7. Roxanne

Chapter 7

Roxanne

Aftermath

M echanical arms suddenly surround me, rotating and engulfing me in blinding, bright lights. The machines beep periodically. I remember they brought me here after… after the horrors attacked the ship . My mind races, trying to make sense of what just happened. It's all a blur of churning colors and terrifying machines swarming the ship like locusts. Tearing, clawing, killing.

I tried to be brave. I tried, I swear. Oh God. What if there's more of them out there now coming for us? That giant seething mass of a face. How could something like that exist, like a demon reaching out to pull us into the underworld?

"Breathe deeply. You're in shock," an unfamiliar voice says. "You fought well, Rocks. You should be proud."

Proud? All I feel is fear. I suppress my breathing, replacing the quick shallow breaths for deep lung-filled ones. This must be a medical lab of some sort. Someone is attending to me on a console, processing my scan results.

"Yes, elevated cortisol and adrenaline, classic signs of stress. Fresh bruise on the right shoulder and partially repaired meniscus at the right knee," the weathered white robed alien says, still looking to his console. "Please, if you could follow me."

The whirling of the medical scan stops abruptly. The white-haired alien is much shorter than the others, especially Krogoth. However, he still stands well over six feet. He slowly leads me to a white pod.

"This will take care of those for you." He gestures for me to get into the egg-shaped pod.

My head is still spinning, but I manage to stumble inside. "Th-thanks. You are?" I stammer, trying to gather my wits.

"Astraxius." He inclines his head "I'm the lead scientist… Correction, the only scientist on the ship now," he says, his fingers deftly playing across the pod's console. The door begins slowly lowering, sealing me inside.

My eyes dart frantically as the door of the egg-shaped pod closes. I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart. My gaze shifts to Astraxius, who stands calmly beside the console like a seasoned professional. His presence brings me a sense of comfort, like he's done this a thousand times before.

As the pod fills with a light green mist, a coolness gathers in the air. It takes me by surprise at first, causing me to gasp, but as I grow accustomed to the temperature, a refreshing feeling spreads throughout my body. It's like climbing into a nice cool bed on a warm summer night, and I feel the weight lifting from my shoulders. I imagine I'm melting into the pod.

Astraxius notices my reaction and smiles. "Feels good, doesn't it? I often have to chase away the warriors. They're addicted to the pods, I fear." He chuckles. "Every scratch is suddenly a grave war wound."

He turns back to the console, his fingers moving swiftly over the buttons. "It should only take a few minutes," he reassures me.

I take a deep breath, feeling the coolness of the mist filling my lungs, comparable to a deep meditation. I feel completely relaxed. "Is Krogoth alive?" I ask suddenly. A pang of anxiety grips my chest, remembering him smiling over his shoulder, eyes blazing purple before charging out of the room to face those… things.

Astraxius laughs. "Oh, of course he is. Although I can't say the same for the others." His mirth fades as he looks down. "What matters is you're safe. The Seeker Swarm is gone now because of your help."

Relief washes over me. "I didn't know if we'd survive." I continue breathing in the pleasant green mist, deeply enjoying the peaceful sensation. "Your English is very good, and you don't need your wrist console to translate?" I ask, studying the great white wrinkled brows of the alien before me. They remind me of an aged grandfather, wise and patient.

I notice Astraxius glancing at his wrist console before responding. "Oh, my translation system?" He chuckles. "Krogoth and I spent some hours studying English to prepare for his hunt to find you. Considering Krogoth's restless nature, it's a wonder he could communicate with you at all. He rarely sits down for more than a moment." I notice the wrinkles on his forehead smooth out as he glances at me, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I, on the other hand, sit down quite a lot, so it was trivial for me."

As I look at Astraxius, my heart racing with anxiety and confusion, I can't help but blurt out my questions in a torrent. "What is all this about, Astraxius? Why did Krogoth come to Earth and take me, of all people? He says he wants me to be his wife. His WIFE! And now we're fighting for our lives against murdering space robots?" Saying it out loud, this crazy situation sounds even more absurd. Maybe it's this relaxing green mist playing with my mind, but I feel like I can trust Astraxius .

