Page 2 of Seized by the Alien Space Warrior (Alien Romance #8)

Chapter Two

“W here is this godsdamned venue?” Aekon snarled at a Norvegicus as he pushed through the crowd.

The Grion89G space station was a cesspit of walking lowlifes, the Norvegicus a good example of the type of being that packed the busy market street.

The creature squeaked and its whiskers twitched before it scuttled between two lumbering Trudd. It caused one of them to backstep. It bumped into a Qual, who roared, showcasing two rows of sharp teeth. It tossed its shaggy, tangled mane so that it made its head seem four times larger. It was a staple tactic of the Qual, but one they backed up with razor-sharp black claws that could slice through bone without trying.

The Trudd and the Qual faced off. One of the Trudd swiped but the Qual stepped back to escape injury. The Trudd reached for its holster, finding it empty. It tipped its head back and growled before it darted through the crowd looking for the Norvegicus.

If it wasn’t hiding already, the Norvegicus had better find a spot soon. Stealing the weapon from a Trudd was akin to killing its mother. If the creature didn’t know now, there soon would be no room for confusion. The Norvegicus had made an enemy for life, though Aekon doubted the being could have helped itself. They were opportunistic creatures and completely untrustworthy even when their survival depended on it.

“The Hukks said the sale would be in the East end.” Kil flicked his wrist comm and brought up a three dimensional schematic of the winding alleys that made up the guts of this part of the station.

He turned it one way and then the other, spinning the map until it was upside down. The fine blue lines flickered over the screen attached to his wrist. A little red light blinked on the grid.

Kil stabbed a claw at it. “We should be here now.”

Idren glanced about at their surroundings, taking in the panorama of metal cubes stacked on more rusted metal cubes until the labyrinth seemed more a stockpile of refuse than the structured street it must once have been eons ago. “It probably is here, but we’d never know.”

The nodes that framed Idren’s brow in small protrusions ranging from barely-there on the bridge of his nose to larger and wider towards the edges of his outer eye drew low over his black eyes. A faint sheen of red circled the base of each node, then dimmed with his agitation.

Aekon would have had the same reaction as his fellow officers, but his emoti response had died years ago. Since then, his skin had lain dormant instead of transferring hints of his emotions to its surface.

Kil’s biceps bunched beneath the skin-tight black shirt of the Mercy Division’s standard uniform, the only indication of his tension. They wore no identification, but that was done on purpose. The key function of the Mercy Division was to blend in. To become part of the shadows. It was how Kil had gained the information that allowed them to know about the auction and why they were here in this scum-laden backwater-station on the ass end of the first Quadrant.

The report of trafficked human females was every bit as disturbing as it was horrendously immoral. Over a period of time, human women had been trafficked into the ten Quadrants from an unknown planet in another universe, brought here by Reptiles that had raided their planet and stolen them away. At first, one had appeared, then more and more, sold to vile and corrupt individuals throughout the ten Quadrants as slaves and worse. What was exotic and precious was always coveted.

Aekon had rescued close to a hundred human females personally, and each time he’d never quite gotten over how they’d been treated by those who were stronger and more powerful. It had become such a problem that the Interspecies Council had formed the Mercy Division to track down these poor souls and rescue them from a fate worse than death.

A sanctuary had been started on the planet Hathea to take them. Their little community was flourishing. Human females had turned out to be quite resilient despite their small, soft bodies.

Kil had been working undercover in a bar better known for overhearing more secrets than a god ever could when word had got around that the Hukks had planned to attend an auction of exotic females, the likes of which had never been seen before. It didn’t take long for Kil to understand they were speaking about human females and even less time to persuade the Hukks to tell him where and when the auction would take place—all with the help of the bar’s best alcoholic drink served in double sized tumblers. Not all fights were fought with claws and fists. Weakness was the first line of attack and Hukks were well-known drinkers.

“This is taking too long,” Aekon said.

They were already later than he wanted to be.

Another Norvegicus scuttled past. Aekon caught the being by the scruff of his collar.

The Norvegicus squeaked, its large brown eyes darting between Akeon, Kil, and Idren, “I haven’t stolen from you, sirs!”

