Ethereal Lives: A Romantic Sci-Fi Novel

Chapter 4

"Ax, I think you better look at this."

Ax lifted his head from the star charts he'd been studying. "What is it?" he asked automatically, peering out of the viewing window into space. Noticing Sek was looking at one of the internal monitors, he went to see what was so interesting. His brow furrowed when he saw the woman on the screen. "What's she doing?"

Sek chuckled. "Well I'm not positive, but I think she's attempting to pick the lock."

Ax's eyes widened as he watched her. "Where did she get a lock picking tool?"

"Pulled it from her hair."

He shook his head in disbelief and spoke with more confidence than he felt. "She won't manage it. She's only a human and that lock is a good one."

He grinned as he watched her struggle, wishing he could hear what she was saying to herself. She seemed to be getting very annoyed. His smile fell when she gave what looked like a little yelp of joy and the chain slipped for her wrist. "How did she do that?"

Sek shook his head in disbelief. "I have no idea. Quite resourceful for an Earthling, isn't she?"

"Yes." Ax grumbled, watching the woman walk purposefully over to the door, open it, then boldly leave the room. "Does she not recognise who the authority is on this ship?"

Ax shot Sek a dirty look when he sniggered.

Sek wiped the smirk off his face. "Do you want me to go and get her?"

Ax started to say yes then changed his mind. "Let's just see what she does first." The woman walked along the corridor, choosing a different direction from last time.

When she opened a door, he expected her to nose around the bedroom she'd discovered. Instead, she closed it again and kept going.

He got comfortable in a chair and observed her wander and test doors until she came to the recreation room. This time, when she pressed the button and peered inside, she entered.

Ax switched cameras so he could observe her. Naturally, the first thing she did was press panels and push buttons. Earthlings seemed easily amused. She bounced with delight when she revealed a viewing window, which allowed her to see the stars outside.

She continued hunting for panels. After a few moments, she discovered a stereo and jumped in shock when music, blared into the room.

Ax laughed and shook his head as she frantically tried to figure out how it worked. She turned to the camera saying something and waving her hands.

Sek frowned. "Do you think she knows we're watching her?"

Ax was just as surprised as his friend that she had spotted the cameras. "It looks that way." He pressed a button on the control panel so he could speak to her.

"The yellow button," he said calmly as he waited for her to realise he couldn't hear her. Her eyes lit up as she heard him, and she went to use the intercom.

"What is this rubbish?" she asked, "don't you have any real music? This is the heaviest, heavy metal I've ever heard!"

Ax frowned. He could hear the music playing in the background, and it was one of Sek's favourite bands.

His friend gasped. "Humans obviously have no taste. I say we throw her out an airlock."

Ax chuckled and continued to watch the woman who was still moaning. He really needed to explain to her what being a prisoner meant.

"Praid," he addressed the tech guy two seats away. "Go through the archives and find some human music, please."

Sek's jaw fell open. "Seriously? You're going to give her what she wants? She's a prisoner!"