Page 2 of Torn from the Alien Commander

Xandor gives a knowing smile, and I suspect he might already be aware of every detail. We continue walking together, clueless where we’re headed, but enjoying the relaxing experience. Then, as we turn a corner, I realize Xandor is leading us to the bridge. My breath quickens at the thought;the bridge is a place of danger.

But so much has changed now!

Without the Captain and Hyanxa, it’ll be safe. I can gaze at the stars again, like in my childhood! A smile crosses my lips and I squeeze in tighter to Xandor, almost bursting with joy.

“I only mentioned the co-pilot duties to throw off Job. In case you’re worried,” Xandor says, shaking his head before continuing. “For a second, I thought the little Glaseroid meant to turn his flamethrower on us.”

Would he?“He might if he thought he’d get away with it,” I jest, my tone dripping with sarcasm, knowing Job is impatient, even plain rude, but he’s never been violent with the crew before.

“I’m glad. I’d regret having to kill him,” Xandor states with complete seriousness, causing my back to stiffen. “I’ve grown fond of his strange ways,” he adds with a fanged smile.

He might feel differently if he worked under him!

“So, I don’t have to pilot the ship or navigate?” I inquire, glancing at Xandor who nods in reply. “That’s a relief,” I add, feeling the tightness leave my shoulders.

“I could teach you if you wished?” Xandor offers, farrowing his brows. “Thing is, the ship’s so voiding old, it might be like learning to fight with your arms tied behind your back,” Xandor adds with a soft laugh, “And take it from me. That’s a terrible idea.”

I could learn to pilot the ship?

I clutch my locket at the prospect, never imagining I’d be given the chance to learn. A flutter of excitement and anxiety surges through me, overwhelming me with questions about the future.Will I live on ships or on a planet? What planet? Will Xandor stay?So many queries I could bombard him with, but I must tread carefully and not scare him off.

“I... I’m not sure,” I stutter out confused. The bridge door looms before us, sliding open with a smooth swooshing sound. The pungent scent of alcohol assails my nose, and I almost missthe many bottles strewn around the cramped room, because my sight hungers for something else.

“Oh!” I exclaim, rushing over to the viewport and pressing my face against the window. The void of space hurtles past, obscured by the flicking, mesmerizing lights of our hyperspeed cutting through the fabric of space. Yet in the distance, stars still twinkle and blink, each one a mystery, a story, perhaps even beautiful and safe.

Xandor laughs, “If we had you here, the Mutalisk would’ve never taken the Captain by surprise,” he states, activating the navigational console.

I wish I could’ve sat here gazing out, but it became too dangerous.

“Voiding Kaanus,” Xandor complains, removing some bottles near the navigation console. “He’d give us Klendathians a run for our money, with the amount of drinking he can sustain.”

I feel a pang of guilt at the mention of Kaanus, now noticing the sheer number of bottles cluttering the room.He must be in a terrible state.But I harden my heart, turning my attention back to the dancing green and purple nebulas embracing millions of light-years away.

He’s not my problem, not anymore.

“Good, the scans still show all clear,” Xandor declares, manipulating the glowing blue projection with deft, experienced hands. He takes a deep breath before continuing. “Won’t be long now until we reach Nebia.”

My eyes flick to Xandor, his form bathed in the glowing blue hue of the terminal in the darkened room. The mention of Nebia bringing my earlier unspoken questions to the forefront. “What... what’s your mission there?” I stammer, struggling to find the words, my future hanging in the balance.

Xandor turns to me with a smile, “Don’t worry, you’ll be coming with me,” he replies, yet I clutch the locket hidden inmy pocket, wondering what could’ve driven a male like Xandor across the galaxies to a war zone. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?” He inquires with a raised eyebrow.

“Never,” I shoot back with more intensity than I intended. But Xandor nods in approval, pleased at my resolve. “It’s just I have no idea what to expect, or what you’re going to do afterwards.” My eyes shift back to the stunning void of space, the blinking stars as numerous as my questions and concerns. “What about Earth, where I come from?”

My rapid breaths obscure the window as the low vibrating hum of the ship’s engine fills the background. Xandor’s heavy boots echo through the floor as he approaches the captain’s chair. He promised to show me, but maybe he only spoke those words to lure me back?

“I will show you Earth. I promise you,” Xandor declares with a solemn tone. My wrist console blinks with a notification. Activating it, I glance through the strange message—some terms of a treaty between Klendathians and Nebians. “That is why I seek Nebia. To form an alliance with them.”

Relief washes over me at his words. “So, it’s a mission of peace?” I inquire, glad I might find safety on Nebia.

“Yes, it doesn’t come any more peaceful than this.” Xandor smiles as the captain’s chair creaks in protest at his hulking presence. “A treaty to end a war, one that’s raged for too long.” His hands dart over the ship’s controls. “I intend to meet Felixus, a Nebian engineering friend of mine. We met under... interesting circumstances on Terminus Exile Station.” He lets out a short laugh. “Voiding short-stuff got himself captured by pirates and locked up. So, me and High Chieftain Krogoth rescued him. But the funny thing is, Felixus was with an ambassador heading to Klendathor to bring us surrender terms—I mean peace terms, before the bastard pirates killed the ambassador. So now I must play the part, the dutiful speaker,a warrior of peace.” He finishes tangling his fingers behind his head.

A warrior of peace?

I study Xandor for a quiet moment. His words imply such gravity, the fate of worlds and civilizations hanging in the balance, but he appears so casual and relaxed about it. I pay no heed to politics or conflicts, struggling enough with my own problems, never mind worrying about galactic empires being devastated on planets I’ve never heard of, let alone seen. But still, if I were in his position, I doubt I’d be so calm—I admire his attitude.

Stepping away from the window, I approach another alluring sight—Xandor relaxing, appearing very inviting and comfortable. A reflex, a remnant of my childhood, compels me to hop into his lap with an unusual boldness. He protests with a surprised grunt as I scoot and squirm, creating a comfortable seat. “What about afterward? What will the warrior of peace do, then?” I ask, reclining back, enjoying his solid heat against me and the view of us hurtling through the cosmos.

Xandor wraps his massive arms around my midriff, bringing a smile to my lips. “Then me and you are going to visit Krogoth and Rocks. You remember the Earth female I spoke of?” he asks, to which I confirm with a quick word. “You two will have a lot to talk about,” he adds before going silent for a time, prompting me to glance back.

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