SHU'KAN Read online

  He wearily showered and shaved. They’d be back tomorrow to see if she was alive or not. He probably didn’t do her any favors. He returned to his bed suddenly realizing it was occupied. Well, there’s nothing for it. I’ve got to lay down somewhere. He gently slid in the bed beside her. He was keenly aware of how warm and soft she felt. She shivered. She was coming out of her toxic sleep. He pressed up against her side to keep her warm and closed his eyes. He remembered thinking he was the first human to skin a Shu’kan as he drifted off to sleep with a soft chuckle.

  The next morning, Lieutenant Stone woke early. The one window in their mall room was casting a sunlit shadow of the bars outside. A glare of sunlight had woken him. His right arm was numb. He glanced down to see Shi’la sleeping peacefully. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she’d never shed a layer of her skin less than twelve hours ago. Her skin was again charcoal black, smooth and soft. She was on her side with her right arm wrapped around his chest. The long locks of her silver hair were partially covering her face. It was the only part of her body that didn’t shed.

  He quietly studied her for a moment suddenly remembering that she was nude. He forgot that he simply covered her with the blanket before sleepily climbing in bed beside her. He carefully slid out from under the covers and went to the bathroom. He grabbed what was left of the towels and the shower rug and went back to the other room. He stretched out with his upper body on the rug and used the towels for a blanket. It wasn’t very comfortable, but he didn’t want her to wake up beside him. He tried to go back to sleep for several minutes then finally gave up. He rose and rummaged through the dresser to find something to change into. Finding something suitable, he went to the bathroom to clean up. By the time he’d finished showering and getting dressed, she was up rummaging through the dresser also. She was bent over wrapped in the blanket trying not to let it drop.

  ‘Good morning,’ he said. ‘How are you feeling?’

  Much better,’ she said without looking up. ‘These clothes are getting thin, are they going to bring us any clean ones?’

  He chuckled to himself. He was cutting her to pieces twelve hours ago and she was concerned with clothes. –Females were all the same!

  ‘I’ll try to remember to ask them for more. –Y’know, I almost passed out helping you last night. I hope I never have to do something like that again.’

  She finally stopped rummaging and turned to face him. ‘I didn’t think I was going to wake up. What you did was … incredible. Thank you. You honestly saved my life.’

  ‘Well, it’s not like I had much choice,’ he said a little embarrassed. ‘I’m just glad that I didn’t mess up. I was nervous.’

  She looked at her bed. It was grossly dirty with the dried pussy fluid. ‘Ugh! That’s disgusting. I’m so embarrassed.’

  ‘It’s not a big deal. I put you in my bed.’

  ‘Where did you sleep?’

  ‘On the floor,’ he lied.

  She stood gripping a wad of clothes in one hand while clutching the blanket with the other. ‘I dreamt that I died. –But I was in warm place being comforted by someone. Somehow, I knew that everything would be alright.’

  He stood and looked at her debating whether or not to tell her the truth, then decided against it. As much as he was starting to like her, they were alien to each other. He would have to accept it.

  She walked slowly toward him stopping close enough to make him uncomfortably aware of her. ‘You wouldn’t know why I would have such a dream do you?’ She lingered close to him waiting for a response. He wasn’t sure if she was just being coy or remembered that he’d shared his bed with her.

  He cleared his throat trying not to look at her. ‘You were pretty out of it. Whatever that toxic stuff was, you were fevered.’

  She smiled aware of his discomfort. ‘I thank you, Lieutenant Michael Stone.’ She smiled slightly. ‘You would make a fine Shu’kan male … and mate.’

  She was close enough now that he could feel her breath. It was intoxicating. ‘I’m … honored … that you hold me in high regard,’ he finally spat. ‘I’d like to think that you’d do the same for me.’

  She smiled again then went into the bathroom and shut the door. He exhaled in relief. He needed to get out of here.

  Almost two hours later, the door to their prison opened. It was Brianna. She motioned for them to join here in the outer lab.

