Submission in the Stars

Chapter 7: Speaking with the Subject

Valentin really, really did not want to be on the table. His heart raced, each frantic beat echoed in the erratic beeping of the sensor attached to his finger. His breaths came in shallow, uneven bursts, his body tense as he tried to make sense of what was happening. What more could these creatures possibly want from him? He shot a glance at the reptoid, whose copper eyes seemed to be studying him closely, and fear crept through his veins.

The door slid open with a soft hiss, and Valentin's pulse quickened even further as the female alien entered the room. Her movements were unsettlingly fluid, as though she were gliding rather than walking. She pushed a cart ahead of her, and in one hand, she held a large metallic case that she placed beside it. He watched her warily, his muscles tightening in anticipation of whatever was coming next.

The female turned to face the far wall, speaking in that strange, garbled language of hers. It was almost as if she was conversing with the room itself. The reptoid seemed to understand the exchange and nodded in response, his large, scaled head tilting toward the wall as well. Valentin's confusion deepened. What were they waiting for? He considered making a run for it, though his muscles still trembled with exhaustion. His eyes darted to the door, his mind frantically weighing the odds.

But as if reading his thoughts, the female suddenly snapped her notched pupils toward him, locking eyes with him. The rumble returned, the strange vibrations coursing through the room, and Valentin felt his body instinctively begin to relax against the table. The effect wasn't as overwhelming as it had been in the bathing area, but it was still enough to make his limbs feel weak, his muscles sluggish. He hated the sensation—being trapped by his own flesh, rendered powerless. The sensor's beeping slowed as his adrenaline waned, though his wariness remained. At least, for now, he was still clothed, and they didn't seem interested in prodding at his body like before.

The aliens continued their hushed conversation, barely glancing at him. Valentin could only watch and wonder what they were planning. Were they waiting for something? The unsettling silence in the room stretched on, tension thick in the air.

Suddenly, without warning, the tentacle-clad woman lurched towards him. Valentin's reflexes kicked in, and he scuttled backward, nearly sliding off the table in a desperate attempt to evade her. He slammed into the scaled being's waiting arms, the reptoid catching him easily with its powerful grip. Valentin froze, his breath caught in his throat. What the hell was that? He could feel clawed fingers tighten around his arms, holding him in place.

The woman smirked, her head inclined slightly toward the wall as if they were all part of some unspoken test. Had he passed? Was he supposed to strike back, to resist? He didn't know anymore, and the uncertainty gnawed at him. His confusion was cut short as a large, scaled hand clamped down on his hair, wrenching his head sideways. Pain flared in his scalp, and he winced as his face was turned sharply to the side.

A strange feeling of betrayal surged through him. Why am I upset? he thought bitterly. Had he actually grown to trust this thing? The soft touches from before, the careful way the reptoid had washed him—it had lulled him into a false sense of security. Now, he felt foolish for ever thinking these creatures might show him any kindness.

Valentin's heart raced again as the female knelt beside the cart and opened the metallic case she had brought. He strained against his betrayer's hold, his eyes wide with fear as he watched her carefully lift a small, gun-like device from the case. The beeping of the sensor quickened, matching the rhythm of his growing panic. The sleek object looked like something out of a nightmare—its barrel slim and metallic, with a small chip visible at its base.

His mind raced with terrifying possibilities. Was this it? Had they examined him just to cut him open, to study his insides? He had heard the wild stories of people claiming to be abducted by aliens, though he had never believed them. God, how could this be real?