Sterin’s cabin shined with white light, as small glowing spheres of energy softly meandered through the air like dust particles. The Captain was breathing rapidly, her grey skin sparkling, her deep sapphire blue pupils wide, her long locks of jet-black hair touching the floor behind her loose purple and gold Ashura. She slowly turned, looking at Chang Mai, who seemed deep in thought.

“What did she mean by ‘he is coming’?” Sterin growled.

“We have intercepted Dark Axium communications, there will be an attack on Zion soon. The Queen has already seen to the security and has set the bait. Her Champion believes Alpha Centurion may soon return once the Dark Axium have removed Zion as an obstacle,” Mai said darkly.

“Why don’t you humans ever learn?!” Sterin spat.

“We have, that is why this mission is so vital. History must not repeat itself.”

“Whatever the Queen has planned will not bring humanity back to its former glory.”

“Of course not. She wishes for all peoples to ascend. That is why we must have the tools capable of dealing with such existential threats as Alpha Centurion.”

“He is not some obscure threat. He is the Lord of Order, the Jailor of Etherals, the high commander of armies you can’t possibly fathom. The mere threat of his arrival made our lords question their strategy.”

“Your people fought them, no? I seem to recall several, acquired, Laydren archives mentioning your families involvement in that war,” Mai arched an eyebrow.

Sterin’s eyes glowed white.

“I should cut you down for even saying humans have stolen our secrets.”

“Tell me, what is it about your people that makes them so superior?”

Sterin scoffed.

“Humor me,” Mai winked with a smirk.

Sterin looked out her window, at her fleet falling into formation before them.

“Lythdorian and I were just beginning our first lives. Aryus and Seraph had rallied the humans and had directly challenged the Great Masters. We saw, unspeakable things. Worlds destroyed by plague in days, stars collapsed, armies lost their minds and tore each other apart, nearly all life was enslaved or eradicated.”

“Yet here we are.”

“Because of my people! We persevered, we stood shoulder to shoulder with gods, and ensured life continued. We are the first, and greatest space traversing civilization. It was our warriors, our scientists, our explorers that strove onward.”

“Unimpeded by the great masters,” Mai said softly.

“Because we won!” Sterin spat.

“I don’t believe that. It is my theory that you were too low of status to be included in the inner dealings of the great houses. The Laydren made a deal with the great masters, and in return for keeping Zion and humanity in check, the Masters returned to the center of the universe. The Queen also prescribes to this theory,” Mai said.

Sterin stared at him, her eyes molten pools of rage. Her heart beating rapidly, sheer anger rushing through her veins.

“Why else would the Laydren stand idly by, and allow humanity to fall time and time again? Where was your kind when Zion burned?” Mai whispered.

“You people are beneath the concern of our lords.”

“So you do suspect your elders made a pact with the great masters.”

“Silence!”

“Why else would they ostrcise human sympathizers from the nobility?”

“I’ve had enough of this!”

“The Laydren have failed in their duty to keep us in check! What do you think he will do to your people when he returns? He was called back like a dog the first time; we both know a being of that magnitude will not tolerate such an embarrassment a second time!”

“If you had actually read our peoples secrets you would know that’s not how it happened!”

“That is what the scrolls said,” Mai said defiantly.

“The scrolls my people allowed yours to take! Alpha Centurion never arrived on our plane of existence; he has never even stepped foot unto our reality!”

“And how would you know that to be true?” Mai barked.

“Because we are his children!” Sterin screamed.

Mai grinned as terror filled Captain Sterin. She fell to her knees, shaking hand over her mouth. If anyone from the Empire had found out she had revealed such a thing, she would be executed, her energy eradicated, never to inhabit another body ever again. Permanent death.

“That is why you are called Laydren, Star Children in your tongue,” Mai finished in Laydra.

“Why are so many humans learning our language,” Sterin groaned.

