Page 12 of Fated to the Orc

“I can’twaitto see the new girl’s face when she lays eyes on him. She’s arriving today, isn’t she?” A pause. “Ah, I’ve got agoodfeeling about her!”

Then…

Nothing.

Evelyn

“Welcome toORC,Dr. Evelyn Carter. You’re about to make history!”

I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop. For someone to tell me that this is some elaborate prank. That orcs don’t really exist.

However, my new boss — Dr. Kelly — looks very pleased with himself. The man is practically glowing. I bet he came up with that stupid name. Orc-Human Fertility Research Clinic?ORCfor short? Come on.

Rather than telling my new boss I think my baby sister could’ve come up with a better name for this place, I force a polite smile.

“Thank you, Dr. Kelly. It’s an honor to be here.”

“Oh yes, it most definitely is! How was your journey from Earth to Xavros?”

“Surprisingly quick, actually.”

He grins. “Yes, the hyper-jump really cuts the travel time down by a few hundred years. Can you believe we’relightyearsaway from that pale blue dot? Amazing!”

I nod. I’m really lightyears away from home. And that means lightyears away from Maddy.

My heart still pangs with a sharp pain every time I think about it, but she assured me she would be fine.

She is eighteen, after all. Almost nineteen. No longer a little baby I need to coddle. Technically an adult.

I take a deep breath and try to focus on my new boss’s jabbering. I should probably pay attention. It might be important.

“I’m sure you have many, many questions about the ground-breaking research we’re doing here. Please, follow me, and I’ll explain everything!”

Dr. Kelly leads me through the ORC facility, giving me the grand tour of the place. It’s all state-of-the-art. Gleaming white walls, polished floors, a maze of laboratories with cutting-edge tech. No expense has been spared.

But beneath all that sterile perfection, there’s an undeniable tension.

Armed guards patrol the halls, their rifles slung across their chests. The windows — thick reinforced glass — are barred with metal. Beyond them, Xavros sprawls in all its wild, untamed beauty. Towering trees stretch towards the twin moons. It’s breathtaking… and utterlyinhospitable.

We stop before a massive reinforced door. It looks like something out of a high-security prison. Thick steel plating, electronic locks, retinal scanners.

Dr. Kelly gestures towards it with a flourish.

“And this,” he says, “is where we keep ourprized possession— a real, live orc. A warlord, no less! Every clan has only a single warlord. Only the strongest and most brutal orcs rise to the top of their clans. And we have one! Right behind this door!”

His grin widens.

“You’re familiar with orc societal structure, yes? You’ve read the files?”

“I’ve read the files, yes, but I still find a bit…”

“Hard to believe? Yes, I understand. It’s not every day you learn we’re not all alone, out here in this big, sprawling universe. Well. Would you look to meet your very first orc?”

A prickle of apprehension creeps up my spine.

“Uh… not sure?”

Before I can protest further, Dr. Kelly signals the guards. Heavy locks clunk open, and the massive door groans as it slides back.

---