Page 31 of Stripped By the Alien

“She understood,” the machine says in a passable imitation of our beautiful language. “She refuses to comply.”

For a moment I can’t think straight. She is actually refusing, and I have no reference points for it except murder. I would immediately snap the head off any underling who refused my order, and rightly so. Neither the Brood nor the Swarm can tolerate any insubordination.

But Nora - such a strange name - is not of my Brood. I have to process this.

I take hold of her thin wrist. “Come along. Machine, you may follow. But any more shenanigans from you and I’ll toss you into space myself.”

“Understood,” the flying disk says as I drag Nora out towards my resting chamber.

The Beast makes the way short, opening membranes in walls and generally being helpful. She must realize that her attempt to kill the alien was not to my liking.

The alien offers token resistance, but she is still weak after the short visit in open space.

In my chamber I sit her down on my resting platform.

“Machine, translate: You are not to leave this room. If you do, the Beast will try to kill you again. There are many dangerous places on this ship. If you have needs, tell the guard outside and he will alert me. You will be safe in here, but in no other place.”

Nora makes a movement with her head.

“That means 'yes',” the machine says.

I stare down at the female, and she looks innocently away. “Perhaps. I wonder if this female is in fact a chaos agent. She’s constantly looking for exits and weaknesses. All the way here. Machine, I hold you responsible for her actions.”

“Also understood,” the machine says. “Chief Harrower, may I ask–”

“You may not,” I cut the machine off. “All questions are to be asked by me. Now she may rest. Sris, how do you evaluate her state? Is she in need of additional healing?”

“Her state is recovered, sir,” Sris says. “She’s no worse than at the moment when she escaped.”

“Hmm,” I growl, somewhat disappointed. “Come with me.” I turn and leave the room. I doubt the Beast will let the alien out, but a living ship has a mind of its own and it’s clear it wants Nora dead.

“That female doesn’t act like prey,” I observe to Sris as I stride through the ship. “She acts like an equal. And yet I see no obvious sign that she is from a Harvesting species. If anything, she looks made to be Harvested, with no shields or armor on her. She’s almost deliberately undefended.”

“Her actions in the minefield indicate an aggressive and war-like species,” Sris replies, hurrying to keep up with me. “That doesn’t have to mean that they are Harvesting. They may be prey that fights other prey. Such things are known. Sir, I am worried about your state.”

I slow down to look behind me. “What? My state?”

“Your carapace produced lightning, Sir. It wasn’t static electricity. It was lightning. Coming from you.”

“Nonsense,” I scoff. “I’ve never shot lightning before. Nor have I seen anyone do it.”

“Neither have I. May I experiment with it? Try to make it appear again?”

“You may absolutely not. It was simply powerful static electricity.”

Sris quickly taps along behind me. “With respect, sir, you shot lightning around your chest. There was even a sound. And it happened when you were close to the alien. Very close.”

“There shall be no experimentation.” A membrane opens in front of me and I step into the command center. All the crewmembers straighten to attention. Some are servant species, some are Thyrr like me, all from my Brood. “Signals chief!”

“Sir!” A crewmember bows with both hands on his chest. “How may I obey?”

“You will send a secret signal to certain Brood-mates. Pay attention.” I tell him which ones and the approximate area where they may be found. “A secret signal, only to those allies and underlings. Here is the signal you shall send:

All hail our Queen!

In the name of Queen Szum-zic, I command these questions answered with all speed.

First, have you witnessed or heard of anyone from any Swarm or Brood who have found or captured an alien species with no carapace, with hair on the head but no antennae, small and soft-looking, two legs and two arms?