Chapter Three

KEYNO ENTERED the Bridge and immediately made his way to Gibor.

“Report.”

“The human SWAT team has moved out, sir. ETA is twenty Earth minutes.”

Keyno looked at the monitor Gibor was watching. “I have concerns.”

Gibor looked away from the screen. “Sir?”

Keyno lowered his voice. “You saw how the SWAT team responded to Chad. They hurt him.”

“You know the chances of it being the same SWAT team is unlikely.”

“It’s not the members themselves. It’s their attitude.”

“What is it you’re asking me, Keyno?”

“I need you to be there when they retrieve Dale.”

“Not you?”

Keyno shook his head. “If they mishandle him, I may end up killing them. This would only create more issues for us and give my chosen one a negative image of me.”

“Some humans can react funny to bloodshed,”

Gibor said, nodding. “I’m still surprised Chad reacts in certain ways.”

“We’re very different from them. But I will be there during the medical exam. When that starts, I need you back here on the Bridge.”

“Understood. How active do you want me to be in his harvest?”

“I would prefer you not to kill any of them, but they are not to hurt Dale.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll transport down as soon as they arrive on scene.”

Keyno rested his hand on Gibor’s shoulder. “Thank you, my friend.”

“You’re welcome. And you should know Chad is very insistent about seeing Dale, too, once he is aboard.”

“Of course, but I would request that we allow Dale time to adjust first. I don’t want to overwhelm him.”

“I will relay that to Chad. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“I’m going to head to the transporter room. Comm me when I need to beam down and send the coordinates as well.”

Turning, Gibor left the Bridge.

Keyno remained fixated on the monitor after Gibor left, his gaze never wavering from that black van as it made its way toward Dale’s neighborhood. The tense atmosphere in the room was palpable, and everyone on the Bridge seemed to sense Keyno’s anxiety, as their conversations were spoken in hushed tones.

A primal urge to bulk up, to display dominance, pulsed through Keyno’s body, but he fought against it. There was no enemy present to intimidate. Yet, his instincts told him something was amiss—a sharp feeling of unease twisted in his gut. This wasn’t just a routine mission, and he couldn’t shake the bad feeling that seemed to hover.

As the van entered Dale’s neighborhood, Keyno commed Gibor. Once it pulled to a stop, and Gibor materialized out of thin air. The SWAT team swarmed out of the van, and a human approached Gibor, most likely their leader. His stance was confident but cautious, his eyes darting around as if assessing the situation.

There was a brief discussion between Gibor and the human. Meanwhile, the rest of the humans stealthily moved towards Dale’s house. The human in charge made several overly dramatic hand gestures as he spoke, his voice rising with each one. But when Gibor took a step forward, all theatrics ceased, and the human visibly flinched.

Keyno could hear his heart pounding as he braced himself for what was to come. The very air around Gibor crackled with tension, and that bad feeling Keyno had grew.

“I’m not supposed to be collected!”

Keyno clenched his teeth as men in SWAT gear dragged Dale from his house. His chosen thrashed and twisted, his wide eyes reflecting sheer terror.

Dale fought against the officers, desperate to break free, and Keyno’s stomach clenched with worry. This kind of resistance would only lead to further trouble. With each futile struggle, Dale’s fear grew stronger, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

“Listen to me! I’m only twenty-two years old.”

“Son of a bitch, stop jumping around, you little fag,”

a SWAT officer hissed as he grabbed Dale’s wrist and twisted.

“Fuck!”

Dale yelled.

Keyno snarled, his body warming in preparation to bulk up. How dare they handle Dale like that.

Gibor was in motion immediately.

Dale managed to punch the human trying to restrain him.

His chosen’s bravery impressed Keyno. The force and determination behind Dale’s punch were evident as he landed a solid hit on the SWAT member, busting his nose and causing blood to drip down his face.

Anger flashed in the man’s eyes as he prepared to retaliate, but before he could, Gibor intervened and pulled him away from Dale. Another human quickly took the team member’s place, but Keyno’s attention remained on the one who had been struck by Dale.

He could see the effects of the blow on the man’s face, a deep red mark forming and anger still simmering in his eyes. Perverse joy flooded Keyno when Gibor lifted the human completely off the ground by one hand and shook him like a rag doll, snapping his head back and forth.

