know, in the right circumstances...” Cain looks over his shoulder and winks, and I grin in return.
“Eyes ahead, Redmond, before I make them,” Barrott snarls, but when I hear his voice lower, I look over my shoulder. my eyebrows flying up at what I see, and jealousy immediately courses through me. He has his head bent and he’s talking to a girl. A girl in a guard’s uniform and she’s fucking stunning. Shoulder-length red, wavy hair, bright green eyes, and a body which looks like she spends all day working out—she probably does if she is a guard. She must catch me looking because she smiles at me, without a hint of malice or hate, and I relax a little. Barrott follows her gaze and nods. “Riley, this is Inds. Inds, Riley is a fellow guard. She was brought in by some aliens with other survivors.”
I nod my greeting. “Nice to meet you.”
“I thought the tail thing was funny.” She winks, and then elbows Barott. “Ignore grumpy here.”
My smile is tight and I look back in front, as her familiarity with him rubs me the wrong way. He’s never talked about another girl, or even mentioned her, but they seem to be pretty close. Maybe I’m just feeling insecure.
All chatter cuts off as the trees in front of us open up. We stop at the edge of a natural clearing, which has my mouth dropping open in shock. I figured the aliens were from here, and lacked the technology we have—but I was wrong, soo wrong. To them, we must be the primitive species.
What I can only describe as a futuristic haven is built among the trees, and from the aliens milling about it, I conclude this must be their base. A metal sign hovers from the floor with the aliens’ language written like a welcome sign at the entry to the camp. The same green grass covers the land here, with different sized grey structures sprouting from the ground. Blue lights and glass make up the buildings, and there are a lot of what I’m guessing are types of transports on the left side, with things that look similar to speeders, but way more advanced, and even small sleek looking spaceships. A small lake bisects the camp, with fields on the other side where I can spot aliens working. A tall, slim, silver and gold building is built at the back, with a large spike gleaming in the sun on top.
A dome sits next to it, made completely out of glass, with a hovering metal plate above it which, as I watch, moves like an elevator to the top of a nearby structure. Trees sprout around the camp and birds fly through the air. A cliff hangs behind the camp, the same pink and purple colouring, but with a hole through the cliff face itself, and we watch as a ship comes through that hole and lands on the transport lot to the left.
“Holy shit,” Auden gasps and I nod, holy shit indeed.
“Frend,” the alien calls, and I look over to see that most of them have blended back into their own camp apart from Fred and one other.
They walk in front this time, and I force my mouth closed and hurry after them, with the brothers close by. They lead us past the water, which when I peer in to, I realise is black. This planet just gets weirder and weirder. Aliens stop what they are doing and watch us as we pass, until we are led to a big circular tower in the middle of the camp. A metal ramp leads from the ground into it, and we step up it carefully, while all of us look around in awe.
The room the ramp leads to is a circle with eight hallways leading off, and it’s empty aside from a screen on the curved wall facing us. Fred and the other alien don’t talk as they lead us down a random hallway. If they are leading us to our deaths, it would be a good place to do so, because I wouldn’t have a clue how to get out.
The walls curve up and the roof of the floor ends in a point, with a strip of blue running down the middle, lighting the way. We twist and turn, like we are in a maze, until we reach what looks like an oasis inside the building. A waterfall is against the left wall and when I peer around it, I realise there is a glass wall showing us the outside. A small rock pool is below it with plants surrounding it.
I can’t see any doors or more hallways so we stop, all confused, but Fred keeps moving until he halts in front of a deep grey wall and waves his hands. At first nothing happens, but then the wall slowly dissolves, like squares falling away, until a doorway shape presents itself and reveals a room behind the wall. He turns back to us and nods. “Frend.” Then points into the room.
Straightening, I nod and walk confidently into the room, knowing the others are looking to me to see how to react. When I enter the room and nothing happens, everyone else follows and I turn back just as Fred waves on the wall and the door disappears again. Narrowing my eyes, I walk to the wall and wave in front of it, but nothing dissolves. Barrott growls and tries, but I step back and look around the empty room. Have they trapped us here? Have I walked the survivors into another life and death situation?
Can we trust these aliens?
I guess I’m going to have to find out, because they don’t seem to be in a hu
rry to come back, and with nothing left to do but wait, all I can do is think.
