Alex

ALEX

S ewers.

It's always sewers.

It's as if fate felt I didn't spend enough time in the dark and stench of a good sewer before I was abducted (and I can confirm at thirty-four years old, I had never seen the inside of a sewer on Earth), so apparently my time down in the stinky depths has come.

The 3-D map spins as I do my best to breathe through my mouth rather than my nose. A light ball flashes, showing the exit I need to take. I absolutely do not hesitate. I am going to smell like shit for the rest of the day whatever happens, but it doesn't stop me shoving the filthy door open as quickly as I can and gulping down the fresher air on the other side.

I say fresher because I've replaced sewer for an area which smells like a mix between a men's locker room and animal stalls. It's well-lit, and at the far end of the room, I can see items which look suspiciously like they might be used for training…gladiators.

I freeze and squish myself against the wall, looking around for anywhere I might be able to hide. There isn't anywhere, and according to the map, the only exit is past the training area.

"Not good…not good at all," I mutter, sliding my way down the rough-hewn rock walls, noting I can't even see the ceiling above me. Instead there is blackness, meaning I have to be a long, long way beneath the dome.

I make it to the exit without incident, noting the scuffing on the floor and the various dummies, presumably used for training, are covered in what look like claw marks. Unable to help myself, a closer inspection also reveals…gnaw marks?

I've seen a little of the preview of the games. There are huge video screens in the more salubrious parts of Tatatunga, ones I occasionally pass through, where lurid footage of things being sliced to pieces spin, interspersed with close-up images of helmeted aliens, flashing weapons, and on one horrible occasion what could only be described as a tapeworm but about five hundred feet long.

I've never been able to stand still long enough to see much of the actual gladiators. From what I have seen, they're massive winged creatures. Occasionally one flashes up on the screen, stats scrolling alongside a montage of swift images showcasing the extreme violence they cause. What species they are, I don't know, and other than Ginka, I've not had anyone else to ask.

I wish I'd asked now.

Behind me, there's a crash like a bucket being kicked and it hurries me up. I need to find the back box office and steal the pass before I'm detected, as I don't want to end up like one of those dummies…or worse.

The entire place seems unreasonably quiet as I make my way through various conduits and passages, climbing ever higher within the structure. It's as if the giant is sleeping, and I don't want to be around when it wakes up.

The map finally flashes my destination, and it's with some considerable relief I spot another living creature. A harassed looking Oykig, a reptilian species, mostly resembling a snake but considerably larger. It's hissing up a storm at something as I peer in through the open doorway.

As I watch, it slams its tail against a colored neon square, which springs open. The Oykig reaches inside and pulls out three round discs—passes for the dome, reminiscent of CD's—and shoves them, one by one into what looks like a scanner specifically made to take them.

I half expect music to start as the thing spins around, and I'm a little disappointed I don't get a blast of Spice Girls when there is a loud ringing sound that startles the Oykig. It hisses and huffs, glaring at the machine until it finally slides over to the wall and presses a button.

"What is it?" it snaps. "I'm in the middle of formatting passes, and you know how complicated it is."

This is probably my only chance. I dart through the open door, and staying low, I get to the machine just as it finishes its cycle. I snatch up the discs, shove them inside my shirt, down the front of my underwear and then run as fast as I can, while the Oykig continues to complain bitterly into the wall about its working conditions.

Once I get a good distance away, chest heaving with the sudden movement and adrenaline coursing through me, I stop and duck behind a large metal strut, one which is presumably part of the dome structure. Over the sound of my hammering heart, I check the map, instructing it to find me a way out.

It isn't the same as the way in, and I sigh with relief. Maybe I won't smell like sewers all day after all. I attempt to look nonchalant as I stroll the passageways as quickly as I can. One or two of the creatures I pass give me a second glance, but I make sure I'm out of sight before they can double back.

Yet again, I'm descending into the bowels of the dome, and my hope of missing out on another sewer visit is disappearing. Finally, I'm faced with a large metal door, crudely (for an alien planet packed with tech humans can only dream about) locked with a single sliding bolt.

The map is insistent that inside is the way out of here.

My gut churns.

An alarm shrieks.

I grab the bolt and slide it aside, wrenching open the heavy door and slamming it behind me. Getting out is now imperative. I cannot be found here.

Not entirely sure what I was expecting, but the dimly lit room, yet again hewn from solid rock, contains a number of empty cages.

Maybe this is where they keep the beasts?

It smells musty, the air stale and unused. Whatever it is, I don't want to hang around to find out, and I hurry down past the empty enclosures, keeping my eyes on the rock face at the far end. The map claims there is an exit, but even when I reach it, I can't see one.

"Fuck!" I swear out loud. Have I trapped myself? Could Ixor's intel be incorrect? I give the map device a shake.

Nothing changes.

"Dammit!" I lean back against the bars, drop my head back, and consider my options.

Something moves in one of the cages opposite. I immediately freeze.

Stood in a circle of light is the biggest male I've ever seen. He has to be well over seven feet in height, naked from the waist up, presumably due to the enormous slate gray wings which sprout from his back and look more like weapons than anything any angel might sport. His head is bowed, and the light glitters over his heavily muscled body, sliced all over with scar tissue. He has some fresher wounds which are crusted with dried blood, and his chest, defined with a myriad of muscles I can't take my eyes off, heaves with his breathing.

He is utterly stunning, like a living statue carved by a god.

As I stand, trying not to even breathe, he raises his magnificent head, lifting it high up and scenting the air. With a growl which turns my stomach to jelly, he turns in my direction.

" Eregri ." The word is a rasp, a growl and an intention all in one.

I should move, but my feet are stuck to the ground. He opens his wings and in a single clap, he's at the bars, huge clawed hands reaching for me.

"EREGRI!" he bellows, causing the entire place to ring with the word.

I should move. I should move.

I can't move.

His massive hand extends out between the bars, each finger tipped with the most vicious claw I've seen outside a dinosaur skeleton. I'm rigid with fear as a single one curls a lock of my long tawny hair around it. My heart is fluttering in my chest like a butterfly in a net as I raise my eyes to look into his.

They're dark pools, almost tranquil in their deep beauty. This male is so handsome, I forget everything.

There is only us, caught in this moment. I can't drag my eyes away from him or the near certain death I'm facing. He is anything but tranquil.

The door slams open, and the sharp noise jerks my body back to life. I stumble back out of his reach as shouting fills the air.

My feet ring against metal. The door the map was indicating is under my feet. His eyes are still locked on me.

"I'm sorry," I gasp out as I wrench open the trap door and dive through.