  ‘I’m sorry to say that your sister is missing,’ she blatantly lied. They’d easily taken her from home, but why not make it interesting? ‘She ran into the jungle at the settlement and hasn’t been seen since.’

  Shi’la stood quietly not responding.

  ‘Aren’t you concerned for her whereabouts?’ she added.

  ‘You expect me to believe that you are?’ she replied. ‘If she ran into the forest, then obviously it was to escape from something. It was you wasn’t it?’

  Brianna smiled slightly waiting to see if Shi’la was going to lose her temper. To her credit, she was containing herself.

  ‘We’ll find her,’ she finally replied. ‘Even now I have a man on the way that specializes in this stuff. He’ll root her out.’ She walked slowly around the main lab table rubbing her fingers along its surface. ‘What you’re failing to ask is why I want her?’

  ‘I know why. You want to use her against me. You want to ensure that I deliver what it is you want.’

  ‘Very good. Then you better keep up the hard work. A live specimen will now be available for your use.’

  Stone tried not to look shocked. ‘Where on Earth did you find it? Are we being attacked again?’

  ‘We have our resources, but this time we can’t take the credit. Earth Fleet found it on Mars. It’s now here. Try not to kill it. But make no mistake: Every scientist here will be working with you to develop the bioweapon. Once you’re sure you have a viable virus, we’ll talk about killing it then.’

  ‘I understand.’ Shi’la wanted nothing more than to rip this human females eyes out. But for now, she’d cooperate and wait for an opportunity to act.

  ‘-Good. Get started. We’ll be eliminating your other distraction as well. Lieutenant Stone will be coming with us.’

  Stone felt a twinge of panic. The last thing he wanted was to leave Shi’la here. ‘What do you need me for? I thought I was supposed to assist her?’

  ‘Oh, you are. You’re going to help us find her sister. We leave in the morning.’

  Stone paced furiously. After spending the entire day with Shi’la trying not get in her way, he was still uncertain of what to do. While she patiently performed dozens of tests on blood vials drawn from the specimen, he busied himself with any mundane task she needed. He was tired of being confined. After a long day caged up in the lab, they were back in the locked room.

  ‘Michael, I’m worried that they’ll find my sister. If they do, then I’ll have no choice but to give them what they want.’

  ‘If she’s half as smart as you are, then they’ll never find her. Right now, I’m trying to think of a way to save our own skin.’

  ‘You need to go with her.’

  He stopped pacing and stared at her in shock. ‘What? I can’t leave you here! –No telling what will happen while I ‘m gone.’ He waved his hand in irritation. ‘It doesn’t matter anyway. We’ll make our move in the morning when she returns. If we take her hostage, none of the rest will dare touch us while we walk out of here.’

  ‘No. We can’t.’ She stood in front of him. ‘I won’t risk the life of my sister. Please do this for me. Go to the settlement. Let them believe that you’re cooperating and save her.’

  He stood quietly thinking through his options. Shi’la looked desperate. If her sister was on the run, then she was right. Brianna would stop at nothing to find her to use as leverage. It made him sick and frustrated at the same time.

  He rubbed his fingers through his hair. ‘Alright. I’ll do it. –But I’m not excited about you being here alone.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she r
eplied. –Just take care of her. I’ll be fine.’ She gently laid her hand on his chest in gratitude. He tried not to think of how close she was again, but he was resigned to the fact that he was starting to have feelings for her. I must be out of my mind, he thought.

  ‘Her name is Tr’al,’ she continued. ‘Because we’re sisters, we look similar; and if she’s hesitant, tell her this: ‘Shi’la wants her mother’s grooming comb back.’ I never told anyone that she broke it. It was a gift from my Mother. She’ll know that I told you that.’

  Stone marveled at her selflessness. He hoped Tr’al knew how lucky she was to have her as a sister.

  Her hand was still resting on his chest. It burned like fire. It was affecting his breathing and she was beginning to notice.

