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“I pushed for a change of scenery,” Jemima said.

Tyra found herself within what seemed like a cafeteria, the communal eating place for humans. However, it was just her and Jemima sat there, leaving the rest of the space barren. They sat next to windows into space, though with the way those windows seemed to glimmer against the light, it was clear that they were purely monitors with feeds taken from the outside. Still, it was nice to see the stars stretch out before her again.

A guard sat nearby, appearing all too casual as he idly munched at a miserable looking sandwich. His gun hung from his neck. He had shackled Tyra’s wrists, obviously giving him some peace of mind to finish his meal.

“I appreciate the gift. My eyes had grown weary with the industrial flavors of that interrogation room,” Tyra replied. “Now, what request do you have of me?”

“We were hoping to arrange a back and forth of sorts. A job.”

“And what payment does this job have?”

“We are going to trust you with a select amount of Lithovespan technology, computers and the like. We would like you to decipher materials within and report.”

“This is your next test, I imagine. The next hurdle of trust. You’re more than capable of extracting information from simple devices.”

Jemima paused for a split second before nodding. “It’s a fair arrangement.”

“You didn’t answer my question earlier.” Tyra turned to face Jemima directly, but her eyes, as blank as they seemed, were focused on other little details of the ship. Vents, air scrubbers, door functionality, a maintenance panel or two. All potentially exploitable objects. They may have had an extensive security to prevent Vesperratus incursion. There was no guarantee she could escape this very room if she wanted to.

“We’re giving you time with Joshua as payment.” Jemima, for once, tapped on her little computer repeatedly in a pensive motion. “My suggestion was permanent cohabitation, but they’re still unsure whether or not you would harm him.”

“I understand. My behavior is alien among alien,” Tyra replied. She perked up at the thought of more direct contact with Joshua. That would calm her nerves in-between the planning of their escape.

The escape, yes. It was possible they weren’t expecting Vesperratus assaults on the interior. This entire ship was designed to catch the enemy before they had a chance to act. Humans still operated on some level of monetary limitation. They might have exchanged one system for another, and this may have been a prototypical design regardless. She couldn’t rely on that possibility.

“It’s an odd thought. Had you not been kept secret aboard this vessel, I imagine your existence would spread through humanity quickly.”

“My existence has already spread through the ranks of the Vesperratus. They are not pleased with it.”

A part of Tyra told her that escape was impossible, that this was purely a farce not worth pursuing. She had no clear way to get out of here, just a collection of factoids. Tyra knew when the guards shifted, she knew some schedules, she knew the vaguest of layouts, she knew that each major room and hallway contained some sort of implement to transport air, she knew that maintenance tunnels wound through the ship like metal intestines. None of it was directly useful.

Tyra didn’t know where Joshua was, nor how to get there, nor even how she would move through a ship of hostile humans. A hostage seemed like the most direct route. Tyra’s focus snapped to Jemima, the soft female. She seemed suitable, trusting. It wouldn’t be hard to get close to her in any situation. Tyra’s body was sharp enough to threaten Jemima with lethality.

“Romance between two distant lovers is a common and tragic story,” Jemima replied.

It would be unfair to Jemima, enacting violence upon her. Tyra felt a touch of sadness at the thought, but she was an extension, an arm of the very thing that sought to keep her trapped. Mercy for an enemy at this junction meant death.

“For the Vespers, it’s a reality none of them want to confront. Romance is something you cultivate with a best genetic match, not something you chase first.” Tyra hummed. “I enjoy the idea that we would be seen as some sort of tragic pair within human culture.”

The guard nearby huffed in amusement.

“I best end this meeting now,” Jemima said, “before this is seen more as fraternization than a questioning and negotiating. Do you agree to the simple deal set out?”

“Simple is often tricky, but I give my word to work on whatever you give me should I receive Joshua in return.”

“That will have to do.”

“Finally,” the guard said, “let’s get you back in the hole.”

He shoved the rest of his meal into his face and chewed it down before pointing his rifle at Tyra. They were quite averse to touching her directly. Maybe some phobia of her features reminding them of Earth animals. Or maybe they truly feared her. Both had their ups and downs. Tyra nodded and stood up, making her way to the cafeteria door with the guard in-tow. She took note of how it opened automatically for her. Simple motion detection, then. No guarantee that would work in some sort of emergency situation.