Dale shivered at the low growls emanating from Gibor.

Keyno sincerely wished he was the one shaking the SWAT member, but that would only result in a dead body and paperwork, something he didn’t have time for.

Gibor spoke softly—so softly his comm couldn’t pick up what he threatened the SWAT member with, not that it mattered. Whatever it was, Keyno was sure it was creative. Gibor tossed the human to the ground, then pointed at Dale.

“Okay. I won’t touch him again.”

The team member stumbled to the van, making a point to not look at Dale.

Smart choice. Otherwise, Keyno might be tempted to tell Gibor to remove the SWAT member’s eyes. The pause in action allowed the other team members to yank Dale’s arms behind his back.

“Let go of me, dammit!”

Gibor followed closely behind the group, his comm still open and transmitting so Keyno could see and hear everything. It didn’t appear as if they were holding Dale too tightly, but Keyno still didn’t like them touching what was his.

“Stop fighting, kid. You can’t win against five of us. Plus, there’s that alien too.”

Keyno heard Gibor huff in annoyance. Keyno agreed. The humans’ lack of respect was annoying. They were Tah’Narians, not “that alien.”

“You just saw his strength. The more you fight, the harder this is going to be.”

Dale slumped in their arms, the fight draining out of him. “What did it say?”

“Basically, that you’ve been chosen by one of them,”

the SWAT member leaned down and whispered. “I’m sorry, kid. Never heard of something like this happening. No more talking, or they’ll gag you next.”

Keyno grimaced. It? That would be one of the first things he needed to address with Dale. He also did not appreciate Dale being handled in such a way, although the human had no idea just how accurate he was. Dale was indeed chosen.

Dale hung in their arms as they dragged him to a waiting van.

The sudden lack of fight worried Keyno even as it reassured him. He didn’t want Dale to get hurt. Never that. But Keyno also knew they walked a fine line between acceptance and resistance.

He didn’t want Dale to give up. There had been a human or two who had spiraled into such a depressive state that they’d feared they would lose them. Which was yet another reason Keyno despised how they were forced to do this.

He absolutely would not allow that to happen to Dale.

The van doors were opened, and Dale was escorted inside. The cramped space was filled with nervous human bodies pressed in close on either side of him. In the corner, Gibor sat with a watchful eye, positioned strategically so that Keyno had a clear view of Dale.

The pain and hopelessness on his face disturbed Keyno. He kept reminding himself that he would fix this as soon as Dale was aboard his ship. He just had to be patient.

But Keyno did wonder what was going through Dale’s mind. Now he knew a Tah’Narian had chosen him. From the look on Dale’s face, he was outraged, terrified, and confused.

The confusion hurt Keyno.

Their trip was short and silent, and soon they arrived at one of the holding centers. Thankfully it was empty since the last harvest wasn’t scheduled until later. The van door slid open and Gibor exited first, checking to make sure there were no threats present. Then he carefully watched as Dale was escorted from the van and into the building.

The SWAT members led Dale straight to an exam room, Gibor close behind. Two human doctors were there, along with human military. Keyno commed Gibor. He needed his first officer to return aboard so he himself could beam down.

Leaving the Bridge, he hurried to Transportation Bay One. Within seconds, Gibor appeared.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Captain.”

Within seconds, Keyno use Gibor’s last coordinates to beam straight down right outside of the exam room and entered. Keyno snarled. He was on a gurney and had been restrained. A band across Dale’s chest kept him from moving much.

“Bastards!”

Dale yelled. “My God, you’re human. Why are you doing this to me? I’m under the age limit! Isn’t anyone listening to me?” Dale stared at the nearest guard. “How do you sleep at night? Can you look at yourself in the mirror? Help me, please!”

Neither guard answered Dale.

No emotion showed on their faces, but the unmistakable scent of fear hung in the air, mingling with the stench of sweat from both sides. Keyno’s keen senses picked up every nuance, every detail.

His presence seemed to be enough to inspire dread in the guards. As it should be. But it did make him question how the humans who had been harvested before were treated when there was no Tah’Narian around to keep an eye on the guards.

