Chapter Two

TURNING, GIBOR dropped down to one knee in front of Chad, which prompted Chad to crab-walk away from him until he collided with the nearest wall. Not the reaction Gibor was looking for, but one he should’ve been expecting. Of course the human was terrified.

“Holy shit. They not only understand you, but they’re also answerable to you. Who are you?”

“I’m so sorry they hurt you. And I wish you could understand me, but I know you can’t. Not yet. Nevertheless, my name is Gibor Kwen, First Officer of the starship Algol.”

Gibor made sure his voice was gentle, but he wasn’t sure Chad picked up on it. No, Chad seemed to be staring at the prongs sticking out of Gibor’s uniform instead.

Following Chad’s gaze, Gibor glanced down. He jerked the prongs out, glared at them, and tossed them to the ground. Both of them stared at where they landed. For two little pieces of metal, they sure packed a punch. If Gibor wasn’t so irritated, he might’ve been impressed.

Dismissing the ruined weapon, he turned his attention back to Chad, then he held out his hand. That was a very risky move on his part. Would Chad panic? Or would Chad take the hand Gibor offered?

Chad gulped.

Tah’Narians had humanoid-shaped lips, mouths, and noses. Gibor’s hair was onyx black, something also humans could have. Their eyes were also human-shaped, although their pupils were slitted.

Those were definitely not human, nor was the lime green color of his eyes. But there were also some marked differences, like the feline-shaped ears sitting on top of his head and the tail moving restlessly behind him.

Pain pierced his chest when Chad just stared at the hand Gibor held out.

“Please?”

Gibor asked. He tried to reflect the plea in his eyes.

Chad studied him for a moment before slowly reaching out, placing his hand in Gibor’s.

The trust in that one simple gesture floored Gibor. Tah’Narians were fierce warriors, but this human just showed astounding courage.

And trust.

If it was the last thing Gibor did, he would make sure Chad never regretted giving him that trust. Standing, he gently pulled Chad to his feet. He opened his mouth, then shut it again as he stared at Chad’s face. The trickle of blood had dried, of course, and Chad’s mouth was beginning to swell.

They needed to treat that as soon as possible, which would probably be during the health assessment. Gods, that was going to go so well, he was sure. He desperately wished he could speak to Chad so he could reassure him, but until the translator was surgically implanted in Chad’s brain, he couldn’t. If only there was something they could use in the meantime.

Instead, Gibor lifted his other hand, moving at a snail’s pace. He wanted to clearly project what he was about to do. Chad stiffened but didn’t attempt to stop him or move away.

Gibor cupped Chad’s chin and sighed deeply. He gently turned Chad’s face, studying it. Regret flooded him. Then anger, although it wasn’t directed at Chad. This shouldn’t have happened.

Again, he couldn’t help but think there had to be a better way to do this.

Chad blinked, but he didn’t pull away. A low rumbling sounded from deep within Gibor’s chest, but it ended as fast as it started. He didn’t want to scare his mate. Chad had allowed Gibor to touch him twice now. That was progress, but Gibor knew they had a long way to go. A very long way.

Still holding Chad’s other hand, Gibor led him to one of the cordoned off areas that had the drapes opened.

Chad dug in his heels, and Gibor turned to face him, confusion on his face.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but if you try to restrain me, I’m gonna fight you,”

Chad promised. “I’m going to lose, granted, but I’m going to fight anyway. Just so we’re clear.”

“No one is going to restrain you. I promise,”

Gibor said.

Chad just stared at him.

Another human in a white coat cleared his voice.

Gibor glanced at him. Perfect. “Please explain to him what you’re going to do. Hopefully, that’ll reassure him.”

Chad’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything.

“My name is Dr. Sevier, and yes, I can understand them. I’m only going to do a quick examination, then ask some questions. I’ll take your blood pressure and check your ears, nose, and throat. Standard stuff. But I’ll also have to draw blood, just like I’d do if you were seeing me at my office. If you don’t fight me, you won’t be restrained.”

