Page 18 of My Alien Bughead
Zarkan, however, takes my suggestion seriously and nods. “Good idea. What else did Tink say, Cai?”
“Well…” Cai huffs out, sounding more than a little frustrated. “The only things I understood were ‘home’, ‘destroy’, and an inflection that indicates a question. Which would suggest she was asking whether you’re here to destroy her home. However, as I mentioned earlier, there’s only an eighty-four percent chance I’m correct.”
“We are not here to destroy anything,” Zarkan says.
An angry scoff sounds from behind us. It looks like D’Aakh is back to his bitchy mode. “Of course we are. We cannot let them stay here. They already took apart half of our ship! They need to go. And this,” he waves his hand to indicate the beauty surrounding us, “needs to be dismantled.”
Despite Cai not translating the jerk’s words, the Serramorphs grow agitated. Some skitter a few steps back in fright, some start snapping their pincers in our direction in an unmistakable threat.
Zarkan glares at D’Aakh with such intensity evenItake a step back. “D’Aakh,” he snaps, his voice the most frightening growl I’ve ever heard, “shut the fuck up. That is an order and I won’t be repeating it. The next time something stupid comes out of your mouth, you’re out. Understood?”
D’Aakh shifts his weight, swallowing roughly under the intensity of Zarkan’s glare. “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” After piercing the annoying technician with a deathly glare for a few more seconds, Zarkan turns back to the Serramorphs. “My apologies. He does not speak for us. All of you are safe. There will be no violence unless we are attacked first.”
The Serramorphs listen intently as Cai translates, Tink lowering her head in what looks like a respectful bow.
“No fight,” Cai translates. “No, um… No like fight? I think she’s trying to say they’re peaceful people.”
“Of course they are,” Astra chimes in. “There’s no reason we can’t be friends. After all, if it weren’t for Cricket, Tareq and I would have never gotten out of our cell. Where is he, anyway? Can you ask them, Cai?”
As Cai chirps and screeches, Tink tilts her head, her keen eyes scanning us again, as if assessing for any threat. She stares at D’Aakh for the longest time and even though I know nothing about their facial expressions, I’m fairly certain she doesn’t trust him. Then she looks to Astra and Zarkan again, her demeanor softening a little.
She screeches so loudly I wince. In response, a higher-pitched chirp sounds from the manufactured cliff before a smaller figure emerges from a dark opening I hadn’t noticed before. A cave? It must be their home.
“Cricket!” Astra shouts. Tareq grabs her arm to stop her from rushing straight into the clutches of the less-than-friendly insects, making her wait until the smaller Serramorph skitters over. To my surprise, the creature rubs itself against her legs like a cat, then sits and waits for Astra to pet his head. “I missed you,” she coos. “I was so worried!”
Cricket lets out a barrage of sounds, and a soft chuckle comes from the datapad. “He speaks really fast,” Cai notes. “But from what I gather, he’s very happy to see you, has been worried about you too, and has something exciting to show you.”
Tink clicks her mandibles. Startled, Cricket skitters back among his kin, his head hanging low as if he’s just been reprimanded.
“Looks like they don’t want us to see this ‘exciting thing’,” I note even as Tink says something.
“Females only,” Cai translates.
Tink bows in Zarkan’s direction as she continues talking.
“She apologizes. She respects you as the leader of your people, even if you’re male. However, the access to…” Cai hesitates. “I’m not sure how to translate it. Core? Heart? Center? I think the Heart would be the best translation. Males are forbidden from accessing the Heart. Only females and juveniles may enter.”
“‘The Heart’ being that dark hole over there?” Tareq asks, scowling at the cave. “And we’re supposed to let Astra and Lucía go in there alone? I don’t like it.”
I feel movement behind me and I just know it’s D’Aakh, stalking closer. I also know he’s about to say something stupid and either get us all killed or get his ass kicked by his captain. I don’t give him the chance. “I’ll go alone,” I say. “That way, you’re not risking a member of your crew. Besides, I’m curious to see what they’ve built in there.”
“No way!” Astra protests. “I’m coming too. We’ll be safe. Right, Tink?”
Seconds pass as Cai translates. My body tingles, reacting to D’Aakh’s presence, instincts urging me to turn around and… I’m not even sure what. Kiss him? Punch him? Knock him down onto this soft grass and ride his cock?
I’m only sure about two things. I want him and I don’t want to want him.
“Tink promises you complete safety,” Cai’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “The way she said it sounded like a phrase a host would say welcoming an honored guest to their home. I do believe you will be safe.”
“With eighty-four percent accuracy?” I tease.
Cai laughs. “Something like that. Do you wish to know the exact number, Ms. Nores? I can calculate it down to hundreds of decimal points for you.”
“I think we’re good. You’re coming along too, though.” I take the datapad from Zarkan’s hand and hold it to my chest as I step forward and look at the Serramorph leader. “Lead the way, Tinkerer the Great.”
Chapter 12
