Nick
Unease was an understatement for what Nick was feeling as he sat before the council members of the NEAE. His palms were clammy, and his stomach churned with nervous energy. Dan sat confidently beside him, his imposing figure radiating authority. Nick couldn't decide whether to feel grateful for Dan's presence or mortified by what he was about to witness.
Dan wasn't requesting. No, he was demanding that Nick accompany him to Grosh for special training. It wasn't unheard of—after all, Ira had gone to Grosh years ago to study their medicine. But Ira was a seasoned professional with years of experience, a leading expert in her field. Nick, on the other hand, was just an intern. He hadn't even completed six months at the facility.
"Ira knows everything there is to know about the Grosh," one of the council members stated flatly, his voice laced with irritation. "I don't see the need to take this... intern. We probably won't even keep him here next year."
The council member didn't bother to mask his disdain, and Nick flinched at the bluntness of the comment. It wasn't news to him, though. Everyone in the NEAE knew how the system worked. Interns were hired under the pretense of education and training but were essentially treated as cheap labor. The allure of working with aliens, the promise of exposure to cutting-edge technology, and the prestige of being part of such a facility blinded people to the exploitation. Nick had known this going in, but hearing it spoken aloud stung more than he expected.
Dan's expression darkened, and Nick instinctively tensed. The room felt colder as the Grosh's displeasure filled the air. "I'm sick of you humans, you know that?" Dan snapped, his voice cutting through the council chamber like a blade.
"You've hired incompetent interns for Ira in the past, and now, when someone who actually cares about his profession comes along, you're dismissing him outright? Do you people take Grosh seriously or not?" Dan's words were sharp, and his tone left no room for argument.
"If we have to send someone," another council member interjected, "we'd prefer to send someone eligible, someone with more experience."
"He is eligible," Dan retorted coldly, his eyes narrowing. "Far more eligible than some of the council members sitting in this room."
A collective gasp echoed around the chamber. Dan's reputation for speaking his mind was well-known, but it seemed his words hit harder in Nick's presence. Nick closed his eyes, willing the ground to swallow him whole. He wasn't sure if the heat rising to his face was embarrassment or fear. Dan was defending him, but his methods were as blunt as a hammer.
"Dan, that is unnecessarily rude," one of the council members said, his voice tight with indignation. "Just because we respect your species doesn't mean we will tolerate these kinds of insults."
"Sure, Mr. Hirashami. Feel free to do something about it," Dan replied, his voice laced with mockery.
Hirashami's nose flared in anger, but no retort came. His lips tightened into a thin line, and his hands balled into fists. The tension in the room was palpable.
Dan stood abruptly, the screech of his chair grating against the silence. "I think we're done here," he declared. "I'm leaving for Grosh, and he's coming with me."
"Why are you leaving too?" another council member blurted out, the panic evident in his voice. "Who will replace you as Grosh Ambassador?"
Dan was a crucial advisor to the NEAE, a key figure in maintaining intergalactic relationships. His sharp, unfiltered honesty and unmatched knowledge of the universe had saved humanity from catastrophic decisions on more than one occasion. Losing him, even temporarily, was a terrifying prospect for the council and Nick found satisfaction in their helplessness.
Dan shrugged, his indifference almost cruel. "I'll have to discuss that with my people. For now, I think you can manage without me for a couple of years."
"A couple of years?" the man repeated, his voice rising in panic.
"Yes," Dan replied nonchalantly. "I wish you and your species the best of luck."
Without waiting for a response, Dan reached for Nick's wrist and pulled him out of the meeting room. Nick followed, his mind a chaotic mess of emotions. The murmurs and shocked whispers of the council trailed after them.
Nick couldn't help but notice the way their joined hands drew the attention of everyone in the room. The rumors about them had been circulating for weeks now, but this moment would only fan the flames. Still, no one dared to speak openly. Dan's status, combined with his sharp tongue and unwavering confidence, made even the boldest council members think twice before confronting him.
Once they were out of earshot, Nick finally found his voice. "You didn't have to do that," he said quietly.
Dan turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Yes, I did," he said simply. "You deserve better than how they treat you."
Nick's heart skipped a beat, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if this was what it felt like to be truly seen.
Nick packed his bag with the essentials he thought he'd need for what he assumed would be a long journey: clothes, toiletries, and a few personal items to keep himself grounded in the unfamiliar. As he zipped it shut, Dan's voice interrupted him.
"You won't need those," Dan said, his tone calm but final as he eyed the bag.
Nick frowned, confused. "Why not?"
"Human clothes won't survive the teleportation device," Dan explained, stepping closer. His hand rose to cup Nick's face, the gesture both comforting and possessive. "Everything you'll need will already be there. If there's anything personal you want from Earth, I'll make arrangements to have it sent over later."
