Chapter 2

Lieutenant Jeffrey Brunt watched as the membrane closed behind the guards, leaving them in a small cell the color of coffee liberally doused with cream. He was weak after the shock he'd received, but a glance at his companions told him he couldn't allow that weakness to show.

Chao had her arms around Dr. Tan and both women were watching him carefully with eyes wide with fear.

"Well, isn't this a delightful pickle," he said, forcing a smile. "I'd hoped our first contact with an alien life form would result in some kind of intergalactic welcoming party. I guess I just rub some life forms the wrong way."

Chao gave him the barest hint of a smile while Tan shook her head. "Come here," she said, shrugging off Chao's arm. "Let me have a look at you."

"Aw, Doc, I'm fine," Jeffrey replied, widening his smile.

"Don't give me that nonsense," the doctor replied, approaching and grabbing his chin to pull his face down to her level. "You just received God knows how many volts of electricity through your system. We don't know what effect that might have had on you."

"Well, I guess now I'm a master of the electric slide. If they hit me again, maybe I can learn to electric boogaloo."

Chao laughed. "Nothing gets Lieutenant Cheerful down. Not even being taken prisoner by aliens."

Jeffrey winked at her. He'd been given the name "Cheerful" after completing a dangerous mission, and he'd decided to let the name stick. It made more sense to keep things light when exploring space. There were so many untold disasters that could happen at any moment. If his joking manner kept the crew's mind off what terrible things might happen, then he was proud to bear the silly moniker.

He let Tan have her way, moving to a crouched position so she could look into his pupils and run her hands over him. "This would be so much easier with my equipment," she muttered. Before long she gave him a slap on the back. "Well, I can't see any lasting damage. Looks like you'll survive. For now."

"Thanks, Doc, but you don't have to sound so disappointed about it."

Tan's face broke into a smile, but it quickly vanished. "What do we do now, Lieutenant?"

What could they do? They were imprisoned here, outnumbered by superior forces. He shrugged. "Anybody for charades?"

Chao laughed. "You're ridiculous."

Jeffrey gave her a grin, even though he felt like doing anything but. Their situation was dire. They were held captive here, while on the Earhart Captain Brooklyn and the crew were perhaps at this very moment being overrun by shapeshifting aliens.

Either that or the whole thing was an elaborate pretense by their captors. No matter what, they were screwed.

Jeffrey rolled his head around and then his shoulders, working out the stiffness caused from being hit by electricity. Boy, that lady really packs a punch.

He had noticed her right away after being brought aboard. She stood out from the others, and not just because she was dressed differently.

When he'd caught sight of her, he'd immediately been struck by her appearance. This is the most exotic female I've ever laid eyes on. She was tall, his own height, and he was considered tall for a male of his species at 6'5". The Zantharian males were even taller.

Her eyes were almond shaped, pitch black with the most enchanting golden ring around the pupils. Her hair, or what passed for it, had been pulled back behind her head in a severe bun, serving to highlight the strong bone structure of her face. High cheekbones, perfectly arched brows, and lips that looked plumper than pillows.

And her skin, by God, her skin was a revelation. It was a beautiful light green and looked smoother than goose down. His hands had itched to touch her.

And yet, she'd been the one doing the touching. And striking me down with her damn bioelectricity.

Jeffrey shook his head. He couldn't let the fact that he was severely attracted to the alien female get in the way. They had to figure out some way to make contact with the Earhart and Captain Brooklyn.

Suddenly the membrane to their cell opened and the Zantharian female entered, flanked by two male guards.

Think of the Devil, and the Devil appears, Jeffrey thought with a wry smile.

She made eye contact with him, and he tried not to feel the tingle that set fire to his skin. Well, he tried, but the tingle still ran through him.

He stood there, expressionless, while the alien female took his measure. Then she turned to her guards. "The male has withstood my energy blast, but the females have yet to be tested. Make sure they're not Hareema."

Jeffrey watched energy waves start to ripple over the guards' skins. "Now, just hold onto your horses, missy." He positioned himself in front of his fellow crewmembers. "I'm not gonna let you do to them what you did to me on the bridge, so call off your goons."

She turned back to face him. One of her perfectly-shaped eyebrows arched. "There is no cause for concern. The charge will be weaker than the one I sent through you."

Oh, so I deserve special treatment?

Jeffrey shook his head. "No."

The alien female's lips pursed slightly. It was the only reaction he received.

"I'm the ranking officer here," he continued. "It is my job to protect my crew. And that means no zaps on my watch."

"Our scanners detected traces of Hareema DNA on your vessel. Any member of your crew could have been replaced by the enemy. These energy exchanges ensure that you are who you say you are."

