Page 54 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

I sighed to myself, clasped Slek's hand and followed.

15

Danec ledus to the galley, of all places.

"Oh good, I was feeling hungry," Slek said cheerfully. "I'd love a sandwich or two." He caught my expression. "What? A guy like me has a big appetite. I could eat two sandwiches as a snack."

"I believe it," I said. I couldn't even think about food right now.

"Food will be supplied at meal time," Danec said.

I forgot the Iri ate like everyone else. Of course they did, their bodies were organic. It was only their parasites which weren't. I presumed sooner or later they would also need to pee.

"I could handle a cup of coffee or two," I said. "Danec, have you introduced the others to the joys of coffee yet?"

I thought he might answer, but another Iri grabbed my arm and pushed up my sleeve.

"Hey." I almost jerked it back, but stopped myself at the last moment. Whatever they wanted, it was best not to anger them.

"Keep still."

I recognised the woman as another nurse. I wasn't sure if that was reassuring or not.

She grabbed out a needle from a box on the bench and pressed it into my vein. She drew out enough blood for a vial, then another and finally a third.

"Leave me some," I said under my breath.

She pulled the needle free and handed me a small bandage to stem the flow of blood. Her bedside manner could use some work.

I pressed the bandage to the small needle wound and tried not to object when they took blood from Slek as well.

"Keep him Freytauri," the nurse said, her expression and tone stone cold clinical. "We'll need him to provide blood for testing."

"Testing what?" I asked. I directed the question to Danec.

He hesitated like he was asking for orders and awaiting a response.

"Testing the impact of human blood on nanobots," he said finally. "When we know why it makes them dormant, we can stop it and humans can become hosts."

I shuddered. "And Slek's blood is for comparison?" I guessed.

Again, Danec hesitated. "Yes," he said after a minute.

"Good to know." Slek rubbed his arm. "I'm happy to let you borrow as much blood as you need."

Anything to keep him from becoming a host.

"So, about that sandwich," Slek said, as though that was the only thing on his mind at the moment. "I might pass out if I don't eat, after giving all that blood."

The nurse nodded and carried six vials out of the mess. Presumably the infirmary was their lab now.

"You may eat," Danec said. He opened a fridge and gestured toward a tray of sandwiches which the cooks presumably made before they died.

The idea made me both sad and sick, but we needed to eat, or we'd end up the same way. Hunger and my smart mouth didn't go so well together.

I grabbed up a couple of synthcheese sandwiches. "About that coffee…"

"You can return to the mess and sit down," Danec said.

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