“Because there are those of your kind who wish to correct the sins of your fathers. Queen Zyhara knows Alpha Centurion has never physically arrived on our plane of reality; we all know the legends of his power projection. A figure comprised of red mist, a blood red fire storm melting cities, a titan comprised of rock and magma ending planets. That is why your kind fear him so, the originator of your DNA is so powerful he does not need to even leave his home to destroy you. Or should I say, your creator.”

“Our creator,” Sterin sighed.

“Is he?” Mai arched an eyebrow.

Sterin silently nodded.

“Etherals are the cosmic shepherds, Laydren are his direct offspring, and humans are the parasites he seeds near worlds he can’t be bothered to destroy himself. We are all the blade the Great Masters use to cull cosmic life,” Sterin mumbled.

“And thus, the Great Truth is spoken,” Mai sighed.

“Even if we retrieve the power caches, the humans assume their full potential, and every people unite, it is still hopeless.”

“Is this truth, or more propaganda created by your kind to instill fear into more primitive societies? Like the stories of Alpha Centurion once walking on our plane, or how he lead a great host that tore Humanity apart.”

“A great host did destroy your kind and punished mine for failing our duty. But the destruction he caused was by power projection. Had he walked among our kind, we would not be having this conversation.”

“We don’t believe that,” Mai said darkly.

“Then you are all doomed fools!” Sterin spat.

“As are you. You cast your lot in with ours, the moment you decided not to serve the Great Masters.”

“You are all children toying with something beyond your comprehension,” Sterin growled.

“Etherals can die, stars collapse, galaxies drift apart. Nothing is truly invulnerable, and he is most certainly not God. If he breathes, and feeds, he can die.”

“He might as well be God.”

“If he is God, why has he orchestrated humanity’s downfall? What was it about a united cosmos that intimidated him? A weakness was exposed, perhaps?”

Sterin’s eyes widened.

“You crazy fucks think that secret might be in the power cache, don’t you?”

“It’s worth a shot. Better to grasp at straws, than to stand idly by and await Armageddon.” Mai shrugged.

Sterin shook her head.

“How many of your kind know this secret?” Mai asked gently.

“My mother was high priestess and spoke directly to the Great Masters. Only the priests, and highest Lords know our true origin.”

“So Lythdorian is unaware of this?”

“Yes. As are most traitor Laydren you’ve met,” Sterin spat.

“I prefer the term, assets,” Mai grinned.

Sterin’s skin crawled. There was a particular breed of human who lurked in the shadows, toppling governments from the inside, using blackmail and treachery to influence history. It wasn’t a skin color or creed that defined these humans, it was their raw tenacity and cunning that rivaled even the Laydren. In that moment, she finally knew Chang Mai. She stood before one of those kinds of humans.

“Why does your kind plague my lives? Can I just go one existence without your savage meddling?” Sterin spat, standing up.

“Said so yourself, we are the parasites who keep life in check. Except, this time, the parasite shall kill the negligent Gardner, and save the garden. Come, we have a crew to lie to. I will plot the course, please keep your charming brothers off my back,” Mai said as he turned.

“They will skin you alive if they find out what was said in this room,” Sterin growled, following.

“So ensure that they don’t find out. Be a shame if their blissful ignorance of your people’s origin was ruined. The pain I feel in this life stays with this body, the shame and guilt of knowing they are a part of the great cosmic oppression will follow them into the next bodies,” Mai said coolly.

As they neared the door, Sterin looked at him.

“I know this term is used far too often, but I do truly hate you and your kind,” Sterin spat.

“Good. Hate is a powerful tool, though if I where you I would loosen the grip it has on your soul,” Mai grinned.

“Go fuck yourself barbarian,” Sterin spat in her native tongue.

“Sticks and stones, fine lady, sticks and stones,” Mai shrugged.

Captain Sterin resumed her human form, extinguishing her energy, returning the room to its normal red lighting. The door opened, and both people where confronted with a mob of Spree who seemed to have been trying to eavesdrop. The small creatures looked up; all glowing slitted eyes narrowed.

