The Alien Commander's Surrogate

Episode 70

Hillary

"But Salex, we don't even know if this is real. What if it was a joke?"

"A joke? Never. Even vague suggestions of treason would get you executed on Trenzia. No one on this ship would act this way unless there was a real concern."

I held up the paper to the light, squinting at it as Ghantlan settled across the table from us. There was something about the piece that caught my attention, like I'd seen the overlapping colors somewhere before. My thumb smoothed down the ragged edge where someone had torn it from a larger sheet.

The three of us had gathered in one of several secure conference rooms that were scattered across the Losskee. Ghantlan and I had arrived after Salex, and my mate's tension had been palatable.

"How many of the crew even keep paper? It's a far outdated concept in space." Ghantlan said.

I giggled, "Sometimes I forget you're such a baby."

Ghantlan frowned, "My university experience is nearly complete, then I will be considered not only mature, but very experienced."

"I know, I know, but you whining about the paper just reminded me that just because youre ten feet tall, you're still basically an overgrown teenager."

Ghantlan snorted and Salex laid a big palm on the table between us. Not forceful, but the gesture was full of purpose. "Can you two focus, please?"

I cocked my head, then ran a hand over Salex's forearm. He's so tense I can actually feel it in my own blood, the bond humming between us. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to not take things seriously."

Salex nodded, the side of his lips quirking up. We'd been forgiven.

"When will we know more?"

"Soon," Salex said, his eyes now drawn to the screen at the end of the table that broadcasted a constant view of the hallways directly outside of the room. Kahyne now stood there, stall and stone faced. And he wasn't alone. Bayes stood directly between him, one hand on the shoulder of a Trenzian I didn't recognize.

"What's going on?"

Salex frowned, but hit the button to unlock the rooms doors. In a breath, the room was suddenly crowded, Bayes and Kahyne stood by the door, the unfamiliar male between them.

Salex stepped in front of me, making my belly graze up against his hip as he moved. I let him, relieved for the protection, but still nosy as hell about what was going on

"Who is this?" Ghantlan asked.

"This is one of mine," Kahyne said, a snarl on his lips, "Or he would've been had I not caught him researching life support systems."

I eyed the Trenzian soldier, who was visibly shaking in his dark uniform. My brows lowered as I looked around, unsure of what this meant. "Life support systems?"

Salex radiated fury, only matched by the males across from him. "Tell them," Kahyne demanded, his voice a sharp bark.

"My name is Hiree," the solider looked at Salex and I was surprised to see that hate darkening his stare, "And I serve the true Prime."

"The Prime is dead," Salex said, his voice giving nothing away.

"The new Prime, the rightful heir will hear about my efforts. He will tell everyone of my bravery in shutting down this disgusting failure of our people."

"The rightful heir?" I asked, still half-behind Salex "Guessing that's not Oren then."

"Oren is an abomination. One we are alread taking care of," Hiree said, spit flying from his mouth. I try not to show him how hard his words hit, but my stomach sinks. Could they really have Oren? I blinked, looking at the male.

"Wait—did you see we?"

Bayes understood too, he was levering the male up until he could snarl into his face, "Who else is working with you?"

"There are many of us," Hiree remarked, his voice a rushed whisper. "Your plan will not work. Trenzia must set the example. We should never dilute our blood, I almost succeeded..."

"It was you," Salex said, his voice quiet and deadly, "You are who damaged the life support in the first place."

Bayes released the soldier with another growl. Hiree stumbled into Kahyne who shoved him back to his feet. "Permission to destroy him, Alpha Commander," Bayes asked, his eyes black.

"Granted."

Bayes whirled, glee on his face as Hiree, sensing his iminent doom, scrambled back, running into Kahyne. The older male merely gripped his arms.

"Wait!" I shouted, shoving against the wall that was my mate. "Wait, no—not yet."

Bayes froze, fist snapped back preparing to pummel Hiree. He and Kahyne shared a long look and then he relaxed his pose. "What is it?"

"He was researching you said," I swallowed, rushing to get the words out before they rendered Hiree useless to us. "What if he already has something on the ship. Something else that could hurt us?"

Hiree sagged in Kahyne's arms. Salex breathed out hard, then turned to the traitorous male. "You are young, Hiree. And I know you've been affected by feelings about the Prime. If you tell me where else you damaged the Losskee we will arrange to drop you at the nearest Trenzian occupied port."

"Liar," Hiree said, "You will never find it."

"What if he made this up, Alpha Commander? Just to keep himself alive longer?" Kahyne deep voice was level and reasonable, even as his hands tightened on the imprisoned male.

"It's true. And it doesn't matter to me," Hiree's eyes gleamed with joyful madness, "None of us are going to make it to the nearest port. I've made sure of that."

I sagged, my hand going to my belly. "Oh fuck, well, I guess you can smash him now Bayes."

Hiree recoiled, but didn't stop smiling that strange, unhinged smile as he looked around at us. "Just as I expected, all of you have been weakened by this ridiculous system you praise so highly."

I don't hear the rest of his speech, because my blood was pounding in my ears. I do see my mate lurch forward, his fist landing heavy in Hiree's belly. Then pulling back to deliver another.

But I don't let him. Instead, I grab onto the thick muscle of Salex's bicep and pull. I'm not heavy or strong compared to him, but my touch stopped him in a moment. When he turned, I see the frantic worry on his face.

"Hillary?" A millon questions on his face.

"I know where that paper came from."

***

Hillary to the rescue! Are you ready for the conclusion to our omegaverse + sci-fi tale? It's coming THIS MONTH.

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