The Price of Attraction

The alien forest grew denser as they trudged on. Strange, bioluminescent plants cast an eerie glow over the path, their tendrils seeming to reach out towards the passing group. The air grew thick with a sweet, almost cloying scent that made heads spin and vision blur.

"Did you hear that?" Vex whispered, his eyes darting around suspiciously.

The crew exchanged nervous glances, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons. But Thaddeus remained silent, his head tilted slightly as if listening intently.

Flint noticed Thaddeus's lack of reaction and frowned. "Beaufort, you picking up on something?"

Thaddeus shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, just the sound of multiple footsteps that have been following us for the past half hour."

Flint's eyes widened. "What? Why didn't you say something sooner?"

Thaddeus smirked. "I assumed you were all aware, given how skilled and observant you pirates claim to be."

Before Flint could retort, the dense foliage suddenly gave way to a small clearing.

 As the group stumbled into the open space, they found themselves face to face with a sight that made them freeze in their tracks.

Surrounding them in a silent circle were alien warriors, their skin adorned with intricate, glowing tattoos that pulsed in rhythm with their breathing. In their hands, they held what appeared to be living weapons - organic growths that looked both beautiful and deadly.

"Godsdamn ambush," Vex growled.

Before anyone could react further, a tall, powerful figure stepped forward from the circle - clearly a leader among them. His four eyes scanned the group with a dismissive gaze.

The alien leader's attention was initially focused on Vex and Flint, sizing them up as potential threats. But as his gaze swept over the rest of the crew, it suddenly landed on Thaddeus.

The leader's eyes widened, his stern expression morphing into one of awe and fascination. 

Thaddeus, unaware of the leader's intense focus, continued to face forward, his unseeing eyes staring ahead blankly.

The alien moved forward, circling Thaddeus slowly, drinking in every detail of the engineer's appearance. His eyes roamed over Thaddeus's slender form, lingering on the graceful curve of his neck and the soft, inviting pink of his lips.

Thaddeus, his milky white eyes staring straight ahead, seemed to be unaware of the leader's intense scrutiny. However, as the alien man reached out with one of his four muscular arms, his fingers hovering mere inches from Thaddeus's face, the engineer flinched almost imperceptibly.

It was a subtle movement, easily missed by the untrained eye, but it spoke volumes. Despite his apparent obliviousness, Thaddeus had been acutely aware of the prince's presence and his unwavering gaze.

The alien, momentarily taken aback by Thaddeus's reaction, quickly withdrew his hand. A flicker of curiosity and intrigue danced across his features, his black eyes glinting with a newfound fascination.

The crew watched the interaction with growing unease, their eyes darting between the alien and the oblivious engineer, Vex and Flint exchanging a troubled glance.

After several long moments, the prince finally tore his gaze away from Thaddeus and spoke to his warriors in their native tongue. His voice was low and urgent, filled with an undercurrent of excitement and longing.

The warriors responded immediately, their stances shifting as they turned their attention to the crew. Without warning, they began to close in on the pirates, their organic weapons aimed menacingly at the group.

As the crew was led away from the clearing, the alien prince remained close to Thaddeus, his four black eyes fixed on the enigmatic human. The leader's towering figure, several feet taller than the average human and rippling with lean, purple muscles, cast a shadow over Thaddeus as they walked.

The leader's skin was a rich, deep purple, adorned with intricate tribal tattoos that pulsed and glowed in mesmerizing patterns with each breath he took. His long, black hair was intricately braided, with small, glinting ornaments woven into the strands. His pointed ears were heavily adorned with piercings, from delicate studs to large, dangling earrings that caught the light with each step.

As they continued their walk, the crew couldn't help but marvel at the alien warriors surrounding them. Like their leader, they were tall and muscular, their purple skin varying in shades from light lavender to deep plum. Some had hair in shades of purple, ranging from pastel hues to rich, dark tones, while others, like the prince, sported jet-black locks.

The path they followed was well-trodden, winding through the alien landscape like a serpentine ribbon. Strange, bioluminescent flora lined the way, their soft light casting an ethereal glow on the procession. The air hummed with the sound of unfamiliar insects and the distant calls of alien creatures.

Despite his blindness, Thaddeus moved with a fluid grace over the uneven terrain, his other senses compensating for his lack of sight. 

Finally, as the path began to widen, the sound of distant chatter reached their ears. The warriors' stances relaxed slightly, and their pace quickened, eager to reach their destination.