But Keyno agreed with Dale’s last statement, though. The humans were soldiers of the government, which most likely meant they didn’t have a choice, but there was absolutely no shred of compassion in any of their gazes.

No Tah’Narian who saw one of his kind treated like this would stand by and allow it to happen. With a fierce sense of loyalty, they would risk their lives to defend a fellow member of their species. No matter the odds, no matter the consequences, they stood as one. They might die, but they would fight to the bitter end to help a fellow Tah’Narian. They were a force to be reckoned with.

Dale lay on the gurney, shivering. He tugged at the straps holding him down, glaring at the guards. “I hope one of you finds yourself tied to this table. Maybe then you’ll know what it’s like. How can you do this? It’s wrong.”

One of the guards had the grace to look away from him.

Finally. An emotion. Such as it was.

Dale’s gaze shot to the doctor who stepped up to the table. “And you. You look old enough to have a grandson. How’d you like to see him here, huh, you bastard?”

The doctor’s face remained stoic as he examined Dale, checking his vital signs and conducting a routine physical exam. Keyno thought the blood pressure reading was unnecessary, as it was likely elevated due to fear. The doctor finished by examining Dale’s ears, eyes, nose, and throat.

The last thing the doctor did was draw blood.

“Tell the Tah’Narian we’re ready for the next step,”

the doctor said to one of the guards.

Like Keyno couldn’t understand him. Stupid human.

“What?”

Dale fought the straps holding him again. “What next step? What the hell does that mean? What Tah’Narian?”

Keyno positioned himself in Dale’s line of sight just as the doctor picked up a new syringe and approached him.

“Fuck, what’s that? What are you doing? Why is he here?”

Dale jerked as the doctor placed the needle against Dale’s skin and injected him. “What was that, dammit?”

“Truth serum.”

“What?”

Keyno despised this aspect, much like the rest of it, but it was an essential part of the process. Dale continued to yell inquiries without receiving any answers as they patiently waited for the medication to kick in.

Within minutes, Dale calmed, and a look of tranquility flashed across his face.

Keyno relaxed slightly. Good. It was taking effect. Dale’s inhibitions would fade away. From what Keyno understood, more pleasant memories should occupy his chosen’s mind now.

Dale giggled slightly. “Oooh, you guys are so gonna be up shit creek. I’m under the age limit. Did someone call the president and tell him what you assholes did?”

The human doctor rolled his eyes, and growling, Keyno took a step toward the doctor before he caught himself. But the idiot must have understood the threat because he pissed his pants, then hurriedly left. Keyno’s searing gaze followed him out, filled with a primal rage that could snap bones with ease.

Several moments later, another doctor entered, one much younger and who had a much more compassionate look to him.

“Are you able to conduct yourself toward this man with compassion?”

Keyno snapped.

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent. This human is very special, so treat him accordingly.”

“I understand he is under the age limit.”

“That’s not something you need to concern yourself about, Doctor. Sufficient to say, permission has been granted to obtain him.”

“It’s wrong.”

Keyno didn’t disagree, but that still hadn’t stopped him. “Did I mention he was special? What I neglected to add was that he is special to me. He is the one I have chosen. Tread carefully, Doctor, and do not question me. Now, is there a reason he was restrained naked?”

“Jesus. Why in the world did they subject him to that? No, it’s not necessary. Hold on, let me—”

The doctor grabbed a sheet from a cabinet and covered Dale with it. “That was completely unnecessary.”

The gods had better hope that the previous doctor had vacated the area by the time Keyno walked out to the holding area, or there could be a problem.

Dale giggled again.

“He seems much less agitated,”

Keyno observed.

“Yes, he’s much calmer now,”

the doctor said. “It’s like being drunk. That’s why he sounds like he does.”

“He’s shivering, though.”

The doctor looked at Dale and nodded. “It’s one of the side effects. I’ll turn the heat up some.”

Dale’s eyes tried to focus on Keyno. “Dude, you have the greatest hair I’ve ever seen. Can I go home now?”

Keyno preened before he caught himself. His chosen thought his hair was great. He moved to the table and patted Dale’s arm, hoping it would comfort him. “Your compliment pleases me. Thank you.”

