Over my dead body.
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
“Ambassador,” I say, stepping between Jorem and Zylthar. “You’re not touching my crew, my station, or my... partner… with that device.”
“Partner?” Jorem’s markings flare bright amber. “You admit to bonding with an alien, contaminating yourself with foreign genetic material, perverting the natural order of species development?”
“I admit to saving two thousand lives and preventing a dimensional catastrophe.” My voice takes on the particular edge reserved for people who’ve pushed me past patience. “What I do with my personal life is none of your damned business.”
“Personal life?” Jorem laughs, a sound like breaking crystal. “Captain, you’ve undergone irreversible genetic modification. Your DNA itself has been altered by exposure to Zephyrian neural patterns. You’re no longer entirely human.”
The words hit like a physical blow. Through our bond, I undergo Zylthar’s shock—he didn’t know the joining would cause genetic changes.
Is that true?I ask through our link.
I... I don’t know. The ancient texts mention physical transformation, but I thought it was metaphorical.
Dr. Yakamura approaches with her medical scanner, expression concerned. “Captain, may I?”
I nod, and she runs the device over my vital signs. The readings make her frown.
“Cellular regeneration is accelerated. Neural density has increased by twelve percent. And...” She pauses, checking the readings again. “Captain, your genetic markers show hybrid characteristics. Human base structure with Zephyrian modifications at the quantum level.”
The docking bay falls silent except for the hum of life support systems. I stare at the scanner readings, trying to process what they mean. I’m still me—same memories, same personality, same core identity. But apparently, I’m also something new, something unprecedented.
“How long?” I ask.
“Unknown. The changes appear stable, possibly permanent.”
Selena,Zylthar’s mental voice carries anguish.I’m sorry. I didn’t know the joining would alter your genetics. If I had?—
You’d have done it anyway,I finish.Because the alternative was watching everyone die.
Yes, but?—
No buts. I made the choice with full knowledge of the risks.
Not full knowledge. Neither of us understood what we were really doing.
Jorem steps forward, sensing weakness. “Captain MacGray, you’ve been permanently altered by alien contamination. Surely you can see that you’re no longer fit for command. Submit to neural purging, and we can at least preserve what remains of your humanity.”
I look around the docking bay—at my crew, my ship, my life’s work. Everything I’ve built over three years of deep space command. Then I look at Zylthar, seeing my own reflection in his violet eyes, feeling his love like a warm constant through our bond.
Human or not, I know who I am.
“Ambassador Jorem,” I say, my voice carrying the authority of someone who’s made peace with an impossible choice. “You have ten minutes to remove yourself and your equipment from my station. After that, I’ll have security escort you to your ship.”
“You’re making a mistake that will haunt you forever.”
“Maybe. But it’s mine to make.”
Jorem’s expression shifts to something cold and calculating. “Very well, Captain. But this matter is far from resolved. The Zephyrian Council will be informed of your condition and the contamination spreading through your crew.”
“You do that.”
As Jorem and his attendants gather their equipment, Zylthar’s relief floods through our bond. But underneath the relief is something darker—the knowledge that we’ve made powerful enemies who won’t give up easily.
What happens now?I ask through our link.
