Page 30 of Her Alien Delegate
"This," she explained, "will prevent you from attempting any breach of our security system on this ship. It is conductive with your flesh. Meaning if your flesh connects physically with our servers, you will release the nanobugs that will dissolve every electronic in your body. Your implant will be fried, along with whatever other tech you might have hidden inside you. This process does not feel pleasant even for a necia warrior with accelerated healing."
"There was no intention of imposing on the local system's hard drives," Bode assured, though that didn't change the anxiety building inside of me. "Plus, I have strict codes on not hacking intelligence."
I mumbled, "Are nanobugs considered intelligent?"
Bode didn't reply.
Not that I should expect them to care about whether I suffered because they wanted a change of scenery by hacking into my implant to hitch a ride to a different part of the universe with me.
"The nanobugs were programmed by our security AI, and the chief. Tested against other AI invaders who were tasked with trying to hack us through this method. I'm not even sure if a human would survive the aggressive invasion built to bypass the natural defenses of a more resilient species." It was a threat, and a rather convincing one that I didn't need to be explained twice.
"Understood."
"Commander won't approve of frightening the hoomuns," the chief warned before Mier-Lo released my hand.
"He wouldn't approve being blamed for a breach either," she snapped back before leaving the security room, the door sliding closed behind her.
"The precautions are necessary until we reach Necias Prime," he seemed uncomfortable trying to comfort me, but tried anyway, "Our tribes live more simply as our ancestors did. The AI doesn't pose any threat to your life once we arrive. I've reviewed your file cycles ago. You are to be mated with my elder brother. He's seen first hand a successful human mating. He will treat you well and you won't be alone in the tribe. I can assist you with anything you need before you perform the Kloaph Rites within the King's tribe House of Nel."
"King's tribe?"
The chief's eyes seemed to glow with pride. "My brother was leader of the House of Nel before the king returned to the planet to mate. We aren't blood of the Nel line, but many of our tribes consolidated after the trill claimed tribal rites of command. You will be well treated as the second's mate to the King of Necias Prime."
That was not ideal; my mind whirled with panic. If my intended mate was well-known, that would make staying invisible near impossible.
"Oh," I said, at a loss for words.
He sniffed the air around me and closed his eyes. "I will be staying on planet when we arrive as well," he added. "I'm called Chief Wren-Kal. I volunteered to secure this ship's transport for your safety."
"Mine?" I squeaked.
He stood from his chair at the screens and sniffed the air again with a groan.
"I had to bribe Commander Mier-Lo to use her ship instead of waiting for another transport to arrive on Necias Prime. As chief, it's my job to protect by knowing secrets, and it isn't much of a secret that she's been interested in mating with Commander Roe-el, but he'd been stuck on Trillume with no contact with the tribes for many cycles. Having him assigned to escort you wasample motivation for her to delay other missions to detour for a hoomun escort run."
"You did that for me?"
"Leaving you on Trillume for too long was dangerous, and Riley of Earth has been showing signs of needing companionship of her own species. You will find her a pleasant hoomun to bond with."
At least I wouldn't be lonely on Necias Prime if there was another human already mated there. I shook my head; what was I thinking? I had no intention of staying on Necias Prime.
"I'm sure I will," I placated him as I backed away awkwardly.
"I will escort you to your room," he said while his spikes flexed on his shoulders, displaying how dangerous his species was.
I merely nodded, feeling there wasn't much of a choice in that offer.
As we walked down the halls, we passed by another warrior that stopped mid-step to inhale the air. Chief Wren-Kal growled in warning before the other warrior moved on.
"Evie of Earth, I will be responsible for your teachings on necia culture and tribal laws. Please keep your legs closed at all times in the presence of a warrior, as this is considered an invitation to bathe. Threatening a warrior in any way on this ship can lead to them assuming you wish to trigger their primal urges to mate. Dueling is a way of showing our stamina and skills in protecting you.
"This may seem opposite to customs of hoomun's culture, but I assure you, we hold high honor in bringing happiness to our mates in whatever form we discover will appeal to them."
Fascinated, I forget being afraid and found my desire for information outweighed any self-preservations I had. "And fighting appeals to you?"
"For some," he agreed. "Many females only wish to mate with someone that can prove they are decent enough warriors to outwit them in combat."
"And you?"
