Chapter 36

Sylvia watched with a biologist's eye as the shape-shifting alien began to change form. Despite the fact that she was bound and about to be marched to her doom, it was riveting to witness as the Hareema operative displayed its unparalleled skill.

The alien's skin became translucent and started to melt. For a moment she could see the cherry red color of what she assumed was the thing's real form, but it quickly morphed into something else. Another Zantharian. An officer, judging by his garb.

The operative had started by imitating the body of the Supreme Regent, who also happened to be her lover. She'd woken up in its arms, but had quickly discovered that it wasn't X, but an enemy agent who'd stolen his shape.

Unfortunately, the real X wasn't as clever. He was being tricked by another Hareema who looked exactly like her. The thing had him sprawled out on a bed and wasn’t wasting any time in mating with him properly.

It looked like he'd been loving every second of it.

It was hard to blame him, since the creature looked and sounded just like her. Still, it rankled her. Him thinking that she'd start exposing herself in a laboratory that was undoubtedly being watched was ridiculous. There was no way in hell.

Wait... if the operative could pull up the feed from the other laboratory, then footage of the setup must exist.

There had to be a recording of when the Hareema agents had moved her to this virtually identical laboratory and taken the shape of X, didn't there? And they were probably being recorded right now. More evidence. But how did she get her hands on it?

And if the Hareema were so willing to change shape on camera now, what did that mean? They must have infiltrated the highest levels of government to move with such impunity. Even if she could get her hands on the recording, she probably wouldn't be able to use it, not with a Hareema pulling the government's strings.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a tug on her bindings. The enemy agent pulled her toward the doorway. She didn't know where she would end up, but it wouldn't be pleasant.

The agent had already demonstrated how easily it could take the form of the Supreme Regent. Now that X had fallen into their clutches, distracted by the fake-Sylvie, the enemy could easily replace him, keeping him prisoner while the fake regent paraded around, setting the planet up for invasion.

I've got to escape. Sylvie pulled hard against her bindings, but it only seemed to tighten them around her.

I'm the only one who knows what's going on, and I'm the one person that no one on this planet trusts. Except X.

The corridor outside was empty, but a loud commotion caught her attention. Something was going down. Sylvie's mind raced with the need to solve the puzzle and save the day, and her man. The laboratory they'd stashed her in was almost exactly the same as the one she'd been working in with X. Until they'd fallen asleep.

A mysterious, all of a sudden slumber. They'd piped in some kind of drug into the chamber. She knew human labs that had been outfitted with modified ventilation systems with security overrides that could spray gas into the chambers if needed. Since they would have had to move her to the new lab, and there wouldn't have been much time, it was likely the other laboratory was nearby. Perhaps that other lab was the source of the commotion. If she could just get to that lab and alert X, they'd have a fighting chance.

The only problem was that the Hareema agent was leading her in the opposite direction. She had to move quickly if she was going to try to get free.

Sylvie dropped to the ground and onto her stomach, letting her body become dead weight. The Hareema was tugged backwards, almost slipping on the polished floor.

"Knock it off," the alien said in a harsh whisper. "Get up."

Instead of following orders, Sylvie started to roll. Her wrists were tied behind her back, connected by braided seaweed to a collar around her neck.

This is gonna hurt. She jerked as hard as she could sideways. She made it around to being on her back, and didn’t hesitate to kick out at the Hareema as hard as she could, trying to force it to let go.

The Hareema in Zantharian disguise grunted, but didn't let go. She kicked it again, pushing all of her weight off of its form this time to try and break its hold. It worked.

Before it could grab her, she rolled onto her stomach and pushed to her feet. It was no easy task with her hands tied behind her back, but she managed to get to her knees and then to her feet. Not sparing a glance for the enemy agent, she ran as fast as she could, down the corridor and around the corner.

There was a large crowd gathered around the doorway of a nearby chamber. Many wore the uniform of Zantharian scientists, but there were others there too whose rank she wasn't able to tell by their clothing. It didn't matter. If she could just get to the crowd, get their attention, maybe she could—

The Hareema agent grabbed her by the braid that ran from her wrists to her neck and pulled. Her plan was over before it had started, it seemed. She wouldn't give up, but already she was slipping backwards on the smooth floor.

Then she spotted a familiar face. On the edge of the crowd was the major, she guessed still positioned beside the door as he'd been while they were working. The crowd must have moved him back, but he hadn't left his post. Although she knew he didn't approve of her relationship with X, he was still a loyal Zantharian guard. And he might be her only chance.

The clamor outside the laboratory door was growing. Something was happening inside, raising the noise level, making the mob outside crowd closer to the entrance. Still, hoping against hope, Sylvie started to yell.

"Major!" she shouted.

No effect.

"MAJOR! HELP!" The Hareema slapped a hand over her mouth. He jerked back on the rope that held her, making the collar dig sharply into her neck. Pain raced from her neck over the top of her head as she cried out.

She was being dragged back around the corner and out of sight. The major's head had turned in her direction, or so that seemed to have been the case.

Dammit! I've got to get loose. Something's going on in that laboratory, and it can't be good. X could be hurt. Or worse.

The Hareema agent strode down the hall, dragging her behind him like a sack of potatoes. Sylvie was doing all she could to slow him, but nothing was working. She'd fallen to her knees, but he'd tugged her back up, putting even more pressure on her injured throat. The pain had forced her back to her feet, but she refused to give up.

The corridor split in two directions, and the Hareema took the left fork. Soon they were striding down a familiar hallway, one that was lined with cells where the Zantharians kept their live specimen before they dissected them. Her pulse jumped, terror climbing up in her chest and pressing down like some horrible monstrous presence.

No. Not again. I won't let them strap me to a table and cut me open.

She dropped once more to her knees, then all the way to her bottom, concentrating on being as heavy and immovable as she could be. The Hareema pulled her hard but she didn't give in, even though her throat was on fire and her wrists were aching against the bindings.

He dragged her down the hall as tears fell from her eyes due to a combination of pain and panic. The Hareema stopped at the entrance to a cell and lifted his hand to enter, pausing only because of a loud voice from behind them.

"Stop!"

Sylvie's head whipped around to see who had spoken. The major! She almost cried out in delight, but her throat wouldn't cooperate.

"Where are you going with the Earthling?" He hurried down the hallway with a grimace on his handsome face. "And how did you get possession of her? She's been locked in the chamber with the regent for hours."

The Hareema scowled. "I have orders to confine her. Mind your own business."

Little flecks of yellow popped up on the major's green skin. Anger.