"Our captain already told your commander what's happening. There's no need to keep us prisoner here."
"That remains to be seen," she said. "I've been ordered to find out what you know."
"The only thing we know is that we've been boarded by hostile life forms, and I'm not talking about these alleged shapeshifters."
"The lieutenant is right," Dr. Tan said. "We don't have any information to give you."
The female ignored her. "You," she said, stepping closer. "You're the ranking officer, as you said. Follow me."
"No thank you," Jeffrey bristled at her commanding tone. "I'd prefer to keep an eye on my crew."
"Unfortunately your preferences don't take precedence over my orders. You will come with me."
The energy waves rolling over her skin seemed to grow stronger. She was ready to back up her words with force, it seemed.
"Go," Tan said softly. "Maybe once they realize we have no information for them, they'll leave us alone."
Jeffrey opened his mouth, ready to respond that he didn't have to take orders from some alien creature. That the entire situation was ridiculous and that they should stick together and stand up for themselves.
The barely-checked fear in the doctor's eyes caused the words to dry up on his tongue, unsaid. His crew needed him calm and collected, not going off half-cocked. His crewmates didn't seem to be in any danger, having proved they were not the enemy.
He looked the alien female up and down.Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way. Grandmama always said you catch more flies with honey. Besides, no female can stand up to my charm for long.
"Time to move, human," the Ice Queen said.
Jeffrey gave her his easiest smile. "Don't get your panties in a bunch, sweetheart. You'll have me all to yourself soon enough."
For a moment, the cool green of her skin was mottled with light yellow spots. Her face tightened, and the energy waves picked up their pace.
Just as suddenly her skin evened out, back to green, and her face relaxed. "Guard the females," she said to her companions, then walked back to the membrane, sliding a finger along it to open it.
Jeffrey looked back at his crewmates and gave them a wink. "Don't worry," he said with a roguish grin. "No woman, human or otherwise, can resist my charisma."
The laughter of Dr. Tan and Chao followed him into the corridor.