Astraxius speaks in a soothing, gentle tone."You've been through a lot," he says, his voice comforting. "The term ‘wife' is not entirely correct. It is a poor translation. We use the term Mortakin-Kis to refer to a female from a Mortakin-Tok, which is our ancient bonding ritual. This is what Krogoth desires from you." I notice he exhales heavily and takes a seat on a nearby chair. "As for why," he continues, "it is a long and sad story to tell in full. But suffice it to say you are his perfect mate." His gaze is intense as he stares into my eyes, waiting for my reaction.

Despite the calming mist, I still feel the familiar sense of dread creeping in. This perfect mate nonsense again! Not just from Krogoth, but Astraxius too. They actually believe this. "Perfect mate? No way, he's an eight-foot giant alien and I'm a human woman!" I say, shaking my head in disbelief.

Astraxius studies me with intense focus before finally speaking. "It is true, I promise you," he says in a smooth, confident tone. "I've spent nearly two hundred years researching Klendathian reproduction and mating at the cellular level, and I've correlated this data with every known species we've encountered in the universe. Humans are the only viable match."

He sits up straighter in his chair as if to emphasize his point. "It's a minuscule chance, one in billions, for a human to be a perfect match, but it can happen, and it has happened. We scanned Earth for days, and I compared everyone onboard the ship to every human female on your planet. You and Krogoth are the only match." His voice grows louder with a hint of desperation. I can feel my heart racing and my palms sweating as his words sink in. There is no mistaken identity. Krogoth had come for me, and he will not let me leave.

The sweet aroma of the green mist fills my nostrils, offering a momentary respite from the chaos. However, my stomach remains knotted with anxiety, like a tempestuous storm raging within me. I muster a feeble smile at Astraxius, hoping to conceal my unease. "So this is all your fault, then?" I ask, a hint of gallows humor creeping into my tone.

Astraxius's expression darkens, and he stares at his console for a long moment. "More accurate than you'll ever know," he murmurs, his voice heavy with guilt.

He looks up at me, his eyes glistening. "I'm still unsure if the human female - you - in this equation will feel the same intense desire to bond. Will the effects work in both directions?" He looks at me as if expecting an answer.

My heart races as I realize the gravity of the situation. "I like Krogoth. He's easy on the eyes. But I'm not interested in being an experiment in any alien breeding program!" I exclaim, my voice rising in anger. "Why can't he just ‘bond' with his own women?"

Astraxius lets out another heavy sigh. "The Scythians took them many years ago. That's what prompted my research. I fear they are gone now, forever lost to us. Although Krogoth will never hear of it." A great sadness washes over his weathered features.

As Astraxius speaks, a knot tightens in my stomach, and the gravity of his words sinks in. I can't even fathom the pain of an entire civilization losing their loved ones. The weight of the realization almost overwhelms me. "I… didn't know. I'm so sorry." Stammering, I struggle to find the right words.

Astraxius looks away, his eyes moistening. "Ah! It's an old wound now," he says, trying to compose himself. "Listen carefully now. It's about more than children. The ancient temple murals speak of the bonding being crucial to my people in some way. Although that's very unscientific of me, I apologize," he adds, inclining his head.

This is far too much pressure. Those machines! I can't be here when they come back. "I… just don't want to get hurt," I mutter dejectedly.

Astraxius's concerned gaze falls on me as he speaks. "It is Krogoth who will be most likely to get hurt. He will experience a pull to you; you will consume his every thought. He'll feel an inextricable desire to be near you. Now that he has met you, it may become overwhelming. And if he can't have you, I fear what it may do to him." His words only add to my growing sense of dread.

A sound like a microwave bell rings through the air, the pod door swinging open. "Excellent, the healing process is complete," Astraxius says, offering his hand to help me out of the pod.

