Ethereal Lives: A Romantic Sci-Fi Novel

Chapter 2

Ax stared down at the small human. When he'd sent his men to get a female Earthling, this was not what he had in mind. He'd seen pictures of them, and this one did not look or act at all as he expected.

"Do you know who you're speaking to, Earthling?"

The human glared at him with blatant disregard for his authority. "Should I know?"

Ax took a deep breath. Never before had anyone dared to speak to him this way on his own ship. "I am Axermaxacorm Kas, captain of this ship and I demand respect. You are on my vessel, where we're headed is no concern of yours, and I will call you whatever I wish." He turned his back on the human. How dare it think to question him like that?

"And that's the name you're sticking with, is it?" she asked.

Ax twisted back to the human slowly, this was nothing like the submissive creature he'd expected to get from Earth. He hoped its attitude wouldn't make it harder to sell. "I beg your pardon?"

The human shrugged and gazed around the room casually. "Just, not the sort of thing I'd have chosen for an alien name."

Ax clenched and unclenched his hands a few times and concentrated on keeping his breathing steady. This had to be the most infuriating creature he'd ever encountered. It took a considerable effort to keep his voice even when he replied. "Well, let's just be thankful I'm not you."

The Earthling huffed. "Okay, I've had enough now. I don't care how much money I could win, I want out. Let me off the ship, or whatever this place is. I want to go back to my holiday."

He didn't really understand all the words the human spoke, but it clearly had no idea of its current situation. "You can't go back, there's nothing to go back to."

The human blinked at him in confusion. "What do you mean? Of course, I can go back, now let me off this ship right now." It stamped its foot as it finished its speech.

Ax laughed at the human's defiance. "What would you suggest I do? Shoot you out of an airlock? We're in space."

"No, we're not."

"I assure you, we are."

The human raised an eyebrow and snorted. "Prove it."

Ax could not remember the last time someone had questioned his word, but Earthlings were known to be simple creatures. "Fine!"

He activated the screens covering the front of the ship. They squeaked slightly as they opened, revealing the sky outside, black as night with twinkling stars all around. A gasp from behind him confirmed the human hadn't expected that move. He smiled to himself, happy to know he had the upper hand.

"That's amazing," it said, surprisingly close to his left shoulder, "it looks so real."

He frowned. "It is real."

The human scoffed. "Of course, it is."

"I assure you, it is."

It gave another unbecoming snort. "If that's real, and this is a space ship, what are you, an alien?"

He thought about its question before answering. "I think technically, now you are the alien."

The human shook its head. "Come on, drop the act. You're human just like me. Now I've had enough, take me back to Barbados or home, whichever."

Ax crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. He'd had enough of its denial. "We may appear human, but I assure you we are not. This image," he said, waving a hand in front of himself, "was merely to make you feel more comfortable, you are the only human here. In fact, as of five Earth hours ago you are the only human in the universe. Your planet no longer exists. You are the last human and my prisoner. As soon as we reach the Sixth Galaxy, you will be sold to the highest bidder, making me and my crew very rich."