SURVIVOR LOG 0002
Date: Unknown
Mission: 43, Colony
Ship: Dawnbreaker
Location: Unknown Planet.
I’m even more confused than ever—it looks like the aliens weren’t born here, but are colonists like us. They have brought us to their camp and then left us. The rest of the survivors are getting restless, they don’t trust them and my trust only extends so far after they kidnapped my friends, even if we are encroaching on their land.
I still have no word on Effie or Howard. I have asked the other survivors, but they haven't seen them either. It's possible they landed farther out than us—right?
I haven’t spoken much to Barrott about the rebels or anything else—there are too many ears and eyes. Is this how it’s going to be all the time now? Watching what I say or do, or who I flirt with and touch? Every time Auden and Eldon laugh and nudge me, I feel the eyes of the other survivors watching me, judging me, assessing me.
Is it bad that I missed when it was just us, even for a little while?
Either way, I need to concentrate on the aliens, and then find the other survivors. For some reason, the aliens seem to tolerate us, but I don’t know how long that will last. Tensions are high on both sides already.
I hope they don’t explode.
- Indy, signing off.
Ground Day Two
Standing from my slumped position on the wall, I stretch, reaching into the air, but when I hear a groan I look down to see Eldon and Cain watching me, their eyes locked on my breasts. Auden leans against Eldon, snoring happily, and Barrott is patrolling the room, checking on people and looking for exits. He did sit with me for a while, checking me over and watching me write in my journal, before he must have gotten bored and felt the need to be Barrott.
I wink at them before deciding to take a walk and stretch my legs. I find myself before the grey wall where we were brought through earlier, and when Riley’s voice comes from beside me, I jump.
“I wish I knew how it worked,” she murmurs wistfully.
“Me too,” I agree, still staring at the wall, looking for any breaks or openings we could use to pry it open.
“They seem to be an advanced race,” she comments and I nod, turning and leaning on the wall. She copies me, standing close, and when she darts a look at Barrott, I know what this is about.
“Look, I’ll get to the point. You’ll find I’m a blunt person. I don’t want Barrott if that’s what you are thinking.” My eyebrows rise in shock. “I can appreciate he’s good looking, but I prefer my men…more rugged, you know?” She winks as I smile, and then her voice drops and we both lean in closer. “He was the only guard to ever agree to work shifts with me, being a woman and all, so it meant we became friends. Well, as much as friends as he will let you be.” I snort at that, knowing how right she is. “But I’ve seen the way he is with you, and I even needled a few details out over the last year. I know he’s as crazy about you as you are obviously about him. I don’t know how you got past that giant ‘fuck off’ sign of his, but you are the only one.”
I throw him a look before concentrating on Riley again, relaxing now that I know she doesn’t want Barrott. Petty, but true. “I don’t know how either, I think it was my winning personality,” I deadpan and she laughs.
“Either way, you never have anything to worry about with him. He’s all about you, always has been. Hell, I’ve never even seen him look at another girl. That upper on the other hand…” She trails off and I follow her eyes to Cain, who is watching us with a smirk, his eyes twinkling in mischief like normal.
“He’s not so bad,” I joke and she grunts.
“Sure, he’s a cocky little asshole to me, but maybe you see something different. You must be like the bad boy whisperer—first Barrott, then him.” I grin, unable to help it but then I realise this is a perfect opportunity.
“Do you know Cain’s father?” I ask, and her face blanks as she watches me closely.
“Why?”
“I’m just curious. He doesn’t talk about his family much, other than they don’t get on,” I add, sharing a little to get a little back.
She sneaks a look at Cain again. “His father is a real piece of work. Thinks he’s all that. I don’t have time for all that bullshit and he has it in spades, just hides it behind a charming mask—but he is one of the main crew members so you have to be respectful.”
“You don’t seem the respectful type,” I point out and she laughs.
“Also true, but it gets me in trouble sometimes, and I have learned the hard way that you don’t mess with the uppers. Their word is law. They are the law, so be careful what you say and do, okay?” she cautions, and I look around the room, seeing some of the survivors watching us. It makes me wonder if any of them are part of the rebels.
“Oh, where’s that blonde friend of yours, is she here?” Riley looks around and my chest gets tight.
