Page 23 of Torn from the Alien Commander

I step through one of the wooden doors, which, of course, is another stomach-churning holographic projection. My breath hitches as I find myself in a confined, darkened space. Before I can flee, the floor vibrates, followed by a loud whooshing sound. The sense of motion fills my stomach with nauseating flutters.

I think I’m going to be sick!

I steady myself against the wall, until the sudden motion stops, revealing an entrance. Ducking and stumbling through the door, my frown at almost falling changes into a gasp of wonder at the sandy-colored spacious room, dotted with cozy furniture. “This is bigger than our master suite!” I exclaim, racing over to the short, wide polymer table and noticing a bowl of colorful fresh fruits waiting.

My mouth waters and my stomach growls, spurring me onward, as I clutch a tube-like yellow object. I scrunch my lips,feeling a tinge of caution at its waxy texture, compelling me to give it a final safety check with sniffs.Smells okay.I shrug before biting into it, then grimace, tasting the sharp bitterness and struggling to chew through the tough fibrous texture.

Nebians have a weird taste.

Then, beneath my initial chews, a burst of sweetness and soft, mushy deliciousness emerges. I moan as the flavors bathe my senses with joy. Never have I tasted such ripe fruits—the clean freshness is a wonder to me.Shame, the first part is so rotten!I frown, looking at the rest in my hand and noticing the separation between the skin and the tasty mushy bit in the center.

“Oh!” I exclaim, feeling silly, my face heating despite being alone. With deft, careful fingers, I peel the skin from the delicious fruit beneath, munching the sweetness with reckless abandon. My stomach rumbles enjoying the decadent treat. “Much better,” I declare, satisfied, stuffing my pockets to the brim with the entire bowl of fruits.

A sudden voice emitting from numerous points in the room startles me, and I wince, fearing I’ve been caught in my greedy crime. “Would you like more... bananas, apples or pears?” a musical voice chimes out.

Just as I’m about to place the fruits back and plead my innocence, the generous words take me by surprise. “I can have more?” I ask incredulously.

“Of course.”

“Why not then!” I declare, feeling a rush of excitement at experiencing a sense of luxury I’ve never had before. Small drones float into the room, black beams carrying another assortment of fruits. I watch them load the bowl as I mindlessly take out a red fruit from my pocket and begin eating that, too.

I marvel at this new one’s sweet, tangy flavors; the juiciness takes me by surprise as it threatens to spill from my lips. “This isamazing. What is it?” I question, looking at the gleaming white texture revealed under its bright red skin.

“Apple from Earth, replicated with ninety-nine-point-nine percent purity,” the musical notes from the room answers, causing me to look at the fruit with a renewed sense of awe.These fruits grow on my home planet!I study them, trying to imagine what their trees or plants look like.Perhaps as tall as buildings with giant red leaves?

“Would you like anything else?” The musical voice of generous giving inquires further.

“Hmm.” I ponder with a hand under my scrunched face. “You have any of that... pizza?” I ask, still struggling with the strange word, driven more by greed than hunger.

“Of course.”

The floating drones depart, but an open room already captures my attention on the far side. With excitement, I rush over, noticing a luxurious bed floating half a foot from the floor.Looks so cozy and clean!I leap onto the soft red material, sinking into blissful comfort. The fabric molds perfectly to my body, adjusting just right without overdoing it, as if it can anticipate my thoughts.

I breathe a sigh of relief, letting the extravagance wash over me, marveling at how spotless and gleaming the sparse furniture is. My only complaint is how small everything is, but that’s a trifle compared to the grime and clutter onboard the Mutalisk’s Hammer, not to mention the lack of privacy. This place is something else, something I’d always imagined was beyond my reach.

Another small open room attached to the bedroom catches my eye, jerking me upright with renewed excitement.Is that a voiding shower?I leap out of bed, almost stumbling over it in my haste, causing it to bob up and down, hovering. But I don’t care. The bed is already forgotten, driven by my desire for anactual water shower—a luxury I’ve only experienced a handful of times in my life.

I’m already stripping off my clothes, admiring the glossy red tiled room, noting the numerous jets nestled throughout.Oh, this is going to be good!Naked, I stand in the wide but shortish shower room, my smile turning into a disappointing frown. “How do I turn this thing on?” I ask, poking my finger through one hole.

“Activating shower,” the musical voice of blessings states.

A burst of warm water blasts me from every angle. I groan in pleasure at the temperature and pressure. Just right. Each droplet feels like a soothing balm over my dull aches, washing away my fatigue. I throw my head back, enjoying the rivulets cascading through my hair and down my neck.

I could get used to this.

A small compartment slides open, revealing an assortment of liquids in fine jars. I flinch at first before realizing I’m safe. Taking a jar, I sniff its contents, relishing its flowery sweet scent and strange purple hue that almost glows. I waste no time rubbing my body with its tantalizing luxury. It forms a thick purple lather, filling my senses with its beautiful smell and tingling my skin.

I marvel as even the most stubborn grime-encrusted stains that have persisted for years are washed down the drain. My skin appears so clean, renewed by the strange soapy substance, giving me a healthy glow.

A smile forms as I brush the scarred flesh between my breasts, the hateful brand now reduced to an indistinguishable tangle of raised skin. My heart fills with pride and joy, reminded it’s gone, knowing I had the strength to do it. The memory of Xandor kissing and nibbling it causes me to gasp, and the shower’s waters remind me of his caresses on my neck, tracing my body—a pale reflection of his intensity, but still, a heat builds between my legs.

I moan, wishing he was here, missing him terribly. The awareness of him suffering in the distance is a sharp reminder that I need to hurry. Though, until Thalaxia releases the others, there’s one only thing I can do in the meantime—seek Xandor’s friend Felixus.

I need to get a move on.

“How do I turn this shower off?” I ask, glancing around, finding no controls. Then, at my words, the water stops, replaced with powerful jets of warm air, the sound booming. It’s a pleasant sensation, and I feel my body drying off as I run my hands through my hair, relishing how incredibly soft and glossy it is.

Have I ever been this clean? Maybe as a child back on Earth?

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