They had grown relaxed with transporting Tyra, essentially allowing her to walk back to her cell with little more than a single gun trained on her. The less crowded arrangement allowed her to better look at her surroundings. Based on the text emblazoned on the walls, Tyra was apparently within deck four, with the letter L appended to it. Living area. Best to keep their enemies close to their heart, she supposed.

Tyra was herded into her cell, like she had been so many times before. The shackles came undone and she was allowed to lounge as she wished in her box. Though, rather than returning silently to his post, the guard stood in front of the glass, staring at her. The other guard remained on his side, glancing at his compatriot.

“Something wrong?” Tyra asked. “An idea tugging at your thoughts?”

“You really like that guy?” the guard asked, shrugging.

Tyra tilted her head. “Joshua, you mean.”

“Yeah, him.”

The other guard stepped over. “What the fuck are you doing, man? Step back in line.”

“Ease up, not often you get to talk to a bug, is it? I think we’re making history just being here.” He turned his attention back to Tyra. “So you like that guy, right? Wanna have little grubs with him or something?”

“Fuck’s sake, man.”

“I don’t believe the proper term would be ‘grubs’ but yes.” Tyra chittered, mimicking human chuckling. “Something of that sort.”

“Why?”

The question was so simple that it caught Tyra off balance. She had expected some sort of jabbing remark or a request for her to slink into her cot.

“Perhaps I am mentally ill, or a genetic aberration who finds such things appealing. Like the softness of his hair, or the way his grip tightens around my hand when I push against him.” Her hand flexed, trying to feel that distant joy. “Does that suffice?”

“It does.” But he didn’t seem too happy about it.

“Don’t do that shit again, man. We’re not supposed to talk to her.”

Her? That little human bias of personification was working among them. Not enough to establish a rapport, but they had become comfortable with Tyra for certain.

“What are they gonna do, toss us in the brig for asking stupid questions?”

“Yeah, they just might! So zip it.”

Tyra decided to leave them be and retreated to her cot. She had more important things to ponder, such as Joshua’s inevitable return. It wasn’t freedom, but it was the smallest scrap of joy she could have in this place. Perhaps that’s what she should have focused on instead. The subservience, the shackles that she would have to wear proudly.

It was likely that Tyra would be touted as a major victory for humans. The first of the Vesperratus to turn heel, because humans were such wonderful creatures and she learned the error of her ways. In that way, she could be a cherished pet. An uncomfortable existence, but it may have been the only path available to her. If Joshua would join her. It was as Jemima said, distant lovers are so very romantic.

The thought of their love being twisted for propaganda was disgusting. Though, if it was the only way for such a love to exist, why not?

---

“Your job will be to examine these three items, report on their function, and disassemble them.”

Tyra looked at the man. He was older than the other humans aboard the ship, but bore the disinterest of being here all the same. The patternings all across his skin were noticeably duller as well. He must not have gotten much sunlight, even when he was planetside.

They were both inside the familiar interrogation room. Tyra was sat down, while Keenan stood nearby. Another guard remained near the door, doing his best not to show any curiosity in what was happening.

“Keenan, was it?” Tyra asked.

“If that is how you wish to refer to me, certainly.”

“I do.”

Before Tyra were three mundane objects. One was a triangular sheet of metal with smaller picks that unfolded from it. Simple thing to scrub between armored plates. Another was the Vesperratus equivalent of a syringe that gently pried apart their chitin to inject to the flesh underneath. Essentially, metal prying claws with a needle positioned between them. Finally, was a stranger bit of tech. It was essentially an electronic reader, but rather than a manual of some sort, the coloration and what little text it had implied it was a holy book.

“And where did you receive these items?” Tyra asked.

“Is that relevant to your work process?”

“Somewhat.” Tyra reached over to hold up the electronic book. “Either you found these planetside, or it’s contraband when brought aboard a ship.”

Keenan stared at her for a moment before raising his hand to present the objects again. “Your assignment, if you would, please.”

Must not have been too interested in explaining the specifics. Tyra turned the book over in her hands for a moment before setting it down. These were all too simple for now. No doubt they had a clue what these objects were. They were too basic and there would have been hundreds of examples to understand and research. This was just a simple test. Best to pass with flying colors, then.

“A cleaning tool for our chitin. A syringe for our anatomy. And a religious ‘book’ of sorts,” she said, pointing at each.