Chad eyed him. “So, a basic checkup?”

“Basically.”

“Okay. I guess I don’t have a choice.”

“No, I’m sorry, you really don’t. I… God, I hate this.”

Dr. Sevier closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, then opened them again. “I’ll be as gentle and fast as I can be. I’m sorry, that’s the best I can do.”

“Then let’s get it over with.”

Since Chad still let him hold his hand, Gibor led Chad to the nearest gurney. He was thrilled when Chad let him help him onto it. Gibor made sure his hands around Chad’s waist were gentle.

Dr. Sevier moved around with a practiced ease, gathering the necessary instruments. The overhead light flickered momentarily, casting brief shadows across Chad’s tense features.

Gibor remained by Chad’s side, trying to offer comfort without words.

Dr. Sevier approached with a small device for taking blood pressure. “You’ll feel a slight squeeze around your arm,”

he explained as he wrapped the cuff around Chad’s bicep.

The machine whirred softly and then beeped.

“Not bad, all things considered,”

Dr. Sevier said, scribbling something on his clipboard. Next came the stethoscope. He warmed it up before placing it against Chad’s chest. “Deep breaths for me, please.”

Chad did as he was told.

“All seems normal here,”

Dr. Sevier finally announced, moving back to his tray of instruments. He then picked up a small light to check Chad’s eyes, ears, and throat.

During each step, Gibor never left Chad’s side, watching both Chad and Dr. Sevier intently.

“Now for the blood sample.”

Dr. Sevier donned gloves, then he prepared a syringe.

Chad tensed visibly at the sight of the needle. Gibor squeezed his hand slightly in response.

“It will be quick,”

Gibor assured him in a low rumble, almost a whisper.

“He said it’ll be quick,”

Dr. Sevier said, translating for Gibor.

“Okay, sure. Fine.”

True to his word, Dr. Sevier performed the draw efficiently and with minimal fuss, swiftly applying a small bandage afterward. “Now why don’t I clean that blood up and check where you got hit?”

“Sure.”

Dr. Sevier did that, then stepped back. “There you go—all done.”

“Yeah, all done. Goody.”

Doctor Sevier cringed. As he disposed of the materials and washed his hands, Chad slowly swung his legs over the side of the gurney, flexing his fingers where Gibor had gripped them tightly.

“Thank you for staying calm,”

Dr. Sevier said as he turned back towards them, removing his gloves. “We’re just going to run some standard tests on these samples to ensure everything is compatible and functioning correctly. Now, there’s one more procedure I need to do, then there are some questions I need to ask you. I’m sorry, but they’re going to be invasive.”

“Just lovely. And if I refuse to answer?”

“You don’t have that option, unfortunately.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

Chad demanded.

Dr. Sevier blew out a harsh breath. “It means I’m going to give you something that’s going to force you to answer truthfully.”

Chad jerked back from the doctor. “The hell you are.”

“You’ve been doing so good, don’t blow it now. You will be administered something which will make you tell the truth. They need honest answers, and that’s also to your benefit. Please don’t make me have you restrained. Nobody’s going to be happy if I have to do that,”

Dr. Sevier said, glancing at Gibor.

“I hate this.”

Chad wrapped his arms around himself. “It’s invasive, and it’s fucking unfair. I didn’t ask for none of this. I didn’t want any of this. I hate this!”

Dr. Sevier glanced at Gibor, then back to Chad. “Would you believe me if I told you that you’re not the only one?”

“Right,”

Chad snapped. “Sure.”

“I don’t want to restrain him,”

Gibor said to Dr. Sevier.

“What did he just say?”

“He said he didn’t want to restrain you,”

Dr. Sevier said. “So do us all a favor and don’t make him have to.”

“Forced compliance is not consent, just so you know,”

Chad pointed out.

“Again, I’m well aware of that.”

Gibor moved to where Chad could see him just as the doctor picked up another needle and walked back toward Chad. He really, really did not want to have to restrain Chad, but he absolutely would if it kept Chad from hurting himself. He would hate every minute of it, but he would do it.

