Ark: A Scifi Alien Romance Read Online Free PDF

looking somehow smaller than he had just a minute before.

    “Yes, Admiral?”

    “Don’t ever be late again.”

    “Yes, sir.” Kaalax dismissed me with a wave of his hand, and I left the gymnasium, my anger rising again at my poor performance.  

    I cursed myself as I quickly walked back to my quarters, vowing to spend more time in the gym and never let Kaalax defeat me like that again.

    Back in the comfort of my home away from home, I showered, cleaning off the blood from my wounded shoulder, before dressing in my uniform and preparing my travel bag. We expected to be gone from the flagship no longer than a week, but I managed to fit all my things in a small bag. I traveled light, and the ship we were taking could easily produce more uniforms or anything else I might have missed.

    Satisfied that I was packed and ready to go, I checked my chronometer and made sure I was standing in front of the entrance to shuttle bay 3 with 5 minutes to spare.

    At 30 seconds till the Admiral’s chosen time, I looked up and down the corridor, not seeing anyone heading in my direction. Bewildered, I was about to ask the computer where the admiral was when shuttle bay 3’s door opened behind me.

    I whipped around and saw Admiral Kaalax standing in the doorway. “Good, you’re on time for once. Well, don’t just stand there, let’s get moving.” Kaalax turned around and walked deeper into the cavernous shuttle bay, leaving me rushing to catch up behind him.

    Once aboard the shuttle, we settled into our seats and began their pre-flight checks. I had come here last night and done the major checks in advance - everything was ready to go.

    After we confirmed everything was ready one more time, I eased the ship out of the shuttle bay, accelerating slowly till we put some distance between us and the Draxxes.  

    Soon we were on their way to the station for the rendezvous. I sat back in my chair, relaxing for a little while despite having the Admiral as my only traveling companion.

    “You aren’t thrilled about this mission of ours, are you?” Admiral Kaalax asked from behind me. It was only barely a question, far more of a statement.

    I turned my chair around to face the admiral - the automated pilot would keep the ship on course without my direct attention. “Am I that obvious?”

    “More than you think, Ark. Do you not believe in diplomacy?”

    I snorted. “This isn’t diplomacy. This is child-rearing.”

    “Cleverly put. You’re right, of course, but is the adult not able to learn from the child on occasion?”

    “Once in a long while, sir. But these humans have nothing to teach us. They’re barely infants compared to us.”

    Kaalax nodded. “And yet, we show them the way, like a good parent. We introduce them to what’s next, shield them from what we can, and prepare them to join the Commonwealth.”

    “Why does the Commonwealth take such interest in a backward species like this one?”

    “For many reasons, not the least of which is that every species that we bring into the fold makes us all stronger and better.”

    “And another?”

    Kaalax smiled. “Because sometimes recruiting is just as much about denying your enemy a recruit as it is securing them for yourself.”

    I laughed. “So these humans are just pawns on our chessboard.”

    Kaalax waved away the implication. “That may be the case for now, but I have studied these humans extensively, ever since we decided to make contact. They have a strength, a resilience that I have not yet seen in any other species. The Commonwealth would do better to include them.”

    “Alright, Admiral, I am convinced. This is a worthwhile mission. But not for me.”

    “How come?”

    “I am a warrior, sir, I am here to fight. We are not planning on fighting these humans. Therefore, my presence is unnecessary. I could be better serving the Empire elsewhere.”

    “Do you really believe that?”

    “Yes!” I said, a little louder than protocol between