Page 14 of Torn from the Alien Commander

The machine towers over me, even taller than Xandor, one source of the blinding green light that assaults my senses. “She’s armed—two pistols, numerous knifes,” the amplified voice announces. I resist the urge to reach for my laser pistol, hoping my disguise will fool them. I feel dazed, as if trapped in a terrible dream, overwhelmed by the noises, the lights, the near-death experience, and the loss of my Xandor.

I almost don’t notice the massive machine placing a white collar around my neck. My fingers trace the metal object that emits a soft glow of green.Am I to be a slave again?The dumbfounded thought jolts me with a sudden, mad panic. “No!” I roar in crazed defiance. “No, never again!” I reach for my pistol but before my hand moves an inch, scorching, agonizing pain emanates from the collar, now glowing red, forcing me prone to the ground.

Laying shuddering under the intense pain that tenses my muscles, I’m rendered immobile, filled with panic, once again powerless and at the mercy of others. Mercifully, the torment stops and I’m left gasping for air on the ground as six tiny airborne drones buzz around my crumpled form. I watch, daring not to move, as they emit a black beam that extracts my pistols, knifes and wrist console.

Mesmerized by the frightening efficiency of it, I worry about how I will overcome such advanced technology and escape. “Come with me,” the machine booms as a massive, cold, metallic hand tears me from the floor, shoving me forward with jarring force.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Noroth emerge from the black escape pod. “Klendathian!” The cry goes up, and several of the massive hovering armored suits descend, pinning the brutal Noroth forcefully to the ground despite his lack of resistance.

“Leave him alone. He’s here for peace!” I scream, but the cacophony of panicked shouts, whirling drones, and hovering powered armor suits drowns out my words. Another immense shove pushes me forward just as I notice Noroth now also has a collar struggling to fit around his thick, bulging neck.

My heart aches for him and for the others, their mission in jeopardy and my worst fears becoming reality.Xandor lost and my imminent enslavement.I glance around, desperate for any plan or escape, seeing nothing other than a darkened black interior, an obvious hanger of some sort. Numerous armored suits hover and stand surrounding the escape pod, bathing the vessel in blinding green searchlights. Hovering higher are two sleek ships, like miniature versions of the massive Nebian Starcrusiers. They both emit a black beam onto our craft, keeping it locked down.

I try to take in as much as I can as I’m forced forward with jolting shoves by the machine behind me. Far enough away from the others, I finally notice the array of small oval vehicles aligned before me, perhaps big enough to seat two people, or maybe one Xandor. They also hover above the ground with open doors that hinge upwards.

I glance back at the armored suit behind me with a questioning look, but find no sympathy, no understanding, just the towering form of sleek white and blue metal. “Get in,” it commands, shoving me forward yet again. With a racing heart and tentative movements, I step inside.If they were going to kill us, they would’ve done it already.

Hardening my resolve, I take a seat in the translucent orb. Panic grips me as I notice the collar around my neck changes toan ominous orange hue. Expecting a torrent of pain, I wince, but nothing happens. It’s only when I attempt to touch the horrible device do I realize, to my horror, I’m unable to move.

They’re going to take everything from me!

Panic clutches my heart, but I can’t even react, trapped in my body as a passive witness to this unknown terror. The orb hums to life, lifting into the air with incredible speed, yet I don’t feel any g-force. I grimace with a pounding heart, fearing the orb is rushing to crash into the solid black wall of the hangar. Helpless to my fate, I’m unable to even recoil in shock as the vessel passes through a shimmering wall that must be an advanced shielded projection.

I breathe a sigh of relief, as much as I’m able frozen in place as I am. I’m greeted by a stunning sight, now amidst a sprawling cityscape that stretches as far as my eyes can see. Buildings tall and cone-like dot the horizon, sweeping backward all in the same direction, like new brushed hair on a titanic beast. Most buildings display a sandy-orange color, but others exhibit a wide range of colors, like vibrant nebulas. They vary in size and shape, some more decorated than others, unlike the off-putting monotony of Tier Three on Omega Flux Station.

Struggling in vain against my invisible restraints, I can’t shift my head, only my eyes. Still, I try to soak in everything I can. Two distant and distinct suns cast contrasting sunlight over the landscape—a mix of orange and blue, creating a blend of brownish hue. The skies and streets buzz with other orbs darting around at frightening speeds. How they don’t crash into another is a mystery.

Shifting my eyes downward, peering through my translucent oval vessel, I can just make out the Nebians milling about on the streets. Their skin ranges from light to deep blues, often accompanied by orange or brown hair. It’s hard to be certainhurtling at such speeds, but their fashion appears to be colorful polymers, tight-fitting and tidy.

I marvel at the sights of massive, glossy war ships patrolling amongst the dark blue clouds. Never have I been on a planet with such advanced technology and ordered society.Shame it’s under such horrible circumstances.The vast majority of people are Nebians; only the natives and the foolish would risk living here, under constant threat from war.

Me Included!

Dotted along the streets are massive turret placements, their barrels aimed towards the skies, bristling in gleaming black metal. Mob was right. If the Nebians had chosen to finish us, they could’ve done it in an instant. Countless armored suits dart around the skies, their focus also on the heavens. As my gaze shifts to other buildings, I notice the smoke and entrenched positions, wondering if it’s from active industry or recent attacks.

My attention shifts to my vessel, now coming to a halt above a large black building, its blocky angles and color giving it a severe, imposing feeling that heightens my anxiousness. The orb drops, and my stomach lurches at the jarring sensation, watching the world rushing to meet me with shocking speed. Just like before, I wince, fearing an imminent crash until the orb passes through a shimmering projection or shield. It lands with a smooth stop.

The door opens upward and my collar switches to green once again. I take a deep breath, testing my arms, happy to discover I can move again. Finding it absurd, I’m grateful for whatever malevolent entity is controlling the device.

I step into the black cramped room, my heart sinks, recognizing its purpose in an instant—a cell. Thick and numerous bars glow and spark a frightening red, promising pain should I touch them. In the corner is a small cot, too small evenfor me, and a seated device I hope is a toilet. Treading carefully, I strain to listen, hearing nothing other than the soft hum of the bars.

I sit on the edge of the cot with my head in my hands as the fear of what lies ahead gnaws at me. I’ve never felt so powerless, so completely at the mercy of others. The collar’s grip is not just physical but mental, a constant reminder of my captivity and helplessness. Yet, even in this dire situation, a small spark of defiance remains within me. I will not give up.

I will find a way to survive, to escape, to honor Xandor’s memory, and fight for my freedom once more.

Chapter 5

Tyrxie

Nebia

In this austere cell,time stretches on endlessly, the metallic surfaces reflecting only a cold, low light. My chest flutters at the slightest hint of sound or movement, but each time, my hopes are dashed, as the place remains devoid of the crew or any other sign of life.

I’ve tried shouting and banging the sparse furniture, but to no avail—no one comes, and the room’s silence becomes suffocating. The weight of despair creeps around my consciousness, threatening to overwhelm me. Yet, with every oppressive wave, I force myself to march across the room, resolved not to give up, not to let Xandor’s sacrifice be in vain.

I owe him that much, recalling his stern words urging me to be strong, to remain convicted by following my desires.And, mydesire now is to escape this voiding room!But I can’t discern any method of escape—the bars are solid and charged, the walls unyielding black metal, lacking even a window for comfort. If Xandor was here, he’d know what to do, but I’m left feeling lost.

Already I miss him terribly.

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