Maar’s Girl

7. Maar

CHAPTER 7

MAAR

I sit in the dark, looking at the dossier on Alyssa.

The glow from the padd illuminates my quarters, casting a sterile light on the metallic walls. I lie back on the narrow bed, the dossier on Alyssa spread out before me like a map to uncharted territory. The photos of her are more than just reconnaissance; they're a siren song to my baser instincts.

She's a vision of strength and vulnerability, her smile a rare gem in the harsh expanse of space. I trace the line of her jaw with my gaze, the defiant tilt of her chin, the soft curve of her lips. My body responds without permission, a surge of desire that's as unexpected as it is unwelcome.

I should be focused on the mission, on the cold, hard directive to eliminate the admiral's daughter. But as I look at her image, all I can think of is the warmth of her touch, the light in her eyes when she speaks of her dreams. The irony isn't lost on me—I'm meant to be her executioner, yet here I am, captivated by the very essence of her.

My hand drifts south, my traitorous body acting on its own. I'm a slave to the image before me, the thought of her—a forbidden fruit dangled in front of a starving man. I stroke myself, each pull a confession of my weakness. My breath hitches as I imagine her hands on me, her laughter, her fierce determination. It's a betrayal of my own kind, a treasonous act that should fill me with shame.

But there's no room for regret as I reach the precipice, my body tense and shaking. I come with a harsh, guttural sound, her name a silent whisper on my lips. The release is a hollow victory, a momentary surrender to the pull she has on me.

As the haze of pleasure clears, I'm left with the stark reality of my situation. I'm attracted to Alyssa, yes, but it's more than physical. She's burrowed under my skin, into the cold, dark places I thought impenetrable. She's a beacon in the void, a call I can't ignore.

I sit up, the padd's glow now a harsh reminder of my duty. I've lingered too long in the fantasy, and the real world is waiting to reclaim me. I dress quickly, the fabric of my uniform cool against my skin. I need to distance myself, to regain the upper hand. But as I close the dossier and prepare to face her again, I can't shake the feeling that I'm on a collision course with destiny—and Alyssa is at the center of it all.

The door hisses open, and I step out into the corridor. It's quiet, the stillness of the Martian night seeping into the bones of the rehabilitation center. I make my way to the common area, the hum of machinery a constant backdrop.

Alyssa is there, her back to me as she gazes out at the Martian landscape. She turns as I approach, her smile brightening the room. "Raaj," she says, her voice a melody that resonates in my chest. "I was hoping you'd come."

I nod, the sound of my alias a reminder of the lie I'm living. "Couldn't stay away," I admit, the truth woven into the words.

She laughs, the sound light and airy. "I'm glad. I wanted to show you something." She gestures to the viewport, where the rust-colored terrain stretches out to meet the blackness of space. "It's easy to forget the beauty of it all when you're in the thick of it, isn't it?"

I join her at the viewport, our reflections mirrored in the glass. "Yes," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's easy to forget."

We stand in silence, the weight of our shared secrets hanging between us. I'm acutely aware of her presence, the subtle scent of her hair, the gentle rhythm of her breathing. It would be so easy to let myself fall, to give in to the gravity of her pull.

But I can't. I'm a warrior, a survivor. And as much as she calls to me, I know I must resist. The game is far from over, and the next move is mine.