Page 68 of Space for More

Fuck that. When have I ever let myself give up because the odds were against me? I excel when put in situations where I have to figure things out as I go. Yes, I was an overconfident moron, and that’s what got me into this mess. But that confidence is also what’s going to get me out of it.

I hope.

I scan the room as subtly as possible, though Tysea isn’t paying any attention to me as they swipe through their datapad, feet dangling over the arm of the sofa. The small window to my left isn’t large enough that I could fit through it, and the couch Tysea is on sits between me and the only door.

Running isn’t feasible. On the off-chance the door is unlocked, I still would have no clue where I am and I’m not fast or athletic enough to try to flee. I’m also not strong enough to overpower them, especially not with my hands bound. I saw them place the key to the mag-cuffs in their pocket, along with my comm, so I’m not sure how I’d get to that.

There’s only one option I can see. A risky, extremely dangerous one. When they sat down, Tysea dug a small sidearm out from a holster on their back and placed it on the floor beside them. I thought at first it was meant to intimidate me, but it was really so they could be more comfortable lying down.

God, they really think I’m helpless. It’s the only advantage I have, so I need to use it. A plan forms in my mind, and my pulse races as I run through every possible outcome. I’m either about to get shot or get what I need to have a fighting chance.

As quietly as possible, I stand up from my chair and move across the room. Tysea sets down their datapad and sighs when I get a few steps away, pushing themself upright. “Sit back down, human.”

I call forth tears and drop to my knees in front of them. “P-please just l-let me go,” I say in a tremulous voice that’s not hard to fake. I’m terrified.

The ankite gives me a look of annoyance, but I continue. “I’ll b-book a transit off of Spire a-and go back to Europa 3 and never leave a-again. I w-w-won’t tell anyone what h-happened.”

Their features morph as they watch me beg for release,becoming a creepy facsimile of my own. “I can’t do anything until Ashlath decides how to proceed. I don’t like keeping you here any more than you do. I had plans this night cycle.” They sigh again, and I want to smack the false sympathy off of their face.

“Please!” I cry, reaching forward to grasp feebly at their legs in supplication.

“Don’t touch me,” they hiss, kicking me away. I grunt in pain as their foot impacts my stomach and I fall over. Wracking sobs erupt from me and I hear them make a disgusted sound. “Pathetic. When you’re done blubbering, go sit back down.”

I wait for a moment, continuing my heaving cries, then reach out with my bound hands to where the blaster sits right beside where I fell. I grab hold of it, and when Tysea doesn’t react, I curl up on my side and shove the small gun down my shirt between my breasts, silently praying that it has some kind of safety on.

When I don’t shoot my tits off and Tysea starts humming to themself, I slowly uncurl myself and crawl back to my chair. They don’t even look up at me. What an arrogant bastard. This would be the perfect moment to shoot them. I’m far enough away that they wouldn’t be able to grab me in time before I got the shot off. My fingers tremble uncontrollably as I bring my hands back up to my chest.

I can do this. I don’t want to kill them, but I don’t want to die. I can do thi?—

I flinch when Tysea’s comm chirps, almost tipping the chair over backwards. Tysea’s eyes dart up to me and I cover my chest with my hands, hoping it looks like a defensive gesture. They roll their eyes and then read the comm, “Huh. Looks like it’s your lucky day.”

“Wh-what?” My words come out as a hoarsecroak.

“Apparently your partner is even more incompetent than you, and Phelix slipped away from her,” Tysea says in an annoyed drawl.

“He did?” I ask. Did Mezli confess what we were doing? Is she in danger now, too?

“Yes. Apparently she found the meeting info on his comm, and then left him alone while she showered, like an imbecile. Truly, the stupidity of you two knows no bounds.”

My mind races. “So…you want me to find him?” I dread the thought of seeing him now, but at least it means that I won’t stay trapped in this tiny room or have to kill to escape. What was I thinking? I don’t even know how to shoot a gun!

“Correct. I guess your feeble human mind is capable of logical thought after all. You need to get him to meet with you. Now. Tell him you found out that Mezli’s been spying on him and that’s why you left. Convince him to let you come with him to the data drop-off so you can watch his back.”

“H-how am I supposed to make him believe me? He’s not an idiot.”

Tysea glares at me. “I don’t know, but you better figure it out or things won’t end well for you, Dr. Mori. Try using your filthy human cunt—that seemed to have worked well enough so far.”

I wince hard at their cruel summation of what I’ve done this week. Taking all the excitement and affection and hope and boiling it down to me being a gullible whore. It stings because there’s far too much truth to it, but I can’t let it distract me. I’ve been given a chance to escape whatever fate they had planned for me. I found my way into this mess, and I will find my way out.

Tysea depositsme back at my hotel room, giving me fifteen minutes to make myself presentable. I commed Phelix on the way here, telling him he wasn’t safe and I needed to meet with him. I gingerly remove the gun from between my breasts and set it on the bed, my hands shaking with nerves. I stare at it for a moment, still shocked that Tysea didn’t catch me stealing it and didn’t notice they hadn’t put it back in its holster when we left that cramped room.

Who’s the incompetent one now?

With barely any time to celebrate my risky maneuver, I scramble to redo my makeup and dress in something slutty but reasonable enough to wear out in the early hours of the day cycle. A quick glance in the mirror freezes me.

God, who is that woman? I don’t recognize this hollow shell of a person, wrapped in pretty packaging. My dreams and excitement carved out of my chest, leaving me dull and lifeless. At least there’s still fear. That might be the only thing that helps me to convince Phelix to listen to me. If he holds any affection for me, maybe he’ll see how broken I am and try to help fix it.

The thought makes bile rise in my throat. Here I am, lying again to him. Trading my safety for his. I don’t know if I can do this…

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