Page 4 of A Monster’s Future

Nova Vita had turned around and resold the ore to several Earth-based companies at a profit. Our treaty had fallen through after only three years since we’d decided to harbor several Nova Vitan fugitives, one of whom was the brother of Krxare’s mate. That was how we ended up with a human settlement right inside our protective shield system.

Now, one of those companies, Vossell Industries, had decided to contact Ellaston directly for the ore. Technically, we owned the ore, not Ellaston. But we also believed that as Ellaston grew, it would attract more females to join them, which would benefit us in the end.

“I can replace him,” I volunteered, a plan hatching in my head.

If I were at the human space station, then I wouldn’t be here and couldn’t accidentally bump into Julie. Then, when I returned from the trip, I could take the final dose of the medication and it should last until the nullvein plants were mature enough to use. It was perfect.

The two males looked at my medic robes. But they both knew that under the long garments, I’d kept myself in perfect shape. I sparred and trained with both often. It wasn’t my abilities that confused them, but the fact that I’d volunteered at all. It wasn’t the kind of mission that usually interested me.

“It is something different for me to do,” I continued, trying not to sound suspicious. “And I would like to see this space station.”

“We do have five other medics and few injuries, and many warriors could operate the medbeds for basic use.” Vostak looked to our champion.

Krxare had dissolved our detachment when we arrived here, and we were no longer military, but many of us still insisted on tradition and re-elected him as our leader. I might have lived more rotations around Kadri’s sun, but Krxare had made much harder decisions than I’d ever had to make. One such decision had exiled our entire army unit, but it had saved countless innocent lives. Given the chance, I’d stand behind his choice again.

“We are supposed to look like guards only,” Krxare said slowly as we stepped out into the valley. “Nothing more. The goal is to make them think the humans hired us as muscle.”

I’d been following the two without thought and hadn’t realized we were heading outside, instead of to the indoor training area. I froze, my awareness suddenly extending out to find a certain human female with hair the color of the morning sun. She wasn’t here today, and a part of me was relieved, but another part was extremely disappointed.

I forced my attention back to Krxare.

“The other humans must believe that Ellaston is in control of themselves and us, and not the other way around.” Krxare glared at Vostak. “Many of the warriors would make bad candidates for the trip.”

Vostak would have trouble deferring to any human who wasn’t his mate, even if it were just for show.

We approached the training arena, and still, there were no signs of Julie. Usually, she spent a lot of time hanging out with Clara and her other friends at the nearby swimming pond, especially on beautiful days like today. The large umbrella they usually put up to protect them from the sun was there, but she was not.

“Grtirr can do that,” Vostak said. “He’ll make a great candidate. And without the robe, he looks like just another soldier.”

“The job is yours,” Krxare said. “It will be good to have a medic along anyway. I’ll catch you up while we train.”

We stopped at the edge of the training ring. The warrior pinned at the center slapped his hand on the ground three times, and the winner released him.

“Who’s next?” he asked.

Vostak gave me a shove.

Sure. Why not? Now that I had a plan to survive the next little while without the bond suppressant, I could actually focus on training. I shrugged off my robes, revealing the form-fitting pants and sleeveless top I wore underneath, and stepped into the ring.

Chapter 3: Julie

The Kadrixan warship loomed in the middle of the valley, looking very much like a predator in wait for its prey. It was a monstrous thing of blackened metal and neon lights, very much in line with the future goth aesthetic that graced the inside of the Kadrixan stronghold. The hull was scarred from past battles, but it still gleamed in the sunlight.

It sat parked right next to the swimming pond that Clara and I had built together. The dark, massive ship looked completely out of place next to the little waterfall and the smooth stones we’d selected and placed by hand. The contrast was jarring. A weapon of war beside the place where Clara, Brianna, and I enjoyed a mojito—made with real mint, since that stuff grew like weeds on almost every known planet—just the other day.

I wiped my palms on my pants, my stomach twisting. I was nervous. This would be my first time in space. My first time leaving Vokira.

Three years ago, I hadn’t even left my sector of Nova Vita except to visit Dana’s place, a highly monitored apartment provided by Omnia Pictures. Now, I was about to board a ship that looked like it had been forged in the depths of hell itself. Not that I believed in such things. If hell existed, then it was surely inside one of Utopia Project’s secret labs.

The air smelled like damp earth and metal, a weird mix that did little to calm my nerves. The low vibration that ran through everything didn’t help. I assumed it was coming from the ship, even though I didn’t hear anything, not even the hum of an engine. At least I wasn’t doing this alone.

“You look like you’re about to puke,” Annabel said, nudging me with her elbow.

I shot her a glare. “Thanks. That helps so much.” Sarcasm dripped from my voice.

She grinned, her dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re welcome.”

Annabel was one of those people who always seemed unshakable, like nothing in the universe could rattle her. Maybe it was because she had a former Exotech super soldier at her beck and call.