Page 51 of Stripped By the Alien

He does, then spends some time checking for gaps in risky places and tapes them up. “Can you move?”

I walk back and forth and do some shallow squats, making the tape creak and squeak while Krix’vorr looks on with mild amusement.

“It’s better than the cardboard,” I decide. “Just.”

Krix’vorr comes closer and strokes the outside of the wound-on tape with one knuckle. “I didn’t think you’d cover this much, but you’re now well protected against both meteorite impacts and an assassin’s dagger.”

An intrusive thought passes through my mind: How will I get this off again next time I’m alone with him? Because I’ll absolutely want it off if I get another chance.

“Uh-huh,” I say while thinking of something acidic to say.

Suddenly my stomach lurches.

Then the room turns upside-down and becomes like a film negative, with white becoming black and green becoming red. I yelp in surprise and reach out to grab Krix’vorr’s hand before things turn back to normal a second later.

I take a second to remember how to breathe.

“Incredible phase shift,” Lucius says quickly. “This whole mission was worth it just for that.”

I slowly regain my balance. “What was that?”

“It’s all right,” Krix’vorr says as he takes my hand. “Going into the Soft Dark can sometimes be strange. You get used to it.”

“The ship went into a fifth dimension,” Lucius says. “What is sometimes called ‘hyperspace’. It can travel faster there, one would assume.”

“We will soon be at the battle,” the locust rumbles. “I want you to see it. Come along.”

I rise from the table and follow Krix'vorr toward the opening membrane, still trying to decide whether I'm more disturbed by the sudden color inversion or by the fact that I grabbed his hand without thinking.

A few steps later I look down and discover he's still holding it. His larger hand completely encloses mine as he guides me through the living corridors of the Beast.

None of the crew we pass seem surprised by the arrangement. If anything, they become even more deferential when they see us together. Locusts flatten themselves against the walls or drop to both knees as their chief passes.

I glance up at him while we walk. "Do they always do that?"

"If they wish to live."

For a moment I think he's joking. Then I see that he's entirely serious, and it sends a coldness down my spine. It’s not entirely unpleasant.

The Beast feels different now that she's moving through whatever impossible place the Soft Dark actually is. Vibrations travel through the floor beneath my feet. Warm currents move through the corridors. Every so often the walls pulse with light as enormous biological systems work harder around us. The entire ship feels alert, like a hunting animal that's caught a scent and knows prey is nearby.

The further we go, the busier the interior becomes. More crew appear in the corridors. Some carry bundles of supplies. Others hurry along with tablets pressed against their chests. Several disappear through side passages that close behind them like lips sealing shut.

"Are they preparing for battle?" I ask.

Krix'vorr glances toward a group of passing crew members before answering. "A battle begins long before the first strike."

The statement sounds remarkably familiar. For a moment I picture admirals and generals back on Earth saying exactly the same thing. The details couldn't be more different. Their ships weren't alive, their crews weren't giant locusts, and their weapons almost certainly didn't involve biological horrors. Yet underneath all that, the logic feels familiar. There are preparations and logistics, with Krix'vorr in easy, unassailable command.

It makes him seem even more dangerous. Somehow it also makes him more attractive, which is a complication I don't particularly want to examine right now.

“Will we be in danger?” I ask.

“Every battle carries some danger,” Krix’vorr rumbles. “I expect this battle to be fierce and short. Here is the control chamber.”

The corridor widens ahead of us. A membrane parts and warm light spills through. I take two more steps before stopping entirely.

The room beyond is enormous.