  He leaned forward. His face was inches from hers. ‘I won’t forgive myself if something happens to you,’ he whispered. After weeks of living together, he couldn’t deny that he was attracted to her. But the idea still seemed a little comical. Did she feel the same?

  ‘You know, our species aren’t that different,’ she began.

  He could smell her musky sweet scent.

  She glanced away unsure of herself. ‘Perhaps humans will someday equal our tolerance for others.’

  He jerked his head back and furrowed his brow. ‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

  ‘Nothing. –I just meant –that humans are just more prone to violence and bigotry than my species, that’s all.’

  He shook his head and walked away. ‘Don’t judge my race on the actions of a few.’ He was getting angry. ‘Remember, we’re the ones who offered to share our planet with you!’

  ‘Oh, for what? –So that you could apply our technology to your own ends? –To imprison us and throw away the key!?’

  He threw his hands up in frustration. ‘Forget it. I’m sorry we even brought it up!’ He sat on his cot and turned on the com screen. He tried to calm down as he searched for a news stream. He glanced at her. She was sitting on her cot trying to ignore him. He regretted losing his temper, but was too proud to apologize. She’d hurt his feelings.

  He found a news stream and felt his adrenaline explode. He jumped to his feet finally finding his voice. ‘-Jesus, Shi’la! –Look! It’s the Hiver’s! They’re back!’

  Tr’al didn’t realize water could be so cold! She finally got permission from her father to spend the day at the village with Matheus. Li’el was supposed to come with her, but his parents felt he needed to spend more time on his academics. Father was usually not this agreeable, but wanted to reward her for bringing Leader Bro’na and the village Elders together for a trade agreement. She didn’t tell him it was Matheus’s idea.

  Matheus stood on the river bank holding his stomach laughing. ‘I told you to wade in! –No, you had to try the rope!’

  She treaded water while her teeth chattered. ‘You didn’t tell me it was this cold!’

  She swam back to shore and climbed up the bank. Mud from the bank oozed between her toes. ‘I can get used to this,’ she said wrapping in a towel. ‘On the ships, we could never do anything like this.’

  ‘This is my favorite place,’ he said with a grin. ‘I grew up spending every school break here. –When I wasn’t working in the fields.’

  A few of the other village children were now taking turns on the rope. They watched for a moment as they tried to out-do each other.

  ‘They’re so young,’ she said. ‘Aren’t they afraid of swinging on the rope?’

  He flipped a blanket on the ground for them to sit on. ‘The rope swing is a big deal here. The kid’s test their bravery by swinging on it for the first time. That one there is six. –Of course there aren’t any younger than that.’ They both locked eyes not willing to bring up the Hiver’s.

  Instead, she laid back and closed her eyes allowing the sun to warm her. It just felt good to be alive.

  Matheus leaned on his elbows content to watch the younger kids swing.

  It was interesting when they first arrived. Because she was in a one piece bathing suit, the young ones were naturally curious. Everyone felt awkward for a moment until Matheus spoke up saying that she didn’t bite; and that if they wanted to ask me questions, they should. They wanted to know how her black skin felt, why she only had four fingers, why she had tiny cat claws and no fingernails, and what she eats. The whole ordeal made her laugh while putting everyone else at ease. One young boy wanted to know if she had a boyfriend and if he could brush her long white hair. When she said Matheus was her friend, they all thought it was funny for some reason. She laughed along anyway.

  She listened to the breeze rustle the trees and felt content. It was a wonderful day. She opened her eyes and shaded her vision with her hand. Matheus was still leaning on his elbows watching the other children. She had a sudden urge to ask him a question. ‘Why do you want to spend time with me?’

  Matheus looked at her opened his mouth then closed it again. He sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees. After a moment, he answered. ‘I like you. You’re different. –Honest with yourself. –About your feelings. You don’t lie or try to be something that you’re not. And I think your … pretty.’

