Page 12 of Captured By the Alien Captain
“Poisoning is a coward’s way of killing.” His frown grows and he shoots me a look. Almost like he expects me to understand.
Unfortunately for this guy, I’m clueless.
“I am hungry,” I admit slowly when my stomach clenches. “However, if you’re looking to make me beg for food, then don’t hold your breath. I’d rather starve to death.”
“Such a stubborn one,” he mutters under his breath. Before giving me the chance to return an insult, he guides me in a new direction. He leads me to the common area.
Kind of reminds me of a cafeteria. Plenty of tables are spread out, many of them occupied by families. The smell of food does me in. Even if I don’t know what a single thing is, the scent of cooked meat carries me down the path between the tables.
The conversations happening around us quiet down as we pass. Another reminder that I stick out like a sore thumb compared to these aliens, I keep my attention focused on the food.
Telling myself that I won’t be stuck on this ship forever, I dismiss whatever whispers are made with the wordhumanmentioned.
“I hope all this is safe to eat.” Spotting the trays, I grab one and even hand one toward Runar. I’m not about to fork down a bunch of food by myself.
Every snort that comes from this man feels less and less like an insult. It’s like he’s truly amused by my actions. Am I some form of entertainment to him? His life must be pretty boring if so.
Not recognizing any of the foods served, Runar encourages me to eat whatever I want. If I get sick, their medical team is pretty good at what they do. Becausethatis what I want to hear before I eat a meal.
Settling at one of the tables, I jab at what looks like a tentacle. The suction cups are wet and covered with seasonings.
Runar doesn’t wait for me to take the first bite. As a man of his size, he shovels in his food without a second thought.
“Why do you all live on this vessel?”
He coughs, surprised by my directness. Am I to be blamed for being curious?
When we discovered this vessel in the first place, we assumed this was nothing but a headquarters for the Medarians. After seeing the inside, now I’m not so sure.
“Why do humans try to live on planets that are not safe for them?” Runar asks the question despite not seeking an answer. “It’s one thing we share in common. We both don’t have a home planet anymore. While your kind continues to hunt, we gave up that fight a long time ago.”
“You know about Earth?” Taking my first bite, I groan at the flavor. While all of this looks disgusting, it beats the packets filling the cabinets in theInferno.
“We’ve done our research. How many rotations does it have left before it is no longer habitable?”
My body slouches at the reminder of my home. “We were told ten years a year ago. Now, they don’t think it’ll last even half that long.”
All of those colonists who keep getting attacked are simply trying to find a new home for future generations. If we weren’t constantly getting attacked, we might’ve found something by now.
Runar nods, surprisingly sympathetically. Like he understands my pain from his own experiences.
What if we were to do something like this? Rather than trying to colonize an unfamiliar planet like all of our efforts have attempted in the past, why don’t we get a vessel large enough to support our kind?
Even if we can’t get everyone inside, at least humankind won’t be wiped clean from the solar system.
He asks more questions about Earth and I do my best to paint a picture for him.
“We killed our planet in the process of becoming more advanced. Despite trying to save it, we were too late.” I stab a tentacle and bring it to my lips. “The higher-ups are confident we’ll avoid making the same mistakes as our ancestors.”
Runar grunts at that. “I can tell you the same thing I told the other humans. The places you’re trying to invade will lead to your kind’s death.”
Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I swat my hand to end this conversation before it truly starts. I’m not in the mood to hear him threaten to kill us all again. I’ve heard the same threats from all those I’ve fought over the last few months.
Finishing my meal and feeling far better, I move to stand. With my captor following close to the back of my heels, I walk in the direction of the other dirty trays.
“Now that I’ve gotten some rest and a stomach full of food, I’m ready to go another round.” Ditching the tray, I dust my hands clean. “I want to fight you.”
He lifts a brow and his mouth betrays him when he smirks. There’s no missing the sharpness of his fangs behind that smile of his. “Are you challenging me to a sparring match?”