Chapter 7
The Terran is taken aboard the Mothership and Mokvel takes a chance to finally rest but even in his dreams the Human threat looms over him...
The Command Centre held an eerie quietness. As everyone took their usual positions, Mokvel planted himself in the command chair.
“Pull back the drones, no point trying to hide now since they already got a good look at us.”
The one responsible for monitoring the away team spun around to face him. "Listen, about the rock it obstructed the scanner."
"That oversight got three killed. Besides, it's not me you'll have to answer to."
They straightened at the realisation. “It won’t happen again.”
“There won’t be a next time,” Mokvel said, “how are launch preparations going?”
“Almost ready, let’s hope they are smart enough to not get caught in the engines.”
Once the barrier was down, the saucer's legs folded into the ship and it began hovering before launching itself across the tree line. A sight that would no doubt stick in the minds of the Terrans forever. Once the momentum was with them, the saucer soon escaped the atmosphere. It didn't take long for them to spot the large curved silver body of the Mothership.
Overseer Urlak’thul appeared on the view screen. “I got your message about a prisoner. Care to explain?”
“We ran into some complications.”
“What kind?”
“First of all, we landed by chance close to a tribe of Terrans, one of them – “Mokvel glanced over to a sheepish Grey. “Got the drop on us.”
“Any casualties?”
“Just three, we lost two at first and the last fell when the rest of the tribe appeared as we were pulling back. They were all unrecoverable. I’m sorry, Overseer.”
“This prisoner is alive? I presume. Then it's not a complete waste.”
Mokvel leaned forward. “It is, and under heavy sedation. You're going to want to see him.”
“Is that so.”
“Overseer, it possesses strength far beyond our own. I hope you have the cell prepared.”
“I do. And I look forward to your full report Mok. Good work all things considered.”
The view screen went blank and Mokvel raised the Medical Bay. “How is our guest holding up?”
“It’s in a deep sleep. Everything is nominal for now. I noted plenty of scar tissue on its body. This one is quite the fighter.”
"I know. I saw it first-hand. The Overseer has prepared somewhere that should be able to hold him. Still, we'll want to keep a close eye on it. Keep me posted on their condition. We'll be docking soon."
“Understood.”
The connection ended and the ship’s autopilot handled the complex inputs required for the saucer to enter the hangar bay. The ship soon settled and Mokvel made a point to order everyone off the ship, while the medical team and a group of protectors helped take the Terran off the Saucer. He was being held in a hover-tube, that had all kinds of liquids being piped into his large body. It kept him both stable and sleeping. Mokvel was at the back of the procession as it exited the craft. Unsurprisingly, Overseer Urlak’thul was present and speaking to the crew. A silence followed as he approached Mokvel.
“I look forward to seeing your report on how this creature was brought down.”
"I can't lie it's only by sheer dumb luck that I'm not dead too."
"How did it manage to get the drop on you? We detected no technology on the surface of the planet. It's all primitive."
“It’ll be in my report.”
“Well, I’ve prepared a holding cell. It should be more than enough to keep it contained.”
“I would suggest a constant patrol and observers. If it can find ways around our bio-scans. Who knows what other tricks it might have,” said Mokvel.
“I’ll make sure to assign guards. You don’t need to worry about that, Mok. Go rest. You look rough.”
Now that the Terran was secured and being moved deeper into the Mothership. Mokvel headed for where he shared a barracks with some of the others. The rectangular shaped room was small but it offered enough privacy. A couple of other Greys had retired for the day. He used the panel on the wall to open his near-transparent door. He entered and it shut behind him. Another adjustment meant no one could see inside. Finally able to get out of his space suit he lowered his aching body into the small cot that also had a setting that would coat his body in fluid that would mitigate and heal the wound in his shoulder. He clicked his fingers and the light dimmed. Despite his restlessness, he soon drifted off.
It stunk of death, a warning light rotated above and alarms blared. Bodies littered the floor, all of them were people he knew. His crew from the saucer, even the Overseer, and standing over him lauding their great power was the Terran with their massive body and bulging muscles of rage. He was coated in their blue blood and guts. A grin was soon followed by reaching large hands and -
Mokvel's eyes opened. The orange light and quiet beeping meant someone was trying to reach him. He spent a short amount of time getting into a newly fabricated jumpsuit and approached the panel inside his room. He opened the comms.
“Glad to see you’re awake. Our guest is awake and he’s pacing. The Overseer wants you to lead the observation of the specimen.”
The dream flashed by in Mokvel's mind and his lips became dry. "Sure," He managed even if it came out as a stutter. The light in his room turned a comforting blue. Reminding him of that pretty blue jewel.
And the monsters it harboured.