Page 98 of Seeded By Two

But it wasn’t alone, as a trio of tiny drones launched from another ship—what I could only assume was the mothership of whoever these Ukmat creatures were.

At first, I thought they were going to destroy the pod, and I would heave a huge sigh of relief that I had taken the initiative and worked my way free, but instead, they just chased the pod as it raced faster and faster away.

Now, I found myself on this ship, invaded by all these alien creatures.

I was there without a plan.

I peered around the nearest corner and spied a pair of guards leading Feon, marching away.

I scurried across the hallway and listened to those heavy footsteps.

I hurried after them, hopping from one hallway to another, each one growing busier as we drew closer and closer to what had to be the hub of operations.

Finally coming to a junction alive with these Ukmat, I opened a door, dove inside, and hastily shut the door behind myself.

I was relieved to find it was empty.

It appeared to be a room where crewmates would come to rest.

There were a pair of bunk beds on opposite-facing walls.

I began searching the chests and the items packed inside, not really knowing what I was looking for, but knowing I would recognize it once I saw it.

Not finding it—whatever it was—inside the drawers, I hastened over to the wardrobes and continued my search there.

I peeled back each item of clothing, each costume, each uniform…

None of it seemed to meet whatever instinctual goal I had set for myself.

Then I stopped.

It was a suit—a kind of futuristic space suit.

I suddenly realized what I had been looking for this entire time:

A disguise.

I take on the appearance of a Jizzik, those ugly snouted creatures the Ukmat seemed to favor, but I could take up another disguise.

After all, if these things could shift and take on any shape, then why wouldn’t some of them not adopt this one?

I hastily put it on and snapped the helmet into place, pulling down the visor so my face was hidden.

If they saw me, they would assume I was one of the alien females that had been Seeded.

Then, discovering me out of my seat, would either punish me, or take me back there—which was far from here, and I would have to make the journey all over again.

There was no chance of that happening, so I approached the door, took a deep breath, and hoped things would, somehow, work out.

The door hissed open, I stepped out, and immediately bumped into a guard.

He scowled at me and growled at the back of his throat. “Watch it!” he snapped.

Then he tore his eyes from me and continued marching down the hallway.

I released the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, and took refuge in the knowledge that my plan—up until now at least—was working.

But now what?

---