Page 8 of Torn from the Alien Commander

I smile, taking Tyrxie’s hand and together moving to exit the mess hall. The others follow, some heading in different directions. The shrieking sirens and whirling red lights drive us forward towards the bridge. It’s there I’ll find the answers I seek—will we be able to break through, or will the mission end in failure?

Tyrxie squeezes my hand, prompting me to peer down at her sweet face. It’s a moment of beauty amidst the growing chaos. If I could, I’d burn the image into my memory for all eternity. I’m half-carrying her with my long strides through the cramped corridor. We’re being followed by Noroth, Logarn and Hyanxa, the echo of our thundering boots almost drowning out the siren.

As we enter the bridge, the pungent stench of alcohol strikes my senses. Kaanus is seated in his captain’s chair.Thank theGods.The navigational display shimmers in blue, showing our ship before a sea of countless dots, each one a bullet in the heart of my mission. It can mean only one thing. “Scythian Seeker Swarm,” I report.

“Is that what the voiding thing is?” Kaanus slurs, peering over his shoulder, halting with a gasp, noticing the others. “Tyrxie... Hyanxa? I—” his words trail off, as if he’s looking at spirits.

“Focus Kaanus,” I command, rushing to the viewport, confirming my worst fears. Glittering in the vast darkness of the void are the countless red lenses of the seeker drones. They writhe and undulate in fluttering waves, their coordinated movements both mesmerizing and terrifying, their source unknown to me.

I grimace, as the sea of drones shifts and reforms into the likeness of a face, just as they did when they attacked Krogoth’s battlebarge. That was a ferocious battle. Only by the grace of the Gods did we prevail, losing many war brothers in glorious combat. Now, with this scrap heap of a ship, and so few warriors, direct conflict would grant us nothing but heroic deaths.

“Is that a voiding giant face?” Kaanus exclaims, squinting out the viewport, “Void this—”

“Stay where you are!” I roar, rounding on the Captain, who recoils in dread. Good, he fears me more than the Seeker Swarm—for now. The Scythian’s employ fear as a tool to weaken their enemies, one reason they use us Klendathians. But I see through their tricks and refuse to be cowed. “They haven’t attacked, which means they only bar entry.”

“Surely we must turn back then?” Kaanus questions, looking to me with sunken eyes and a disheveled appearance—a shocking downfall from the proud captain who greeted me just weeks ago. “What the void can we do against that?” he adds, gesturing wildly.

Good question.

Tyrxie moves to stand beside me, her eyes locked on Kaanus, her hand covering her mouth with an expression of concern. “Oh, Kaanus,” she mutters.

Even Hyanxa joins us, tutting as she takes in the Captain’s broken state. Her gaze lingers on the angry, swollen wound on his leg, which looks nasty—perhaps infected. “Void sake, I warned you about that wound.” Hyanxa snarls, turning her head with gritted teeth, averting her gaze. “Serves you right, you cheating bastard.”

Her words are like a body blow to the already battered Captain, who sinks further into his chair. “Our lives hang in the balance, yet you bicker!” I yell, snapping them out of their momentary distraction. They straighten up, their focus renewed.

Satisfied I have their attention, I continue. “Hyanxa, how far are we from Nebia?” I ask, gesturing toward the shimmering blue navigational console, hoping a final desperate dash might be enough.

Before she can answer, a sudden loud garbled audio static fills the room, overwhelming the senses. The others wince, except us Klendathians. I place a steadying hand around my Tyrxie’s waist to reassure her.Gods give me the strength to keep her safe through this oncoming battle.

“The... the face demands we lower our shields and submit to a scan,” Kaanus slurs, peering down at his console.

“What shields?” I let out a sardonic laugh. “Inform them we came here in error and mean to withdraw immediately.”

Kaanus’ shaking hands dart over this console as Hyanxa chimes in. “A little over thirty minutes at top speed will take us to Nebia.” Her words bring me a small sense of hope.But is it close enough?

I let out a deep breath, resigned to gamble, trusting in the Gods and the mission. Studying the navigational console, I spot a dense nebula formation that may hide our approach.Not much, but better than nothing. “Kaanus, take us back two sectors,” I suggest, moving my hand, highlighting the thick nebula. “Then approach from these coordinates at full speed towards Nebia.”

“I hope you know what the void you’re doing.” Hyanxa frowns, examining my proposed route with a critical eye.

Me too.

This plans success balances on a claw’s edge, but Krogoth bid me to let nothing stand in my way, knowing this peace mission may save our people from extinction. I will do whatever it takes, even if it costs this ship, even my life. I will gladly pay it and meet my ancestors with a proud heart.

More garbled machine static assaults our ears. All eyes dart to Kaanus, who breathes out a sigh of relief. “They’ll let us leave with a warning. If we return, they will destroy us,” he mutters, collapsing into his seat.

“Excellent,” I blurt out, rushing to the viewport. The face constructed from machine orbs reverts to its wavy pattern, filling me with a modicum of respite. “Get us out of here, Kaanus.”

The ship’s engine’s hum with effort, turning back the way we came, darting out of sight from the dreaded Seeker Swarm.But will they trail us? What intelligence do they possess?The tension in the cramped bridge is palpable, with just the soft glow of the blue consoles illuminating the thoughtful faces of the others.

I only see Tyrxie. Her green eyes shine with resolve, but I see the uncertainty too. I lean down to kiss her forehead, savoring what might be our last moments together. “Whatever happens, whatever you see. I want you to escape and live. Take the escape pod if you have to. Okay?”

Tyrxie’s gaze searches my face as concern spreads over hers. “No, we’re a team, Xandor. You’re going to show me Earth, remember?” She smiles, almost pleading, my poor sweet Tyrxie.

“Heading to the purple nebula now,” Kaanus informs us as the ship shifts again, the engines now humming louder.

Mirroring my thumping heartache, I find myself unable to offer Tyrxie anything for her beautiful pleading expression. “Tyrxie, please.” I grasp her by her delicate shoulders. “If I should fall, promise me you’ll save yourself,” I insist, surprised by my own words, driven perhaps by the recent ominous premonitions that have haunted me.

“I promise,” Tyrxie replies, eyes moistening. She nods in agreement, moving to clutch me in a fierce embrace that warms my soul. “But I know, even if you leave me, you’ll always find me, no matter what,” she mutters with a weak laugh against my chest.

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