Page 18 of Alien Captain's Prisoner

As you lie dying, those hundreds of eggs will hatch deep inside of you. Sharp, ravenous beaks will start to devour your flesh, blood, and organs from within. Eventually, the writhing Scorp larvae will burst from your ravished, hollowed-out body as you die in despair and agony, far from the light of day.

“You look ill.”

I blink, snapped out of my nightmarish thoughts. I imagine I’m looking as green and sickly as I suddenly feel.

“I’m okay,” I gulp.

Just thinking about the Scorp made me nauseous. I can’t imagine the bravery it took for Vinicus and Iunia to voyage deep into the dark caverns of that moon – into the nest of those vile, loathsome creatures. What’s more, they did it voluntarily – and faced and killed the Queen!

For the first time, I understand one of the inarguable benefits of the Aurelian Empire protecting my home planet. We might have been impoverished by their heavy taxation; but in return, we’ve never had to face Scorp attacks.

I’ve heard all the stories of worlds that were less fortunate or had foolishly spurned Aurelian protection. Scorp send organic egg-sac ships hurtling into space, crashing onto such worlds and spilling those vile creatures out to ravish cities and communities. Without the Aurelians to protect them, there’s little the human population can do to protect themselves. Planets of millions have been lost – and similarly, I’d lost a lot of sleep as a child, thinking about such nightmarish scenarios.

As I breathe deeply, trying to overcome my nausea, Aelon sits in his chair, completely comfortable.

He’s playing games with me, I realize – keeping me constantly guessing as to his intentions and desires.

His eyes narrow – and suddenly, he looks at me anew. “Iknow you, Tasha.”

“You’ve never seen me before in your life!”

“Aye – but I don’tneedto have seen you before to know you, Tasha – better than you know yourself.”

I bristle as his words, but he continues without pause.

“You’re young – mid-twenties – and you’re the captain of your own vessel; one that probably undertakes more illegal jobs than legal ones, despite the mining beams and the crew of workers you have.” His lips curl. “It’s not so easy to deceive me. You’re full of pride, Tasha.”

Me? Full of pride? That’s rich – coming from him.

The sheer arrogance of this Aurelian infuriates me, but I hold back the tirade of insults I want to throw at him. That becomes more difficult as he continues with his monologue:

“Oh, yes – I know you, Tasha. The thing you fear most is that hesitation – the moment between you giving an order and it being carried out. You fear the hesitation of your crew.”

Dammit, it’s like he’s inside my head.

“You worry that one day, your crew will stop listening to you – so you put on a big, tough front, don’t you, Tasha?” His eyes flash. “You’d never let your crew see you weak.”

“No Captain should let their crew see them weak,” I snap back, jutting my chin up. My voice is defiant – but it’s hard to be taken seriously when my feet can’t even touch the ground.

Aelon chuckles.

“Aye – but I still see right through you. You’re a skilled pilot, Tasha – you’d have to be, to get away from those Toads. You’re clearly a skilled captain, too – to keep your crew following orders against all odds.”

The towering Aurelian leans forward.

“Inside though? You’re soft and delicate, Tasha. That’s why I won’t be keeping you in the brig. You’ll have your own room, and a nice plush bed.”

Heat rises to my cheeks. “No fucking way! Idemandto be treated the same as my crew!”

Big mistake.

I spoke in anger, unable to hold back the biting words. In response, Aelon pushes his chair out slowly, standing slowly until he looms over me like a mountain.

I gulp – suddenly reminded of just how massive and intimidating the Aurelian Captain is compared to me.

“Tasha,” he warns, “you are in no position to make demands – and if you use that tone with me again, I’ll turn your bottom red.”

My jaw drops.

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