Page 69 of Stripped By the Alien

The number should mean something. It should trigger some kind of useful comparison. Instead my mind simply refuses to process it. The Nest is too large. Every city I've ever known could disappear somewhere inside that thing and nobody would notice.

The Beast pushes deeper into the surrounding traffic. More ships emerge from the immense openings scattered across the Nest's surface. Others vanish into them. Watching the movement makes me think of blood cells traveling through veins.

The Nest doesn't feel like a space station of a city. Those are gradually built and don’t change much. But this thing feels alive.

I watch one opening consume a ship larger than anything Space Force ever dreamed of. Moments later another emerges carrying vast bundles of biological material I can't identify. Everything moves with purpose. Everything appears connected.

"Do all of these belong to your Brood?" I ask.

“It’s a mighty Brood,” he says with satisfaction.

The Nest fills almost everything now. Individual structures tower above us. Some resemble immense organic spires. Others look more like swollen chambers attached to the main body by thick living bridges. Glowing fluids move through transparent vessels everywhere I look. The entire structure pulses with slow biological rhythms.

It’s the most chilling thing I’ve ever seen. For the first time since leaving Earth, I understand what it feels like to be a very small creature standing beside something ancient and incomprehensibly large.

Ahead of us, one of the colossal openings continues expanding across the viewing lens. The closer we get, the larger it becomes. Ships stream through it continuously. Some enter in groups. Others travel alone. None hesitate.

The Beast continues forward without slowing. The opening expands until it fills the entire viewing lens. Living walls surround the entrance. Vast membranes contract and expand along its edges while streams of glowing fluid travel through translucent channels overhead.

Nobody in the command chamber appears concerned. Instead they seem excited,and their hushed conversations pick up.

I guess they're coming home.

I grip the edge of the viewing platform a little tighter as the Beast crosses the threshold. The stars vanish behind the ship and the Nest closes around us.

21

- Krix’vorr -

The Beast passes into the Nest and the lenses go dark.

The last time I was here, I was about to be promoted to Chief Harrower, and it was the most joyful experience of my life. I was proud and strong and in the Queen’s favor. Everything was looking wonderful.

This time, all I feel is dread.

Sris comes crawling and makes her way up my body, settling at my upper arm. “Home again, Chief Harrower. How does it feel?”

I notice Nora taking a step away from the servant crab, and it irks me. “Wonderful, of course. It keeps growing! Soon the Swarm will be ready.”

“And you can tell them where to go for the next Harvest,” Sris goes on. “Because surely by now you have persuaded the alien female to tell you the coordinates. The Queen will be highly pleased.”

“Mm,” I growl. “Get down from me. I must prepare for the audience.”

Sris crawls down to the floor. “Of course, Chief Harrower.”

I stare blindly at the dark lenses. What if I were to leave Nora in the Beast? To not tell anyone I have her?

The thought is immensely appealing. Nobody needs to know–

Then a coldness goes through me. Was I just considering hiding Nora from the Queen?

For a moment I almost lose my balance. I was just seriously thinking about doing something that’s close to disobedience! That has never happened before.

A shudder goes through the Beast and I sense her relaxing around us. The light dims and the pulse slows further.

She’s in her stall, which means it’s time to leave. I cannot let the Queen wait.

I look down on Nora. “It’s time to go. Stay close to me. The less you say, the better. Leave your machine here. I know it wants to spy on us, but it will be destroyed the moment it leaves the Beast.”