Nicole Krizek by Alien Savior Page B

walked down the shuttle’s ramp, still holding her hand. She felt strange to be walking through the shuttle bay in only her bare feet, but the area was kept so clean and tidy that she probably could have eaten off the floor.
    She was led into what appeared to be an elevator that the three of them shared with Simdon. Kor pressed a symbol on the control panel and the door shut. She couldn’t feel the floor moving, but was willing to bet they were being taken to the Command Center.
    She turned towards Simdon when he cleared his throat. He bowed deeply to her and said, “I hope I’m not being presumptuous by introducing myself to you. My name is Lieutenant Simdon and I am Captain Kor’ijak’s second-in-command. If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to inquire.”
    She smiled at Simdon and let go of Ty’s hand to hold it out to shake Simdon’s. When he stared at it without knowing what to do she realized her mistake and laughed.
    “It’s a custom on my planet to shake hands when you’re meeting someone for the first time.” she explained.
    He smiled back at her and gently took her offered hand. She gave his a few pumps while saying, “It is very nice to meet you as well Simdon. Please, call me Lacy.” She let his hand drop and hers was immediately taken within the warmth of a familiar palm.
    “What an interesting custom.” Simdon said. “What planet did you say you were from?”
    “Earth.” She said brightly a moment before the elevator doors opened. She caught a fleeting look of shock on Simdon’s face before Kor was guiding her out of the elevator and into what was clearly was the brain of the ship.
     
    *****
     
    Lacy took a moment to look around the Command Center. It looked like the one on the shuttle but on a much larger scale. There were some fifteen consoles and the crew seated at the consoles were performing various tasks. She saw vid-screens, everywhere, that showed everything from ship schematics to charts, and things she didn’t recognize. On the far wall was a bank of windows that showed nothing but the blackness of space and twinkling stars.
    There were also other crew members, presumably the officers Kor had requested, standing around the room. All activity stopped as they stepped farther into the room and all heads turned in their direction. Lacy reminded herself to smile at the various expressions of shock, awe, and confusion that surrounded her.
    Kor let go of her hand and took another step forward. “Since I have all your attention, I’ll get right to the point. Let me introduce you all to Lacy, our new mate.”
    She gave them a smile and a small wave while Kor paused to let the information sink in before dropping the bombshell.
    “Lacy is an Earther that Ty and I rescued while on Vox. She has already been tested for compatibility, and the tests were positive.”
    Surprised gasps and murmurs of wonder swept the room at Kor’s announcement and Ty squeezed Lacy’s hand in reassurance.
    Kor continued, “I don’t have to explain what this could potentially mean for our race. Lacy is the first real hope we’ve had in over a decade. She is a treasure, not only to Ty and myself, but possibly to our entire civilization. As soon as we are underway I will be contacting the Arathian Council to share this news with them, and Ty will take Lacy to the Medical Center to further ensure her health and well being. She is our new primary mission, so I trust you’ll all treat her accordingly.”
    He turned to face her and Ty again and bent to kiss her forehead. “Why don’t you take Lacy to the Lab while I get us out of here and brief everyone on the Voro-Anim attack?”
    “Agreed.” Ty said. “I can’t wait to put this quadrant of space behind us.” 
    “Then let’s get out of here.” Kor turned back to the room and began issuing orders. Lacy thought that he looked completely natural directing people and was glad that his position suited him so