As they emerged from the dense foliage, the crew found themselves on the outskirts of a sprawling village. Alien dwellings, crafted from organic materials and pulsing with the same bioluminescent energy as the warriors' markings, dotted the landscape.

The leader turned to Thaddeus, his deep voice rumbling in the alien tongue. Though the engineer couldn't understand the words, the intensity of the prince's tone sent a shiver down his spine.

He then turned and strode ahead, his head held high as he led the procession into the heart of the village. Curious eyes followed their every move, the villagers murmuring amongst themselves as they caught sight of the strange, pale-skinned outsiders.

The leader, his four black eyes still fixed on Thaddeus, guided the group towards the largest and most elaborate dwelling at the center of the village. The structure was a marvel of alien architecture, with soaring, curved walls and delicate, vine-like patterns etched into its surface.

As they approached the entrance, he turned to the crew, his deep voice rumbling in heavily accented Galactic Standard. "You will show respect to the Chief and his mate. Any disrespect will be met with swift punishment."

With that warning, he ushered the crew inside, his large, muscular frame filling the doorway. The interior of the dwelling was just as impressive as the outside, with high, arched ceilings and intricate tapestries adorning the walls.

At the far end of the room, an older alien male sat cross-legged on a raised platform, his four black eyes surveying the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and caution. Beside him, a female of their species, equally aged and regal in appearance, sat with her four hands neatly folded in her lap. The leader who had brought the crew to the village pounded his chest with one hand, a salute to the older couple.

The chief, his weathered purple skin adorned with intricate tattoos, regarded the warrior with a critical eye. He spoke in their native tongue, his tone sharp and questioning. The prince responded, his words tumbling out in an urgent, excited rush.

The exchange continued for several moments, the chief's expression growing more and more perplexed. Finally, he turned his attention to the crew, his four black eyes scanning each member with a calculating gaze. When his eyes fell upon Thaddeus, the chief's expression shifted, a flicker of interest and surprise crossing his features. He leaned forward slightly, his black eyes studying the blind engineer. He then looked back to the other man, who nodded. 

"I am Chief Vorn'ak," he introduced himself in Galactic Standard, his voice deep and resonant, filled with an underlying wisdom. "Beside me sits my mate, Sha'iri, and before you stands my son, Prince Zax'lath."

The female, Sha'iri, inclined her head in greeting, her own tattoos glowing softly in the dim light of the dwelling.

A female warrior, her clothing more intricate than the others, stepped forward from her position off to the side. Her eyes glinted with a sadistic amusement as she addressed the chief in Galactic Standard, ensuring that the crew could understand her cruel words.

"Great Chief," she began, her tone dripping with mock respect, "what shall we do with these outsiders who have trespassed upon our lands? Shall we dispose of them, or perhaps keep them as playthings for the warriors?"

The chief's gaze shifted to the warrior, his expression unreadable. "That is a question for your prince Ka'Ira. He is the one who brought them here."

Prince Zax'lath, his eyes still fixed on Thaddeus, seemed to barely register his father's words. The chief repeated his question, this time in their native language, his tone sharp and demanding.

The prince finally tore his gaze away from Thaddeus, addressing his father with a dismissive wave of one of his four muscular arms. "The others are of no consequence," he said in Galactic Standard, his words laced with a chilling indifference. "But the siren man, the one with hair like fire and eyes like moons, he is mine.

Vex stepped forward protectively. "Now wait just a minute-"

Before Vex could finish his sentence, the guards surrounded him, weapons raised, their organic blades pulsing with a menacing glow. Prince Zax'lath's eyes flashed with anger, his four muscular arms tensing as he turned to face the pirate captain.

"Silence, outsider!" the prince bellowed, his deep voice reverberating through the dwelling. "You have no say in this matter."

Ka'Ira spoke up again, her words dripping with disdain. "My prince, surely you cannot be serious. These outsiders are filthy and unworthy of your attention. They should be dealt with swiftly and without mercy."

Prince Zax'lath rounded on Ka'Ira, his black eyes narrowing. He responded in their native tongue, his tone sharp and biting. Ka'Ira's expression darkened, her own tattoos pulsing with a furious red light as she argued back, gesturing towards the crew with a dismissive wave of her hand.

The chief, his weathered face creased with concern, held up a hand, silencing both the prince and the warrior. "Enough!" he commanded, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "It is clear that we cannot reach a decision at this time. Until we can determine the best course of action, the outsiders will be imprisoned. Guards, take them to the holding cells."

Prince Zax'lath's anger reached a boiling point. His four muscular arms tensed, his fists clenching and unclenching as he glared at his father, the chief.

