Free Terran (Breeder) by Cara Bristol

died, each hamlet had rung its bells to transmit the news from one village to the next.
    “Why do your people perform so many functions manually?” she asked. The hard way.
    “Advancements bring ease and comfort. Too much comfort breeds complacency and softness. We are warriors and must retain our hard edge.”
    Tara pondered how to pose her next question. She did not wish to insult him. He’d been kind, had been concerned when he thought Marlix had injured her. He’d brought her the rags, which she’d used to fashion into a pad and a pair of underwear, and he had cleaned up the bedding. Now he prepared lunch for them both.
    “But you are beta,” she said.
    “No, I am not a warrior, but there is honor in supporting those who are.”
    “But don’t you want to claim the glory for yourself?”
    “Perhaps I dream,” he said, “but my role has been predetermined. Protocol is nature’s way. It changes with its own time. One cannot force the tide, so it is pointless to wish for what is impossible.” He paused. “Besides, I am fortunate to serve an Alpha as worthy as Marlix. His life is not an easy one. With power comes greater responsibility, even grave danger. He must maintain his vigilance to ward off threats to his life and command.”
    “If he is so powerful, who would dare to challenge him?” Tara asked. She’d seen the effect he had on people. They respected him but feared him too.
    Urazi slammed the knife against the cutting board. “Other Alphas.”
    Tara widened her eyes. “Why? But I thought each Commander ruled his territory autonomously, and they voted on matters of universal concern.” She knew from her studies that Parseon consisted of one large landmass surrounded by an ocean. The land had been politically divided into provinces. The sky tram allowed citizens to travel quickly between provinces if they wished, but they owed allegiance to the province of their birth.
    “Not all provinces are rich in the same natural resources. Some on the High Council would seek to rule all of Parseon as Alpha Dak’s brother attempted to do by assassinating him.” He looked up from his chopping. “Your special cloth saved the Commander’s life.”
    So that was how Marlix had known about the fabric. “Ah! I understand now,” Tara said. “What happened to Dak’s brother?”
    “Dak killed him.”
    Tara shivered. “So you live underground to defend against threats?” she asked.
    “Yes. Other Alphas and subcommanders build out of stone and marble, but Marlix has chosen the natural defense of a subterranean abode.” Urazi set the knife aside, scooped the ingredients into a bowl, stirred with a large wooden spoon, added a creamy liquid, then transferred the mixture to a metal baking pan and popped it in the oven.
    “You’re making a casserole,” she exclaimed.
    “What’s that?”
    Tara shook her head. “Not important.” She swung her leg and wondered if Marlix had arrived at the Bazaar yet, if he’d given Ramon the note. She hoped her friend would keep his cool and act like nothing was amiss. Guilt knotted her stomach. Foolish. She was the innocent party! Remember that. Whatever happens, remember that.
    But relationships in the domicile had altered. Since last night, she felt less like a captive and more like a member of the household. If only Marlix hadn’t kidnapped her, if only they’d gotten to know each the usual way, if only—nothing. The odds of a Terran woman and a Parseon Alpha having a normal relationship by earth standards equaled Urazi’s chances for glory. Zip.
    Heaviness woven from ambivalence settled over her. Tara sighed. “Why did the Commander take me?”
    Urazi scraped peels and scraps into a trash receptacle. “I think because”—he furrowed his brow in search of the right word—“because he has a peculiar, uh, regard for you.”
    “Are you saying he likes me?”
    “That’s how you say it. He likes you.”
    He liked her, and she had betrayed him. Except he didn’t