Page 9

Present Day

“It didn’t work.”

The two Zuvgran scientists conferred as they reviewed the latest test results. The older male, whom Morgan designated Primo Asshole in her thoughts, pounded his gray fist on the table.

“We’re close, but we can’t use this specimen any longer. What we’ve already given her will interfere with the updated version.”

His younger colleague, Buttlicker, said, “You’re brilliant.”

“Of course I am.”

Morgan rolled her eyes at Primo Asshole’s conceit. Wearing a thin dingy tunic, she was currently restrained on a medical exam table, unable to even move her head. Another day, another freezing room, another injection, another day as a goddamn lab rat. Fuck my life.

While the two Zuvgran ignored her, she dove into her memories of leaving the Svesti home world almost six months ago. I think it was the last time I was truly warm.

“Are you sure you won’t remain on Costonia?”

Morgan smiled and shook her head at Lady Narilla’s question.

“No, although I may return. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year to the day since I first met you.

” She hugged the older Svesti female who had become her friend.

“Now that you know humans and Svesti are compatible, it wouldn’t be fair to stay around your males when I’m not ready for any type of commitment.

I need time to determine what I want for my future. ”

“Now that we know, Lady Morgan, I want to contact Earth and begin negotiations to bring human females here. And I will convince the Council to purchase what human slaves we can and relocate them here or to the same colony you travel to.” King Traxen Sovex’s jaw hardened.

“They will require time as well to heal from their captivity.”

“I would appreciate that. Just be aware that first contact with Earth might be…contentious.”

He tilted his head and narrowed his lavender eyes.

“How do you mean?”

“Humans, especially those in power, tend to have an inflated sense of their own superiority. Many will not believe in alien life, while others will see taking what you have as their due. It’s not all humans.

Most will be shocked but give you a chance.

But others might try to capture your people and not treat them kindly. They might even experiment on them.”

Sovex’s tail flicked sharply.

“Like the Zuvgran do?”

“As much as I hate to admit it, the possibility exists.”

He inclined his head.

“I thank you for your warning.”

She shook his hand and took one last look around the spaceport outside of Trezoura, Costonia’s capital city.

“You have a beautiful planet. I really enjoyed my time here.”

“We cannot thank you enough for all your help with our research.” Lady Narilla’s tail swayed. “I will miss you and our daily conversations.”

“You will always be welcome here, Lady Morgan. You have given us hope for our future.” The king bowed to her.

Morgan’s face flushed.

“I’m nobody special, King Sovex. I just did what I thought was right for beings who earned my trust.”

“We are honored.” He paused as a male approached. “It looks like your shuttle is here and ready for you. It will take you to meet the transport going to the colony on Bralia.”

She hugged Lady Narilla again and picked up her bag.

“Wish me luck.”

“Good luck, Lady Morgan. You have your comm. Please stay in touch and let us know if you need anything.”

“I will.”

As her shuttle rose from the planet, Morgan watched as Costonia grew smaller in the viewer.

The blues of the leaves and grass interspersed with the colorful tree trunks and flora gradually became a blur of land masses under a periwinkle sky.

She sighed and closed her eyes. Once the Svesti make first contact, I could probably return to Earth.

I’m not sure I should after everything that’s happened.

I’m not even close to the same person I was and now I know all this is out here.

Even if I don’t go back, I’ll find a way to let Sophia know I’m safe.

Four days after she boarded the colony transport, the Zuvgran attacked.

Survivors were taken as slaves, while Morgan and the two other human women, Kiki and Colleen, became fodder for the scientists’ testing of viruses to kill their fertility.

The only positive so far is that the scientists told the warriors the humans were off limits for sex, since they didn’t want them broken.

We’re wasting away from being pincushions and the lack of decent food.

Morgan’s attention snapped back to Primo Asshole when he said, “The human females are of no use to us now. Another is arriving soon for testing. Tomorrow, we’ll move the three we’ve got to the barracks and the warriors can have them.”

Fuck. This is not good.

Morgan’s breath caught in her chest when the Zuvgran threw her onto the cot and she scrambled not to collapse. The guard turned and left her without a word. She hung her head in relief.