Aekon extended his arm so there would be no way he could be stolen from and did a mental calculation of his hidden weapons. They were in places on his body that would be hard to reach by a creature that only came to his waist. Instead, he withdrew a slice of gold from a pocket located on his thigh. They’d brought precious metals to Grion89G to trade. Credits were as worthless as the dirt trampled into the streets beneath his feet here.

The Norvegicus’ whiskers twitched and his eyes hardened. The being didn’t seem to be able to stop looking at the sliver of gold. That was good. Aekon has gotten his attention.

“I didn’t accuse you of stealing,” Aekon said. “I need information.”

“What information would that be, sirs?”

“The Rapture. Where is it?” Akeon asked.

The Norvegicus’s little pink tongue darted out to swipe over its thin lower lip. “The Rapture? I don’t know if I’ve heard of that bar.”

Aekon let the creature go and began to slip the gold back into his pocket. “Well, if you don’t remember, I’ll ask someone else.”

“No! No, there’s no need to do that! In fact, I do remember quite clearly. It’s just off the alley way behind the clothier’s beyond your two, very tall companions.” The Norvegicus stretched out a knobbed finger past Kil and Idren.

“I have scanned your bio-signature. If you’re lying to us, Norvegicus, we will find you. You will never be able to hide from us and you should know Dhasu never give up,” Kil said.

Aekon knew Kil had done nothing of the sort, but the Norvegicus didn’t need to know that. Its whiskers twitched, and it clutched its paws together.

“Of course. I’m not lying to you, kind sirs. Just behind the clothiers. Follow the alley all the way down. You can’t miss it. Honestly,” the Norvegicus said.

Aekon was sure a day never passed when the being told the honest truth, but time wasn’t on their side. He thrust the gold into the being’s hands. It snatched the slice from him faster than Aekon could track before it darted away.

“Let’s go,” Aekon said.

They crossed the thoroughfare towards the crowded little store. Bolts of material were stacked on top of each other, from the ground to above Aekon’s head. Strips of multi coloured cloth flapped from poles that jutted out from the top railing of the store.

Aekon tugged aside a large swath of shining red cloth interspersed with thousands of glittering solar lights. The effect was floating fire over a burst of brightness, just like looking at a solar flare. Cool, musty air breathed over him from the dark alley behind.

Kil’s forehead nodes rose halfway up his forehead. “Well, I’ll be. We must have found the one and only truthful Norvegicus in existence.”

“Don’t be too hasty. We’re yet to find The Rapture,” Idren said.

As they strode past the bolts of material and into the darkness of the alley, Aekon wished they weren’t going to find anything. He hoped that the Hukks were lying or Kil had overheard a wrong story because if it was true then it meant that even more human females were being traded like livestock.

As the material closed behind them, the sounds of the busy street, of hundreds of beings chatting and walking, of stall keepers shouting their wares became muted, leaving the three of them in a muffled, gloomy environment.

The walls of the alley extended high overhead, storeys stacked on storeys of living cubes that blocked out the artificial light so much so that Aekon could barely see his boot-covered feet. He was thankful for the thick soles and the protection of sturdy leather that encased his calves because there was no telling what he walked on.

“The Novergicus was lying. There’s nothing here,” Idren said, looking about the darkness.

“Let’s try up ahead,” Aekon said.

“If we find more than a dead end, I’ll be surprised,” Kil said.

Blue light revealed the layers of grime and dampness on the metal walls as Idren turned on his wrist comm. A schematic map hovered above the slim screen that conformed to the shape of his wrist.

“Nothing is showing,” he said, “but the walls could be creating a signal disruption.”

Aekon drew out his blaster from the holster at his hip. “Let’s check it out anyway. But be prepared. We might have to employ Plan B.”

“And what is Plan B?” Kil said.

“Not sure yet,” Aekon said.

“I’m sure it will come to you sooner or later,” Idren said, his own blaster already in his hand.

He might be joking, yet his gaze bounced everywhere, his shoulders straight and tense as he prowled next to Akeon.

“Aekon always eventually thinks of something in the end,” Kil said.

