Page 49 of Stripped By the Alien

That enemy Harrower may hold evidence of a second alien vessel. Or even an alien like Nora.

One vessel can be an accident. One vessel can be a curiosity. Two vessels suggest a pattern. They suggest that Nora's civilization is more sophisticated than I thought.

The Queen will be highly interested. And if one Chief Harrower returns with not one, but two scouts from that civilization, then… well, the rewards should be ample.

I lower the tablet and look at the signals chief. "Prepare the Beast for immediate travel through the Soft Dark to these coordinates."

Excitement flashes through his posture before he suppresses it. "We are joining the battle, Chief Harrower?"

"We are ending it," I say flatly.

His antennae flatten respectfully. "Yes, Chief Harrower."

He begins backing away toward the membrane, but another thought occurs to me. "Wait."

The signals chief freezes.

I glance down at the tablet again. If another creature like Nora truly exists, the implications extend far beyond a battlefield. Finding her world becomes more likely. Understanding that world becomes more likely. My position before the Queen becomes stronger. Every calculation points toward immediate action.

Yet another possibility follows close behind. If another creature like Nora exists, she may already be dead. Nora would want to know.

I study the tablet. "Prepare departure. Then have provisions sent to my chamber."

The signals chief hesitates long enough to reveal his confusion. "Chief Harrower?"

"I said provisions. Oh, and fabric. Thin fabric. Supple."

His mouth works in silent puzzlement. "Yes, Chief Harrower."

He disappears through the membrane. I have no idea where he’ll get supple fabric aboard the Beast. But Nora needs clothing and it’s an underling’s duty to obey all his superior’s commands.

As I continue toward my chamber, the Beast is already responding. Deep vibrations travel through the deck beneath my feet while enormous muscles throughout her body prepare for acceleration to the mysterious Soft Dark, where distances are shorter than in normal space. Nutrient flows increase. Internal temperatures adjust. Across her immense body, thousands of lesser organisms will already be moving toward their assigned functions.

Battle awakens her. Normally I appreciate that. Today my thoughts remain elsewhere.

The membrane opens into my chamber and I find Nora awake. She sits on the edge of the resting platform. Her dark hair is tangled from sleep and the translation flower still rests behind one ear. Her machine hovers nearby, rotating slowly as though he has spent the last several minutes lecturing her.

Both of them look toward me immediately. For a moment nobody speaks. Then Nora smiles.

The reaction catches me off guard. It is an entirely irrational response, yet something in my chest loosens when I see it.

"There you are," she says. "For a while I thought your ship might have burned you. Again, I mean."

My gaze lingers on her. Alive and awake, reminding me how my ship almost killed her.

The pressure beneath my chest plates returns, in fierce competition with the pressure further down. Mighty Swarm, she’s all bare! As if she was specifically designed to allure males. And still she’s defiant. How can such a female survive more than half a cycle? But she has. Her strength is all on the inside, and I'm sure I haven't yet seen the depths of it.

I clear my voice. "The Beast considered the possibility. I persuaded her otherwise."

Nora studies me for a moment, as though trying to determine whether I am joking. Then she gives up and folds her hands in her lap. "Should I ask?"

"Ask what?"

"How you persuaded her."

“It would be a waste of time.” I tear my gaze away from her naked form and hold up the tablet. "We are departing."

Nora immediately becomes serious. "Departing where?"