Nick hesitated, his fingers lingering on the zipper. He'd heard about teleportation machines before, but the thought of actually using one made his stomach flip. These devices were still a marvel for humans, a complex Grosh invention that allowed travel across vast distances through wormholes in space-time. Humans had barely scratched the surface of understanding how they worked, using only simplified versions of the technology gifted or rather, loaned by the Grosh. Those basic models had enabled humanity to explore previously unreachable parts of the universe. But Grosh technology? It was lightyears ahead, literally and figuratively.
Dan led Nick down to the lower levels of the NEAE facility, passing through a series of secure checkpoints. Eventually, they reached a nondescript corridor that looked like it led to a dead end. Without hesitation, Dan placed his palm against the wall. A faint hum resonated as a glowing portal materialized in front of them. Nick's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What is this?" he whispered.
"A hidden part of the NEAE," Dan replied. "It's a pocket space extra dimensions created between molecular structures. It's Grosh technology, and not even your council knows about it."
Nick followed Dan through the portal, stepping into what looked like a futuristic laboratory straight out of a sci-fi movie. Tesla coils buzzed along the walls, emitting faint arcs of electricity. The room was cylindrical, with a massive titanium ring at its center, encasing what could only be the teleportation device. The cockpit inside the ring looked cramped, barely large enough for two people.
Nick's awe was cut short as Dan handed him what looked like a sleek, glowing suit.
"Put this on," Dan instructed.
Nick inspected the suit, marveling at how it shimmered with an inner light. He would've asked questions about the technology if he were more of a physics guy, but biology had always been his comfort zone. The intricacies of Grosh tech were far beyond his understanding. He decided to stay quiet, focusing instead on the task at hand.
Once he was suited up, Dan changed into a similar outfit, his every movement radiating a confidence Nick could only envy. Together, they stepped into the cramped cockpit, surrounded by an array of spinning mechanisms. Dan reached out, squeezing Nick's hand with reassuring firmness.
"Ready?" Dan asked, his voice soft but steady.
Nick's throat was dry, but he nodded, even as his heart pounded like a drum.
As the machine powered up, a low hum filled the air, rising in pitch as the circular mechanisms around them began to spin. The sound grew louder, like helicopter blades slicing through the air. Nick gripped the handles beside him with all his strength, his knuckles turning white.
The first sensation hit him like a wave—lightheadedness, as if the ground had vanished beneath his feet. Then came the nauseating feeling of being yanked in different directions, like his body was simultaneously weightless and unbearably heavy. Dan had warned him this would happen, explaining that the transition would last five minutes, during which his body would feel a tug-of-war between gravity and the void.
But no amount of explanation could have prepared Nick for the reality of it. Panic surged through him as his chest tightened, and for a terrifying moment, he was certain he couldn't breathe. His vision blurred, and he felt as though he were plummeting endlessly. Just as he was about to cry out, the air rushed back into his lungs with a forceful whoosh.
Nick's knees buckled as his surroundings shifted. He barely registered the moment the journey ended, his senses overwhelmed by vertigo and nausea. Strong hands caught him before he collapsed completely, steadying him as the world around him blurred and twisted.
"Nick, breathe," Dan's voice urged, though the words sounded distant and distorted.
Nick blinked rapidly, his vision clearing in bursts. Slowly, the haze lifted, and he found himself lying on something soft and warm. He realized it was grass, the vibrant purple unlike anything he'd seen on Earth. He squinted up at the sky, which shimmered with vibrant blue.
Then he noticed the figures surrounding him—tall, imposing, and very much naked.
Nick's face burned as he took in the surreal sight. The Grosh were far taller than any human, their skin hues of grey, some even completely onyx. Their chiseled physiques were on full display, save for a small metallic plate covering their groins.
He squeezed his eyes shut, overwhelmed by the sight. "Oh my god," he muttered under his breath, feeling heat crawl up his neck and cheeks.
Dan chuckled softly beside him, his voice a soothing anchor in the chaos. "Welcome to Grosh," he said, his tone laced with amusement.
Someone else spoke, but Nick was too flustered to identify who. All he knew was that he was far from home, and nothing in his life had prepared him for this.
Nick felt the soft, almost velvety grass beneath his bare feet, a sensation so foreign it sent a shiver up his spine. The ground was blanketed in a vivid purple hue, the grass more like a luxurious carpet. Towering trees surrounded them, their thick branches entwined to form a natural canopy. The muted sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting an ethereal glow that made the entire area shimmer like something out of a dream.
"Am I dreaming?" Nick murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dan, standing beside him, turned with a gentle smile. "We are here," he said, his voice steady, pulling Nick's attention away from the mesmerizing landscape.