  He looked away embarrassed. She felt her heart flutter. He liked her! Her Father would not be pleased. It was his decision who her future mate would be. It was his right.

  She pushed the thought away. She knew she liked him too, but it wasn’t fair to Matheus. Surely human feeling could be strong also. Mother had said she’d loved once….

  She suddenly realized he was waiting for some kind of response. ‘I like you too, Matheus.’

  She smiled trying not to look stupid, but it was all she could think to say. He didn’t seem to mind. He was smiling too.

  In the awkward silence, he reached for her hand. Neither of them said anything. They were content to just enjoy each other’s company.

  The younger children continued to splash and swing on the water. –Blissfully unaware of the magic that just happened.

  The early afternoon swim at the river had been wonderful. They left the river and went to Matheus’s home for a meal. His mother did not speak English, but Matheus translated for her. At first, Tr’al could tell that she was nervous, but after a while, she warmed up to her. She’d heard many rumors about the aliens. –All were untrue. Her favorite was how all Shu’kan drank blood.

  After they’d cleaned up and changed, they ate a wonderful meal. She wasn’t quite sure what she’d eaten, but Matheus said it wouldn’t harm her. It was extremely tasty. The bean and spice mixture was incredible. She also got to try a delicious meat called Picanha. –Father would love it.

  She helped clean up despite his mother’s protests, and then thanked her for the hospitality. It was getting late, so she needed to head back to the settlement.

  Instead of taking one of the now regular Pods that moved between the settlement and the village, they decided to walk. It was a little over an hour on foot, but Matheus said he’d walked the road every day while working at the settlement; and that it was a beautiful stretch.

  As they walked, he pointed out different plants. She was impressed by his knowledge of the forest. Her favorite was the Pitcher Plant; an odd hollow-looking plant that was shaped like a long tube of sorts. It was a beautiful bright red. The trees were interesting as well. The nut trees were the highest.

  ‘We collect the nuts as they mature and fall.’ Matheus said. ‘They taste pretty good.’

  ‘We’ll have to see if I can eat those,’ she said smiling. ‘Perhaps the village can trade them as well.’

  They walked on jumping the occasional mud hole. She was determined to keep her shoes somewhat clean, but there’d been a lot of rain lately.

  As they walked, Matheus occasionally pointed to another plant while giving its name. She eagerly listened willing to learn all she could of their new home. She suddenly realized that they were holding hands. If he was aware of it, he gave little indication.

  The gate to the settl
ement appeared at the bend in the road so she pulled her hand free. Even though she felt completely at ease with Matheus, there were many humans and Shu’kan that were still uncomfortable around each other.

  They entered the gate and walked to her house. Matheus stopped short of entering.

  ‘I’ll leave you here. I have to get back and help my Father with some chores. I’m glad you came today!’ He smiled while rubbing his nose to relieve an itch.

  She was sad to see him go, but had things to do as well. She’d been promising Mother that she would help arrange the house for weeks. ‘Yeah, me too. I really-

  The front door swung open. Mother was smiling in that knowing way. ‘Well, did you two have fun today?’

  ‘Mother, please. Matheus and I are friends, nothing more. I’ll be just a minute.’

  She folded her arms over her chest waiting for her Mother to leave.

  ‘-Alright, sorry. Matheus, you’re welcome here anytime.’ She looked at Tr’al. ‘You know your father was very excited about the trade agreements! He wants to have Matheus over for dinner sometime to get to know him. It is a great honor.’

  ‘I’m flattered,’ he said. ‘I look forward to it! –See you at school Monday?’

  ‘I’ll be there.’

  He turned and left. She watched him disappear around the neighbor’s house as he headed toward the gate. It really had been a great day. Spending time with Matheus had been wonderful. Living at the settlement was turning out to be ok, she thought.

  Inside, she smiled as she walked to her bedroom.

  ‘Tr’al, wait.’ Her Father was in the sitting room with a data pad on his lap. ‘I want to talk with you.’