Stepping out, I feel amazingly light. Even my skin and eyesight seem better. "This is amazing. All my aches and pains have vanished. Even the dull ache in my knee is gone!" I say as I roll up my right sleeve to see that my bruised shoulder has completely healed. What if I could get this back to Earth? Could it cure all diseases and ailments, like cancers and failing organs?

"It is my pleasure, young one." He quickly checks his wrist console. "Krogoth requested I bring you to the training halls as soon as you are healed." He gestures to a door. "Please follow me."

I follow alongside Astraxius, who mercifully walks slowly down the now familiar black marble corridors. Taking many twists and turns, I make a conscious effort to try to remember the layout in case I need to sneak off again, but I soon lose track.

"This ship is massive!" I exclaim, feeling both awed and overwhelmed by the sheer size of the vessel.

"Yes, it's a Scythian Battlebarge Class Warship," Astraxius replies, extending his hands to either side. "Designed to house and transport thousands of Klendathian warriors."

"But there's barely anyone here?" I inquire, puzzled by the emptiness of the ship.

"The War Chieftain only permitted us a skeleton crew for ship repairs. He regrettably cycled the rest of the warriors onto the other ships." Astraxius finally stops at a door with strange looking spears at either side.

"Ah, our destination… Here, I want you to have this." Astraxius holds out a smaller version of the now familiar wrist console I've seen the others wearing. "This will give you access to many areas of the ship."

I take the wrist console, grinning. "This is awesome, thank you." I excitedly place it on my wrist, letting it slide down snuggly.

Astraxius reaches into his robe and takes out a tiny metal object. "Oh, and this, if you'll allow me, is a translation device." He places it behind my ear. It makes a slight hissing noise as it painlessly clamps onto my skin. "I just finished upgrading it to include English. My apologies for the tardiness."

I touch behind my ear, feeling the cool metal translation device. "Don't apologize. It's really impressive that you can do so much," I say, smiling.

"It's the least I can do." He smiles. "If you have an interest, I can teach you how to use the wrist console properly. It contains much information that you may find useful." He reaches over, pushing a button, causing the holographic console to appear. "For example, here, this option will bring up the ship's map and your current location in it… And to turn it off, just tap here," he says as the holographic projection disappears.

"I don't know what to say, Astraxius. You've been so kind. Thank you again." I excitedly embrace him in a tight hug.

"Ah… Yes… Well, goodbye, young one," he says, looking more than a bit flustered.

I look at the wrist console, surveying it. Seems Astraxius has gone to the trouble of translating the whole console to English. If this computer contains any information on how this technology worked, it would probably be worth an absolute fortune if I could get it back to Earth.

I repeat Astraxius' instructions to bring up the ship's map. A small blue projection of the ship appears with a blinking icon for my current location. This will be very useful. The ship truly is huge. They use most of the size for accommodations. By interacting with the projection, I'm able to zoom in and out and pan around, depending on my hand movements. This user interface is nice. I could experiment with this for ages, but now isn't the time. I turn it off, noticing a carving on the underside of the wrist console, spelling the word "Hope."

Astraxius, you old romantic . But the one thing I'm hoping for is to get back home without doing something stupid. I feel my nerves building. There is so much pressure now with Krogoth, I don't know what to make of it all. I take a deep breath and quietly step through the door.

I'm immediately hit by the powerful odor of stale sweat as I step inside the room. The familiar scent takes me back to my college, sport years when I dabbled in judo and eventually took up decathlon. Though I was never the best athlete, I loved the challenge of trying to improve on so many unique techniques; it was addictive, well, until I injured my knee.

As I move further into the room, I hear voices coming from within. The space is vast, resembling a school gymnasium except for its dark black marble walls, illuminated by warm purple lights. There are several pieces of equipment scattered around, including massive rocks in various shapes and sizes that look like they would be impossible to budge. Thick ropes hang from different platforms, some of which seem to be designed for practicing leaping, though the distances required are undoubtedly enormous. One side of the room is filled with bumpy surfaces and grips for climbing practice. In the center, there are several rings made of sand, bordered by ropes that remind me of a giant sumo wrestling ring.

