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    Dr. Wessinger storms down a darkened corridor flanked by two guards and the former cult nurse, Lobeski. The nurse holds Vor’taalnis securely in her arms. A mask feeds gas to the sleeping infant, keeping him in a constant state of sedation.


    “There,” Dr. Wessinger says. “We’ll hide in there. Bring the little bastard. When the colonial marines arrive…They’ll know where to find us.”


    Wessinger presses a camouflaged button on the wall and a panel opens. Inside the panel, is a keypad complete with retina scanner.


    Procedure completed, Dr. Wessinger rushes inside. Her two henchmen glance down either side of the hall before entering the hidden chamber. The large camouflaged door slides shut, as the humans present retreat away from the sensor. At the end of the hall, a cloaked figure turns the corner.


    Glancing around, Leyyu is certain that he heard ooman voices. The youngest of N-Vorl’s contingent, Leyyu has yet to be blooded. This mission to bring back the ooman scientist will demonstrate his readiness for the hunt. He does not intend to fail. Marching steadily down the hallway, Leyyu strolls right past the room where Dr. Wessinger and her team are hiding out.


    -


    -


    Mau-Nis enters Dr. Wessinger’s office and strides confidently towards the desk where Teresa sits. He removes his mask and stares down at the computer screen. N-Vorl stands several feet away, gazing frustratedly out of the viewport. Teresa turns to greet Mau-Nis. However, the words freeze on her tongue. Staring at Mau-Nis’ mesh suit, she struggles to recall if she has ever seen so many human skulls hanging from his netting.


    Mau-Nis notices Teresa appraising him and leans onto the desk, partially obscuring her view. Teresa clamps her mouth shut and averts her eyes. Without a word, Mau-Nis has confirmed her suspicions. Many of those trophies are brand new.


    “We’ve narrowed down the possibilities to here…here…and here,” Teresa says, pointing to three separate spots on the schematic respectively.


    “Your hunters have been busy,” Teresa says. “There are only sixty-nine…Uh, Oomans…Left alive on this station. Not counting the three mental patients. They shouldn’t cause you any trouble. Uh…Anyway. They’re locked down in the same corridor where you found me.”


    Mau-Nis studies Dr. Boyd carefully, observing her more animated behavior. She appears to be returning to her old self—if not still a little reserved.


    “The three dots I pointed out…” Teresa continues. “Small groups of humans are hiding there. It’s likely, one of those groups is Dr. Wessinger’s group. They’ll have Vor’taalnis. I’ll stake my life on it.”


    Mau-Nis places his hand gently on Teresa’s shoulder. She gazes up into the command leader’s smiling face.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    “There’s no need,” Mau-Nis says. “If Vor’taalnis is there, I will find him.”


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    Placing his mask in front of his face, Mau-Nis uses the interface to capture an image of the schematic on Dr. Wessinger’s computer. Lowering his mask once again, Mau-Nis nods his head.


    “I will look for Vor’taalnis,” Mau-Nis states. “As I said before, the less the others know about the entire situation…The better. It would be best if I searched out the infant…And this Dr. We—.”


    Mau-Nis stumbles on the doctor’s name and looks to Teresa for the answer. She chuckles and pats his hand—which still rests on her shoulder.


    “Wessinger,” Teresa says. “But you can call her the wicked witch. No point in getting hung up on formalities.”


    Mau-Nis’ smile grows wider and he offers Dr. Boyd a slow one-eyed wink. The move so surprises Teresa that she blinks rapidly. Mau-Nis straightens and glances over at N-Vorl. The young Elder-Apparent is no longer gazing out of the viewport. He observes Mau-Nis with curiosity. When did Mau-Nis learn how to wink?


    “I will return once I have checked each of these locations,” Mau-Nis declares. “I will do my best to find your son, Clan Elder.”


    Without another word, Mau-Nis strolls militarily from Dr. Wessinger’s office. Teresa spins on the chair and crosses her legs seductively. N-Vorl draws his mouth tightly together, struggling to control his raging hormones. It is enough that the ooman doctor is wearing very little. Her continuous subtle teasing is starting to have the intended effect.


    N-Vorl places one clawed hand behind his back and grips the inside of his robe for dear life. He stares askance at Teresa, whose eyes are now half-lidded.


    “Well…Well…Well,” Teresa says. “It seems Mau-Nis has taken the time to learn how to wink. What’s taking you so long? Hmmm?”


    N-Vorl blinks slowly, but says nothing. Teresa sighs and places her right hand at the side of her head. Grimacing, she rests her left elbow on the table and cradles her head in the palm of her left hand. N-Vorl drops his arm to his side and goes to her.


    “What is wrong?” N-Vorl says.


    “Everything is wrong,” Teresa says. “The number one thing being…I haven’t had a real meal in probably two days. They were pretty much starving me. Hoping that would make me comply with their demands. I held out. So they withheld food, water…And my son. Lovely people, those researchers.”


    “Are there no ooman desserts hidden inside the table?” N-Vorl asks, forgetting he isn’t supposed to know about Teresa’s habit of sneaking food.


    Teresa drops her hand from her face and sits up straighter in the chair. N-Vorl realizes his mistake and blinks slowly. Teresa twists her mouth into a knowing smirk and narrows her eyes.


    “No?” N-Vorl says, trying to divert some of her attention away.


    “I wouldn’t know,” Teresa replies. “It''s not my desk. But, how do you know about my hidden desserts? After you yautja commandeered the California…The only place I hid desserts was in my quarters. How do you know about that, N-Vorl? Or do I really need to ask?”


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    N-Vorl releases a deep sigh and cradles Teresa’s face in his clawed hands.


    “I may have been in your private quarters...A few times. I did try to tell you this...Before our battle with the Judas. I do not think you understood," N-Vorl confesses.


    “As I also suspected,” Teresa laughs. “My god! You’re like an open book, N-Vorl! I pretty much read you from start to finish.”


    “You knew I was there?” N-Vorl exclaims.


    “I suspected you were there!” Teresa corrects him. “Not quite the same thing. But, just in case you were…I acted a little…Differently. Of course, your aphrodisiatic medicine didn’t help things either. I hadn’t felt that horny since…Well...Ever.”


    “And what about now?” N-Vorl says, a smile drawing his mandibles apart.


    “Now…I think I’d better eat something,” Teresa says. “I’m not feeling so hot.”


    N-Vorl’s mouth droops and he rolls both eyes. Right now, hunger means two entirely different things to both him and Teresa.