"What happened to being hospitable?" he asked. "You guys just met us. Instead of a friendly handshake, you've been badgering us from the moment you locked down our ship. Now we're supposed to thank you for electrocuting us? I don't think so."

"Step aside," the alien female said, her voice like steel.

"Make me," he growled, going toe to toe with his captor.

One corner of her lips curled up, and he watched as energy began to ripple up her own beautiful skin. "Once wasn't enough for you?"

Jeffrey tensed, anticipating another charge. But he relaxed slightly when Dr. Tan put a hand on his shoulder. "Settle down, Lieutenant Cheerful. You withstood the charge, and so did Captain Brooklyn back on the Earhart. I think Chao and I can take it."

He turned to look down into her face. "On our ship, you said it could cause damage. Why change your tune now?"

Tan shrugged. "What choice have we got? Sure, I can't say I wouldn't enjoy watching you breakdance to her electric touch again, but there's no point."

The doctor looked over at the alien female. "Do you give us your word that your test will not permanently damage me or my crewmate?" Tan asked her.

The female nodded. "We are familiar with human physiology. While the charge will be quite uncomfortable, there will be no lasting damage. And we’ll immediately be able to determine whether you've been replaced by the enemy."

"Let's do it, then," Chao said, stepping up to one of the guards and holding out her arm. "Let me have it."

Jeffrey shook his head. "Now wait-" but before he could interfere, the guard grabbed hold of Chao's arm and sent a charge through her.

Chao yelled and went to her knees, gritting her teeth. "Goddamn, that hurts," she said, wrapping her arms around her middle.

Jeffrey raced to her side, helping her to stand. "You okay?"

Chao nodded. "Hurts like a bitch, but I'm all right."

"Now me," Tan said, moving toward the other guard.

"Doc, are you sure about this?"
She turned back to him and gave him a nod. "I want to prove that I'm human. It's the first step to establishing real relations with these creatures."

He glanced at the alien female and noticed that her forehead wrinkled. Someone doesn't like being referred to as a ‘creature.’

The remaining guard put a hand on Tan and the doctor shook under the onslaught of the charge. As she fell, Jeffrey grabbed her, getting a residual shock that caused his jaw to lock. Tan's eyes closed and her breathing was rough, but after a moment her eyes reopened.

"I'm okay," she said, and Jeffrey helped her back onto her feet, steadying her.

"Happy now?" he grunted, his attention back on the alien female.

"Ecstatic," she replied with a straight face.

She's made of ice. He furrowed his brows. What kind of monsters are we dealing with?
"Well, now that the unpleasantness is out of the way and we've all proved we're human, how about you let us get back to our ship?"

"You've proved you're human, yes," the alien female replied, "but that doesn't mean you aren't in league with the Hareema. We need to find out exactly what's happening on that little ship of yours."

"Our captain already told your commander what's happening. There's no need to keep us prisoner here."

"That remains to be seen," she said. "I've been ordered to find out what you know."

"The only thing we know is that we've been boarded by hostile life forms, and I'm not talking about these alleged shapeshifters."

"The lieutenant is right," Dr. Tan said. "We don't have any information to give you."

The female ignored her. "You," she said, stepping closer. "You're the ranking officer, as you said. Follow me."

"No thank you," Jeffrey bristled at her commanding tone. "I'd prefer to keep an eye on my crew."

"Unfortunately your preferences don't take precedence over my orders. You will come with me."

The energy waves rolling over her skin seemed to grow stronger. She was ready to back up her words with force, it seemed.

"Go," Tan said softly. "Maybe once they realize we have no information for them, they'll leave us alone."

Jeffrey opened his mouth, ready to respond that he didn't have to take orders from some alien creature. That the entire situation was ridiculous and that they should stick together and stand up for themselves.

The barely-checked fear in the doctor's eyes caused the words to dry up on his tongue, unsaid. His crew needed him calm and collected, not going off half-cocked. His crewmates didn't seem to be in any danger, having proved they were not the enemy.

He looked the alien female up and down. Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way. Grandmama always said you catch more flies with honey. Besides, no female can stand up to my charm for long.

"Time to move, human," the Ice Queen said.

Jeffrey gave her his easiest smile. "Don't get your panties in a bunch, sweetheart. You'll have me all to yourself soon enough."

For a moment, the cool green of her skin was mottled with light yellow spots. Her face tightened, and the energy waves picked up their pace.

Just as suddenly her skin evened out, back to green, and her face relaxed. "Guard the females," she said to her companions, then walked back to the membrane, sliding a finger along it to open it.

Jeffrey looked back at his crewmates and gave them a wink. "Don't worry," he said with a roguish grin. "No woman, human or otherwise, can resist my charisma."

The laughter of Dr. Tan and Chao followed him into the corridor.