Just outside the wrestling rings, there are racks holding training weapons. The room is impressive, and it's clear that it's designed to train warriors to be physically fit and agile, capable of facing any challenge that comes their way.

Glancing towards the wrestling ring, I notice a bare chested Krogoth with two younger looking warriors. My pulse quickens when I see him, and I find myself relieved he looks unscathed from the attack. He's distracted showing the others a throwing technique. I catch myself staring at him, the muscles in his arms flexing with each throw. He's incredibly tall and imposing, his figure carved out of stone. I watch as he moves with ease, sweat glistening on his chiseled chest. What would it feel like to be held in his muscular hands…? No, I need to focus on convincing him to take me back to Earth.

My face flushes slightly, noticing I have my hand against my chest. I can't deny the attraction I feel for him. There is also a noble, caring side to him. During the attack, he showed such impressive leadership. I can't help but feel a sense of admiration for him. He took control of the situation with ease, his voice calm yet firm as he gave orders and made decisions that saved all our lives. And now he is teaching others with passion and patience as he corrects their technique, pivoting their feet into a more solid stance.

I can't wait any longer. I need to speak to him. Excitement and worry both wash over me as I make my way to the center of the room. I need to convince him to take me home. Krogoth looks up, noticing me approaching, and instantly stops what he is doing, a massive smile blooming on his face, his pretty purple eyes sparkling in the dim room. He jogs over to me with his arms spread wide. "Pebbles. It is good to see you!"

"Oof," I squeak as Krogoth engulfs me in his massive, muscular arms, lifting me off the ground and twirling me around in circles. The world around me becomes a blur, and I feel the rush of wind in my hair. My stomach churns, and I can't help but laugh. "Put me down, Krogoth. I'm going to be sick!" I manage to squeak out between laughs.

He sets me down, drinking me in with his eyes. "You look good. Really good." Still smiling, he taps my new wrist console. "Good. Astraxius got you set up." I can't help but notice the two younger warriors move hastily to leave the room now that Krogoth's attention is on me.

It's hard to think with this great hulking giant gazing down so intensely at me. "It's great to see you, too. I… I was worried about those terrible machines that… How could you face them?" Is it weird I'm concerned for the well-being of the very person who abducted me?

As Krogoth strokes my hair gently, a sense of comfort and protection washes over me. "You ask this of me, you who killed scores of the enemy, you who stood where many would have broken?" he says, his deep voice filled with disbelief.

I'm overwhelmed by his words and touch, and tears well up in my eyes. He doesn't know the terror I feel, but I am broken. "I wanted to impress you, Krogoth… If I had known then what I know now… I can't face them again." My voice trembles with sobs, and I plead with him. "Please take me back to Earth. I can't deal with this!"

I can see the concern etched on Krogoth's face before he lets out a deep sigh. "No more tears, Pebbles. I will take you back to Earth once the ship is repaired," he promises with a gentle smile. I feel my heart race with relief, like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Finally, after all the fear and uncertainty, I can relax.

His large fingers brush away my tears, and I feel an overwhelming sense of safety in his presence. "I thought my heart would burst with pride when I saw you spitting in the eyes of the hated Scythians. It was at that moment I knew, truly knew, you are the one for me," he says, pulling me closer and resting his head next to mine.

"And that is why I… I must let you go. I could never forgive myself if any harm came to you," he whispers gently into my ear, his words like a soft caress. The scent of his skin fills my nostrils, a mix of sweat and something else I can't quite place. I look up into his intense eyes, and my breath quickens with a mixture of sadness and longing.

His hot breath tingles against my neck, sending shivers down my spine like jolts of electricity. "I'm not the person you think I am," I murmur, feeling shame wash over me.

He places a gentle hand under my chin, tilting my face towards him. His head inches closer, his stunning purple eyes brimming with intensity. My heart pounds wildly in my chest as I close my eyes, hoping he continues.

"My perfect female," he whispers. His nose brushes against mine, causing my skin to tingle with anticipation as I eagerly open my mouth, enveloping his lips with mine.