Page 10 of Stranded with the Alien

These particular feet were surrounded by a pile of rations pouches and water containers. Kara’s backpack lay to one side, as if he’d tipped it up then discarded it. Gloria was face down in the dirt.

And just a couple of feet away, almost within reach, was her pulse weapon.

Her focus sharpened. If she was quick, she’d have the advantage. In the time it took him to try and roofie her again, she could put a blast straight through his bumpy forehead.

She moved like silk, diving into a roll and coming up on one knee, gun pointed straight at the Vraxian.

“Who’s in charge now, jerk-off?”

Unaccountably, the alien didn’t seem too concerned. He cocked his head, one eyebrow raised mockingly. Her finger tightened on the trigger.

Pain ripped through her – pain so intense she doubled over. The gun clattered to the ground as she collapsed to all fours. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. The excruciating agony lasted several long seconds and when it finally abated enough for her stand, the Vraxian was pointing her own blaster at her.

“What…” She wiped away the drool on her chin. “What the fuck just happened?”

“Yashak.”

“What?”

The alien pointed at her throat. She raised a hand and for the first time realized a metal band had been fastened around her neck.

“What thefuck?Is this a fuckingcollar?You’ve put acollaron me?”

Incandescent with rage, she launched herself at the Vraxian. Before she could get within an inch of him, the same pain brought her back to her knees. She curled up in agony, fighting to keep from throwing up.

A control collar. They had something similar on Earth for training wild animals. They were used to discourage negative behavior, like biting or growling. The collars were triggered automatically, either by sudden movements or by changes in body chemistry which indicated the animal was about to snap.

Normally they only emitted a mild shock but clearly the Vraxians had their own, more painful version.

When the haze lifted and Kara could think straight, she groped at the band looking for the release. All she found was a raised surface which she guessed was a finger-print lock.

The alien waited until her stream of profanities began taper off, then extended his hand. Nestled in the huge palm was asmall remote control with a shiny red button in the centre. It took Kara a moment to realize what it was.

Great.

The bastard had a manual trigger too. It just kept getting better and better.

She glared at him balefully.

“I swear to God, the minute I get the chance I’m going to attach thisyashakto your balls and turn it up to eleven.”

He may not have known what she was saying, but he certainly understood the venom in her tone. His eyes narrowed. He threw the gun to one side and in one quick stride, he was right in front of her.

Kara fought the urge to back away.

“What are you going to do?” she taunted. “Hit me? I’ve got news for you, big guy. I don’t intimidate easily.”

The alien leaned forward so that she was forced to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. Mockingly, he drawled a word into her ear. A word that made her heart start to pound like a jackhammer.

“Shaa’bara.”

Six

Kara stiffened.

Did he mean he wanted to…?

“Shaa’baara,” he drawled again, insistently.

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