Page 18 of Alien's Love Child

"Good."

I turn away, relieved to put distance between us. The sooner we dump this cargo, the better. Something about the way he watches everyone, like we're specimens in his personal zoo, makes my skin crawl.

The ship's intercom crackles. "Jesse?" Rena's voice carries an edge I don't like. "Need you in the cockpit. Now."

My stomach drops. Rena doesn't do urgent unless it's serious. I pick up my pace, jogging toward the bridge.

The metal frameshudders around me as I reach the cockpit doorway. My shoulder slams against the frame as the ship lurches sideways, artificial gravity struggling to compensate. The bitter taste of adrenaline floods my mouth.

"What the hell?" I stumble into the cockpit, gripping the back of Rena's chair.

"Unidentified vessel." Rena's fingers dance across the controls, her jaw tight. "They're forcing a dock. Look at this monster."

The viewscreen shows a ship triple our size, its dark hull reflecting the starlight as it maneuvers alongside us. The docking mechanism extends like a metal serpent.

"Alliance?" My heart pounds against my ribs.

"No call signs, no warnings. Not how they operate." Rena smacks the console as red warning lights flash across the dashboard. "Shit. They're in our systems."

Numbers scroll across the screen, our security protocols failing one by one. The dashboard goes dark, then reboots with an unfamiliar interface.

"Override it!" I drop into the co-pilot seat, typing commands that disappear as fast as I enter them.

"They've locked us out completely." Rena's voice stays steady, but her knuckles whiten on the controls. "Airlock's opening. We've got maybe two minutes before they're through."

The metallic groan of the airlock echoes through the ship. I slam my palm against the intercom.

"All hands, we have unauthorized boarders. This is not a drill. I repeat, unauthorized boarding in progress. Arm up and prepare for hostiles."

"Who the hell are these people?" Rena pulls up the external cameras, showing dark-suited figures assembling in the airlock before even the cameras begin to blip out.

"Don't know." I check my sidearm, the familiar weight offering little comfort. "But they're about to find out why you don't mess with my ship."

I reach for the door controls when it whooshes open. Taluk barrels through, his scales flushed dark red as he shoves me backward. The door seals behind him with a pneumatic hiss.

"What are you doing?" My shoulder hits the navigation console.

"Keeping you safe." Taluk plants himself in front of the door, arms crossed. "Both of you."

"Like hell." I straighten up, squaring off with him. "My ship, my responsibility."

"Davin's handling it." His face twitches with forced authority. "He knows what he's doing."

"Since when do you make command decisions on my ship?"

"Since—"

A scream echoes through the corridor, followed by the distinct sound of weapon fire.

"Captain!" Xander's voice carries through the metal walls. "They're here for me! Help!"

I lunge for the door, but Taluk catches me around the waist, his claws digging into my jacket.

"Let go!" I twist in his grip. "That's our cargo out there!"

"My job is to keep the crew safe." His breath comes out in sharp bursts. "That's what I'm doing."

"Your job is to follow my orders." I slam my elbow back, but he doesn't budge.

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