“And what secrets do you little ones hold, I wonder?” Mai chuckled, leaning forward with his hands on his knees.

“Jeeb aga morie ka,” one of the Spree growled, licking it’s rows of razor-sharp teeth.

“Maybe one day darlings,” Sterin purred.

“And what has she done to earn such loyalty from the most vicious creatures in Zion’s realm?” Mai asked with an arched eyebrow.

“I don’t underestimate them, c’mon,” Sterin head nodded.

The Spree parted as Sterin, and Mai walked down the hallway. Low growling and chattering rose from the mob as they eyed Chang like a slab of meat. Sterin smiled to herself. The human wasn’t exuding the scent of fear, but knowing the Spree could read her, and would rip him apart at the drop of a hat consoled her.

Mai followed as Sterin stepped into the elevator. Once the doors where closed, Sterin looked at Mai.

“A scientific survey?” Sterin arched an eyebrow.

“Just make something up, you’re good at that, right?” Mai smiled.

Sterin grimaced as the elevator ascended, back towards the bridge. The elevator arrived with a ding, the doors opening. On the bridge, all crew and passengers followed with their eyes as Sterin walked back to her throne. Mai calmly strolled over to the navigation console.

“Miken, chart a course for Barouge. We’re gonna refuel and refit for our little expedition there. Chang Mai has the destination coordinates and will assist with the navigation,” Sterin called as she ascended the throne.

“Barouge is on the edge of charted space,” Miken said nervously.

“A deep space dive,” Aine exclaimed happily.

Deep space was a lie, it was all charted. Sterin had led her ships into the bowels of the unknown dozens of times for treasure, get aways, escorts, and shortcuts. Aine and Miken were far too young to have been aboard the armada when Sterin and Lythdorian had fought in the war of the Great Truth. The old routes where still burned in her mind, as she let Miken think he was the one setting the course.

As Sterin sat down, her female pet offered her another drink.

“Thank you darling,” Sterin smiled.

“All ships, prepare for portal jump!” Miken called.

The female communications officer relayed the command to the fleet. Each ship’s hull shimmered with energy, as the drives prepared to jump. Sterin lazily sipped her drink, legs crossed, contemplating on how she was going to kill Chang Mai.

Captain Sterin was pro-Zion and had no issue completing the mission, even if it was for the betterment of barbarians. Bad enough she had a human chaperone, if it had been any of the other human pets Zyhara kept, Sterin would have been fine. But to have a human who moved in shadows, and secrets, controlling her? It would not stand. The control he wielded over her, the way he talked, that look in his eye. He had to die.

If there was one thing Sterin could not stand, it was cowards who manipulated others, and dealt in secrets and lies. She was a warrior, a former Duchess, she had commanded navys, won sieges, slain monsters. She would not bend to this imp who used words as his weapons. He had to die; he must die. Her honor demanded it, as both captain and a member of the noble house Ezreharn, highest of all priests and keepers of the star children’s secrets.

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The ship vibrated, blue energy forming around the outside of the hull. Sterin picked the metal toothpick out of the glass with her fingers, twirling it absentmindedly. A lot could go wrong on this mission, lots of bodies, lots of opportunities for sad and unfortunate accidents.

Sterin smiled to herself. Yes. That’s how she’d rid herself of the pest. Throw him down a cavern. No, too obvious. Leave him to be devoured by animals? Too cowardly. Inject a needle of hard drugs into his arms and kill him in his manic rage, claiming he had gone mad? No, that’s something he would do to someone. Or maybe her?

Was he plotting to kill her? Unlikely, she was more useful to him alive, why else use her peoples’ origin as leverage? Or maybe he was planning on using her and her fleet to achieve his goal, then toss her aside as he leaked the Great Truth. The name itself an absolute joke, it was nothing more than an algorithm of lies used to keep her own kind from questioning why they always survived catastrophe.

The inevitable outrage from the lesser species led to by her peoples secret being leaked didn’t bother her. But the thought of what the houses would do to her when they caught her? Sterin shivered at just the thought of decades of perfected torture followed by permanent death.

