Page 76 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
“We... we haven’t mated yet,” I stutter, knowing I should cut my losses and run, but find myself compelled to continue.
Maybe an experienced female perspective is what I need? Or she might just tease me nonstop.
“Huh?” Hyanxa glances at me. “Are you still playing the coy liar?” she questions with a frown, turning her attention back to the box. “Found the voiding thing, at last,” she declares, holding aloft a hypodriver, like its lost treasure.
Hyanxa uncovers her Jungarian vaporstick, a device I’d only ever seen her use in private. She makes aggressive jabs with the hypodriver into the device that makes me wince. “Voiding piece of crap,” she complains.
“Stop,” I urge, approaching her. “You’re going to break it.”
“Stupid things broke anyway,” Hyanxa tuts, “Hasn’t worked for weeks,” she complains with a bitter tone, making a sharp gesture at the small device.
“Well, stabbing it isn’t going to fix it!” I challenge Hyanxa, nudging her out of the way. She frowns at my boldness, but I don’t care, now consumed by curiosity. “Hmm,” I study the sleek, black narrow tube, noticing the red and blue lights are dimmed.Power source emptied? No, Hyanxa isn’t that clueless. A broken connection, perhaps?
With deft use of the hypodriver, I pry the device open; the issue is now as obvious as Quad’s four arms. “Ah, an open circuit. Just as I thought,” I declare, already fumbling for the connection solder and my heating lance.
Hyanxa peers over my shoulder, studying my movements. “Can you fix it?” She inquires, with an eager tone.
Maybe I should get something in return?
“That depends,” I state, glancing at her.
“On what?”
“On whether you can help with my Xandor problem without laughing every two seconds.”
“You’re holding my vaporstick for ransom? You really are a sneaky bitch,” Hyanxa laughs. “I would’ve answered your questions, anyway. But, I’m still going to laugh, though.”
“Good enough.” I turn back to the device, applying my solder to bridge the broken connection, before using my heating lance to melt small glops that sizzle and fill the air with a pleasant burned metallic scent.The smell of imminent victory!I blow onto the solder, speeding its cooling. Satisfied, I seal the device. “Here goes nothing,” I mutter, flipping the switch.
The blue and red lights of the Jungarian vaporstick light up, and wisps of purple smoke emerge from one end. “Brillant, you fixed it!” Hyanxa exclaims, barreling over my shoulder to snatch the device from my hands.
She could’ve said thanks!
Hyanxa retreats to a wall, raising a leg against it as she puffs from the vaporstick. An expression of bliss spreads across her muzzled face as she blows out bellowing plumes of deep purple smoke. “Void, I’ve missed this,” she sighs.
I wish I felt as relaxed as she looks.
“So Xandor and you aren’t mating, was it?” Hyanxa asks, peering at me through her long red hair, as she draws from her vaporstick. “What’s the problem?”
My face heats at this embarrassing conversation, but I’m determined to learn something useful from Hyanxa, the only other female on the ship. I sigh, hopping up to sit on a messy bench. “The problem is, he rejects me,” I declare, averting my gaze, the shame too much to bear with a straight face.
Hyanxa frowns, blowing out more smoke. “Come on Tyrxie, you’re not that young and naïve, to think just because you like a male, he’s bound to like you back.”
“Am I? I know nothing about males other than they’re dangerous,” I complain, grimacing, wondering if I’m mad for pursuing Xandor after all.
“Void, you really do need help,” Hyanxa chuckles. I continue to grimace, the feeling of hopelessness stoking higher and higher. “And what’s wrong with a little danger? Danger is exciting!” she exclaims before her golden gaze takes on a sudden intensity. “A dangerous male becomes your dangerous male when you mate his brains out.”
Her shocking words unsettle me, as she speaks of relationships like a transaction or form of manipulation. But maybe Hyanxa’s right—maybe I’m just naïve, and this is how mating works? “I’ve had enough danger,” I reply, my voice weak.
Hyanxa scoffs, “Life is always dangerous, but you already know that.” She draws from her vaporstick again. “So let me get this right... You’re afraid of males, but not Xandor—or maybe him too. And despite that, you care if he rejects you?” She sighs. “This is making less and less sense.”
“When you put it like that, I guess it doesn’t make sense.” I let out a sigh, more defeated than ever, regretting the whole awkward thing. “This is stupid. Just forget I said anything.” I jump off the bench, heading towards the exit.
“You know what your problem is? You’re a scared little bitch who doesn’t know what she wants!” Hyanxa shouts, straightening with a sudden jolt. My heart pounds in my chest at her tone, the same tone that’s tormented me for years. “You said you wanted the Klendathian, then you start pissing yourself!”
Her words are reminiscent of what Xandor said, but it doesn’t matter now. She’s coming for me!
Hyanxa stalks towards me, graceful and deadly in equal measure. Her face twisted in fury, causing me to recoil. “Back off, Hyanxa,” I demand, with trembling, outstretched hands.