“No, I-I don’t know where she is,” I force out, the pain evident in my voice. I haven’t been without Effie or Howard for over two years, and it feels like there is a hole in my heart where they are supposed to be.
She looks back at me, understanding crashing over her face before she grins. “Don’t worry about her, she’s a strong bitch, that one.”
I tilt my head, confused, and she sighs. “In one of the attacks, I was hurt. Barrott took me to medical and I met the blonde bombshell there. She was super sweet, shy as hell in front of the doctor, but competent. Hell, she even corrected him on the best way to heal me, but when Barrott stepped away to talk to the doctor, she turned around, and I swear she was like a different person altogether. She told me if I ever thought of making a move on your man, Barrott, that I should know she knew at least ten ways to laser my skin from my body while keeping me alive.”
My mouth drops open. I’m not often lost for words but right now, I am. “Effie, as in the girl who won’t stand up for herself. The uber sweet Effie?” I ask.
She laughs. “She isn’t as sweet as she looks, not when it comes to protecting what she loves. You should have more faith, she’s a strong bastard.”
I mull that over, nearly laughing at the thought of Effie threatening this imposing woman for me. Sadness crests over me at the thought of her missing, and Riley grips my shoulder as tears fill my eyes. She has to be alive, she has to have made it because I can’t lose her. I lost my parents and that devastated me, but losing Effie would destroy me.
The wall disappears next to me and I stumble, all of us turning to face Fred and the other alien waiting at the opening.
“Frend.” He nods, gesturing through the door. I look back at Riley and she is stroking the gun at her hip. She looks at me, letting me decide.
I nod before stepping through and looking back at her. “Why do you trust them so much?” she hisses, looking around quickly at the aliens.
I throw them a look before walking back and lowering my voice so only she can hear. “They had a million opportunities to kill us all. Hell, Fred there could have done whatever he wanted to me and no one would have known, but instead they went out of their way not to hurt us and brought us together again. I don’t think they want to harm us.”
“Are you willing to bet on that?” she challenges, searching my face, and I know this woman who barely knows me would jump into the fray for me, for anyone. She wants to protect people—me.
“I’m betting my life on that—make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.” I grin, looking over at Barrott as he narrows his eyes at me. His eyes go to the aliens and he growls, storming over. I blow him a kiss and quickly step back through the wall. Fred waves his hand and the door disappears as Barrott gets there. He bangs on the wall.
“Indy! You get back here right now!” he yells, and other voices join the fray—all my men calling for me. I turn and follow the aliens down the corridor with nerves pulling at my stomach. I hope I was right, because if
they hurt me in any way, I know Barrott, Cain, and even Eldon and Auden will kill them all. I’m not just betting my life, I’m betting theirs.
Ground Day Two
I’m led back down the corridor, and we enter the room we first came into, before Fred and his alien buddy pick another hallway. Letting myself look around, I notice how empty everything is. It reminds me of the Dawnbreaker, but we personalised that—this seems like a temporary home, or maybe a new one. How long have they been here? Where are they from?
Our governments never told us that life existed outside of our planet. A lot of people speculated that there must be, although they could never prove it. I wonder if they are the only alien race out there…or are there more?
My thoughts are interrupted when we stop in the middle of the hallway, and Fred waves his hand and another door dissolves. He steps through and I follow, and the other alien trails behind me. Throwing him a calculating look, I step to the left and place my back to the wall. The other alien grunts and turns to wave his hand, but Fred glances at me and grunts back. They hesitate but leave the doorway open, allowing me the option to escape. Why?
When I peek behind Fred, I freeze. My eyes dart to the door but Fred steps forward. “Frend,” he grunts.
Swallowing, I nod my acceptance, even as my eyes dart to the door again, but I have come this far and what I said to Riley is true. If they wanted to kill me, they could have done that plenty of times so I trust them a little bit, even if the silver hover chair floating in the middle of the room with a silver trolley next to it does make me think I might be their human lab rat. Better me than anyone else I guess—I led them here, this is my responsibility. They are my responsibility and I speak for the humans now.
That thought has me straightening and tilting my chin up, faking confidence I don’t feel. Fred steps back, points at the chair, and does the whole grunting and clicking thing, which is his language. I take it to mean he wants me to sit down. Eyeing him warily, I stop before the chair.
