My mind runs scenario after scenario involving playing sick, seducing a guard and even starving myself until I can fit through the bars. Anything’s better than spending the rest of my life in this tiny cell. Heck, they might have a change of crew and forget I’m even here. Stranger things have happened in the verse. Thoughts of growing old in this tiny space haunt me. That horrible dragon captain would keep me here purely out of spite. I’m beginning to regret spitting on the arrogant man.
Even if I manage to get out, humans are not generally thought of as free beings in this sector of space. It was nice to escape from the Tandarians, along with the strange insectoid-like aliens before them, who wanted a slave but didn’t know quite what to do with one. While it would be nice to escape the Drakon, I’ll just end up being picked up by some other species. It’s a hopeless and depressing thought.
The door across the room from my cell creaks open and light floods into the darkened space. A huge form fills the doorway and I prepare myself for a fight. When the person steps through the doorway, I see it’s the shifty commander who thinks he’s God’s gift to women.
Sliding off the cot, I walk over to the bars, careful to stay out of his immediate reach. “Did you come to gloat? You bullied the tiny human female into submission. That must make you feel like a powerful male.”
His voice is dark and sullen. “You talk too much and say naught of value.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “We have that in common, at least.”
Fluttering his wings in frustration, he moves closer. “I came to let you know your image has been showing up all over the communi-channels. They say you’re one of the youngest fertile females the Pax Alliance have owned in quite some time. The Tandorians are so eager to secure your safe return that they’ve offered an astronomically high bounty. It seems you were the most valuable item on that small ship.”
“Goodie. I assume you plan to cash me in and retire on your own little paradise planet.”
“I do plan to return you to your rightful owners and collect the bounty on your head.” Tossing me a lopsided grin, he states flippantly, “It’ll be the only honest job I’ve done in recent memory.”
Rolling my eyes, I respond blandly. “I can easily believe that. What are you, some kind of space pirate?”
Letting out a raspy laugh, he responds haughtily, “Pirate? Hardly, human. I think of myself as nature’s last form of natural selection. Those who aren’t strong enough to protect themselves from men like me don’t deserve to live free in the verse.”
He’s one stupid piece of absolute garbage. “That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” My mild reaction annoys the pompous bastard judging by the slight twitch of his eyebrows.
“You’re weak. Naturally, the benefit to having men like me about would be lost on you.”
Looking him straight in the eye, I let him have it. “I’m not as clueless as you seem to think. I can see the benefit to allowing men like you to roam about unchecked. You go where others won’t, dare what others don’t, and relish the thrill of winning battles others can’t. Too bad you have to pick on little people like me in the process.”
His eyes are practically gleaming with pride.
Changing up the subject, he motions towards my body. “There is some confusion about the way you’re dressed. Normally brooders are outfitted in luxury and have their own servants. Our scans reveal you have intact innards for brooding and, though you are a slave, you are a still a person of worth. How did you come be alone on a ship wearing the clothing of a professional seducer of males?”
“Aren’t you a curious guy? If you must know, the Pax were allowing males to test me out for a hundred credits.”
“Clearly that was a poor business decision on their part. Such an opportunity should be priced much higher and limited to the top bidders for a being as fragile as you.”
Unable to believe the words coming out of his mouth or his casual attitude about allowing men to rape me, I lash out at him. “I can see you’re an expert at exploiting human females. Congratulations, that moves you right to the top of the list of the men I hate most in the verse.”
“I have no wish to offend, rather to ensure that you understand your own value.”
“I know my own value and it doesn’t come from being some rich alien’s breeding object.”
“We all have our parts to play in life, human. It serves no useful purpose to fight your handlers at every turn. Nor does it serve your cause to bear hatred and spew bitter recriminations at beings who have done you no harm.”
Anger flares hot and fast in my gut. “You stole my ship and threw me in a detention cell. I consider that being harmed.”
“It is unfortunate that you fought us so hard.” Glancing around briefly, his eyes find mine again. “Your accommodations might have been much more to your liking.”
“I seriously doubt that. Compassion doesn’t seem to be in your limited repertoire of personality quirks.”
“You may be right about that, human. We were not aware you were a true brooder because you were in disguise.” His eyes drift downwards until he’s looking at my chest.
“What the hell is a true brooder?”
“Brooders are many, but true brooders are females with the biology to brood for at least fifty percent of the known species of this sector. Normally, males hunt far and wide for a brood compatible female.”
“Let me guess, someone recently discovered that
