Page 38 of My Alien Sunshine

Absentmindedly, I tug at the collar around my neck. Even though the crew assured me it’s been deactivated and no one can use it to hurt me, the mere presence of it grates on my nerves.

Despite being a slave in everything but name for the past five years, I’ve never worn a collar. Putting it on now when I’m so close to finally being free is beyond ironic, but it’s the only way I can get aboard the Arcade and find Ellen, so I keep my protests to myself.

As Astra and I change into simple dresses suitable for slaves, an argument breaks out on the bridge. I only catch the last part of it, but it’s not difficult to figure out what it is about. Nikolai was ordered to stay behind on the Supernova and he doesn’t like it. “... been trained in combat,” he yells just as we return to the bridge. “I don’t enjoy fighting, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight!”

“We don’t need fighters for this mission,” Zarkan replies. “We need a small team to sneak in, locate Faelin and Nala’s daughter, and get them out. We’re already pushing our luck by letting Astra come.”

The glare Astra gives him is one of pure defiance, challenging him to say she can’t go. He just shakes his head, huffing out a laugh. “No Astra, I’m not crazy enough to argue with you. But you, Nikolai, are a doctor. You’ll be waiting by the airlock to receive the wounded, should there be any. I’m not going either.”

“Yeah, but you can’t go because you’re a Lakhartan,” Nikolai retorts, then after a moment’s pause he shrugs his shoulders, sighing. “Fine then. But I want a gun. And if things go wrong, I’m going in.”

Zarkan nods. “Pick whatever you want from the armory. But please, be careful. All of you.”

I can see it’s killing the captain to stay behind, but Nikolai is right. The Lakhartans are known for their strong code of honor, from which they never stray. It’s the reason there are so many of them in the UGC forces.

A Lakhartan buying illegal drugs or weapons in a secret marketplace? He’d stick out like a sore thumb.

A Lakhartan selling slaves? Every single guard would be on us in a heartbeat. It’s just not done.

Tareq approaches me with a length of chain and I shudder. “Is that necessary?” I ask as he attaches it to my collar.

“Once inside, we can use it as a weapon,” he explains. “We can’t bring guns on board, so we’ll have to rely on other things. This,” he raises the chain, “is reinforced Angrian steel. The same material this ship is built from. I can strangle an Okri with it in under ten seconds and he has no chance of breaking free.”

“Oh. Okay.” I tug on my collar again. “Sorry, I don’t want to sound like a child, but are we there yet?” Two ships have disengaged from the Arcade and jumped into hyperspace during our approach and I’m praying that Ellen wasn’t on either one of them. D’Aakh has assured me that the process of transferring a slave between owners takes longer than that but I can’t help but worry.

On the main viewing screens, the battleship is growing larger by the second. Growing and growing. So fucking huge. Despair nearly overwhelms me. How am I going to find my baby in there?

“Approaching the designated airlock,” Cai announces before a low thud reverberates through the ship. “Connected. Engaging docking clamps. Airlock ready.”

Silence ensues.

“Alright, everyone, it’s time,” Zarkan says. “Last chance to stay on the ship.”

Astra crosses her arms defiantly in front of her chest before glaring at Tareq, daring him to say something. I mirror her stance but don’t bother glaring at anyone. Nothing will make me stay here while Ellen is in danger.

Zarkan heaves a sigh. “Very well. D’Aakh and Omni will head to the weapons and tech stalls,” he says, confirming the plan. “Once the fighting starts, grab whatever you can and rejoin the rest of the group. Tareq and Lyriana are in charge of our ‘slaves’,” he smirks. “Get your bearings first and avoid Drayth at all costs. We can’t have him exposing us before we’re ready. D’Aakh will hack into the station’s systems and find out where Faelin and Ellen are being held.”

The technician nods, already working on his datapad. “Their security is decent. It might take a while.”

“Remember,” Zarkan stresses, “you each have to play your part until I give the signal. Once the fighting starts, return to the Supernova immediately.”

“What about other slaves on the ship?” I ask quietly. I’m grateful that the crew is willing to help me save Ellen but leaving dozens, maybe hundreds of others behind doesn’t bode well with me. “I know we can’t save everyone, but…”

“Actually, I can help with that,” D’Aakh interrupts, “I think. Cai? Will you help me hack into the Arcade’s safety protocols?”

There are a few seconds of silence. “I’m not allowed to perform any action that causes direct harm to others,” she says. “Hacking another ship’s systems and tampering with their security protocols might endanger the lives of all inhabitants on board. Therefore, I cannot offer you my assistance.”

“True,” D’Aakh nods, tapping on his top lip. “But what if I told you that the crew of that ship are criminals enslaving sentient beings and our tampering with their system will free them?” While Cai takes a moment to contemplate the scenario put forward, D’Aakh tells us, “The AI is still supposed to say no. The baseline directives embedded into each system should prevent it from agreeing. But if I’m right—”

“I will assist you with this task,” Cai interrupts him, “but I will not tamper with the ship’s atmosphere, propulsion engines, escape routes or prohibit the use of any escape pods. Nothing that directly endangers life. Given my restrictions, can I still be of assistance to you?”

D’Aakh chuckles to himself as if Cai had said exactly what he’d expected her to say. “I believe so. I plan to unlock every holding cell across the entire ship and disable all slave collars. Does this interfere with your programming?”

“No, it does not. I will happily assist you with this task,” Cai replies and judging by the number of raised eyebrows around me, I’m not the only one who heard the hint of joy in her voice. “The Arcade’s guards are waiting for you by the airlock,” she reminds us. “I suggest you leave before they get impatient. Impatient beings tend to display unpredictable behavior.”

“The computer is right,” Zarkan says. “Go. And be careful. Oh, and D’Aakh?” He casts a suspicious look at all of the computer systems surrounding us. “Should I be worried?”

“About Cai? No,” D’Aakh replies confidently. “It’s a scientific curiosity, but I don’t believe it’s dangerous.”

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