17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Nala

I gawk at the woman who’s entered the brig.

I shouldn’t be surprised, Faelin told me they had humans on board. I just can’t help myself.

I haven’t seen another human in almost five years. I never thought I’d see one again, especially one that isn’t collared. And this woman is certainly no slave. She confidently pushes the scowling Syndoran aside and steps closer to my cell. She’s not smiling, but she isn’t glaring at me either, so I take that as a win.

“Yes, I’m human,” she confirms my brilliant observation. “I’m also Faelin’s friend and I want to know what’s going on. Lyriana claims that you’re some evil mastermind who manipulated him into a trap and now you’re trying to do the same to us. The rest of us aren’t as convinced. You wanted to talk? Talk.”

“I…” I did want to talk to someone, but now I don’t know where to begin. “Faelin is on Drayth’s ship. He went there to rescue…a captive. He told me to come here and make sure you come help him. Please, tell me we’ve at least taken off?”

To my relief, the woman nods, her expression softening. “We have. Right now, we’re following the Crimson Serpent. They seem to be headed to an empty space in quadrant 5. Do you know why? Is Drayth meeting someone there?”

“I wish I knew.” I rub my forehead. “I swear, I know nothing about Drayth’s operations. I just worked for him. Unwillingly,” I add, shuddering as I remember the things I had to do. “I know he deals in all kinds of shady shit, including slave trafficking. He…sells children, too.” My fists clench at my sides. “I would have run away years ago, but I couldn’t.”

The woman gives me a questioning look. “Because of this captive Faelin is rescuing?”

I give a mute nod.

Nodding again, the woman reaches for the cell door control. The Syndoran steps in to stop her, but she waves him off. “It’s okay, Tareq. She’s a victim, not a cold-blooded murderer. Go get ready for the mission. I’ll be fine.”

His glare sends a chill down my spine. “I’m not leaving you here alone, Astra.”

“I’ll take her to Nikolai. It’s going to be alright.” She caresses his cheek, giving him a seductive smile. “Go kill some bad guys. I’ll be waiting for you with a reward later, my tiger.”

The Syndoran gulps, putty in her hands. “Be safe, please,” he murmurs, pulling her into a passionate kiss. Then he leaves, but not before giving me another bone-chilling glare.

The woman, Astra, chuckles as she watches him go. “He’s a little overprotective,” she says apologetically. “But he means well. Come, I’ll take you to Nikolai. He’s another human you can gawk at,” she teases.

Once again, I’m led through the ship’s corridors, but at least this time, nobody’s pointing a gun at me. The place is eerily quiet. “How many crew are there on this ship?” I ask, overwhelmed by curiosity. Did they leave part of the crew behind on the station or are there only a few people manning the entire ship?

“Now, that’s something a spy would ask,” Astra retorts, the tone of her voice letting me know she’s joking. Mostly.

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to gather intelligence or anything, it’s just that this ship seems so large and I haven’t seen anyone except for that Zyderi b—... Uh, female.”

Astra snorts. “Lyriana can be a bitch. There’s nothing wrong with saying it. I don’t know anything about her kind’s reproductive cycle, but it feels like she’s constantly PMSing. And no, there aren’t many people around. Aside from Nikolai and I, it’s just six people from Tareq’s team. Well, six aliens, but I guess you’re used to that by now.”

“Only six?” I try to recall how many guards Drayth usually has around his compound. Fifteen? Twenty? They come and go a lot, so it’s hard to keep track, but I’d bet it’s at least twelve and there would be even more on his ship. How can six people possibly defeat him?

I flinch back when Astra raises her arm, instinctively thinking she’s about to hit me. I don’t even realize it until she freezes and slowly draws her hand back. “Sorry,” she says. “I was just going to pat your back. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t scare me. Well, you did, but… Ugh.” I huff out a desperate laugh. “I didn’t even realize how messed up I am.”

Astra gives me a compassionate smile but doesn’t try to touch me again. “I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling. I was a slave for how long, three days? And I’m still having nightmares about it. How long has it been since they took you?”

“Almost five years. I think. It’s difficult to keep track with the galactic calendar being so different to ours. It wasn’t really that bad, though. Drayth gave me a lot of freedom as long as I came back every day and brought in enough money. It could have ended up much worse.” I squeeze my eyes shut as the memories from the first days after my kidnapping play out in my mind. The fear, the pain, the degradation… Yes, I could have ended up so much worse. In a way, Drayth had saved me from that. Not that I’m grateful to him. I’m still going to kill him.

“Yeah,” Astra agrees, shuddering, “we both could. And don’t worry. There might only be six of them, but Tareq and the others know their stuff. They’re the best in the galaxy.”

I fail to stifle my derisive snort. Every single mercenary I’ve met claimed to be the best in the galaxy.

