Chapter 4
Ontarii couldn’t explain the flush of warmth that shot through his body at the human female’s words. Anger was a familiar emotion, but something else lurked beneath it, something more sinister. Something he wasn’t ready to deal with.
Anger was safer.
“Captain Brooklyn, I believe you said your name was, I don’t have time for your snarkiness. Zanthar is under threat of enemy invasion, and Earth has been implicated in a conspiracy to overrun my world. So maybe you should just shut up and let the big boys do their job.”
He watched the human’s jaw drop. Perhaps in another situation he’d be able to admit to himself that he wasn’t in the habit of being so high-handed in diplomatic situations, but something about this female unsettled him.
It wasn’t that she held a command. Plenty of Zantharian females held high ranks and offices. It wasn’t that she was from another species. He’d met aliens from many different worlds. In fact, he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was about her that made him agitated. He didn’t have time, nor the energy to try and figure it out either.
Her upper lip curled and her eyes narrowed to slits as his heart picked up its pace. Why was her anger leaving him feeling things he hadn’t felt in a long time? Her pretty lips were plump and pink, and her eyes were shining with an inner light.Probably rage at my remark.
She surprised him. Instead of matching his jab with her own cutting remark, she honed in on the substance of his words. “You believe Earth is involved in a conspiracy against your world? How is that possible when we didn’t even know you people existed?”
“That is what Dr. Cohen said,” he replied. “We have reason to believe that a contingent of humans had been informed of our existence. This contingent pushed for the mission to Zanthar, or JL-398 as you so quaintly call it.”
“Been informed? By whom? We thought we might be alone in the universe until we discovered signs of life through a probe that had passed by your planet. You’d know that if you actually talked to Dr. Cohen.”
Ontarii sighed. Now wasn’t the time for exposition. The Hareema agent could be anywhere, or anyone.
Still, Captain Brooklyn looked to be a tenacious major. She wasn’t going to be easily fobbed off with an excuse.
“I will explain everything,” he offered generously. “But first, we need to subject you and your crew to a short physical test to assess your threat level.”
“A short physical test?” The human female smirked. “You want us to run a lap around the ship and do a hundred pushups? What kind of test?”
Ontarii stared down at her.I can think of a way to silence that smart mouth of hers and chances are she might actually like it.He took a deep breath and reined himself in, a little unnerved at his wayward thoughts.Where did that come from?
“We need to ascertain that you are exactly what you say you are: humans on a rescue mission. The test is simple and takes only a moment. You will experience discomfort, but no lasting damage.”
The human captain crossed her arms over her chest. “How much discomfort are we talking about? Are you taking blood or tissue samples?”
Ontarii shook his head. “No. You will be subjected to a short energy discharge. Once we confirm your human status, we can discuss more in-depth testing on the flagship.”
“This is ridiculous,” Captain Brooklyn replied. “You haven’t even given us your first ‘discomforting’ test and you’re already talking about further tests. I want to speak to Dr. Cohen… now.”
“The test is first.” It was essential to find the Hareema as quickly as possible, and trusting the woman was out until he knew that she was, in fact, a human.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. How do I even know Dr. Cohen is alive and well? Maybe you’ve cooked up this conspiracy plot to justify whatever you’ve done to her!”
“Dr. Cohen is very well. I spoke to her two days ago. She’s on the surface with the Supreme Regent. How would I know her name if I were lying?”
“How can I trust you? Intel is easy to access. I’m not a fool,” the female replied, her voice low.
Ontarii froze. He could tell she was concerned, for her crew and for herself. It made him wonder if he was being too hard on her.
How do you know it’s even a her?It could be a Hareema agent attempting to play on your sympathies.
“If you and your crew submit to the test, I will allow you to speak to Dr. Cohen immediately afterward. Then you can see that she is alive and well for yourselves.”
There was a long moment of silence that stretched out between them, but he wasn’t willing to break it. Ontarii scanned the faces of the humans who were grouped behind their captain. Their expressions ranged from wonder to concern to anger.
It must be difficult meeting an alien for the first time.Unless I’m not the first alien they’ve talked to.
Ontarii wasn’t sure how far the conspiracy went, but he was certain of one thing: Hareema agents had infiltrated Earth, and they had plans to invade his planet. Precautions were absolutely necessary, and although these humans might not like what happened next, he couldn’t back down.
“Fine,” the human captain relented at last. “Give me the test.”