“Are you okay?” Kiki whispered raggedly, raising a tired hand as if to reach for Morgan. Blue veins visible under her too pale skin pulsed weakly.

“Yes, but the scientists plan on giving us to the warriors tomorrow.”

Colleen whimpered from her cot. She limply turned her head away.

“I almost look forward to it. A quick painful death fighting, rather than this excruciatingly slow one.” Morgan wrapped her arms around her knees.

“We’re almost dead as it is. I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.” Kiki coughed uncontrollably, blood spattering her hand.

Morgan rose, her muscles aching, and retrieved water pouches for the other women and a piece of cloth for Kiki.

She dampened the fabric and carefully cleaned up the evidence of internal bleeding.

Then she held Kiki up to sip the water. After smoothing Kiki’s greasy hair back from her brow, Morgan hobbled to Colleen to give her fluids as well.

She held the terrified woman’s hand, feeling the bones too close to the surface.

They’re dying. I wish I had the courage to end it for them before the warriors come for us. I should have stayed on Costonia.

“Tell us a story, Morgan.” Kiki’s voice drifted in the air.

“What kind of story?”

“Doesn’t matter. You choose.”

Morgan sat on the floor between the two women, holding a hand of each one.

Quietly, she told tales of her mother before the cancer and the little ways she made life fun without a lot of extra money.

Like the time they went to a petting zoo and a camel gnawed at her mom’s hair.

Instead of screeching, her mom made funny faces and had Morgan take pictures of her hair being stretched by the animal’s mouth.

Labored giggles from Kiki and Colleen turned to restless sleep the longer Morgan talked until eventually, both women became still and cold.

Morgan cried silent tears and sent prayers into the universe that Kiki and Colleen’s souls truly went to a better place where they could be happy and whole.

Sniffling, she stiffened when she heard a noise outside their cell.

She wiped her forearm across her nose and shakily stood.

Rustling, then an electronic noise preceded the door opening.

Her eyes widened as she looked at two Jalaxians, both with dark hair.

The one with a ponytail knelt to check on Kiki and Colleen.

He closed his eyes and bowed his head before looking at the other with two white braids the left side of his head while all the rest were dark.

He was larger than the one kneeling and held two fingers to his ear.

“Human female, I am sorry about your companions. I am Makai. My team is here to rescue you. Do you know if you are infected with the virus?”

Morgan shook her head.

“They were upset it didn’t work on me. They said another human female was coming and they would test on her.”

Makai grunted. “We found three human women, but two are already dead. The other says the scientists were angry that whatever they injected her with didn’t work. Let me ask her what she wants to do.”

“Who are you talking to?”

“A Svesti who came to rescue the most recent female. He says she’s been injected with the new virus, and they will quarantine until they know it’s safe.

They have offered to take you with them.

Or you may come with us. Either way, you will receive medical care and food until you decide where you wish to go. ”

“I won’t be a slave? Or expected to service any of you sexually?”

“Absolutely not.” Makai and the other Jalaxian growled, their tails whipping behind them. “There are also other human women on our ship.”

Morgan chewed her lip.

“What do they do?”

“One is a tech wizard, another helps in medical, while the third is a pilot,” the ponytail one said. “I’m Tren. We try to help human females whenever we can.”

“I’ll want to earn my keep.” Geez, Morgan, really? Just get the hell out of here while you can. Almost anything is better than being a plaything for the Zuvgran.

“We can discuss that after you’re safe,” Makai said.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “I’ll go with you.”

Makai nodded. “Durek, the human wishes to go with us for now.” He listened, then said, “Rain, hover close enough for us to get to you with the jetpacks. Wing Raiders, meet back at our ship. Durek, let me know when you’re clear of the planet. Kara, has Grolo attempted contact with the base yet?”

Tren gently grasped one of her arms.

“We need to go…now.”

Morgan stepped forward with them.

“Check for previous exchanges between the two. I have a plan, but everyone needs to be out of here first.” Makai gestured for them to follow him.

In her bare feet, she did her best to keep up with the males, but after the months of Zuvgran experimentation and treatment, her stamina suffered.

“May I carry you, human?” Tren asked respectfully.

Her shoulders tightened, but common sense reared its head.