Lex rejoins Scorvo in the flight cabin and sits down in the seat beside the brightly lit console. Scorvo chances a glance in her direction before inputting final landing instructions. Lex fidgets uneasily in her chair. She inhales deeply before addressing Scorvo.
“Did you have to get these clothes so tight? I’m almost afraid to ask, but I will…Where did you get them anyway? I’m sure they don’t sell women’s clothing…Wherever you’re from. Not in human proportions anyway.”
Scorvo keeps his head turned forward, but cuts his eyes to look at Lex. He silently appraises her from his seat. The scar given to her by his cha’l brother has been obscured by a layer of ooman makeup. The change stirs sadness in Scorvo’s heart.
“Those clothes belong to the ooman female you will be impersonating. I can do nothing about the size. I do apologize.”
“Wait. So you actually stole Solora’s clothes? Now, just how did you—. Know what? Never mind. I’m sorry I asked. I simply don’t see how she can even breathe…Much less walk in these.”
Lex releases a sharp exhale and presses a hand to the middle of her chest. Scorvo’s brow knits further and he smothers the deep laugh building up inside of him.
“We don’t dare get too close to the ooman facility. I will land the ship some distance off. We’ll walk the rest of the way.”
An uncomfortable silence settles over the flight cabin. For several minutes, neither Lex nor Scorvo make a sound. Lex once again shifts in her seat, brown eyes settling on Scorvo's wide back.
“Have I done something to upset you?” Lex queries, scrutinizing Scorvo’s rigid form.
“No. I must concentrate. That is all.”
“You’re angry with me. Because of what I said back there…In that room.”
“I told you…I am not angry.”
“You’re lying! And it doesn’t suit you!”
Scorvo swivels in his chair, his eyes flashing.
“Yes, I am angry. Angry about everything. Scar is dead. At least, the Scar that I knew. Yet, everyone…Including you…Can’t seem to forget him. I have won…Many battles since Scar was killed by the serpent queen. Yet, no one seems to care. I risk my life to restore the honor of my cha’l brother…And it is simply seen as my duty. I look upon your face…And my oshra grows warm. I think only to fill you with my descendants.”
Lex’s mouth clamps tightly shut and her eyes widen, she presses her back into the bulky flight chair.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“I am stopped only by the knowledge that you are my brother’s chosen. If it were not so…I…I would have chosen you for my own. But my brother is dead. What remains is only a shadow of who he once was. But even his shadow is enough to dwarf me.”
An alert sounds on the forward console, interrupting Scorvo’s speech. He uses both clawed hands to input data into the computer.
“We are here,” the yautja warrior says in a droll voice.
-
-
Solora Brighton steps casually from behind the wheel of her mustard yellow Jaguar. She purposely shuts the driver’s door harder than necessary, to draw attention. Two marines, heading for the other end of the parking lot, offer Solora appreciative head nods by way of greeting. Solora shoots them a winning smile and struts toward the main gate.
Passing between two gray work vans, Solora stops to admire her reflection in the side window of the van to her right. Hiking up her already too short skirt, she puckers her lips. All the fun disappears from her face when a second—not so cute—face appears in the reflective surface beside her.
“Huh?” Solora gasps.
Before Solora can turn around, Scorvo places a mesh net over her body. He sprays a light mist of aerosol into the ooman scientist’s face. A moment later, she grows stiff. Activating the net’s cloak, as well as his own, Scorvo throws the unconscious female over one shoulder. Lex watches what is going on from her spot behind a parked delivery van.
Once the sound of Scorvo’s retreating footsteps fades, Lex stands to her full height. She tugs at the bottom of her miniskirt, trying vainly to lengthen it. She does the same for her blouse. Every time she tugs, the top slides even further down than makes her comfortable. Eventually she stops altogether. Picking up the heavy footsteps of her yautja companion, Lex exhales loudly.
“What’d you do with her?” Lex says into thin air.
“She is asleep in one of the cryogenic pods. Don’t worry. She is in no danger.”
“Never said she was. Are you sure the codes you gave me will work?”
“As sure as I can be. We will have to wait and see.”
“Yeah. That’s always a good plan,” Lex mutters sarcastically. “Let’s go.”
-
-
“Dr. Brighton? Hello. Didn't think you'd be in today. How was your trip to New Orleans? Too bad it isn’t Marti Gras. I hear New Orleans is beautiful during Marti Gras.”
Lex stares down at the young woman sitting at the desk and her brain temporarily goes into panic mode.
“Huh? What did you say?”
The young woman’s smile grows wider.
“Wow. That must have been some vacation. You’re looking incredibly fit, Dr. Brighton. What’s your secret? Lattes under the moonlight? Vodka in the afternoon? A cute man?”
Lex is unable to stifle a laugh. She quickly forges Dr. Brighton’s signature and gives the young security agent a winning smile.
“You know what they say…Lynn,” Lex stalls, glancing at the agent’s name badge. “Once you give away your secret…It’s not a secret anymore.”
“I have heard that before,” Lynn says through a warm smile. “And they’re right. Although, it’s a shame that in order to get in shape…We kind of have to lose the rack…If you know what I mean? You still look good though.”
A warm gust of air flutters the back of Lex’s hair and she rolls her eyes toward the ceiling.
“Why thank you…Lynn. I’m gonna go to my office now.”
“Okay. See you later, Dr. Brighton.”
Lynn buzzes Lex through. Lex pretends to drop her pen on the floor. This is enough time for the cloaked Scorvo to slip through the doorway.
“That wasn’t funny!” Lex growls under her breath.
“It was to me,” Scorvo quips.
“A negligible difference my ass!”
Scorvo stops to briefly consider Lex’s last statement, his eyes sliding over her retreating form. Yes, she is right about that too.