Chapter 17: Kidnapping a cook

Balthazar couldn't fathom his human. "The deck cannot break from our weight. It can withstand a meteor impact, depending on the velocity of the ship." It would be better if she didn't know that it was a force field and not glass beneath her feet. She was a remarkable human, but he sensed that knowing she only had what amounted to an energy field beneath her feet would distress her even more. He forced her gaze back to the deck, taking hold of the back of her head and pushing it down. "First, you will look at your Earth and stop missing it."

The president had impressed upon him the need for Aurora to return to Earth on a regular basis. Balthazar wasn't about to let her go back, but he would ensure she didn't miss it to the point she withered away like the president said she would.

"I've seen it. I've seen it, let me out." She pushed at him with her insect-like hand. Her eyes were opened wide and appeared white, and her body trembled against him.