Again, I repeated my yells while red bubbles ground into my wrists and ankles. All that did was vibrate the metal table that held me upright. In the shadows, six and a half-foot-tall Volardi whispered to each other while I struggled to get free. Every time I did, the bubbles dug in deeper.

One of tinier aliens stepped forward or at least I thought it was. It was the same little, blond guy from Peter’s hologram. Wasn’t muscled like the rest. He looked like someone that should be fixing my computer. He grinned and looked down.

Maybe he was checking me out in that way. I was practically naked, except for my underwear.

My eyebrows rose, and I gave that intimidating stare back. That ‘don’t mess with me look’ was universal. With my muscles, nothing needed saying. I learned a long time ago to let the ‘sheep’ speculate. I could come up with a threat, but once you scared someone, they imagined all sorts of things. Saved me the trouble of coming up with something.

My voice deepened. “Let me go. Now! Maybe we can put this all behind us.”

My kidnapper grinned. “I’m James.”

“Yeah, that guy from the video. That one that let himself get pregnant.” I sneered back. “The Volardi chick.”

“Oh no, not a true Volardi per se. Although I am of their creation. I’m an Acclimation Simulacrum. A hive-mind duplicated throughout our ships. The representative of many previous versions who’ve assisted men such as yourself.”

My voice lowered. “Then ‘assist’ me. Get me out.”

He smiled slowly. “Not too bright, but it doesn’t matter. There are Volardi who will not care.”

“Care? Like how? I ain’t no queer.”

“One who prefers his own gender?”

“Yeah, that.”

“Why Nate, formerly of Earth. How can procreation with a male make you... ‘queer’, if you were willing to do that to one of our Omegas? Your former associate Peter seemed an acceptable choice to you.”

“I won’t do anything to him.”

“No, you will not. Omegas don’t breed with Omegas. Only Alphas do.”

“This Alpha’s not breeding with any Omegas.”

“Correct. But the reverse will be true.” He stroked his chin. “You’ll be a difficult match. Perhaps the most difficult so far, but someone in our empire will want children – even from you. Normally the Volardi pick men my size, but there have been new developments Earth isn’t ready to know about yet. We can make you tinier, and fertile. The kind of Omegas the Volardi adore.”

Fingers went over the monitor.

“Let’s start your new life…”

I pulled up against the bubbles and saw a light flash. Cold blackness came within seconds.

***

More Stories from Tabatha

More From Tabatha Austin

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