Aliens Love Curves

Chapter 16 – Stryker

T he encrypted comm channel crackles with static as I wait for Chief Zara to respond. Every second feels like an eternity, knowing Casey is asleep in the next room, vulnerable to whatever Harlan has planned.

"Report, Enforcer Stryker." Zara's holographic form flickers into existence, her expression grave.

"We've confirmed genetic experimentation on missing pilots," I keep my voice low. "Multiple victims still alive but severely altered. They're using the racing program as cover for human trials."

Zara's eyes narrow. "Evidence?"

"Casey discovered their medical facility. Pods containing mutated pilots. Harlan's claiming it's treatment for a virus, but..." I send her the compiled data files. "The pattern goes back years. They're perfecting some kind of enhancement process."

"And Casey?"

My tail lashes at her name. "She's their next target. They've been planning it since she arrived – her ID already has access to restricted areas."

"Extract her." Zara's tone brooks no argument. "Immediately."

"We can't." I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "There are lives at stake. The victims in those pods... and Casey won't leave them."

A ghost of a smile crosses Zara's face. "No, she wouldn't." She studies something off-screen. "The annual race is in three days. Very public event."

"Perfect cover for an operation," I agree. "But we'll need backup. If something goes wrong..."

"I'll have teams in position." Zara's image flickers. "Keep her safe until then, Stryker. And..." She hesitates. "Be careful. Your last report suggested some... emotional compromise."

My tail curls defensively. "I'm handling it."

"See that you do. Zara out."

The hologram fades, leaving me alone with my thoughts. And my fears.

Movement from the bedroom draws my attention. Casey emerges, sleep-tousled and wearing one of my shirts. The sight makes my heart clench.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asks, padding over to where I sit.

"Checking in with Zara." I pull her into my lap, my tail wrapping around her waist automatically. "Backup's confirmed for race day."

She settles against my chest, warm and soft and terrifyingly precious. "Good. We'll need it when we expose everything."

"Casey..." I press my face into her hair, breathing in her scent. "Maybe we should consider—"

"Don't." She turns in my arms, framing my face with her hands. "We're not leaving those pilots."

"Even if it means risking you?"

Her eyes soften. "Even then."

I study her face in the dim light – the determination in her eyes, the stubborn set of her jaw, the gentle curve of her lips. When did she become so essential to my existence?

"I can't lose you," I admit, the words rough with emotion.

"You won't." She leans in, pressing her forehead to mine. "I have too much to live for."

"Oh?" My tail tightens around her. "Like what?"

Instead of answering, she kisses me. It's soft at first, a gentle press of lips, but quickly deepens into something more desperate. My hands slide under her shirt – my shirt – finding bare skin.

"Like this," she breathes against my mouth. "Like us."

Something breaks loose in my chest. I stand, lifting her with me, and carry her to the bedroom. She wraps her legs around my waist, kissing me like she's drowning and I'm air.

We fall onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs and desire. I trail kisses down her neck, remembering the first time I saw her, how she took my breath away even then.

"I love you," I murmur against her skin. "Stars help me, I love you."

She pulls back, eyes shining. "Say it again."

"I love you." I kiss her between words. "I love your strength, your courage, your impossible stubbornness."

She laughs, the sound turning to a gasp as my tail slides along her thigh. "I love you too. Even when you're being overprotective and—"

A chime at the door cuts her off. We freeze, staring at each other in the darkness.

"Casey?" Harlan's voice carries through the door. "Are you awake?"

My grip on her tightens instinctively. She presses a finger to my lips, then calls out, "Just a moment!"

We scramble to look presentable. Casey straightens her clothing while I try to smooth my dishevelled hair. When she opens the door, I walk casually from out of the bathroom, as if I'd been in there all along.

Harlan enters like he owns the place, his eyes taking in every detail. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?" They linger on the couch where a pillow and a blanket are crumpled, as if I’d just been on there. A ghost of a smile flickers across his lips.

"Not at all," Casey lies smoothly. "I was just about to review race strategies with Stryker."

"Ah yes, about the race." Harlan's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "There's been a slight change to the course. More intensive anti-gravity zones."

My tail twitches. "That wasn't in the specifications."

"Last-minute adjustment." He waves a hand dismissively. "Nothing Casey can't handle, but..." He turns to her, all concern. "You'll need to get an immunization shot in the morning. Standard procedure for the new conditions."

Every muscle in my body tenses. "That won't be necessary. Casey's handled worse conditions in training."

"I'm afraid it's not optional." Harlan's voice hardens slightly. "The shareholders are quite insistent. Either she gets the shot, or she doesn't race."

Casey's eyes meet mine, understanding passing between us. This is it – their move to get her into their program.

"Of course," she says, her voice steady despite the fear I can smell on her. "Whatever's required."

"Excellent." Harlan moves closer to her, too close. "I'll send someone to escort you to medical first thing."

"I'll accompany her," I cut in.

"That won't be necessary." His smile is all teeth. "Manager duties don't extend to medical procedures, Stryker. "

The way he says my cover name sets off warnings in my head. Does he suspect?

"Still," Casey interjects, "I'd feel more comfortable with him there. Performance anxiety and all that.”

Harlan studies her for a long moment. "As you wish. 7 AM sharp." He heads for the door, then pauses. "Oh, and Casey? Wear something... comfortable. The procedure can be quite... intensive."

After he leaves, we stand in tense silence until his footsteps fade completely.

"They're not even trying to be subtle anymore," Casey says finally.

I cross to her in two strides, pulling her against me. "We're not letting them inject you with anything."

"No," she agrees, her hands fisting in my shirt. "But we need to play along until we can think of a way to get me out of it. The race is just days away. If they suspect we know..."

"Those pilots in the pods might disappear forever." I close my eyes, conflict raging in my chest. "I hate this."

"I know." She rises on tiptoes to kiss me softly. "But we're so close. Three more days, and we can end this."

I hold her tighter, my tail wrapping around both of us. "Promise me something?"

"Anything."

"If something goes wrong tomorrow... if they try to force that shot..."

"I'll fight." She meets my eyes fiercely. "I'm not letting them turn me into one of their experiments."

I kiss her then, pouring all my fear and love and desperation into it. She responds with equal fervour, and soon we're stumbling back toward the bedroom.

This time, there are no interruptions. Just us, learning each other's bodies in the darkness, making promises with touch that we're afraid to voice aloud.

Later, watching her sleep curled against me, I send a silent prayer to whatever powers might be listening. Three more days. Three days to keep her safe, to save those pilots, to bring down Harlan's operation.

Three days until everything changes.

I just pray we both survive to see what comes after.