“Jumping in sixty seconds Captain,” Miken called.

Sterin would have to wait, bide her time, and seek the perfect opportunity. There wasn’t an ounce of patience in her body, but she would have to endure and be patient for the moment Mai slipped up. Then, in that precise moment when he was isolated, or trusting in her, she’d end his wretched life.

“Thirty seconds.”

A blade. That would be honorable. It was decided, she would kill him one on one, in honorable combat face to face with a blade, then crush him with a rock or something. Make it look like an accident. Captain Sterin grinned, leaning forward.

“Portals activated!”

The ships propelled forward, a tunnel of every color imaginable and more wrapping around their view. Sterin giggled, fingers interwoven in front of her face, elbows on her knees. How she would end him floated through her mind as the ships leapt across time and space, the dimensions of the universe stretching before them.

“Sister? Our guests?” Miken asked hesitantly.

She groaned, rolling her eyes as she stood up.

“Yes, yes. Follow me darlings, it’s a seven day jump to Barouge, best make you comfortable,” Sterin called.

Emur, Sage, and Malcolm followed her as she went back to the elevator. Aine joined them inside as Miken took the helm, sending orders and receiving reports from the other ships’ captains. The elevator doors closed, as Sterin yawned.

“I am excited to return to Barouge, it is quite a pleasant place,” Sage chimed.

“If I may ask, what is Barouge?” Malcom asked.

“It’s an inter-dimensional citadel ruled by allies of Zion. The place is perfect for my fleet, they hold absolute diplomatic neutrality,” Sterin smiled.

“Barouge is a cesspool of criminal activity and one of the few self-sufficient pirate communities in the galaxy,” Emur echoed.

“Exactly, you guys will love it!” Sterin giggled.

“I thought you said it was a pleasant place, Sage,” Malcom gulped.

“My people are accepted by all. The pirates of Barouge often charter our navigation services, this is not my first time aboard a privateer’s vessel,” Sage smiled.

“Have we worked together before?” Aine arched an eyebrow.

“Are you implying that all my people look alike, first mate?” Sage asked dryly.

“Yes,” Aine said.

“What is it about the Laydren that leads them to mistakenly believe they are superior to everyone else?” Sage sighed.

“Because we are,” Aine laughed.

“You do realize my people are far more technologically advanced than yours, yes?” Sage asked.

“Then where’s your empire, little one?” Aine growled.

“Where is your star engine? Our sun is housed within a machine that can provide power for our civilization for trillions of years, built from resources we acquired through trade and exploration. Not all domination comes from war, my sparkly friend.”

“At least I wasn’t grown from a test tube,” Aine growled.

“At least I will not spend my entire life span humoring myself with fantasies about superiority,” Sage said slyly.

Aine drew his knife, towering over the small scientist.

“How about we find out who’s superior then?”

Sage’s robes began to gently flap around them as if a gust of wind had passed through the elevator. Their oval eyes sparkled with energy, as the Sema’s limbs curled.

“Let’s,” Sage grinned.

“This one has some umph in em, I like this Sema,” Sterin cackled.

“My people prefer peace, that does not mean we cannot fight,” Sema chimed, not breaking direct eye contact with Aine.

“Why don’t we save the fight for whatever we may run into?” Malcom asked.

“Indeed. Internal conflict is contradictory to mission efficiency,” Emur echoed.

“If I wanted advice from a human and a talking mushroom, I would have asked for it,” Alien barked over his shoulder.

“We do not talk. If the Laydren where indeed superior, your people would have conjoined their minds and project wavelengths as one just as we do.”

“Um yes, also, the playground bully act is quite charming. But you cannot expect us to respect you simply because of your heritage,” Malcom said.

“By the Great Truth, who said I wanted your respect?” Aine laughed.

The elevator doors opened with a ding.

