The Forgotten Commander (The Lost Planet 1)

“Where…am…I?”

“You’re in a safe base on what I like to call The Lost Planet. My friend Avrell here is going to give you a scan—don’t worry, it’s painless—just to make sure you’re healthy.” Her breathing is still erratic, but her eyes aren’t as wild as they were. “I’m Aria. What’s your name?”

“E-Emery.” She doesn’t take her eyes off Avrell as he steps forward with his portable scanner unit, but she also doesn’t stop him as he examines her, even though her body trembles. From shock or fear, I’m not sure.

“You’re safe here, Emery,” I assure her. “I’m going to make sure of it.”

Breccan rests a hand on my shoulder and I reach up automatically to take it. My heart twinges painfully in my chest when I realize what I’m doing, but I don’t pull away for fear of further scaring Emery, who barely submits to Avrell’s scanning. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’ve missed his hands on me. Missed his reassuring presence at my back, his kisses soothing away my pain. Truthfully, even though I doubt it’s physiologically possible, I almost sense our child growing in my womb misses him, too.

Avrell concludes his scan and gestures for us to talk outside. My stomach revolts at the possibility that he may have bad news.

Emery makes a sound of surprise as we all start to file out, and I go to her side. “Don’t worry. You’re safe here in this facility. I know this is overwhelming, but please try to stay calm and rest. No one here is going to hurt you. I promise you that. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Who are all of you?” she asks, and relief floods through me at the even sound of her breathing.

“I’m Aria,” I repeat. “The tallest one, Breccan,” I gesture over my shoulder, “he’s kind of like my husband. He’s the commander of the…aliens here.” I’m not sure how much information to give her. I don’t want to scare her more than she already is, but I also don’t want to keep her in the dark. One day at a time.

If possible, she blanches even more. “You’re married to one of them?”

“Yes, sort of. There’s a lot to explain, but we’ll save that for later. I’ll have one of them bring you something to eat and then you should rest for a while.”

She takes my hand and I realize how much I’ve missed human touch. The morts have been welcoming, but I can’t deny how good it feels to have someone like me here, too.

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

“It’s okay. I will protect you. Rest now.”

She nods and is already dozing by the time I leave the room.

I find the three of them waiting for me in the living room, having made themselves quite at home on the cozy furniture.

Hadrian stands immediately at my entrance, a scowl on his face, but he keeps his mouth shut at a gesture from Breccan, who nods at Avrell.

Avrell merely sighs.

“How is she?” I ask him, ignoring the other two.

“Her O2 stats are a little concerning. I won’t be certain of the cause without further testing, but there’s no need for alarm until we have more data.”

“So, she’s going to be okay?”

He gives me a stern look and I bite my lip. “What you did was dangerous, Aria, but I don’t believe it’s the cause of her condition.”

“Thank you,” I say and leave it at that. I’m not going to argue with him about the severity of my actions. I have a feeling I’m going to get enough of a tongue lashing from Breccan.

“Stay with the alien,” Breccan commands Hadrian. “Call for us if she wakes.”

“Where are you going?” Hadrian asks, clearly torn over the man who raised him and his desire to help me. “I believe I should be near Madam Commander.”

Breccan only seems mildly bothered by Hadrian’s defiance. “You’ll do as I say, Hadrian, or we’ll have you for dinner instead of rogcow.”

Hadrian shoots me a questioning look and I give him a nod. “It’s okay. Give us some time to talk.”

“I’ll take the scan to my office to see if there are any other anomalies. When she’s feeling up to it, though, she should come for a more extensive analysis.” Looking uncomfortable, Avrell nods at no one in particular and then excuses himself. Hadrian reluctantly makes his way back over to Emery’s room leaving me alone with Breccan for the first time in days.

The silence before he speaks threatens to overwhelm me, but there are no words left in me, no explanations. The truth was, I’d panicked and overreacted.

“Come with me,” he finally says and holds out a hand.

I hesitate, but only to glance at Emery’s room, where I can see her sleeping form, so still. “What about Emery?”

Was it just my imagination or was he trying to hide a smile?