Zorvak

The more I spoke to the female, the more she finally warmed.  She was an enigma that I couldn’t figure out.  My senses told me she was Ulayian, but she talked as one naïve. 

We talked about the escape plan, but I had reservations about her involvement.  If I had any other choice in the matter, I would take it.  But as it stood, I was out of options.  At least quick ones.

When she told me about the Jaurians, I silently moaned.  They were slow pacifists who would die rather than fight back.  But if taking them with us would procure her help, then I would begrudgingly do it.  I desperately needed to get home.

The more she talked, the more I wondered.  Finally, I just came out and asked.

Are you from Ulaya?

What is that?  Is it like a city or something?

“Noooo!”  I hissed as realization hit.  I have formed a bond with another species.  My fist balled in anger, not at her, but at myself.  It is unheard of.  To my knowledge, no other species have ever been compatible. 

Ulaya is my home planet.

Then no, I’m not from Ulaya.  What is it like?

Not like this place, I can assure you.  When we get out of here, I’ll show it to you.

And then you’ll take me home?

I didn’t want to tell her that when I made that promise, I thought she was of my species. 

Where do you call home?

I smiled and then frowned.  The bond had grown rapidly; I could feel her hesitate and inwardly sigh.  Did she feel it too?  I didn’t think it was normal.  Everything I had been taught said Compatibles could only speak mind to mind.  It helped during times of combat, allowed fighters to coordinate silently, remain in stealth mode at all times. It also helped a male protect his bonded mate.

Earth.

I scrunched my nose as I tried to recall such a planet.

I haven’t heard of it.  I felt her disappointment, felt her shoulders slump in defeat.  It wasn’t something I was accustomed to.

I was afraid of that.  Will you still try to get me home?  I can fly the ship, I only need the coordinates. 

You are a pilot?  I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice.  Females never left the planet.  They were still important.  Artist, teachers, scholars, but they were protected against the likes of the Humchins.  There were too many black-market sex traders to risk letting them travel abroad without protection.

I am.  The pride was easily felt and heard in her voice.  I’m the first deep exploration pilot from Earth.

You have just started traveling deep space?  How did she end up here?  I must admit, no female has intrigued me as much as she has. 

Yes, but it didn’t go as planned.  As you can tell.

I don’t know… you are definitely in deep space.  Her soft laughter made my lips curl upward.  It sounded musical and light.  A sound I desperately wanted to hear again.

That was totally by accident.  I smiled when I heard her slight chuckle.  I wanted to know more, needed to know more.  Cami was unlike any other female I knew.  I felt her yawn.  I have enjoyed talking with you, but I need to rest.

Disappointment was an understatement.  Rest well, Cami of Earth.

Goodnight, Zorvak. 

With a bent knee, and one arm behind my head, I stretched out on the hard floor and stared at the ceiling.  For the first time in forever, I thought about my family.  Did they know I had been kidnapped?  Did they worry about me?  Maybe my sister, but only because she was different from the rest of us. 

My father served as a local enforcer and never showed emotion.  Mother understood the commitment and never questioned anything, which in turn almost made her the same as my father.

The first time I witnessed the Royal Guard in action, I knew that would be my calling.  It was all I thought about, and at a young age, father sent me away for advanced training.  I needed to train harder, be the best.

My thoughts drifted back to Camilla Ryan.  What an odd name, very unusual, just like her.  A female pilot whose brain patterns were so close to mine that I thought she was Ulayian.   I felt a gamut of emotions when I talked with her.  How could one female bring out so much in such a short time? 

I tried to imagine what she looked like, the color of her skin, how many appendages she had.  Her defiant spirit both angered and amused me.  The more we talked, the more amenable she became.  Disclosing personal information, finally agreeing to help me.

Since there was nothing I could do from here, the escape plan would be up to her.  I had never needed to depend on a female before and it gave me pause.  It felt wrong, but what other choice did I have?  I knew that Roark would investigate my disappearance, but how well had the perpetrator hidden his… or her tracks?  Could my Guard even find me?  No.  Depending on Cami was the only logical choice.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, but I never looked.  I knew it was time for the guard to make their rounds. What I didn’t expect was the conversation.

“Well, well, well.  A Royal Guard locked in a cell.”

I slowly turned my head to look at the newcomer.  I hadn’t seen him before.  Smaller in size but he had an arrogant attitude.  More so than the others.  After quickly sizing him up, I turned my head back and closed my eyes.  To him, it would seem that I dismissed him.  But in reality, my senses flowed outward.  I depended on them in battle, more so than my eyes.  If the guard dropped the force field even for a second…

“Not talking, huh?”  When I didn’t acknowledge him, I knew the smile dropped from his arrogant face.  “Get up!”  I ignored him.  “I told you to get up!” 

I was ready, poised.  My legs were loaded springs.  All I needed was for him to come in.  He was close.  I could sense it.  His hand almost on the control panel now.   Just a few more seconds… 

“Leave him alone and come on!”  Another voice called from the darkness.  His hand dropped back to his side.  I sensed him sneer before he turned and headed away.

So close!  My hand smacked the floor in frustration and my lips tightened.  If only I could have gotten out without using the female.  A low growl escaped at the thought.  Back to the original plan.  Where would we go to hide?  Where could we get a ship? 

After endless scenarios, my eyes finally drifted shut for a little needed rest.

 

~~~~

The sound of her soft voice drifted into my mind, startling me awake.

Are you awake yet?

I looked around the cell and then sat up.  I had slept longer than I had planned. 

Yes.

Did you rest much?

Surprisingly, yes.  How about you?

Not so much.  My friends are worried about me heading back to the fight club.  Apparently, I made a huge mistake last time and they think the Humchins will be watching for me.

What did you do?

Nothing that bad, I don’t think.  It doesn’t matter.  Nothing will stop me from trying to get off this horrible planet. 

I laughed.  I wouldn’t tell her, but her will of iron excited me, made her more attractive and I’ve never even seen her. 

Are you nervous?  I should not have asked.  It was against my nature to ask something that would automatically be denied.

Of course.  Only a crazy person wouldn’t be nervous.  But that doesn’t make me a coward.

My boisterous laugh echoed from the walls.  Any guards watching me now would assume I had gone mad.

No, it does not.

Okay, I need to talk to my friends.  We have some more planning to do, and Oddle has the bloody yellow soup ready.  God, I hate that stuff.

You eat blood?  Terrible images of her feeding on dead bodies crossed my mind.  Were her species savages?  

Now who’s being daft?  No, I don’t eat blood.  It’s just a figure of speech.

I’m certain she heard the relief when I said, That’s good to know.

I’ll talk to you tonight.

Until tonight.