"You cannot deny me this, Father!" Zax'lath roared, his deep voice echoing through the dwelling. "The siren man is mine, and I will have him as my consort!"

The chief, his expression calm and unwavering, met his son's furious gaze with a steady look of his own. "Zax'lath, you must control your temper. A true leader does not let his emotions cloud his judgment."

Zax'lath's black eyes flashed with rage, his tattoos pulsing a violent red. "My judgment is clear, Father! The siren man's beauty is unmatched, and I will not let these filthy outsiders keep me from what is rightfully mine!"

The prince's voice grew louder with each word, his anger seeming to fill the room like a physical presence. The crew members, even the battle-hardened Vex and Flint, couldn't help but flinch at the raw fury emanating from the alien prince.

The chief, however, remained unperturbed. He sat with his back straight, his weathered face a mask of calm authority. "Zax'lath, you are not yet chief. You cannot simply take what you want without considering the consequences."

Zax'lath slammed his fist against the wall, the impact sending a shudder through the dwelling. "I am the prince, and I will be chief one day! My word should be law!"

Ka'Ira, the female warrior, stepped forward, her own anger barely contained. "My prince, please, see reason! These outsiders are dangerous, and the siren man is no exception. He could be a threat to our people, to you!"

Zax'lath whirled on Ka'Ira, his eyes narrowing to slits. "You overstep your bounds, Ka'Ira! The siren man is mine to do with as I please, and I will not have you questioning my decisions!"

As the argument continued, Thaddeus stood silently, his unseeing eyes widened in shock. 

Suddenly, Zax'lath turned to Thaddeus, his anger melting away into a look of pure, possessive hunger. He stalked towards the blind engineer, his movements predatory and filled with intent.

Hearing him approach, Thaddeus tried to step back, but the prince's hand shot out, gripping his arm with a strength that belied his size. Zax'lath pulled Thaddeus close, his hot breath ghosting over the engineer's skin.

Thaddeus's heart raced, fear and revulsion coursing through his veins. He could feel the prince's desire, his hunger, and it terrified him more than anything he had ever faced.

The chief shot his son a stern look, his black eyes glinting with a mix of frustration and understanding. "Zax'lath, this is not-"

But before the chief could finish, his mate, Sha'iri, who had been sitting quietly beside him, reached out and placed a gentle hand over his. Her eyes, filled with a soft, indulgent light, met her son's gaze.

"My love," she said, her voice like honey, "perhaps we should allow Zax'lath this small comfort. He is our only son, and one day, he will be chief. Surely, we can grant him this happiness, even if it is with an outsider."

The chief's expression softened, his resolve wavering under his mate's gentle persuasion. He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Very well. Prince Zax'lath, the siren man will remain under your protection and in your quarters. But the others will be imprisoned until we can decide their fate."

Ka'Ira's face twisted with rage, her tattoos pulsing an angry red. She opened her mouth to argue, but a sharp look from the chief silenced her.

"It is decided," Zax'lath said mockingly, shooting her a coy look. 

But as Zax'lath led him towards his quarters, his grip on Thaddeus's arm like a vice, the chief stopped him once more.

"Zax'lath," the chief began, his voice firm but not unkind, "I understand your desire for the siren man. But before he can be taken as your consort, he must undergo the proper preparations for the binding ceremony."

The prince's eyes narrowed, his tattoos pulsing with barely contained frustration. "What preparations, Father? I want him now!"

The chief shook his head, his weathered face creasing with patience. "The binding ceremony is a sacred ritual, my son. It is not to be taken lightly. The siren man must be purified and blessed by the spirits before he can be joined with you. We must also ensure that he carries no illnesses that could harm our people."

Zax'lath's fists clenched, his four muscular arms tensing. "But Father-"

"No, Zax'lath," the chief interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The siren man will be taken to the holding cells with the rest of the outsiders. Once he has been purified and deemed safe, you may claim him as your consort."

Ka'Ira spoke up, her tone laced with disdain. "The binding ceremony is meant for our own people, not outsiders. This is sacrilege!"

Zax'lath rounded on her, his four muscular arms tensing. "You dare question our traditions, Ka'Ira? The spirits have brought the siren man to me, and I will honor them by making him my consort."

The chief intervened once more, his weathered face creased with concern. "The siren man will undergo the purification rituals, as is our way. He will be cleansed in the sacred waters and anointed with the holy oils. Only then can the binding ceremony take place."

