The Alien Commander's Surrogate

Episode 71

Salex

"What did you just say?"

"Whomever sent you that note, they must know he was a traitor. What if they know why or what he's done?"

I stepped closer, leaning in and letting the soft scent of her calm my racing hearts, "But why wouldn't they come forward and express their uncertainty?"

"Because" she whispered back, "They are a surrogate."

"A surrogate? One of the humans?"

"That paper, it's from the paper copy of the surrogate brochure we as we applied. I knew I'd seen it before."

I snorted, "I'm surprised you remember it, since you barely read it."

Hillary shoved at my chest, "I said I skimmed."

The males in the room, even Hiree gave her incredulous looks. "That's not the point here. I'm trying to tell you that a surrogate is who wanted to tell you about Hiree. We need to talk to them. Now."

I slowly nodded. "I will speak with them."

My mate raised a slender hand, pushing at me again. "No, you will not."

"And why not?"

"Because if they weren't brave enough to confront you before, why would they tell you now when you go in there all alpha and demanding? I'll go." Hillary glanced over, finding my assistant in a breath. "And I'll take Ghantlan."

I didn't want her going anywhere and I was half tempted to put her and Ghantlan on a transport straight off the Losskee until was completely sure it was safe. But I knew the look in her eyes. She wouldn't go.

Instead, I raised my eyes to Ghantlan, hoping the male understood the gravity of this task. "Keep her safe."

"And hurry," Bayes said from the side, reminding us that there were three others looking into our exchange. I nodded to them.

"Go now. Find the females," I raised by head, "Kahyne take the prisoner to the brig and stay with him. Bayes, we need to sweep Engineering again. If that was his comfort zone before, it may be the same way now."

Everyone began to move at once, and when Hillary stepped towards Ghantlan I gripped her hand. She turned, letting me tug her gently against my body. I didn't bother asking her to be careful. I knew she would. Instead, I just pressed our foreheads together. "You are everything."

I could feel her smile. "I'll see you soon, mate."

And then they were gone and I was rushing after Bayes, hoping beyond all else that Hiree had been sloppy. I had hundreds of souls aboard this vessel who depended upon me, not to mention the cause that we had taken up on our shoulders.

Hiree could not succeed.

Bayes moved to my shoulder and together, we began to walk the long, winding halls of the underbelly of the Losskee.

***

Hillary

"Um, hi everyone." I stared around the medical bay where I'd asked all the human women to gather in. They'd come in pairs and trios to settle all across Lylta's tables and stretchers, many still in pajamas.

"What time is it?" Toni said as she padded in barefoot and took up an empty stool by Jill.

"Late," I confessed, "At least I think so. I've been a little turned around today."

They all blinked at me, waiting. Not sure how to begin, I looked briefly to Ghantlan for support, who shot me a fanged smile from the corner of the room. Lylta, looking pale and tired stood at his side. Clearing my throat, I opted to just throw all of us into the deep end.