Chapter Three

KIA’S THOUGHTS were interrupted by a gentle chime. The door to his room slid open, revealing the Tah’Narian with the sable-colored hair. He wore the same uniform he’d had on earlier, one that signaled authority.

“May I enter?”

Kia had the option to say no? He had a choice in the matter? In all his life, he had never been given a choice before. “Yes, of course. Please, come in,”

he finally said, unsure of how to handle this new development.

“Welcome aboard, Kia,”

the Tah’Narian said in a voice that was firm yet not unkind. “I am Second Officer Malk Fihk, Weapons Chief. If it is agreeable with you, I will be assisting you during your transition.”

Kia nodded, still slightly taken aback by the opulence of his surroundings. “Thank you, Second Officer Malk Fihk, Weapons Chief.”

Malk’s lips twitched in a smile. “Please, call me Malk.”

Again, the proper form of address had been beaten into to him. “Oh. Is that okay? You won’t be upset at the lack of title?”

“Of course not. Plus, you have my permission to use my first name. I’d like it if you did.”

A spark of fear wormed its way inside Kia. Would he feel the sting of Malk’s hand for addressing him incorrectly? The thought sent shivers down his spine. But then again, what would be the point? Unless this was all part of a sick and twisted game. Kia tried to remain calm despite the chaos in his mind.

“Oh,”

he managed to squeak out, feeling foolish for only being able to muster such a small word. Goddess, he knew other words beside “oh,” he really did. “This is all quite... overwhelming.”

“I’m sure it is.”

Malk smiled slightly, his expression acknowledging Kia’s discomfort. “And it’s understandable. Your transition from Queen Ogill’s domain to here is bound to be challenging. But Tah’Nar is committed to ensuring you feel at home. I am committed to making you feel safe. Is there anything specific I can do to help with that?”

Kia’s eyes drifted again towards the window overlooking space. “I have... concerns,”

he started hesitantly, his fingers twitching towards his neck once more. “Malk.”

Then he braced himself.

“Regarding?”

“My people require water for our physiological needs. We breathe through gills as well as lungs when submerged,”

Kia explained, hoping his request wasn’t too outlandish. And so far, he had not been struck. Surely that was a good sign.

Malk nodded in understanding. “Ah, yes, the aquatic adaptations of your species were noted in our briefings. Rest assured, there are several holodecks aboard this ship. If you’d like, I can show you one of those areas now.”

Relief washed over Kia like the waters of his home world. “Really? That would be much appreciated.”

He was scared, yes, but so far, Malk had not raised his hand or disciplined Kia in any way. If he had been assigned to Kia, wouldn’t that be part of his job?

“Kia? Shall we? Or would you rather wait until later? Perhaps you would like to rest now?”

“Oh.”

Again, Kia was given choices, and again, he didn’t quite know what to make of that. Plus, Malk didn’t seem the least bit annoyed that Kia hadn’t responded immediately. “Sorry. Yes. I’d like to see the facilities, if that’s okay.”

“It is more than okay.”

As they walked through the corridors of the ship, Kia was struck by the diversity of its inhabitants. Creatures of all shapes and sizes moved about, each contributing in some way to the bustling ecosystem aboard the starship.

Finally, they arrived at an expansive room.

Malk expertly manipulated the controls on the holodeck console, and soon the room transformed into a serene oasis. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of fresh dew and rich earth.

Lush plant life, emerald green and vibrant with life, surrounded a pristine pool of crystal clear water. It was like stepping into another universe, a slice of paradise suspended in the vast emptiness of space, each breath filled with the invigorating aroma of nature.

“This deck has several holodecks. It’s used both for recreation and environmental control purposes, and you will be added to the program so you may use it whenever you want.”

Kia gasped. He’d be allowed to come here?

“Well, let me rephrase that. Since you are an unclaimed male, please do not come here alone. Just contact me, and if I’m not on duty, I will gladly take you. It’s protocol, Kia, but it’s also for your safety,”

Malk explained as he led Kia to the pool.

“Am I allowed to ask a question?”

“Of course you may. Kia, no one is going to hurt you or react negatively for asking questions about your new life. We are not the Ne Reyn. We treat our mates as the treasure they are. So please, ask me anything. I promise I won’t get mad and retaliate against you.”

They’d see, wouldn’t they? “What do you mean it’s for my safety?”

“As I said, you are unclaimed by any Tah’Narian. A male could claim you whether you wished it or not, and that would cause trouble”—Malk’s fist clenched—“with me.”

Kia had no idea what to make of that statement, so instead, he focused on the water. He approached the pool cautiously, dipping a hand into the clear water. It was pleasantly cool and refreshing—so different from the artificiality he expected from a spaceship.

Without hesitation, he removed his pretty new sarong that had been given to him and stepped in, feeling an immediate sense of belonging as the water enveloped him. He heard a sound behind him, but when he looked over his shoulder, Malk was facing away from him.

Odd.

“It seems you’re quite at home here,”

Malk observed as he stared at a clump of trees.

“Yes,”

Kia replied. He submerged fully for a moment before resurfacing. “It’s more than I could have hoped for.”

Malk finally looked toward where Kia tread water. “I understand why you feel that way, considering the hierarchy you came from, but please know that we strive to understand and meet the biological needs of all of our mates.”

It sounded so promising but was also hard to believe. But perhaps, perhaps, this place could indeed become a home—a sanctuary not just from Queen Ogill’s rule but also a welcoming haven.

