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But they’re not mindless. Somehow, those ships always know where to go – just like how the Aurelians had stumbled over three destined for my father’s mines.

I shudder at the thought. Filled to the brim with the huge, deadly creatures, when a Scorp Organic ship lands on an inhabited planet, they rip through everything – includingus.

And the worst part? We’d never even known about the danger we’d faced – not until the Aurelians revealed how they’d saved us from it. The first men, trusted men, would have died on that rock out in space.

I rack my brains for what I can remember about the Scorp. One of the first facts I’d memorized was about how those clawed, chitinous creatures never stop growing.

If there is a limit to how big those creatures can grow, most of them die before they reach it. I’ve read the stats, and few Scorp that have been logged exceed ten feet in height; but that’s only thanks to the efforts of the Aurelian warriors serving their 100 years to the Empire. Those warriors spend a century in endless war against the Scorp – wiping the majority of them out whenever they encounter them.

But not always – and a few rare specimens of Scorp have been found upwards of fifteen feet tall – every inch a nightmare of pinching claws, glowing eyes and venomous barbs. The bloodthirsty organisms seem to exist only to fight, maim, and kill – and those unfortunate enough to survive them face a fate worse than death. Scorp drag the maimed, crippled, but still-living bodies of their victims to their terrifying Queen.

That would be the worst fate in the world. I’ve read the books. Survivors are dragged into the dark, dank tunnels of the Scorp nest. They’re pinned to the ground by their broken, bleeding limbs – seeing nothing in the darkness, but hearing the Scorp Queen scuttling towards them.

They must die knowing there is nothing they could do to prevent what happens next...

I shudder.

Like predatory wasps from Old-Earth, the Scorp Queen injects her eggs into those still-living prisoners. When the Scorp larvae hatch, they’re surrounded by hot, still-living flesh to devour; eating their way out of their host with screams of agony to accompany their first meal.

The universe is a dark place – and as much as I long for freedom, it’s at moments like this I remember how lucky I am to be protected on my father’s estate. He may be controlling, but he’s kept me alive.

He’s kept me alive – for now. But he’s also brought three Aurelians into our home, and I’m not sure whether our saviors can be trusted any more than the Scorp can.

The words I’d read inOn Aureliansare etched into my mind.

The Aurelians themselves are etched on my retinas. I can remember every detail of them – even from the short moment I stared at them from the window of my chambers.

I’m terrified – but also fascinated. Iwantto see them up close. I’ve never tried sneaking off my estate before, so this might be my only chance. Until now, I’ve always followed the rules – up to including being told to stay in my room….

– but no longer. Ineedto see these three up close.

I slowly open the door wider.

My heart pounds like a rabbit as I slip out, walking as softly across the floorboards as possible. I was expecting my anxiety to flare up – building into a bubble, just ready to explode…

…but it’s strangely dormant.

It’s like I’m merely watching myself do this, and I’m being controlled by somebody else.

A good job, too – because what the hell am I doing? This isn’t safe! Just read about Aurelians if you want to learn about them!

That’s what I’d normally do, instead of actuallylivinglife. I’d just read about whatever interested me, safe in my room. My books have been my only companions for so long now.

But there’ssomethingabout the Aurelians downstairs that draws me to them. Ihaveto see them up close. I’ve never felt a need like this before now. I’ve always wanted to see the other side of the walls, sure – the danger, adventure, and excitement. All things you can get when you aren’t surrounded by Sentinels and guarded closely by Gerard…

…but now, the purest and most distilled form of danger has been brought directlytome. The men downstairs are dangerous. They’ve seen things –donethings.

Ihaveto see them.

I slowly creep down the stairs. I put as much weight as possible on the banister and avoid the steps I know will creak beneath my weight.

I’m halfway down the stairs when I hear my father clear his throat. I freeze.

“Well,” he murmurs – trying to sound tough, despite being surrounded by three towering alien warriors. “I thank you for destroying those Scorp vessels – but we’re a long way from Aurelian territory. You have my thanks, but we don’t pay the taxes to levy Aurelian protection – so I hope you’ve not come here to strongarm me into paying you for a service you’veclaimedto have rendered me. That’s not how we do business on Marn.”

Despite his voice being raised, I actually relax when I hear my father’s words – because at least they’re not directed at me. I thought he’d heard me.

As my father speaks, I creep further down the stairs. My father sounds outraged and steadfast as his raised voice covers the sound of my footsteps, but I know how nervous he is. My father always uses long words when he’s nervous – as if the extra syllables will somehow give him more time to think.