Chad gulped. “What is it?

“Their particular brand of sodium pentothal,”

Dr. Sevier answered. “Better known as truth serum.”

“Are you fucking for real?”

“Unfortunately so. May I proceed, please?”

“Just to be clear, if I say no, what happens?”

Chad demanded.

“The Tah’Narian by your side will restrain you while I inject you,”

Dr. Sevier said.

“Fucking lovely. Well, then, have at it.”

Chad waved at the doctor, jerking slightly as the doctor placed the needle against his arm and injected him.

“It’s going to make you very relaxed, and quite frankly, sort of drunk feeling,”

Dr. Sevier said.

“Can’t wait.”

Just as the doctor said, it didn’t take long for Chad to become groggy. In fact, he lay back down. From what Gibor understood, the serum would make Chad’s inhibitions fade away.

Chad giggled slightly. “Damn, this is some good shit, dude.”

“He seems much less agitated,”

Gibor observed.

“Yes, he’s much calmer now, thanks to the serum. As I said, it’s like being drunk. That’s why he sounds like he does too.”

Gibor frowned. “He’s shivering, though.”

Dr. Sevier glanced at Chad, then nodded. “Unfortunately, that’s one of the side effects, but I have a heated blanket around here—okay, just a second, and I’ll get it for him.”

“Thank you,”

Gibor said.

“I don’t want this to be any more uncomfortable for him than it already is,”

the doctor said. “Okay, enough time has passed. Let’s get this started. Is your name Chad Foster?”

“Yup.”

Dr. Sevier then verified Chad’s age. “He is definitely of age,”

he said to Gibor.

“I did verify that,”

Gibor said.

“I know. Okay, Chad, are your parents Howard and Linda Foster?”

“Yep.”

“And are you the only son born to your parents?”

“Yeah. And speaking of my parents, dragging me out of the house the way I was? That was a shit thing to do. But I am glad alien dude over there popped that guy. I enjoyed it.”

“As did I,”

Gibor said.

“He said he did too,”

Dr. Sevier said to Chad. “Next question. Do you like men?”

“Do I like men?”

Chad slurred. “Man, do I like men. I mean, what’s not to like? I like the way they smell, the scruff on their faces, their muscles, their dicks. I ’specially like their dicks. No girl parts for me. No way, dude. Tried that and couldn’t even get hard. How fucked up was that? Mannnnn, she was pissed.”

“So that’s definitely a yes. So, Chad, are you a virgin?”

Chad snorted loudly.

“Is that a no?”

“Yeah, it’s a no.”

The doctor glanced at Gibor, and he shrugged. Virginity was not something prized by their culture. Instead, he was grateful Chad had experience because trying to deflower a virgin would have been a complicated situation he didn’t want to deal with. Gods, it was already going to be complicated enough.

“Ever had an STD?”

Chad’s eyes widened. “Dude, come on. I glove up, ’specially these days. The fuck?”

Gibor waited patiently as the doctor asked more questions. Some were simple, like Chad’s birthday, and others were more focused on Chad’s sexual orientation and his experience. Gibor sighed. There had been rumors that the United States had targeted a certain portion of its population. It seemed the rumors were true.

“Okay, we’re done,”

the doctor said. “Now I’m going to inject you with something to make you sleep. Good luck, Chad. Please keep in mind that the Tah’Narians really aren’t the enemy here. Listen to what he has to say and give him a chance to explain.”

Surprised, Gibor looked at the doctor. It was the first time he’d heard a human doctor say that. “Thank you.”

Gibor hoped with all his heart that Chad would give him a chance. That was all he needed, just one chance to make up for everything Chad had been subjected to. Because if given that chance? Gibor would make Chad the center of his world.

Dr. Sevier shrugged. “You guys aren’t without blame, but our government is taking a horrible situation and using it to their advantage. I know it, and I think you guys are beginning to figure that out too. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—there’s got to be a better way to do this.”

Gibor agreed, but he didn’t know what it was.

Keyno’s POV of Dale’s harvest