I raised my eyebrows. “Invite? Is this a situation where I can disagree and see how much of an ‘invite’ it really is?”

His gills opened along the side of his flesh. Thin slits of red decorated against beige-pink before they slowed. “You can remain in the room if you like. There are other options we can do with you or your child.”

I froze at the last two words and watched him for several heartbeats. He was an alien, and not readable like an Earthling or Volardi. Still, there was something in his stance if not aura that was almost familiar.

I wouldn’t cooperate with the enemy, but I was in a room without access to anything useful. If I was to escape, my first action was to get out of this room. Now, somebody was inviting me to do that even if I wasn’t sure how much of an invitation it really was.

“Fine,” I said as I rocked my body from side to side. Getting out of my bed back home was an exercise in frustration. Considering how much I sweat… it was exercise period. Yet, I wouldn’t ask him or his guards for help. I caught slight smiles on the women although they said nothing. After an embarrassing minute, I planted my feet on the floor and stood up. Meanwhile, I felt my stomach churn with the shifting weight and liquid. Thankfully, most of the so-called ‘Morning Sickness’ left. Although spewing lunch on my aquatic kidnapper wasn’t an unpleasant thought.

Not diplomatic, but still pleasant.

They handed me my white robe, and I tied it above my stomach. Under it allowed my top bulge to show through. Over my stomach was too much of a balancing act. Once I dressed they led me out into the area.

Through the clear ‘glass’ I saw movement and not just from the aquatic life around me. Long, serpentine snake-fishes twisted together and swam close until their size was almost like an Earth whale. Once ‘together’ they pushed against a net and I felt the room lurch forward. A few seconds after that, I saw coral and distant rock move.

Wait…

My eyes widened. We weren’t in a stationary dome. This was a ship, although one powered by aquatic life.

Amazing. It’s only been a few years since the Volardi arrived. Ships that cast shadows over cities, aliens, even male pregnancy was amazing. I’m not sure where this all fit, but it told me I still had plenty to learn.

Fuath must have noticed my reaction. “We use what’s around us. We’re already under their yoke. More Volardi tangle weed isn’t necessary.”

“Like the same technology that cleaned your planet?”