Page 20 of My Alien Pirate

I heard Grixxa make a sound of approval behind me. From our limited interaction, I got the sense she'd been pushing for more legitimate ventures.

"And what guarantee do I have that you won't try to escape at the first opportunity?" Zharrox asked, though something in his tone told me he already knew my answer.

"None," I admitted honestly. "But where would I go? I'm lost in space, surrounded by technology and species I barely understand. Right now, you're my best chance at finding my people - or at least finding out what happened to them." I paused, then added softly, "And I think you're my best chance at proving that different species can work together instead of exploiting each other."

"You're either very clever or very foolish," he said, echoing his earlier statement.

"Why not both?" I replied with a small smile. "The best scientists usually are."

I saw him fighting back what I thought might be an answering smile. Finally, Zharrox's ridges settled into a steady purple glow. "Two conditions," he said gruffly.

"I'm listening," I replied, trying to keep the hope out of my voice.

"First, you'll work with Daz in the medical bay. If you're really a xenobiologist, prove it. Show us what you know." His eyes fixed on me intently. "Second, you don't leave your quarters without an escort. This isn't negotiable."

I considered his terms. They were reasonable, all things considered. "I have a condition of my own," I countered.

His ridges flashed with surprise, but he nodded. I met his gaze steadily. "I want access to your ship's data about the anomaly where you found me. Any readings, scans, observations - everything."

Zharrox's tentacles writhed as he considered this. Finally, he nodded. "Agreed. But Grixxa supervises your access."

I glanced at his first mate, who gave me what I hoped was an encouraging look. "Deal," I said, holding out my hand before remembering they might not understand the gesture.

To my surprise, Zharrox reached out and wrapped one of his tentacles gently around my offered hand, clearly unsure of the gesture meant. The touch sent an unexpected shiver of desire down my spine that shot straight to my core. I barely bit back a groan.

"Deal," he echoed, his ridges pulsing with colors I hadn't seen before. I hoped I hadn't just bitten off much more alien than I could chew.

15

Exchange

Standing in the middle of my alien quarters, I was unable to tear my eyes away from the small cylindrical object in my hands. It was the holographic log from the Phoenix. After figuring out how to copy the information on it, the aliens had allowed me to keep the small reminder of my ill-fated mission. My fingers trailed over the smooth surface, tracing the familiar grooves as if to confirm this was real. That this technology, a piece of my old life, still existed.

The door to my room spiraled open, drawing me out of my reverie. Grixxa stood in the threshold, her bioluminescent ridges pulsating softly. Her curious gaze met mine before she glanced back out the opening. The air around us suddenly smelled of ozone and a hint of the sea, a scent that was quickly becoming familiar.

"Hello, Nova. Do you mind if Captain Zharrox comes in?" Grixxa asked and I nodded as I realized I was correct in my assumption of what the scent was.

"Ah, Nova," Zharrox greeted me, his deep voice echoing in the corridor. "We wanted to check on you before... well, before we continue with our own work."

I looked up at him, his tall frame filling the doorway. The way he hesitated, and the concerned expression on Grixxa's face, made my stomach flutter in a way that was entirely new and unexpected. "Um, come in," I said, stepping aside to make room for them. "I was just... looking at this." I held up the log for them to see.

Grixxa's eyes widened in recognition and she moved closer, her grace almost dance-like as she glided across the floor. "Oh, the captain's log! We were so curious about these devices. To think they recorded images and sound..." She trailed off, her crystalline eyes reflecting the pulsating light around us as she examined the small cylinder with wonder.

Zharrox's gaze never left me, and I felt the heat of his stare like a physical touch. "We wanted to make sure you were doing well," he said, his voice low and resonant. "You've had quite a bit to deal with today."

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from his. The memory of his tentacle touching my shoulder, the unexpected surge of compassion I'd felt from him, still lingered. "I'm okay now. Just... processing everything." I gestured feebly at the log. "It's a lot to take in."

There was an awkward silence as the three of us stood in the middle of the room. Finally, Zharrox cleared his throat, his scales flushing a deeper purple. "Ah, well, we don't want to intrude. We thought you might like some time to rest, perhaps eat, before..."

"No, I'd love some company," I blurted out before I could stop myself. The words left my mouth before I'd fully thought them through, and I felt my cheeks heat up. Why had I invited them to stay?

Fortunately, both aliens seemed pleased by my offer. Grixxa's ridges pulsed rapidly, and she glanced at Zharrox with what looked like suppressed excitement. He returned her look with a brief nod, his eyes still fixed on me.

"In that case," he said, his voice now having an edge of something that sounded like regret. "I'll leave you in Grixxa's capable hands. To help orient you."

I nodded, feeling unexpectedly disappointed. I placed the log carefully back on the table. "I'd love to. I mean, if it's not too much trouble."

"It would be my pleasure," Grixxa said, the strange clicks and whistles of her normal voice transformed into something warm and familiar through the translator.

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