Page 6 of Her Alien Hero
“Since ancient times, Mesopotamian to be exact, my ancestors have visited Earth looking for the source code under relative anonymity. Unfortunately, we’ve had a few major ship malfunctions over the past few decades.
“Like crashes?”
He nodded. “Instead of offering aid, humans chose to imprison and inflict pain on survivors, and even succeeded in confiscating pieces of our technology.”
I shivered at the coldness in his tone. His lips turned downward, and he stood. "Voren…" He shook his head as if realizing he said too much. "Never mind." He pointed to the screen. "There are facilities for you to use, and if you get hungry or thirsty”—He swiveled and pointed to an alcove near the door—“just stand facing the replicator and tell it what you want."
I'd like a gun and some mace.I wondered if itwouldmake a weapon to help me escape.
"And don't entertain trying to leave."
I glanced upward at the tall alien, hoping my thoughts didn’t show.
"One foot outside this door without our approval, and you will be shackled and lose all privileges. Do you understand?"
Biting my lip, I looked away. Was I really a prisoner of extraterrestrial beings?
No. No way. This isn’t real.
"Lilly," he said again, stepping closer and bending so his eye level met mine. "Do not try to leave. It will be so much worse. We are in orbit above Earth, so even if youdidmanage to find a way out, there is nowhere to go. I would not see you suffer needlessly."
How do I know he's telling the truth? If there's really nowhere to go, then why warn me?But I had to play their game if it meant surviving.
"Okay. I won't." My words were weak, and I schooled my demeanor into meekness.Please believe me.
"I’ll return in a few Earth hours. Freshen up, eat, and get rest. You will need it for what is to come.” His gaze flitted down my form. "You are the precious gift we have been expecting and the key to our plan. Do your part, and you’ll be returned to your planet if you choose."
What exactly is my part, though?I fought against shivering.Maybe it’s not as dire as it sounds.I wanted off of this ship of barbaric assholes asap, so I’d cooperate for as long as I could, all while looking for a way out.
I tried not to linger on his message after he left.'You will need it for what is to come.'
Wings of panic beat inside my mind but I stuffed it down.Keep calm and focus.One thing at a time.
Since I wouldn’t be able to sleep, I decided to scout the room. If there were vents or other spaces large enough to slide into, I’d find them. Still in my pajamas, I rolled the flannel sleeves and ran my hands up and down the nearest silver wall, touching its smooth surface for any kind of indentions or seams.
Nothing. This room, bare and sterile, offered absolutely zero ways to escape. Unlike Earth-made things, there were no corners or angles besides where the floor connected with the walls. Overhead, the domed ceiling shone light, though it seemed to seep through the metal because there were no visible bulbs. I didn’t have a clue how it worked, and I couldn't have cared less. Freedom and escape rang through my thoughts.
My future with these Volderens didn’t look good. Especially seeing those other unconscious humans, their forms laid out like bodies in a morgue. Their chests rose and fell, so I knew they weren't actually dead, but I didn't want to find out how they became vegetables.
No. I'll fight these dickheads with all my strength.
But first, I needed food to keep up my strength.
Chapter 2
"AT-bone medium well with homemade macaroni and steamed broccoli."Okay, it’s not breakfasty, but it'll be packed with protein, carbs, iron, and strength so I can get the fuck outta here.
A soft ping, then a white plate piled with aromatic food appeared in the alcove.
"Shit. Nowthisis cooking I can get behind." A fork appeared next to the plate, but I also needed a knife.Could this clone thingy create gadgets like that? I mean, I needed to cut the steak.
“Can you create a knife for the steak?” I held my breath, then a neutral voice spoke, but not in English. Nothing materialized in the alcove.
Well, damn. It was worth a try.
The scents of smoked meat, melted cheese, and broccoli filled the air. My stomach rumbled. I didn't know if it would taste asgood as it looked, but that didn't matter. So long as it gave me energy for what I had planned, I'd eat it.
Grabbing the plate and fork, I sat on the floor and cradled the food on my thighs.Volderens must not use furniture.Maybe I should've worried about poison or drugs in the food, but that seemed silly. These aliens were obviously far more sophisticated than humans, so why stoop to such barbaric means?