“I don’t speak babble, man.”

Keyno had no idea what that meant. Was that a language? Why had it not been programmed into his implant?

“Let’s begin,”

the doctor said. “Your name is Dale Michaels?”

“Yup.”

“You are twenty-two years of age?”

“Right-o.”

“You are the only son born to your parents?”

“Yeah. I need to go home, man. My mom was really upset when I was dragged out of my house.”

Dale looked at the doctor. “Why did y’all do that? You made my mom cry. That’s just mean.”

“Oh, Jesus. I’m… sorry, Dale,”

the doctor said.

“We were not responsible for that. You humans are the ones who drag other humans out of their homes,”

Keyno stated firmly, fighting the ribbon of guilt that streaked through him because the Tah’Narians were responsible, even if they were not the ones actually doing the dragging the humans out of their homes.

But that was what the US government had set up.

The doctor’s lips tightened. “I know that, but he’s right.”

“See?”

Dale giggled as he looked at Keyno. “He says I’m right. Can I leave now?”

“He doesn’t understand, does he?”

Keyno said quietly. That ribbon of guilt wound around his throat and tightened. “Please proceed, Doctor. Prolonging this situation is not beneficial for him.”

The doctor’s eyes closed his eyes. “I understand.”

He opened his eyes. “Okay, let’s continue. Dale, do you like men?”

“Absolutely,”

Dale slurred. “I like men. Boy, do I like men. I like the way they smell, the way they kiss, the fact they have a dick just like me. Hey there, do you like men?”

The doctor blushed. “Um, okay. Ah. Goodness, this stuff is something. So, Dale, are you a virgin?”

Dale snorted loudly. “Man, my cherry was popped a long time ago. I ain’t no virgin.”

“O-okay.”

Then the doctor looked at Keyno.

“Hey! Not by him.”

Dale snickered.

Keyno shrugged. Some cultures considered virginity a prize, but his did not. It didn’t matter to Keyno one way or the other. In fact, if Dale had experience, that was even better. This was going to be hard enough as it was.

“Ever had an STD?”

Dale’s mouth fell open. “I said I had sex. I didn’t say I was a ho. Of course I ain’t had no stinking STD. I played safe, what little playing I did. Be cool, man.”

Keyno waited patiently as the doctor asked more questions. Some were simple, like Dale’s name, age, and birthday, which Keyno already had—it was more for verification. Then the questions focused more in-depth on Dale’s sexual orientation and his experience.

Keyno shifted uncomfortably. This was even more proof that the government was indeed targeting a certain portion of its population.

“Okay, we’re done,”

the doctor said.

“Cool. Can I go home now? ’Cause, you know, I’m not of age,”

Dale mumbled as the doctor injected him again. “Man, what is it with you guys and needles? What was that?”

“Something to bring you down and make you sleep,”

the doctor answered.

Keyno was fully aware the antidote was fast-acting. For a few brief moments before Dale was forced asleep, his mind would clear.

“Whatever this stuff is, it’s very fast,”

the doctor said.

“It is, yes.”

Keyno watched Dale closely.

Fear tightened Dale’s features once again, and Keyno sighed silently. Dale was fighting unconsciousness. Keyno reached out and gently ran a hand through Dale’s hair. It was such a beautiful color. As were his hazel eyes. Such an odd combination of brown and green.

“It’s okay. There’s nothing to fear. I promise. You’re safe.”

Keyno meant it as a soothing gesture, but he saw Dale flinch.

“Be calm, my chosen.”

“I can’t understand you. Please, I’m not twenty-three yet.”

Once again, Dale tried to plead his case, but it was a losing battle. Unconsciousness was slowly creeping over him. “Not supposed to be here.”

The human doctor spoke. “He said ‘be calm, my chosen’ in his own language.”

If the look on Dale’s face was anything to go on, Keyno’s reassurances fell on deaf ears. He wished their first meeting hadn’t gone like this, but he had every faith his human would be reasonable once things were explained to him.

Keyno could fix this, of that, he had no doubt.

John’s POV Harvest

I decided to show John’s perspective this time because he was the one harvested during a surgery he was assisting.