Instead of getting offended, Astra grins. “I know, I know. It sounds cocky. But it’s true. They’re some super special elite team trained by the best experts in the UGC.”

“The Voidstalkers?!” I freeze midstep, my jaw hitting the floor as I gape at Astra.

“Mhm. You’ve heard of them, then?”

“Of course I’ve heard of them. They’re rumored to be like Navy SEALs on steroids. Teams filled with Chuck Norrisses, Terminators, Rambos, Sarah Connors and the Bride one—”

Astra’s laughing interrupts my ramblings. “Okay, you lost me there. What bride?”

“Uma Thurman played her,” I explain absentmindedly, my mind still reeling. “The one who goes on a murderous rampage in a yellow jumpsuit after they shoot her at her own wedding and steal her unborn baby. Kill Bill?” I add, seeing Astra still doesn’t follow.

“Oh, right. I don’t think I’ve seen that one. Anyway, yes. These guys are Voidstalkers, so as you can see, everything will be fine. You don’t have to worry.”

It actually makes sense. Faelin’s too kind to be a common mercenary. Too honorable. Too handsome. I stop myself before my thoughts spiral in the wrong direction. “So, they work for the UGC? Catching Drayth is their mission?”

Sadness darkens Astra’s expression. “Unfortunately not. They’ve had a bit of a misunderstanding with some idiot of a general and, well… Technically, they’re outlaws now. But they’re still trying to do the right thing whenever they can and they’re dead set on freeing every single slave in the galaxy.”

It sounds a little too good to be true. Then again, Faelin’s also a little too good to be true. I lied to him, stole from him, even shot him, and he still helped me, asking for nothing in return. Perhaps he really is this selfless? “And you? Didn’t you want to return home?” Are they keeping you here against your will? is what I’m asking, but I don’t find the courage to say it out loud.

Astra understands the meaning behind my question and shrugs. “I don’t have anything important to return to. Or anyone. I was given a choice, and I chose to stay. And not just because of Tareq. Even though he’s a large part of the reason. The universe is big and I want to see what’s out here.”

“Lots of bad people, that’s what’s out here,” I mutter.

“True, but a lot of good ones too,” she says as she starts walking again. “What about you? Nala, is it? Sorry, I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Astra.”

“I know. The Syndoran said your name.” I smile as I remember how tenderly he treated her. “What do you want to know about me?”

Astra turns a corner into another empty corridor. “This is not an interrogation, Nala, just my lame attempt at making conversation. You must be eager to put all of this behind you and return home. I promise that once we’ve dealt with Drayth, we’ll take you to a UGC embassy and make sure they help you get back to Earth.”

“That’s nice, but I can’t go back.” If it was just me, I’d gladly have my memory wiped to forget about all the shit I’ve been through. But ever since I got pregnant, I knew I could never return to Earth. Not with a half-alien baby. And leaving Ellen behind or even forgetting about her is out of the question.

“Because of that captive Faelin is rescuing?” Astra prods. When I only respond with a curt nod, she sighs. “I know it’s difficult to trust us, especially after Lyriana’s warm welcome, but the team will have to know everything before they attack Drayth’s ship. Come,” she adds before I can react. “Let me introduce you to Nikolai. I think you’ll love him. After Faelin, Nikolai is hands down the nicest person on this ship.”

Astra opens the door and I gulp upon seeing the ship’s infirmary. An assortment of terrible memories races through my mind.

Every humiliating medical procedure my kidnappers forced on me.

Every medical checkup while I was pregnant. The terror of not knowing whether this would be the day they cut my baby out of me and toss it into the trash because it was merely a half Syndoran and not some other more valuable hybrid.

The room I gave birth in. Where they first took Ellen from me, tore her out of my arms. Where I screamed until my voice gave out, where I clawed at the locked door until my fingers bled.

My distress must be obvious because Astra pauses in the doorway and gives me a concerned look. “Nala? Nala!” Her raised voice finally gets my attention, pulling me out of my dreadful memories. “It’s okay. You’re safe. I’m sorry, I didn’t think…ugh, I guess I didn’t think at all. It’s just that you’re all bruised up, so I thought I’d have Nikolai check you over for injuries while we talk, but I didn’t realize it might scare you. We can go somewhere else.”

“N-no,” I stutter out, sucking in a deep breath to calm my racing heart. “I’m fine. I am,” I insist, seeing Astra’s frown. “I don’t need checking up, though. I don’t need anything. Only for Faelin and Ellen to be safe.” A stray tear rolls down my cheek. I wince from the pain, especially in my cheek and hand as I wipe away the tear. I guess I could use some painkillers, but I already owe these people more than I can ever repay.

“Your cheek is swollen, you’re limping, and there are bruises all over your arms,” Nala objects. “At least sit down, please?”

Nothing terrible happens to me as I step inside the infirmary. No scary aliens run over with probes or scalpels. Instead, a tall, slender human stands up slowly from his desk as we enter, smiling brightly as he smooths out his crinkled lab coat and yawns.

