Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 23: Fear and Hope

Roger awoke to the knocking on his door. His eyes glanced at the clock. 01:29. He groaned as his aching body sat up. The boy stretched, his joints a popping and cracking symphony. The teen mustered enough strength, walking to the door.

It opened, revealing a familiar yet foreboding figure. Shocked, he rubbed his eyes, hoping this was an illusion. It wasn't.

"Hi, Rogipoo," Keltalis cooed, stepping into his room. Roger punched him square in the face, slamming the lock button as Keltalis stammered back, dazed yet turned on. Roger rushed to his bedside table, grabbing his wrist communicator.

"Emergency! Emergency! There's an intruder!"

"What," Haltra called, "you're sure about this?"

"He's real! Just get someone down here with a bigger gun! Please!"

The Kotarin banged on the door, his muffled voice flirted and moaned, spewing obscene statements. Roger cringed with disgust, making his way to the bathroom to wash his hands.

* * *

Zarra stormed down the hallway, a heavy duty rifle in her hands. She grimaced. She knew. It had to be him. No one else could frighten Roger like that-no, not scare, but repel-the boy despised him. Zarra put aside her grudge of last night's dinner. Both the boy and Prill had apologized, regretful of their mischief. But there was a bigger bridge to cross. She had an idea of who brought the undesirable alien aboard and she would administer punishment later. For now, she had to neutralize the stowaway.

The captain turned the corner, firing multiple stun shots. She smirked as the Ponegian collapsed on the floor, knocked out by the blows. She knelt down and cuffed him, dragging his body out of the way. She knocked on the door, reassuring Roger the intruder was out cold.

Tevra stepped outside, curious of the commotion. Zarra picked up the limp body with the help of the Valmirian, carrying Kel to the brig in silence. They tossed him inside, activating the force field. The captain thanked her as the girl left, retiring to her quarters.

Zarra stayed, staring at the Kotarin with a look of disgust. How could Sloan do this? How could no one notice for the past three days? Where did the Kotarin hide? Why go out now? How did he even know where Roger slept?

She shuddered at that thought. The Ponegian would have to stay, for now. They were weeks from the next planet, and eventually, he had to get out. She smiled. Maybe she could use that to her advantage. Surely the alien could be of use to intimidate someone else, a certain someone who let him aboard. A single, rugged man, tough and stubborn in his ways would no doubt attract the Kotarin eventually. Yet she paused, wondering how to make Roger seem unattractive to the flirt.

Zarra yawned and left the prison room, heading back to the bridge for her night shift, her mind juggling other thoughts.

* * *

The captain entered the mess hall. She stopped, seeing the alien merchant sitting at a table with none other than the astronaut. She glared, her face fuming.

"Sloan," she bellowed, "what the hell is that alien doing walking around? Get over here!"

"He needed space. I-"

She scowled, jabbing her finger at his chest. "I trusted you, and you disobeyed me!" She tore off his uniform pin. "William Gene Sloan. I hereby strip your rank of assistant commander, and sentence you to five days in the brig on the basis of insubordination."

Sloan stopped, realizing he had gone too far in his pointless and petty feud. He grated on her nerves earlier, and now, he had reached the last straw. "Captain-"