“Indeed. Eventually,” Idren said

The banter lightened the tension that thrummed through Aekon’s body. The three of them had been on many missions and had saved each other’s skins more times than he could count. If he could ever rely on another being, these two would be it. They worked as an extension of each other more often than not.

“If you two took orders better than you do, we might not need a Plan B,” Aekon said.

“Did anyone tell Aekon he’s not my commanding officer?” Kil said.

“Someone might have to tell Treega that Aekon has his eye on his position.” Idren’s steps were silent as they crept down the alley.

“I would not want that responsibility,” Aekon said.

“And yet he orders us around as though he does,” Kil said.

They neared the end of the alley. The shadows thickened. It was highly unlikely The Rapture would be here and more than likely they’d been lied to. Still, Aekon had to see the alley end to be fully satisfied. The sale of imprisoned slaves never happened in nice locations.

The shadows were thick at this end of the alley. Aekon activated the torch function of his wrist comm when the light from Idren’s map wasn’t strong enough. The light bounced off the metal walls, but was swallowed by the darkness at the end of the alley.

Aekon flashed a glance at Idren and Kil. He lifted his hand to feel the wall he expected, but his fingers disappeared through the darkness. He felt nothing but air. He glanced at Kil and Idren again before stepping through the wall of darkness. Light stung his eyes and the deep boom of music vibrated through his chest.

“Holy balls,” Idren said as he stepped next to Aekon.

“I’m not sure what surprises me more—that the Norvegicus was honest or that the hologram looks like it’s a military grade ten,” Kil said.

If anyone knew about gadgets, it was Kil. His lean muscular lines hid an inner nerd Aekon and Idren had a lot of fun teasing.

Red light filtered through the bottom of the doorway set into the steel wall right in front of them. The door was shut tight. No being was in attendance. These places usually had a couple of dodgy security staff outside their establishment.

Aekon muttered a curse under his breath. It looked as though they might be too late and the auction had already been and gone. They still had to follow through. If it had, there still might be a lead they could track down.

“Can you get us in, Kil?” Aekon said.

Kil withdrew an electronic lock-pick from one of the many pockets on his person and held it over the door screen that was set into the metal to the right of the door. He entered a series of commands before a flurry of lights flashed across the device. The door swung open with a click and the boom of the music that erupted from inside bounced around the alley. Inside was a deserted area which housed an empty desk, a chair and at the end of the desk, a closed red curtain.

Kil slid his lock pick device back into his pocket, lifting his brow nodes when he glanced at Aekon. “You doubted?”

Aekon never doubted Kil’s ability. He was more surprised at himself for not thinking Kil might have a device that unlocked steel doors in the first place.

“Never. Be careful, brothers,” Aekon said.

They all knew what they might be up against and it never became any easier. Ever since his bond-mate and unborn child had died, Aekon was unable to help the shock and despair that shot through him when he saw any female helpless against stronger beings that took advantage of their strength and power.

Aekon took the lead and Idren and Kil followed on silent feet. Aekon drew his blaster from his side holster. He knew without looking behind him that Idren and Kil would also be armed. Not just with the blasters they no doubt held. Their clothing hid a surprising array of undetectable, hidden weapons that slipped into their outfits.

Music pounded off the wall of the entrance and the deep bass vibrated through his chest. It was stupid to have the music so loud. Any being could infiltrate this venue, as they were doing right now. Perhaps whoever was in charge didn’t care that any being could infiltrate this place, which was a dangerous notion.

Aekon tensed as they approached the thick curtain. A being stepped through. It was another Norvegicus, only this one wasn’t dressed in a ragged cloak as most of the species were. It wore a shining black suit that fitted its form so well it had to have been tailor made.

The Norvegicus squeaked when it saw them, but held its ground even as it had to tilt its head back to look at them.

“Stixus!” it called.

The curtain ruffled and a Trudd barged through. Its massive black form seemed to emerge from the deep shadow recessed between the wall and the curtain. This was the security missing from the front door.

“Come any closer and you won’t have a boss anymore.” Aekon pressed the tip of his blaster beneath the Norvegicus’ chin. The Norvegicus’ whiskers twitched, but that was the only indication it gave that it was scared at all.

“It’s okay, Stixus,” the Norvegicus said, raising its fingers in a hands-off gesture.