Nick noticed the people around them then. They stood silently, their tall, imposing figures exuding a quiet strength. Their gazes were fixed on him, curiosity gleaming in their strange, glowing eyes. Nick felt like a specimen under a microscope, their intense scrutiny making his skin crawl.
Among them, Dan stood out. It wasn't just his demeanor, which was more confident and assertive than most, but his appearance. His short hair was an anomaly among the Grosh, who all seemed to sport long, flowing locks. Even so, he somehow looked more regal, his sharp jawline and hooded brow bones lending him an undeniable air of authority.
"We arrived?" Nick asked, his awe evident as he took in the surroundings.
Dan's face lit up with a smile so wide it almost seemed out of character. "Yes, my love," he said, his deep voice warm and affectionate.
Nick blinked, momentarily stunned. He couldn't remember ever seeing Dan so openly joyful. "It's beautiful," he said, his voice tinged with wonder as his eyes wandered over the surreal landscape.
"Thank you," a voice from the crowd said, thick and resonant, as if the speaker were deeply moved.
One of the Grosh turned to Dan and spoke in a language Nick couldn't begin to comprehend. It wasn't just unfamiliar; it sounded almost otherworldly, the words resonating like a blend of tones and vibrations.
"Let me take you to the resting quarters," Dan said, his attention shifting back to Nick. "You'll need a change of clothes and some food."
Before Nick could respond, Dan swept him off his feet as though he weighed nothing.
"Dan!" Nick yelped, his voice higher than he'd like. "Put me down! Everyone's watching!"
Dan chuckled, the sound deep and unbothered. "They're used to this. It's how an Alpha treats his Omega."
Nick flushed at the declaration, his protests falling silent as Dan carried him toward a fenced area surrounded by tall shrubs adorned with multicolored flowers. There were no visible structures—no houses, no huts, nothing resembling human architecture. Just soft ground, shaded by the same majestic trees, and the pervasive feeling of being in a world untouched by industrialization.
Dan gently lowered him onto a raised patch of grass, similar to a bed but covered with the plush, purple vegetation.
Nick took the moment to observe the Grosh more closely. Some of them were entirely naked except for the metal plates on their groins, while others wore sheer, almost translucent robes. It was then he noticed a distinct difference—the ones wearing robes appeared to be female. They shared the same muscular builds as the males, but their features were slightly softer, their faces rounder.
"So, this is the human?" a tall woman said, her voice clear and loud, though her lips didn't move.
Nick froze. The voice spoke directly to his mind, a phenomenon he had only experienced with Dan in the Dream Realm. It wasn't language in the traditional sense but rather thoughts projected through brain waves.
The woman's gaze was piercing as she addressed Dan, her mental voice laced with disdain. "I don't understand how you could prime him. You carry one of the strongest Grosh genes, and this fragile human couldn't possibly survive your rut."
"Sheeya," Dan growled, his tone dangerously low. "I'd be careful with my words if I were you."
"I'm only speaking the truth, Dan," she replied, her tone unapologetic.
Nick felt his cheeks flush, a mix of confusion and irritation boiling inside him. Was this hostility a Grosh trait? It certainly seemed like rudeness was ingrained in their DNA.
The woman was stunning, with long, silken hair and a physique that rivaled any Olympian. Despite her beauty, Nick felt an instant dislike for her and judging by her icy glare, the feeling was mutual.
Dan took a step closer to Sheeya, his presence radiating dominance. "Sheeya, as a high male, I expect you to treat my Omega with respect," he said, his voice like a growl rumbling through the air.
Nick still wasn't entirely sure what it entailed in Grosh culture, but it was clear it carried significant weight.
They spoke back and forth in their language until Sheeya smirked, her expression turning sinister as she said, "Don't forget the thousands of times we've copulated."
Nick stiffened, the words ringing in his mind. She had deliberately chosen to project that part of the conversation in the mental language, ensuring Nick understood it perfectly.
Dan's eyes darkened as he loomed over her, speaking rapidly in the Grosh tongue. Whatever he said carried enough force to make the woman's smug demeanor falter. Her eyes darted to Nick, now filled with something closer to hatred than disdain.
Nick swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very small.
The tension in the air thickened until Sheeya finally stepped back, her composure visibly shaken. Without another word, she turned on her heel and dashed away with a blur of movement, leaving Nick and Dan alone with the others.
Dan turned to Nick, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"
Nick nodded hesitantly, though his mind swirled with questions and unease. "What did you say to her?"
Dan smiled faintly, his hand brushing against Nick's. "Only what she needed to hear."
Nick wasn't entirely reassured, but he let the subject drop. For now, he had bigger concerns like navigating this strange, beautiful, and intimidating new world.
***
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