Keenan, much like Jemima, had a very static face. Though, in his case, Tyra was certain he was truly a stoic of his people. He was given no occupation, but his simple jumpsuit implied he wasn’t directly a military force. Researcher, almost certainly, if he was doling out these objects.

“You are certain that is what these are?” he asked.

“I am certain. Simple things.”

“Then divulge what the contents of the religious text is, please.”

Divulge, as if there were some secret to be held in it, rather than a plain device to soothe one’s nerves. Tyra nodded, picking up the thing and pressing the buttons on its front to flick through its many colorful pages. It was a polytheistic thing that tried to apply many of life’s aspects to certain deities and outlined the proper mental rituals to see reality altered, by way of appeasing these deities. Interestingly, whoever had owned the device previously seemed to have marked the deity of death to read for later.

“It outlines something similar to your pantheons of old deities,” Tyra said. “I recall this being a more obscure sect than most. After the aggressive push to unify religions under a more generic encompassing category, they tended toward one singular deity. Whoever owned this was likely a more ardent believer than other Vespers.”

“A Bible of sorts, then. If you’re familiar with the term.”

“Not quite. It’s more an explanation of each deity and rituals associated with them.”

“What kind of rituals?”

Tyra supposed they had to see just how much she was willing to divulge. It felt pointless, but whatever made them happy. She looked back at the screen, still resting on the wielder of death. “This deity, a headless Vesper, asks that you dedicate some amount of time to repeating its name and carving notches into your shell. That way, you become closer to death to satiate it, yet not become embraced by it. Spilled blood of your enemies naturally feeds into it.” Unlikely it did them any good. She wondered if it truly counted if your foe was killed without having ever seen them.

Keenan stared at Tyra for a moment. His eyelids slightly narrowed, blatantly scrutinizing her. For deception, perhaps, or maybe he was simply curious about the alien creature in front of him. Humans and their expressions were always so amusing, as if their emotions were molded and made reality upon the world.

“Thank you for your time, you’ll be escorted back to your place of stay now. I look forward to working with you again,” he said.

It was impossible to say whether Keenan meant that. Surely, working with one of the aliens whose objects you are studying would be some sort of grand moment, but he seemed largely unfazed by anything. Not that Tyra particularly cared for how he felt, merely that she delivered results.

“And I, the same,” she said.

---

The image of the headless Vesper lingered in Tyra’s mind, even as she lay there on her cot. She knew it was some desperate side of her, eager for any sort of way out of this predicament. The thought was intoxicating, delivering service to some unseen force in exchange for its gifts. How long would it last? Where did the notches have to be? Did it matter that her foes weren’t other Vespers? She went over these questions in her head, picking them apart.

Tyra wondered if this was how Joshua felt. He never seem particularly tuned into his own deity, seemingly taking it as a simple force in the universe that was accepted as fact. A law of reality. But, surely he prayed in a similar way. Would that cosmic force deem him worthy of saving? What about her? Perhaps Tyra needed to secure her future on her own terms.

It seemed ridiculous. Tyra and Joshua had gotten out of worse, yet now she felt trapped here. There had to be some sort of guiding hand to lead her down a new path, give her the opportunity to worm her way out of this nightmare. Tyra had never ascribed to any specific religion, it never served her any purpose. In the same way that romance had evaded her for so long until her mind craved it.

Tyra placed a hand on her arm, sharpened thumb lightly grinding across her chitin. She imagined where each notch would go. Something prominent, shown on the body so that all may see. Her grinding slowed to a stop. This was ridiculous. Had she gone so low as to seek a boon through a mythical manifestation of death itself? Tyra’s hand tightened. Why not? It’s not as though she had any other options, other than to play along and cower and grovel.

It was a fitting fate for herself, Tyra supposed. She refused to die in a violent blaze of glory, and now her cowardice was enforced by a gun trained on her at all times. Though, now that she had forced her way over her past, Tyra didn’t care for any punishment.

“Tyra,” a voice came.

Tyra sat up, looking at the examination window. Jemima stood there, prim and proper as ever.

“Something you require of me?” Tyra asked.

“Instead, something for you,” Jemima replied.

Tyra instantly swung her legs over the bed and stood up, approaching the glass. She didn’t dare get her hopes up. It could’ve simply been another shipment of fresh cow flesh. Still, her horns began to rise.

“If you would proceed with the guards amicably, please.”