“Now, now everyone. Let’s play nice. Aine, why don’t you go back up to the bridge and help Miken and Mai with the navigation? Mmm?” Sterin asked softly.

“Fine,” Aine grumbled, as he stayed in the elevator. His sharp Asian features were complimented by his green died hair as he grimaced, arms crossed. His glowing bright green eyes challenged her, but looked away as she returned the stare with a mute yet ominous look.

Sterin lead the way down the long metal hallway. It was brightly lit by ceiling hung lights that flickered and buzzed. Both sides of the hallway had evenly spaced doors that lead to cabins. Here, in the bottom of the ship, was were Sterin tended to keep charters who might be annoying.

“Each cabin has been custom fitted to mimic your natural environments from back home. I do hope you like it, the Queen paid quite a fortune for it,” Sterin grinned.

“My thanks, Captain,” Sage chimed happily, going to the far-left cabin door, and entering.

“We shall reserve our grievances for now, Captain. But we expect the hostilities to cease when we arrive on planet,” Emur echoed.

“Has all those echoing voices lost their sense of humor? There is no hostility, merely playful banter,” Sterin grinned.

Gauging body language or emotion from the Umar was nearly impossible. But it was still a sentient being with biological function, Sterin could smell it’s irritation. It was quite the sweet aroma. Emur rotated, and gently glided across the floor to his room, entering it without another mental echo.

Sterin turned and saw Doctor Malcom nervously standing by the wall.

“Is it Doctor, or professor?” Sterin arched an eyebrow.

“Malcom is just fine, thank you,” he murmured.

“Well, aren’t you excited to see your new temporary home?” Sterin asked.

“Yes, yes very. But um, I was wondering if you could answer some questions I had?”

“Oh? What kind of questions darling?”

“They would be better said behind closed doors, ma’am,” Malcom gulped.

Sterin blinked slowly, then roared with laughter.

“Lead the way, human,” she grinned.

Malcom awkwardly wandered down the hall, as Sterin leaned against the wall beside the nearest left door. She gently curled her fingers and knocked on the door. The man turned around, his eyes widening and face reddening as he nodded. He quickly came back over and entered into his cabin. Sterin chuckled to herself, following.

The interior of the cabin was cozy, and dimly lit. A queen-sized mattress was tucked into the far-right corner, with a simple wooden desk in the other, with empty bookshelves above it. Across from the desk was an open door that led into a small bathroom with a shower and toilet. Across from the bathroom door, next to the exit they had entered into, was a medium sized wooden dresser. Malcom sighed and sat on his bed as Sterin crossed her arms, leaning against the wall.

Malcom did not make eye contact, nervously fidgeting.

“May-may we have some privacy?” Malcom stuttered.

“This is quiet private, human. Is this your first time alone with a female in a room?” Sterin chortled.

Malcom hesitantly looked up.

“More, private,” he gently whispered.

The taunting smile framed on Sterin’s face melted into a grimace, as her eyes glowed white. The room was encased in white orbs of light, as her energy activated.

“Fascinating,” Malcom grinned in awe.

“Speak, human,” Sterin barked.

Malcom got up, took of his jacket, revealing his white button-down shirt with rolled sleeves, his arms covered in richly colored tattoos, barely an inch of skin unmarked. His nervous demeanor was gone as he took off his glasses.

“Particle manipulation, the next frontier for humanity,” Malcom smiled.

“Your humanity. The rest of your kind seem to have a particular knack for it,” Sterin spat.

“Indeed. Which is why our conversation is so important,” Malcom nodded grimly.

“What, do, you, want?” Sterin slowly annunciated.

Malcom held his hands up.

“By now I’m sure the Martians have inserted their claws into you, I did not come here to play games. I merely wish to have a conversation, in private,” Malcom shrugged.

“My patience is thinning by the moment,” Sterin growled.

“Bear with me if you please. I am sure you are aware of the war my solar system had? How the element XM-801 was discovered and the colonists attempted to administer the serum?”

