He barred his teeth and slapped his hands together several times. I didn’t have much experience with them, but that expression was one of the saddest I’ve ever seen. Almost as if someone wanted to throw up amid a cry. “I’m... forbidden.” He tapped at a collar around his neck as if to explain. “Computer. Disable travel protocols.”

An electronic voice spoke, “Unable to comply.”

Nate couldn’t hope to understand what was going on especially since we didn’t speak in English. Still, he knew he wasn’t being attacked and that meant something.

“He would have to attack me or a Volardi, so I could retaliate. Per the terms of our agreement,” said Matros. “You have autonomy over your planet.”

Was that really true? They had power, and nobody messed with the Volardi. I tried and got turned into an Omega. Still, there was something to what he said. Humans weren’t killed, nor were we taken in chains to camps. We elected our own leaders while aliens stayed up in the air. Hell, even my Pa convinced my duplicate to leave.

Something must have flickered in Nate’s mind. He was both clever – like an animal – yet still very much a creature of testosterone. Ever since the Volardi arrived, men weren’t the strongest anymore. Most guys weren’t as tall or powerful as them. Just knowing someone else was tougher was enough to set some men off.

Maybe it was a male thing I could never hope to understand. Nate slightly tugged on the gold chain and I yelped as my nipples pulled. Maybe he was still forming a plan, but Nate’s frown and stationary position told him my rescuer couldn’t interfere.

Nate’s mind was unknown, and I think I preferred that. Understanding him completely would poison me somehow. He was on top of another guy. People like him would beat others for the mere whisper of homosexuality. Yet, male pride wouldn’t take him off. He was committed and had a Volardi in front of him. This was his chance to be on top and he’d take it.

All speculation but it fit his mindset.

Matros breathed in deep and I saw his biceps flex. For a heartbeat, it was almost grotesque as veins bulged out. Even Nate hesitated before he resumed.

My voice drew out. “You can’t do anything?” As I spoke, I thought about maybe kneeing Nate in the balls. From my position, there was no way.

“It would nullify the planetary treaty. We cannot police your planet. Unless he attacks a Volardi, I cannot do anything. If I do something, I may not have enough time before my collar…” His look was alien, but I recognized flexed neck muscles as pure frustration. Within the deep purple eyes, I could see the desire to kill Nate. If he did, that would be a big mess for both sides.