Curiosity pushed Tyra on. Soon, she was shackled and pulled out of her cell, marching down the halls as she continued to think on what lay before her. One name she refused to acknowledge kept popping in her thoughts. It couldn’t be Joshua. They wouldn’t be so kind. It was too soon. She had to prove herself more, didn’t she?

Eventually, Tyra was brought to one of the interrogation rooms from before, standing in front of it.

“Do know that this is a hard push at amicability between us,” Jemima said. “It was an effort spurred on mostly on my part, but, I hope you would consider it as a gift from all of us on the ship.”

Jemima extended her hand toward Tyra. An invitation for a handshake.

“Ma’am, you shouldn’t risk yourself like that,” one the guards instantly said, stepping between the two.

“This is for the good of all of us, don’t you think? If it makes our guest feel more comfortable, that’s simply another win in this war. The captain gave me explicit permission to carry this arrangement how I see fit.”

The guard sighed and glanced between the two women. His gaze lingered a little longer on Tyra, his vulnerable eyes instantly communicating a threat should Jemima be harmed. She maintained her silence and remained still. After a sigh, he stepped back and Jemima presented her hand again.

Tyra’s shackled hands reached forward, gently grabbing onto Jemima’s hand. Tyra shook her hand, giving a nod in turn to vaguely portray the smile she might have had on her face. Transactional. This was a transactional gesture. Yet, Tyra did believe that Jemima had some goodwill behind her intentions.

Jemima opened it with a card and Tyra was hustled inside. Her body flexed and churned in excitement as she was pushed into a seat. There was a man before her. Clean. Untouched. Smiling. Restrained.

“Joshua,” Tyra said. Her hands were bound to the table by a guard. There was enough slack for her to reach out and let her fingers mingle with Joshua’s own restrained hands.

“Tyra,” he replied. Joshua’s smile grew wider. “Still the most beautiful shade of red. I knew you would be.” His fingers rubbed up against her own.

They stared at one another. For Tyra, it still felt like an impossibility. There was no way he was simply there. Hope had been jabbed into her nerves, warming them all over again. His soft skin was delightful. Her restraints strained as she tried to drink in more of it.

It felt as though Tyra’s shell had become hollow, her whole body becoming light with excitement. Seconds passed without her coming up with much of a coherent thought. She took a moment to relax and wrangle her mind into working order, horns flaring up.

“I love you,” she said suddenly.

“I love you, too, Tyra,” Joshua replied. “Going to make a man blush saying something like that so suddenly.” His smile softened.

Even now, Joshua had a chipper attitude about him. That was like a fresh breeze across Tyra’s battered shell. He was holding up far better than she was, a fact that made her crave him all the more. Tyra needed him to feel complete in this miserable galaxy surrounded by dangerous elements.

“Have you been well? Have they treated you properly?” she asked.

“I should be asking that of you,” Joshua said. “The goons with guns refuse to say a word. Not sure if that’s just stupidity or ignorance. Hard to tell with muscleheads.”

Tyra let out a chittering laugh, a giddiness washing over her. “They were quite talkative with me.”

“Well, ‘course, you’re a special gal. Any one of ‘em would be interested in seeing what your deal is.”

Jemima and the guard stood nearby. Tyra could see them out of the corner of her eyes. They were no doubt picking apart with the scene with their minds, curious about whether or not the infatuation before them was genuine or some sort of bizarre shared mental illness that circumstances forced into motion. Tyra found it an amusing thought. They had heard of this relationship, but hadn’t properly seen it play out. Were she unrestrained, Tyra would have been certain to show them how far their physicality went.

“My situation is as comfortable as metal boxes and military beds will allow,” Tyra said. “And I’ve been given access to cow meat. Quite luxurious out in this space, I believe.”

“You have?” Joshua chuckled, looking at the guard. “Hear that, buddy? My girlfriend gets better grub around here than you do. If you can even call that freezer dried crap food.”

“Joshua, please,” Jemima said.

“Yeah, yeah, alright. I’ll keep the jabs to a minimum. Thanks for lining this up for us.”

Unsurprising that Joshua knew Jemima as well. She likely had a part to play in all negotiations, not just those of the alien opposition. Tyra quickly recalled that bit of paranoia back when she had first met the woman. The moment when she was worried that Jemima was a more appealing partner. However, Joshua didn’t even glance at the woman when he spoke to her. His eyes clung to Tyra as tightly as she did with him. A relief settled inside her.