The Trudd loomed over them, tension thrumming through its body. Aekon couldn’t read its expression. The eyes, nose, and mouth of this species was hidden beneath two folds of skin on its face that looked like a capital T had been etched into its midnight skin.

It didn’t matter if Aekon could detect its expression. Trudds naturally emanated an air of menace and were well suited for positions of guards and general destruction.

A Norvegicus and a Trudd working together was not a good sign.

The Norvegicus’ smile was more grimace and teeth.

“Easy, friends,” it said. “I was just startled for a moment. Stixus won’t hurt you. I just didn’t expect to see anyone here. We don’t open for another click. Come back then and I’ll give you a free round of drinks for you and your friends.”

“We heard you had a special show on,” Aekon said.

The Norvegicus’ left eyelid twitched. “If you’ve come to see Cherry dance, she’s only here on the third-turn cycle.”

“We didn’t come to see that female. We came because we heard there were other females here we could purchase for more of a higher price and on a more permanent basis,” Aekon said.

“We don’t offer those types of females,” the Norvegicus said.

The Trudd’s thick three-fingered hands twitched.

“That’s not we heard,” Kil said. “In fact, it sounds like you have a party going on in there.”

“I’m sure there’s been some confusion. We’re just testing the sound speakers. We have a new band coming tonight. Come back later and I’ll give you free drinks for the whole evening no matter how much you fine gentlemen consume,” the Norvegicus said.

“Generous offer, but we’ll pass,” Aekon said.

Norvegicuses never offered anything for free. The fact this one had offered twice meant there was something to hide and it was most probably on the other side of that curtain.

Idren lunged as the Trudd’s fist lifted. He slapped a neuro blocker onto the Trudd’s neck and the huge being dropped to the floor in a heap as the blocker interrupted its brain. The Trudd brought down the curtain as it fell, revealing a large auditorium and three naked human females huddled together on a stage, surrounded by Reptiles. The females were bound hand and feet on bent knees, while the Reptiles haggled with a horde of Ixod.An audience filled with various species of males shouted and yelled in sick excitement.

Pure rage, unadulterated and all-consuming, blanked Aekon’s vision. The Ixod stood head and shoulders above the Reptiles, their heavy, tangled manes hiding their faces, but not the power in their tall frames. They were dressed in thick boots, camouflage suits, and heavy weapons. Thanks to the pounding music, Aekon couldn’t hear them but it was obvious why they were there.

One of the Ixod hoisted a female by her bicep. She cried out as the being plucked her off the floor, twisting away from the male as much as she could, given her bound limbs. Fear and confusion etched her features and her body shook like a tender leaf in a blizzard.

The Ixod turned his head and his shaggy mane uncovered his face.

Aekon’s blood turned to sleet as his disbelieving brain struggled to come to grips with what he saw. “Zavis.”

Rage erupted through him, channelling his vision and guiding his arm as he lifted the end of the blaster from beneath the Norvegicus’ chin to shoot a finger-thin laser through Zavis’ skull. But as he pressed the trigger, a snarling Ixod moved to rip the female from Zavis’s claws. The bolt slammed into the snarling Ixod’s back.

The Ixod tumbled to the floor of the stage, dead before he hit the ground, taking the female with him. Crimson blood and bits of brain and bone rained across the stage. The females screamed. All except for the one female the Ixod’s lifeless grip still held.

The expression on her pale face was one of frozen terror. Her dark hair whirled about her shoulders and as she fell to the floor, the thick curls obscured half of her face. Even through the rage, Aekon noted the female’s beauty. Terrified and non-cognizant as she was, she was absolutely stunning. All human females were, but this one…this one was magnificent .

A flash of burnished gold flashed over his vision, as though his nodes had been forced back to life before everything crystallised before him. That could never be, though. They were as dead as his soul. He tipped his head back and roared.

The small crowd in front of the stage scattered. Several Trudd stationed around the perimeter of the room rushed toward them. The Reptiles pulled their weapons, aiming right at them.

Aekon slammed a neuro blocker on the Norvegicus, pulled a second blaster into his hand, and snarled. “Looks like this is plan B, brothers.”