“Vaguely, humans kill each other by the millions per star rotation, one more skirmish on some back water dimension hardly warrants my attention.”

“Yes, but now humans command your fleet. Right?”

“Tread very carefully, little man.”

Malcom sighed.

“We fought that war, to prevent this very situation. The Mars terraform was humanities, well my humanities anyway, greatest venture. We climbed to the stars in search of discovery and dreamed of a better future. But Mars quickly deteriorated, becoming more of a penal colony than anything else. We could barely keep them in check before the serum was uncovered.

“Then, the element is discovered. Not even a few weeks into this discovery, as we haggled and debated on what to do with it, we make first contact. It was the first time in our history we had ever spoken to sentient beings not from our world. Except, they seemed human, with white hair. They infiltrated our governments and prodded us to destroy Mars.

“Some of our agents had managed to sneak on to Zion you see. In their, albeit very short, visits they discovered a myriad of species, under the thumb the very worst kind humans you can imagine. I don’t know what Mai told you in your cabin, but I’m sure you now understand why our government does not trust the Martians,” Malcom said earnestly.

Sterin grinned.

“You’re not really a scientist, are you?”

“Oh, I am, but there’re no tricks up my sleeve. No immortality, no particle manipulation, no wish to dominate other worlds. I am not some clandestine agent, I am a man of science, sent by a humanity who desperately wishes to jump off the burning train known as Zion. They are out of control. We simply want to be at peace and venture out among the stars unaccosted by demigods.

“When we heard of the space station known as Zion had teleported into Mars’s orbit, and they had an army armed with horrors beyond our comprehension, of course we kneeled. How else would you describe it? Apposing them would be suicide for us. Our armies still use bullets, tanks and our warships are half the size of the one we stand in now.

“To add insult to injury, they have barely told us anything. All they told us was they needed scientists for some kind of excavation. But you cannot seriously expect warlords, and mutant child soldiers turned demigods to use whatever they find for the betterment of mankind! Whatever we find, they will use it to dominate the universe, and us!” Malcom said.

“This is a great story, but I don’t see why I should care,” Sterin drawled.

“We know the Laydren have kept Zion at arm’s length, we don’t fail to see why. My Earth, and her other colonies, want your people’s help in stopping Mars from whatever it is they are planning, before they kill us all!” Malcom said desperately.

Sterin rubbed her chin with her fingers. This was dangerous territory, if he truly represented his tribe in this petty dispute, any hint of an offer to help from her could undermine Zion and get her killed. Not to mention, these humans clearly had zero notion about the dangers that lay out there beyond their solar system. If they did, this Earth would have flung themselves into Zion’s arms.

“What makes you think my people would help yours?” Sterin asked carefully.

“The Laydren are a proud people. We hacked Zion’s archives and read their reports. Laydra has fought Zion on numerous occasions and won. We are not stupid; we can see the growing power of Zion irritates your people. We simply want to pick, the winning side in the war to come.” Then help us get the power cache and shut up you idiot! Sterin thought.

“When we return, I may or not may be able to arrange a conversation between your representatives, and mine,” Sterin shrugged.

Sterin giggled internally. Her people would never lift a finger to help this Earth, the ambassador of her house would simply laugh and walk away. Yes, this was perfect. She would placate this human, maybe use his Earth as new refueling/hiding spot in any future endeavors. And all the while, maybe, just maybe he could help her with Sterin’s own pest problem.

“I understand whole heartedly Captain, thank you for listening to me,” Malcom smiled.

“Ah det, det, det,” Sterin wagged her finger.

“I run a very successful privateer fleet honey, not a charity. If I’m going to help you, you’re gonna help me,” Sterin grinned.

“Yes?” Malcom arched an eyebrow.

“Then again, you are just a very small, timid human, maybe you can’t help me,” Sterin pouted.

“I think you’ll find my combat skills more than sufficient,” Malcom chuckled.

“Excellent! You see, I have a problem too. As you suggested, the Martians did indeed insert their claws into me. They’re blackmailing me! The gall I swear,” Sterin sighed.

