Jane
I amthe captain of the moonbase.I tugged at the cups of my halter top, attempting to position the skimpy fabric around the exposed sides of my breasts.This is not how I should be meeting a new intelligent species.Although the jury was out on whether the Mangox qualified, since they were clearly engaging in behavior that should be outlawed by any species with an iota of sense.
“Don’t fidget, ljona.” Tor draped his arm over my shoulders, a sense of warmth and comfort infusing me with the action. I found myself liking the sensations and being close to the big warrior. Under normal circumstances, that realization would have sent me running. But as it was, I relished the feelings.
“I’m not.” I straightened and wrapped my arm around his waist to make it easier to walk side-by-side. “I’m situating.”
As the ramp lowered, we prepared to enter the lion’s den. The outpost had been less than fifteen minutes away with the help of the ship’s hyperdrive. Unfortunately, the Mangox had similar technology, so we matched paced with them as we followed their massive vessel to the coordinates. I wasn’t sure what I expected from an alien station, but what I got was…not it.
The landing platform opened to an enormous energy dome. The barrier allowed ships in and out while keeping a suitable atmosphere for visitors to walk unimpeded. That wasn’t as surprising as the variety of said visitors. I clutched Tor’s waist a bit harder. “Who are all these people?”
“Traders.” The commander tightened his grip on my shoulders. “That’s the nice way to put it.”
“What’s the not nice way?” I asked, trying to keep my jaw shut. The breath of different species blew my mind.
“Scoundrels, ruffians, miscreants,” he shrugged those muscled shoulders, ripe with tension, “take your pick.”
“Lovely.” I sighed. My senses perked up as I observed a yellow blob of an alien with one large singular eye in its…head? It was hard to tell as its entire body appeared the consistency of jelly, and it was shaped like a…well a…I guess banana would be the most apt description. “What is that?”
Tor caught the direction of my gaze. “Cellions. They’re psychedelic dealers.”
“I’m sorry, the banana jelly is a drug dealer?” My eyes widened like twin teacup saucers.
“The manner of that translation is interesting, little captain.” He snorted. “But, yes, essentially they are.”
I took a good look around the landing bay as we headed toward the interior of the outpost. A gray-skinned creature with four long horns and hoofed feet walked beside an insect-like alien with four arms and creepy antennas. They spoke of a slave rebellion, and the downfall of the trade on that planet. I smiled inwardly, rooting for anyone who rose up against oppressors.
“Be careful where you place your sights,” Tor whispered to me. “Remember you’re posing as a slave. Do not be too bold with your gaze.”
A lick of rage ran through me, but I clamped it down with effort. It wasn’t the commander’s fault we were in this situation. I might not like it, but I had to act the part for both our sakes. “I understand.”
He hugged me to his side. His mouth at my ear. “You’re doing well, ljona. We’ll be as quick as we can and free of this soon.”
His praise helped ease some of my nervous energy. It also caused heat to pool low. I clamped my thighs together, making it a tad awkward to walk.
“There you are my new friends.” Capo Mulo emerged from a doorway on the opposite side of the landing bay, waving us over with his beefy arm. The Mangox were an intimidating bunch, I’d given them that. The capo’s bodyguards had to be at least eight feet tall, and the leader stood at Tor’s height. Their arms were as thick as their legs with ample muscle in all their limbs. The long, thin snout at the center of their faces covered their gaping mouths, but I caught a glimpse of the rows of sharp teeth inside. The capo greeted us with one of those toothy smiles. “Come! Now, we drink.”
Tor’s hold tightened impossibly more, almost to the point of pain. I squeezed his side, and he loosened his grip a fraction. Yet, his body radiated like a coiled snake poised to strike. His voice, on the other hand, revealed none of the strain, as he said, “Lead on, Capo.”
“That a male.” Mulo nodded and motioned to one of his underlings. “Go and tell our friends we’ll be entertaining in the rhapsodic chamber.”
My mind whirled with possibilities of what could take place in such a named area. I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out, but it seemed I had little choice.
The capo led us through a dark, spiraling hallway that gradually inclined. The walls were rounded and smooth as if comprised of a solid piece of black granite. Circular pods, about as large as my hand, alighted the path every few feet. We passed a series of doors with glowing symbols on the outside, but my babbler translation unit could not decipher the patterns. When we rose what had to be several stories from the landing bay, the Mangox leader stopped before an enormous pane of frosted glass. It was as wide as Tor was tall and at least double his height. As if lit from within, it shifted in color from one moment to the next, showcasing purples, blues, reds, and deep oranges.
“Ah, here we are.” The capo placed his palm against the pane. The glass brightened to a brilliant magenta hue, then it slid into two pieces. Each part glided into the wall, disappearing behind the dark stone. “The other guests will be waiting.”
With the glass gone, the room beyond it took shape. Structured as a large oval with curved walls, it mirrored the hall. It reminded me of a chicken’s egg, only if it had been squashed and stretched like putty. A long, rectangular stone table ran down the center of the room. On it rested goblets and plates with what I imagined was food, although I recognized none of it. Spread out from the table were a wide variety of seating areas, from simple pillows to swinging chairs and woven baskets suspended from the ceiling. The aliens inside them came in every form conceivable as well.
“Here now.” Mulo motioned to us. “Choose whatever is appropriate for you.”
I had to admit having the different seating arrangements certainly made it convenient for his guests. From the purple and green slime creature hanging in a bowl-like seat to the tall and thin giraffe-like alien who sat on a flat cushion in the corner, the capo knew how to accommodate the unique physiques of the differing species.
“How about there, Jane?” Tor whispered to me and pointed to a chair with its back to the wall. It had two distinct cushions and appeared to glide in a circle. It reminded me a bit of a porch swing that my grandmother talked about from the old days.
I nodded and kept my voice low. “Yes, it’s close enough to the exit without allowing anyone behind us.”
“My thoughts too.” Taking my arm once more, we headed for the seat.