“Nikolai,” Astra frowns at him, “have you slept at all?”

The man rubs his eyes, squinting at the time displayed on the nearest screen. “I think I fell asleep at my desk for an hour or two. I’m trying to get through the damned surgery machine manual in case someone gets hurt, but…” He trails off, throwing his arms to the sides. “It’s just too much.”

I’m surprised to hear that he’s not speaking English, but the translator nodes allow us to understand each other. What a revolution this technology would be back on Earth!

Astra squeezes the man’s shoulder. “You’re being too hard on yourself. We’ve only been here for a week. You can’t expect to learn everything at once. D’Aakh can operate some of these machines if need be. Plus, nobody’s going to get hurt.” Her voice wavers at the end. She’s worried about her handsome Syndoran.

“Right,” Nikolai sighs, not sounding convinced. He yawns again before turning to me. “Hello. I’m Nikolai. May I check you over for injuries? I know I probably don’t look like it, but I did study medicine back on Earth. Human medicine. You’re one of the two people in this part of the galaxy I can actually diagnose and treat without just guessing.”

His timid smile is contagious, so I smile back at him. “If it makes you happy, check away. I don’t think I’m hurt seriously, though. I think I would have noticed if I had broken bones or something like that.”

I settle awkwardly on the otherwise comfortable bed, watching as he slowly approaches. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to scare me, especially not after my panic attack in the doorway. Astra was right. He is a nice person.

Astra jumps up on the bed next to mine. “So, will you tell me who Ellen is? Another kidnapped human? A friend?”

At first, I curse myself for letting Ellen’s name slip out of my mouth in an unguarded moment, but then I realize it doesn’t matter. Soon enough, the Supernova crew will know everything, anyway. I’m at their mercy whether I talk to them or not and it will be better if they don’t think I’m keeping secrets from them. The last thing I need is to seem suspicious.

“Ellen is my daughter,” I say. I keep my head down so I can’t see their expressions, but I hear a small gasp from Astra’s side.

“They kidnapped a child?!” Nikolai asks, outraged. “They truly have no boundaries.”

I shake my head. “They didn’t kidnap her. I gave birth nine months after I was kidnapped. I named her Ellen after Ellen Ripley, because I knew she’d be strong enough to kick some alien ass when she’s older. She’s half Syndoran. She’s the sweetest, most amazing little girl in the entire galaxy.” More tears escape my tightly closed eyes and my aching shoulders jerk as the sobbing starts. “I-I have to save her. He-he’s going to s-sell her and I can’t…”

“Ssh.” Astra puts her arm around my shoulders. “It’s going to be okay. They’ll save her.”

“And they’ll take care of that asshole,” Nikolai agrees, disgust seeping from his words. “One would think these advanced civilizations would know better than to sell children. Ublyudki !” he spits out before forcing his attention back to the device in his hand. My implants translate the word as “bastards”, but Nikolai’s version sounds better.

I shake my head over their naivety, but it’s to be expected. Nikolai and Astra have only been around for a short time. They’re still in their disillusion phase. I’ve had five years to figure out why the clearly more evolved beings took pleasure in hurting and humiliating me. “They aren’t advanced at all,” I share my observation with my fellow humans. “They’re the same as humans, just with laser guns and spaceships. Nothing has changed. They still prey on the weak.”

Astra squeezes my shoulder. It hurts but nobody has comforted me in so long I take the pain without letting it show, worried she’ll stop. “Not all of them are bad,” she says. “I know you’ve only run into the worst filth in the galaxy, but there are good people around, too. I promise.”

That is difficult to believe, at least until I remember Faelin. There’s no doubt he’s one of the good ones.

Cai’s familiar voice sounds from the ceiling. “We are about to drop out of hyperspace,” the AI announces. “The captain requests everyone comes to the bridge, guest included.”

“I guess we’d better go,” Astra says, her voice tight with worry. “Does Nala have any injuries?” she asks Nikolai, pointing at his handheld scanner.

He checks the screen, then shakes his head. “Lots and lots of bruises, but nothing more serious. Do you want some painkillers?”

“Do you have some that won’t knock me out?” I can’t afford to rest yet, not before my baby is safe.

“I think so. Let me check the database to make sure they’re safe for you. Go ahead, I’ll catch up with you both.”

Astra jumps off the bed and takes my hand, leading us out of the room. “Come on, let’s find out how the guys are going to rescue Faelin and your daughter. I can’t wait to meet her. And you,” she calls to Nikolai over her shoulder, “don’t take too long.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nikolai calls back, giving her a mocking salute.

Under different circumstances, I’d be happy to be around humans again. Hell, I’d be elated just to be around nice, friendly aliens for a change. But right now, I can’t even spare a smile at their shenanigans. Ellen is all I’m thinking about.