“How long may I stay?”

Kia asked. He desperately wanted to explore his new environment.

Malk settled down on the bank. “I’m in no rush. Take as long as you need. I’ll be right here.”

Again, it sounded too good to be true, but instead of worrying about when punishment was coming, Kia decided to focus on the freedom of being in the water once more.

He dove under to explore. The artificial environment was surprisingly accommodating, crafted meticulously to mimic a natural aquatic habitat. There were rocks and plants that felt almost real under his touch, and small schools of holographic fish darted playfully around him.

He moved with an ease and grace that only his species could achieve in such an environment, each stroke of his limbs propelling him effortlessly forward.

As he explored farther, he discovered that the pool had various depths and even hidden tunnels mimicking underwater caves. Curiosity piqued, Kia ventured into one of these tunnels, the light from the main pool casting eerie, dancing shadows along its walls. The tunnel led to another chamber of the pool, this one even more secluded and tranquil.

Emerging from the tunnel, Kia found himself in a quieter part of the holodeck’s aquatic environment. Here, the sounds of water lapping gently against the rocks and the soft rustle of underwater plants created a calming ambiance.

Overhead, holographic sunlight filtered through imaginary water, creating patterns of light that danced over everything. It was a sanctuary within a sanctuary.

Kia lingered there for a while, simply floating and allowing the serene atmosphere to soothe his weary spirit. It was during this moment of peaceful solitude that he began to reflect on Malk’s words and what his own future might hold in this strange new world.

The concept of being “claimed”

was both frightening and confusing. Yet, Malk’s presence offered a semblance of protection and understanding—something Kia hadn’t expected to find so quickly among strangers.

Finally returning to where Malk waited, Kia noticed the male appeared relaxed, sitting cross-legged by the poolside with a device in his hand.

“You look renewed,”

Malk commented as Kia emerged from the water. His voice held an edge of genuine pleasure, which made Kia feel unexpectedly valued.

“I am,”

Kia admitted, allowing himself a rare smile as he moved closer to where Malk sat. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“My pleasure.”

Malk waved off the gratitude with a casual flick of his hand that seemed at odds with his previous intensity. He stood up and stretched his limbs briefly before looking down at Kia still floating comfortably in the water.

“Are you ready to return?”

Malk asked after a moment of comfortable silence.

Kia glanced around once more at the simulated paradise surrounding him and then back at Malk. A small part of him wanted to remain submerged forever in this tranquil illusion, but he knew that wasn’t possible—or practical.

“Yes,”

he finally said as he began swimming towards the edge of the pool.

Kia pulled himself out of the water and reached for his sarong, drying off slowly.

Once more Malk seemed more interested in observing the foliage than him.

“We’re working on a program to enhance these facilities further. We want to incorporate elements from the natural environments of Ne Reyn so any other males can enjoy their home world waters. Would you be interested in working with me on that?”

Malk asked after a quick check to see Kia was dressed.

They left the holodeck room and started back toward Kia’s quarters.

“Really? I could contribute insight on what would make it feel more like home for my people?”

“Absolutely,”

Malk replied warmly. “Your feedback will be invaluable in ensuring that our enhancements feel authentic. We’ve found that direct involvement from natives leads to better outcomes for everyone.”

As they walked, Kia observed that the ship, once daunting, now seemed less formidable, almost inviting, akin to a prospective home. The corridors had seemed so alien initially, sterile and overwhelming, but now he began to see them as pathways leading to new friendships and opportunities.

“As for your personal quarters,”

Malk continued as they arrived back at the door to Kia’s room. “If you need any adjustments to increase your comfort—more water features, specific temperature controls, anything—do let me know. I want you to be as comfortable as possible.”

Kia nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude. “Thank you, Malk. I... I appreciate your kindness and understanding.”

“It’s not just me,”

Malk said with a smile. “It’s the Tah’Narian way. We believe our strength comes from our diversity and the collective good of all species aboard.” He gestured around them. “That wasn’t always true, of course, but we are trying to change. This ship is more than just metal and technology—it’s a community, and now, it’s your community too.”

That was a stark contrast to the cold emptiness Kia had often felt under Queen Ogill’s rule. Here, there seemed to be an earnest effort towards unity and respect.

“If you ever feel lonely or out of place,”

Malk added before he left, “remember that I am here for you. I, ah, was assigned to you to help you adapt, but I asked to be. I… I have an interest in you, Kia. As a mate.”

With those parting words, Malk gave a respectful nod and exited the room, leaving Kia stunned. Malk was interested in him? As a mate?

Had they not realized yet that Queen Ogill offloaded damaged stock on them? He knew it was only a matter of time before the Tah’Narian’s realized they had been given weak males.

Would they turn against him? The thought made him uneasy as he settled into his temporary living quarters. How long would it be until he was forced to move, yet again, to a place more fitting for someone of his standing?

As he glanced back toward the window overlooking the stars, Kia saw the dream he had envisioned disappear. It was stupid of him to forget what he was. And if Malk was seriously interested in him, Kia needed to inform him immediately so he could make arrangements to pursue a mate more worthy of him.

Because Kia certainly was not.

(I know, I know! Kia just makes you want to ugly cry, right? But if you’ve read the Harvest series, you know he found his happily ever after.)

Hope you enjoyed Volume 1 of the Harvest Anthologies. These stories were posted first on my Patreon, then removed and later published.

M