“It would seem we both suffer from the affliction of their schemes,” Malcom said darkly.

“Precisely. Luckily for us, there is only one Martian on our ship. In the entire fleet, actually!”

“You want me to do something to him?” Malcom arched an eyebrow.

“No! Of course! That would be a declaration of war. Imagine what all those unhinged, blood thirsty Martians would do if Earth’s greatest scientist killed Zion’s intelligence director?”

“I’m not-I would never-” Malcom sputtered.

“Now if he where to have a tragic, terrible, untimely and completely random,” Sterin said slowly, her eyes looking up from her downturned face as she slowly grinned.

“Accident?” Malcom asked hesitantly.

Sterin shrugged exaggeratively.

“Things tend to happen out there on the frontier. So many planets, so many caves, so many unexplored rooms and crevices bodies tend to fall into (never to be seen again). And I mean, of course all of us, the sane and developed aliens, not to mention your security detail, would all provide very, very accurate reports, of course,” Sterin said.

“How do I know you simply won’t just hand whatever it is we find over to Zion?”

“Bold of you to assume any trinket we find in a dusty cave can stop my people,” Sterin said dryly.

“Trinket?”

“Trinket, map, power generator, I know as much as you do, darling,” Sterin lied.

“I prefer not having blood on my hands, thank you very much.”

“One Martians blood, who has taken countless lives since he was a child, or millions of your own peoples’ on yours. Due to your, morality,” Sterin scoffed.

“This is not the dignified behavior of a superior race, Captain.”

“Darling, look me in the eye and tell me your kind hasn’t climbed a mountain of skulls to reach the status you now enjoy.”

“I simply want a meeting with your representatives.”

“And I simply want the Martians off of my back. Besides, if he doesn’t come back, who will make sure they get it? I was instructed to ensure humans retrieved whatever item we were sent for. They never specified which planet they’re from,” Sterin said.

Malcolm’s troubled face looked deep in thought.

“I will consider it.”

“Good boy,” Sterin purred.

“But I must have a guarantee that I will meet with your representatives when this is over.”

“You have my word, and I hate liars,” Sterin grinned.

Malcolm’s sighed, nodding.

Sterin slowly approached him, entering into his personal space. The man’s eyes nervously studied her. She could smell his fear, and something else. Something savory, it was delectable, like a scent from a freshly baked desert, or prey that had just been skinned and put on a spit over an open fire.

“Have you ever seen a Laydren, Malcolm?” Sterin asked softly, getting closer.

“I-I have seen recordings,” Malcom said nervously, stepping back.

“Mmmmm, often times, the real thing is so much better,” Sterin purred.

Her human body slowly melted away, revealing her true form. His eyes widened; the scent of fear smothered by his arousal pheromones. This is why she preferred humans for romance, so easily toyed with. She gently traced the corner of his jaw with her finger as he shivered.

“You’ve been such a good boy, Malcolm. You have a pure heart. So brave, I admire a strong man who’s willing to do what’s necessary for his people,” Sterin whispered, winding her finger across his chest.

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” Malcom sputtered, his face glowing.

Sterin gently wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in close. Her lips nearly touching his ear as she whispered.

“Who’s says meeting my people’s ambassador has to be your only reward?” Sterin whispered in her softest tone.

He grabbed her, lifting her Ashura. Sterin grinned, he was hers. She planted her palms unto his chest and threw him unto the bed. He landed with a grunt and a thud, looking up at her. She played with her hair, biting her lip, studying the man from above as he stared up at her with wide eyes.

“Martian disappears first, love.”

She leaned down, looking him in the eye, face to face.

“You’re going to be a good boy for me, aren’t you?” Sterin asked softly.

The man nodded vigorously. She grinned, straightening back up.

She resumed her human form and dissipated her energy.

“Yes, lovely talk, professor. I shall keep those geodes in mind as we conduct the survey,” Sterin winked.

She turned and left the cabin.