“And you? I hope you’ve been treated with some respect, especially seeing as how you’re the same species as them,” Tyra replied.

“Same arrangement as you, I think. Just without the beef. I’m not as special, you know. I just get the ration stuff.”

“Perhaps something that a special individual such as myself could fix, then?”

“You can do anything, I know it.”

Tyra mimicked a laugh. Though, for once, it felt properly genuine. An expression of delight that simply had to escape her. She almost wished she had that flexible ribcage and boisterous lungs to properly show it. Joshua laughed back. Another jolt, another fresh dosage of her reason to exist. Tyra’s purpose was not yet lost.

Joy mixed with a rage that clung to the back of Tyra’s neck, whispering all the things she had to do to survive, to thrive with Joshua. Her horns pushed further forward still. She had to kill. She had to escape. She had to live.

“And I intend to. All the food and amenities you could ever desire,” she said. And more.

That aggression was ramping up. Tyra knew she should have stopped it, killed it in its tracks. It was too much of a relief to end it now. The simmering in her head lifted her up from the catatonic feeling she had those past few days. Were they even days? Tyra hadn’t kept track of time. She only woke up and went to sleep, occasionally disturbed by the humans to do their work.

“Don’t push too hard, now,” Joshua said. “You still have yourself to look after, and I’m sure they’re putting you through your paces.”

Those first words helped Tyra to calm. Even if that wasn’t his intent, Joshua was indeed right. She flexed her mandibles and eased her horns back.

“If you would keep any of your work private, please,” Jemima said suddenly. “For now, at the very least.”

Tyra’s head twitched. A moment sooner and she would have snapped at Jemima and burned a hole through her head with all of her eyes. “Pardon, I should keep in their good standing,” Tyra said.

“You do what you have to do. I’m just happy to see you right now.” Joshua huffed, nearly lapsing back into a chuckle. “That ocean doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?”

Tyra nodded. “I have little to trade, but were I able to, I would give it all to be back there.”

“Eggplant whale didn’t taste half-bad either.” Joshua shook his head. “ ‘Scuse me, I meant pear whale.”

“Or the chocolate eels, yes?”

“Ooh, yeah. Those were pretty good. The sun was a bit much for the both of us there, though. Definitely wouldn’t go back unless I got a real swanky mansion. Solar panels, plumbing, air conditioning. The works.”

Tyra nodded. “Do not forget your bed to never leave and the wife by your side.”

“How could I? Those are the best parts.” He pulled on her hands a little more.

Tyra and Joshua continued chatting longer until she had exhausted every little topic that could cross her mind. Anything so inane was drawn out for as long as it could be. Eventually, though, Jemima had decided their time was up and they were to part. Tyra’s senses dulled. They shared their goodbyes, their hopes, and their adorations, then it was all gone again.

Even as Tyra was taken back to her containment, she replayed every word of the conversation back in her head, mouthing the words she had spoken. Even as she stood there, staring out of her cell, she was only thinking of the words she had shared.

“Thank you, again, for your work, Tyra,” Jemima said, from beyond the glass.

Tyra snapped back up to attention. “And you can promise more of those meetings in the future?”

“I believe so, yes. The captain’s pleased with your assistance and I’ve been more free to conduct work with you how I see fit.”

“And what of those above him? Surely they would have some interest in me.”

Jemima, for once, pursed her lips. “I haven’t been informed of news pertaining to that.”

That seemed unlikely. Either Jemima was lying, or it was possible that Tyra’s existence was being kept a secret. It would certainly explain why she was still here, and not kept under lock and key elsewhere. Was that just to feed the captain’s ego? Tyra supposed he had the ship, and that was the biggest contribution to the war effort. He could keep her here as a curiosity and a trophy.

“I see. I will continue to assist as long as I am allowed to see Joshua,” Tyra replied.

“Of course. I’m unsure how much this means to you, but I truly am thankful for your contribution. You are the first of the Lithovespans to show any amount of diplomatic intent.” Jemima nodded. “Even if you are doing so for more selfish reasons, it displays that a dialogue is possible between the both of our peoples.”

“Yes. I suppose it does.”

Though, the prospect was becoming less welcoming by the second. Tyra nodded at Jemima and sat on her cot, craving Joshua all the more.