Page 32 of Her Alien Captain
TWENTY-TWO
Amazingly, Drake felt less troubled at leaving Earth with no foreseeable date to return once they had left. The Be’Kal Zephyr’s shuttle used the same cloaking technology as the Alliance Law Enforcer ships so that almost no one on Earth knew it was there. The shuttle took them to the Zephyr as it orbited the Earth, and then they went on to Mars City for a four-hour layover. Drake had been expecting a little backwater outpost instead of the elaborate underground metropolis that astounded him as he looked at the pictures in the electronic brochure on Zya’s tablet.
Jenna greeted Drake and Zya as the came into the passenger section from the Zephyr’s shuttle bay. “Welcome aboard,” she said and extended her hand to Drake. I’m Jenna Harper. For want of a better word, I will be your hostess for your journey with us.”
“Wait, I remember you,” Drake said, “I saw you that last day in the conference room on Raptor One. You were taken by slavers.”
“Yes, Captain Zeke Be’Kal ismeomee.He and his brother Arkis followed the slavers to Se’Nar and bought us from the auction to return us,” she said. “I had a feeling we would see you again after we brought Zya to Earth. If you aremeomee, ‘Resistance is futile,'” she chuckled.
“I’ll say,” Drake grinned. “I never even met her, just had the short video where she said who she was and that we aremeomee. It was like a punch in the gut every time I looked at it and heard her voice, but I couldn’t stop playing it. I was about to send her an email when she showed up at my door.”
“Meg warned you that could happen. We just brought in a trader from Narova on the same run as Zya. His mate was on that pirate ship with you,” Jenna replied. “Come on, let me show you to your cabin.”
“Renan Garr,” said Zya. “I remember him. Nice man, handsome, too.”
“Yes, he was. All of his ships were out of range. That’s how we got him,” Jenna stopped in front of one of their private cabins it was one of two that contained what would be considered a king sized bed on Earth. “This will be your cabin; our AI has been instructed to open the door for you automatically. Bella responds to verbal commands just tell her what you need or com me.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine, we’re ready to relax and enjoy the ride,” Drake said,” we just finished my busiest season ever.”
“We will be landing at Mars City in a few hours to leave freight and pick up four more passengers. There will be a few hours layover if you want to shop or see the sights.”
“Well, maybe,” Drake said, putting his arm around Zya as they stood just inside the doorway of their cabin. “Zya told me about Mars city. Said it’s been there for almost 500 years.”
“It’s completely underground, but once you’re inside, you’d never know it. It’s got all the comforts and five-star hotels.”
“I don’t know,” Drake said. “I’m not much for cities.”
“I hear you. I’m a country girl myself,” Jenna smiled. “I’ll see you two later. I want to see Zeke before he starts his shift.”
When Jenna went back to their cabin, she found that Zeke had already gone to the bridge. Jenna frowned it was an hour before his shift. She had thought to jump him for a quickie beforehand. A sudden frisson of alarm surged through her. She decided to go see what was going on.
“I saw it just as we broke Earth orbit,” Tray said.
“And you’re sure it’s Drayid?” Zeke asked.
“Bella, show Zeke the vessel on the big screen,” Tray commanded.
“Gods be damned!” Zeke murmured vehemently. “It’s a fucking battle cruiser!”
Jenna stepped on the bridge and saw the big scary looking ship that filled the screen.
“Take us out of the system now Bella,” Zeke snapped.
“What is that?” Jenna asked.
“A Drayid battleship,” Zeke muttered.
“They just broadcast a demand for Earth’s surrender,” Sajh called over the com.
“Raptor Oneis coming around the backside of the Moon,” said Tray.
“Oh, my God!” Jenna gasped.
“Mars is advising us to leave the system without dropping off their cargo,” Sajh relayed.
“Two more Raptors have just launched from Mars,” Tray called out looking at his small screen.
“Tell them we’re going, Sajh,” Zeke called back.
