Page 1 of Accidentally Abducted
CHAPTER ONE
- ZEYSOR -
MARS WAS a literal goldmine. So many precious metals from around the universe could be found under its rusty shell and it was making my people, the Terruxians, unfathomably rich. Thanks to a simple treaty with Earth, our planet had secured a very lucrative mining contract that allowed us to tap into their natural resources while the humans continued to develop colonies in the more habitable zones of the planet.
I gazed out the porthole to the red planet below. The space station had a spectacular view of the planet as we orbited around it. We moved at breakneck speed, but the planet seemed to glide slowly by.
My communicator beeped, pulling me from my thoughts and bringing my attention back to where I was: a cramped sleeping pod. The space station was large, relatively speaking, but it was nothing like living in the colonies.
As a Terruxian Hunter, I was sworn to service until the day I died. The Commander owned me -- mind, body and soul. In exchange for my service, I had free room and board no matter where we were in the universe.
The communicator buzzed again. I plucked it from my belt and held it up to activate the holographic screen. A floating 3-D head appeared, the Commander, and began speaking.
"Zeysor, your presence is requested in Office 56-K. Your presence is requested in Office 56-K." It was a recorded message. The Commander wouldn't waste his time calling me himself.
I slipped my communicator back into the case that hung from my belt. The time for relaxing was over. Now I had to get back to my duties.
My sleeping pod was barely a room. It was cylindrical in shape, with a small bed and closet for my few belongings. When I stood, my head nearly brushed the ceiling. The metallic finish on the closet reflected my image back to me, although distorted. The light above me made my rocky scaled skin cast strange shadows across my face.
I didn't glance back at the reflection. Terruxian Hunters were not vain. We had only one purpose -- to serve the officers we were sworn to.
When I left my sleeping pod, the crisp recycled air hit me hard. The space station was always cold, a stark contrast to our hot and dry home planet, Terrux. I hated the feeling of cold air pushing through the vents.
The teleporter was at the end of the hall. It was an unassuming silver tube made large enough for just one person at a time. I walked onto the circular floor pad and spoke out loud, "Office 56-K."
"Office 56-K," The computer said back to me. "Waiting for teleportation channel. Channel confirmed."
With a whoosh and a static crack, I vanished and reappeared in a different hallway halfway across the station, just outside the Commander's office.
I hated the teleportation tubes, but they were the most efficient way to get around.
A light flashed above the Commander's door. When it was blue, that meant he was free to be disturbed. When it was red, that meant no entry. Right now, it was blue.
I stopped at his door and pressed a finger against the biometric pad that was installed at the center of the door.
There was a beep and a hiss as the door slid open. The Commander's office was enormous; it was probably five or six times the size as my sleeping pod. It was starkly empty, with no furniture except the Commander's desk and some chairs. Screens projected images and information against the white walls.
"Visitor biometrics confirmed -- Zeysor, Squad 43," The computer said.
The Commander looked up. He was much older than me, his dark blue skin was hard and scaly. He had the sort of shape that told me he was once very fit, but his age was getting to him.
It was then that I realized he had changed his voice messaging head to be more attractive than he really was. How did I not notice before? It didn't matter. The true value of a Terruxian wasn't his appearance.
"Commander," I said. "You called for me?"
"Yes," He said, leaning back in his levitating ergonomic chair. "I appreciate your promptness, warrior."
I stood a little straighter. "Thank you, sir," I replied.
The Commander swiveled in his chair before standing up. "I've called you hear because you were recommended to me for a special mission from your squad leader."
That peaked my interest. It took all of my willpower not to let my curiosity show.
"Do you think you're fit for a special mission?"
"I think that if my leader has volunteered me for this mission that I will be successful," I said. It was important not to be too cocky. I kept my hands tight to my sides and my eyes straight ahead. Whatever was scrolling on the surrounding screens was not my business. I remained focused on what the Commander was saying.
"There is something I need you to retrieve for me," The Commander continued.
