Sleek and angular, it was almost predatory in its design. The matte-black hull absorbed the light rather than reflected it. No insignia or identifying marks adorned its surface, leaving its origins and intentions a mystery. The vessel hovered silently for a moment before descending with a controlled grace that belied its size, touching down with a hiss.
Ari’s gaze swept over the ship, taking in the subtle curves of its wings, the way its thrusters cooled with an eerie blue glow. Something about it set his instincts on edge. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. He hated this—the unnatural silence of the ship, its windows blacked out, concealing whoever—or whatever, waited inside.
“Ever seen a ship like that before?” Morgan’s voice was low, barely above a whisper, but with a sharp edge to it.
“No. How about you?” Ari addressed JR12. “Anything like that in your database?” He kept his eyes on the hatch on the ship’s underside as it slid open with a smooth, almost mechanical precision.
“That looks like an AoA ship,” JR12 supplied. “My dad worked with some of them before.” His two-pronged silver-gold body gleamed in the light as the matte-black bottom of his eight legs remained muted. “Wouldn’t that be great if it were them?”
The longing in the spider-bot’s voice was a surprise.
Sending out a tendril of psychic exploration, Ari took a chance and scanned the inside of the ship. So far… it was hard to tell. There wasn’t any malevolence. But then again, he barely sensed anything at all.
“Well, let’s keep our guard up.” Morgan interjected. “At least until we know who they are.”
Nodding, Ari watched as the ship’s ramp extended in slow motion. That’s when he sensed a surge of unease.
The bay’s lights reflected off the glossy black surface of the ramp as it touched the floor with a soft thud. A hiss of pressurized air escaped from within the ship.
For a moment, the silence was so absolute that Ari could hear his own heartbeat thudding in his chest.
Then, a massive humanoid figure appeared at the top of the ramp—tall and shrouded in a flowing, dark cloak and cowl that obscured their features. They paused, as if surveying the bay, before taking a single step forward.
The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.
Before the figure finished coming down the ramp, a much-shorter figure raced down the ramp. Instead of being shrouded in mystery, this one was clearly a human. A human female who rushed to Morgan with open arms.
“Chloe, stop!” The shrouded figure reached out an arm as black as midnight. “Diofokyo, female! I told you to stay on the ship.”
The male’s thundering shout didn’t stop the female.
Ari relaxed when he read the woman’s intent. She was overjoyed and excited to see Morgan.
While shocked, Morgan returned the feelings.
“Morgan, girl!” The shorter female rammed into Morgan and wrapped her in a hard hug.
From her accent, Ari deemed her an African-American from America on Earth.
She pulled back, keeping her hands on the other woman’s upper arms. Her dark eyes studied Morgan from head to toe. “I can’t believe it’s you!”
Morgan pulled the newcomer back into a hug. “Is it really you, Chloe?”
She let go, giving Ari a clear view of her tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I’m so happy to see you.” She glanced up at the humongous male who now stood behind her friend and towered over the females.
“And who is this?” Morgan stepped back.
Ari pulled her back to his front. Any excuse to keep her close was a good one.
The woman’s face glowed as she tugged the male closer.
Ari smiled as he absorbed the sheer joy Chloe had for the male.
“This is Aylzrunth, my, er, husband.” Chloe patted the male’s side. “Damn, gargantuan man. Take your stupid cloak off. You look like a pathetic imitation of Darth Vader.”
“Female, you must allow me to ascertain the situation before you continue to put yourself in danger.” At first, the male’s overtly male voice came out muffled, but the words became clear when he pulled the hood of the cloak back and revealed his features.