The prince's expression darkened, but he bowed his head in acquiescence. "As you command, Father."

As the aliens led them to their holding area, Vex and Flint exchanged worried glances. Their prized engineer had once again become the center of attention, this time catching the eye of an alien prince. The situation had grown even more complicated, it seemed.

As the group was led to their holding area, a spacious but clearly guarded dwelling, tension hung thick in the air. Thaddeus's face was a mask of shock and confusion, his unseeing eyes wide with disbelief.

Once inside, Vex immediately rounded on Thaddeus. "Well, looks like you've done it again, pretty boy. Charmed your way into another mess."

Thaddeus flinched at the accusation but kept his neutral, deadpan expression. "Yes, Vex, because I absolutely asked to be abducted by an alien prince with a penchant for forced marriages."

Flint stepped between them, his voice low and urgent. "Enough, you two, save the snark for later. We need to figure a way out of this. That prince seems dead set on this 'binding ceremony,' whatever that means."

Vex scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sure, piece of cake. We'll just waltz right out of here and politely decline the prince's marriage proposal. I'm sure he'll understand. He seems like a reasonable guy."

Thaddeus sighed, "Vex is right, Flint. We're being watched from every angle, here."

Vex's lips twisted into a bitter smirk. "Spoiled brat. Must be nice, having parents who spoil you rotten. Mommy and Daddy's little darling's probably never been told 'no' his whole life. Can't say I can relate."

Thaddeus' head tilted towards Vex, his eyebrow raised. "Guess we finally found something we have in common, then."

Vex, taken aback by Thaddeus's revelation, fell silent for a moment. Flint, sensing an opportunity, steered the conversation back on track.

Meanwhile, outside the holding area, Zax'lath strode purposefully through the village, barking orders to prepare for the ceremony. His father, Chief Vorn'ak, hurried to keep up.

"Son, perhaps you should reconsider," the chief cautioned. "These outsiders, they are unlike any we've encountered. We know nothing of his kind."

Zax'lath whirled on his father, eyes flashing. "I will have him, father. His beauty is unparalleled. Can you not see how the very air seems to shimmer around him? He will make a fitting consort for the future chief."

The chief shook his head, his voice low, "have you truly considered the consequences of this decision? Taking this outsider as your consort... you will be unable to produce heirs."

Zax'lath whirled on his father, eyes flashing with determination. "There are other ways to secure the line of succession, Father. A surrogate, perhaps."

The chief's brow furrowed deeper. "But our people, our traditions—"

"-And what of the binding ceremony?" Chief Vorn'ak pressed. "It was not designed for one such as him."

"Then we will adapt it," Zax'lath declared, his voice firm. "Times are changing, father. Our isolation cannot last forever. This siren man could bring new knowledge, new strengths to our people."

Chief Vorn'ak sighed heavily, recognizing the stubborn set of his son's jaw. "Very well. But proceed with caution, my son. This decision may bring more changes than you anticipate."

As this exchange took place, back in the holding area, Thaddeus had made his way to a window, his sensitive fingers exploring the alien architecture. The material felt strange under his touch - smooth yet slightly porous, with an odd warmth that seemed to pulse beneath his fingertips. He turned to the group, his voice low but determined.

Thaddeus, his brow furrowed in thought, replied, "I might be able to disable the lock mechanism on this window, but we'll need a distraction to buy me some time."

Vex snorted. "Oh, I'm sure you could provide quite the distraction for our alien prince, couldn't you?"

Thaddeus's cheeks flushed with anger, but before he could retort, a commotion outside caught their attention. The sound of heavy footsteps and the clinking of what might have been armor grew louder. Zax'lath had returned, flanked by guards, their weapons glinting in the alien sunlight.

Without warning, the cell door burst open. A group of warriors, weapons held at the ready, surged in. They moved with purpose, heading straight for Thaddeus.

"What's happening?" Thaddeus asked, his unseeing eyes wide with alarm as he sensed the approaching figures.

"They're coming for you," Flint said, his voice tight with concern.

Before anyone could react, the warriors had surrounded Thaddeus. With surprising gentleness, they took hold of his arms and began to lead him out.

"Wait!" Thaddeus called out, struggling slightly. "Where are you taking me?"

As the warriors led Thaddeus away, Flint called out after him. "Stay strong, lad. We'll find a way out of this."

Vex, his voice uncharacteristically serious, added, "Aye, what he said. Don't let that prince get too handsy, you hear?"

As Thaddeus was led away, his unseeing eyes wide with fear, the rest of the crew exchanged worried glances.