Page 62 of Alien Barbarian's Little Human

“Erogenous zone is the words you’re looking for. Oh god, this is so fucking weird. I look at you, and I’ve only known you a day, but I remember spending years with you in another lifetime. How am I supposed to cope with this?”

“The memories of your past lives are fresh now because of our renewal of the Jalshagar bond. In time, they will fade as all dreams do. Focus on the here and now whenever you can, because we are not yet out of danger.”

His eyes narrow, and he leans forward eagerly.

“Now, where did you see the Nanotech Machine Entity designated Svarz?”

My nostrils flare as I take a deep, slow breath. I don’t like thinking back to when the invasion began. But I have little choice.

“I was at work at the AVH facility here in the capitol when the Ataxians began their blitz. They specifically targeted hospitals, fire protection, and other first responders so there would be no one to help.”

“Diabolical.”

“The Alliance has not behaved much better, but I digress. I was oine of the lucky few who survived the destruction of the Alliance Veterans Hospital. We made it into a bomb shelter just in time.”

I hug myself and shiver, even though it’s not cold.

“That’s when he came. Svarz. It was like he knew the hidden shelter was there, somewhere, even if he didn’t have the exact location. We were afraid to even breathe. He revealed himself to be inhuman…I’d rather not think about it.”

“How did you escape?”

“The IHC military responded to the incursion and mounted a brutal counterattack. Unfortunately, that brought what was left of the hospital down on us. I didn’t see what happened to Svarz, but I assume it’s too hopeful to think he died in the collapse. It took us days to dig our way out. By then, several of us had died from injuries or dehydration.”

I gesture back toward the clinic.

“I’ve been trying to keep the other survivors alive ever since. Until you came along, I was the only one with medical training. The Ataxians were thorough.”

My voice breaks a little. Magog pulls me into his embrace. I let him comfort me, relaxing into his big, powerful arms.

“When you hold me like this, it almost feels like we have a chance of surviving.”

“We do have a chance of surviving, my love. A very good chance. We simply must steal a spaceship.”

I put my hands on his chest and push up until our gazes meet.

“Are you still on this steal a spaceship kick? Because there are less complicated and less painful ways of committing suicide.”

“It’s not suicide. And the mere fact that NME is on this planet adds urgency to the enactment of our plan.”

“So far, he doesn’t seem to know where we are. If we go and make a scene, we might draw Svarz’s attention.”

“It is a possibility. You said that Svarz was present. He often disguises himself as someone else. Was he so disguised when you saw him?”

“Yes, he wore an Ataxian officer uniform. And at first, he looked like a Grolgath until his head split apart into a mass of wires.”

I shudder and shake the awful image out of my head.

“Then we can assume he would not abandon such a useful disguise. An officer would provide him access to resources, manpower, and prestige to move more freely about Horus IV.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I propose we attempt to steal an Alliance ship instead of a Coalition ship. It will minimize the chances of an encounter with Svarz.”

“You’re kidding, right? The Alliance are technically allies of the IHC, and you’re a Vakutan.”

“I am a Vakutan, yes, but I do not serve the Trident Alliance. I serve the will of the Precursors, and Svarz is too grave a threat to hold to temporal alliances. I will do what is necessary to keep you safe.”

I nod, trying to listen but it’s so hard when I stare into his lavender eyes. The memory of peace and passion those eyes bring to the surface is almost too much to bear. Is that why I feel like y whole life has been spinning my wheels? Because I was waiting for the chance to take care of unfinished business?

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