12 days until Mars arrival

"What delicious treats," Beaky clicked as he gobbled up the pies that Arachna had carefully prepared. "Like very much."

The dactyl's body shuddered with pleasure as the Xitherium-laced fruits slid down the back of his throat. The golden flaky crust mixed with the violet glow of the synthesized Xitherium to form a sort of orange-ish hue.

And the taste was exquisite.

Not only did the Xitherium meld well with the starchy confection but the addition of raw Yumen flesh as a topping made it all that much better. Beaky couldn't have asked for a more delectable treat from the Xither itself.

Arachna watched with the satisfaction of a true mother as Beaky hungrily consumed the nutritious pie that had cost her so much to produce. It gratifying to see her hard work be so thoroughly enjoyed, especially by the only family she had on this ship.

Click, click. Beaky let out a series of guttural clicks indicating his pleasure with the meal. His twin stomachs were showing signs of a slight bulge as he practically inhaled each of the pies.

Arachna clicked in acknowledgment, waiting while he ate.

Beaky looked up. "You eat?" he clicked.

"Already had some," she clicked back. While she had reserved the pies for Beaky, she had consumed half of the Xitherium she'd collected.

"Thank you," Beaky said, staring at her fondly and tilting his head to one side. "You take care of me. Like Mother."

"You are welcome," Arachna clicked, tapping her hind legs.

"Should become Hive Mother," Beaky clicked, spreading his wings. They were still wounded but looked significantly healthier than the last time she saw him. "Get bigger, more powerful. Spawn underlings."

"Too soon," Arachna clicked. "Not ready."

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

"If not now," Beaky clicked. "Then when?"

Arachna sidestepped, scratching her legs against one another. "I do not know."

"You do not want to transform?" Beaky clicked, bobbing his head.

It wasn't that Arachna didn't want to become a Mother. That wasn't it at all. Rather, she just didn't feel safe enough to do so in any part of the starship. How did she convey that to him?

"You are born to become a Hive Mother," Beaky clicked. "To serve the Cause."

"Maybe," Arachna clicked. "Maybe here is safe."

Arachna looked around. There were heaps of trash going from the ceiling to the floor and from wall to wall. Even she felt gross being in a place like this. But this was the safest refuge they'd been able to find.

"Here," Beaky said. "Not safe here. Somewhere else."

"Huh?" Arachna clicked. "What do you mean?"

"Not safe," Beaky said, his eyes flitting to one side as if something caught his attention.

Arachna turned around. Beaky had stared at a pile of trash. What was it?

She scampered over. A large worn-out blanket covered the pile. With her hands, she removed the blanket.

There was a pile of four Yumens — two marines and two that looked like workers. Their bodies were mostly hollowed out and full of bite marks.

"Sorry," Beaky said. "Would have told you but —"

Arachna's eyes widened and she threw up her hands.

"I didn't want you to worry," Beaky clicked. He'd clearly been feasting on Yumens while she had been away.

"What happened?" Arachna clicked.

"Yumens sent to fix the compactor. I ate them. Soldier come to investigate."

"When?" Arachna clicked. "When did they send the soldiers?"

"Yesterday," Beaky clicked.

"Then they'll be coming back."

"Already came back," Beaky said. "Sent second soldier this morning. Not as tasty as the first."

Arachna wasn't sure what to do. Should they leave? Clearly, the Yumens would be back but Beaky had managed to stay here for so many days.

"I stay hidden," Beaky said. "Yumens not find me. But find Hive Mother."

That was the crux of the issue. Beaky or Arachna, for that matter, could stay hidden in piles of trash or air ducts or refrigerators. But as soon as she began to metamorphize into a Hive Mother her body would grow very, very large. Then there would be no place to hide.

"They will find me anywhere," Arachna clicked. "That is the problem.

"Then follow your instinct," Beaky clicked, taking another bite of Xitherium pie. "Go where you feel most at home, and together we will figure out a way."

Arachna chitted her beak and twitched her spinnerette. There was only one place on the ship where she truly felt at home. One place where she felt comfortable and at peace.

The Engine Room.

Unfortunately for her, it was also the most heavily guarded room on the Eschaton.