Page 1 of Alien's Love Child

CHAPTER 1

JESSE

I'm sprawled across the captain's chair, one leg dangling over the armrest, when Rena's voice crackles through the ship's comm.

"Got something that might interest you. Encrypted message coming through."

My heart skips a beat. The credit chip's been running low these past weeks. "Finally. Put it through to my screen."

The holographic display flickers to life in front of me. A man's face materializes – tall, blonde, wire-rimmed glasses catching the light. His features are sharp, angular.

"Captain. I require discrete transportation to Glimner Station."

I straighten in my chair. "You've reached the right ship. Though discrete usually means expensive."

"My funds are... limited at present." He adjusts his glasses with precise movements. "However, my contact on Glimner will compensate you generously upon delivery."

"That's what they all say." I tap my fingers against the armrest. "What's your name?"

"Xander. And I assure you, this arrangement would be mutually beneficial."

"What's the catch?"

"The Alliance and Ataxian Coalition must remain unaware of my movements."

Rena's voice cuts in through the comm. "Jesse, that's a lot of heat to dodge."

"Nothing we haven't handled before," I say, studying Xander's face. There's something clinical about his gaze, like he's examining a specimen rather than having a conversation. "Where are you now?"

"Station 459. I can transmit coordinates for a rendezvous point."

I lean forward, already plotting the route in my head. "Send them through. But listen carefully – if your contact doesn't pay up when we reach Glimner, you'll wish you'd taken your chances with the Alliance."

"Understood." His lips quirk in what might be amusement. "I look forward to our partnership."

The transmission ends, and Rena's footsteps echo down the corridor before she appears in the doorway. "Well?"

"Plot a course for Station 459." I pull up the navigational charts. "Looks like we're back in business."

"Aye aye, Captain,"Rena drawls, sliding into the navigator's chair with exaggerated formality. Her fingers dance across the controls, bringing up the holographic star charts.

A metallic clang echoes from the doorway, followed by a string of muttered curses. Taluk's red-scaled face peers around the corner, his black hair falling into his eyes. "Did I hear right? We've got a job?"

I spin my chair to face him. "You know, eavesdropping on your captain's business isn't exactly professional behavior."

"The door was wide open," he says, gesturing with the wrench in his hand. His scales flush a deeper crimson. "I was just fixing that guardrail like you asked. The one by the cargo hold?"

My irritation fades as I notice the grease stains on his hands and the earnest look in his eyes. I bite my lip, remembering how the rail had nearly given way during our last landing. "Right. Thanks for that."

"Course is plotted," Rena announces, her fingers still moving across the navigation panel. "Found us a nice route that skirts Alliance territory. Should keep us clear of any patrols."

The engines hum to life beneath us as Rena initiates the launch sequence. Through the viewport, I watch Station 459 grow larger against the starfield. Another job, another risk – but at least we're not sitting idle anymore.

Taluk shuffles back toward the door, his tools clanking against his belt. I catch a glimpse of something calculated in his expression before he turns away, but it's gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

"Taking us out," Rena says, and the ship surges forward, leaving our docking bay behind.

The stars streak past the viewport as we break away from Station 337. I prop my boots up on the console, watching Rena's expert hands guide us through the departure sequence. The sound of Taluk's footsteps stomping down the hall echo alongside the clatter of whoever was on mess hall duty for the day.

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