Unedited version – May contain typos and shoddy phrasing

Chapter 23 – Sneak Preview

Things were not going well at all. If he didn’t take steps soon, 700 years on board this ship would be pointlessly wasted – painstaking centuries in which he had earned the Queen’s trust and respect, cumulating in finally becoming her commander less than a week ago.

Outwardly proud and calm, the Wraith’s demeanour betrayed nothing of his outrage and frustration as he stood on the bridge, his amber eyes fixed on an unhappy technician. The younger Wraith at the comm terminal sat slightly hunched and blinked nervously, obviously unsure how to phrase his next words.

“I am not sure I understood your orders, please confirm,” he requested.

“The recon mission is to be aborted. All darts will return to the hive immediately and the leading officer must report to me as soon as he sets foot on the ship,” the commander repeated with an impatient hissing undertone.

The technician looked even more unhappy and his fingers twitched involutarily as they hovered over the keys of the terminal. Apparently he would have preferred to get this order from the Queen herself, and he couldn’t comprehend why the darts were sent out so far only to return without finishing the mission. Yet he didn’t dare to question the commander’s authority and relayed the new orders to the dart leader.

The commander nooded. No one dared to question his authority – it was a good feeling and he had no intentions of letting that human-loving scum get away with it. Head of Intelligence, indeed. Let us see how intelligent you really are.

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Don’t feel safe. Never let your guard down, no matter how good things look – especially when things look good. There is always a dagger hiding in the shadows, ready to strike you down when you become weak and inattentive.

Always alert was the credo of his life and it had served him well, from the day he had hatched in the ship’s womb up till now, more than 5000 standard years later. Yet this morning, it was incredibly hard to be alert and focused for the Wraith known as Rees. Teasing memories were constantly floating to the top of his consciousness, intoxicating and full of sweetness. The fragrance of her hair, like wild flowers, the soft touch of her skin and the tender expression in her eyes when they mated this morning. Made love, he corrected himself and a smile came to his lips.

Deep down he knew it was unnatural and he would have to pay a painful price for his feelings some day. Even if life on the hiveship should prove to be peaceful – which was highly unlikely – she was by no means a companion to last for a lifetime. Humans were such fragile beings and he was aware that, even if he did everything within his powers to keep her alive, it was very probable that she died of some cause – natural or unnatural – before he did, leaving him behind with a deep sense of loss and desperation. He had undergone this hurtful process a couple of times before and always recovered, but he knew if the day came for Kala he would be struck down beyond imagination.

Nothing lasts forever. No one knew that better than a Wraith. [...]

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