His Human Conquest Read online

  “Vol, what’s going on?”

  He smiles, taking a bite of bacon. “Oh, man,” he says. “I’ve tried a lot of foods on a lot of worlds—bacon is in the top ten. Have something, Jillian. I’m waiting on a call.”

  Grinning, I find a plate and pile on it as much food as will fit. I feel absolutely ravenous, like I could eat the entire spread.

  “What call?” I ask after I’ve eaten a few bites of scrambled eggs and some ohastrix sausage.

  “You’re about to see,” he replies, pointing to the counter: under one minute to go. “And Jillian, I may have to say some things I don’t mean. You can play along, right?”

  “Play along? What am I supposed to do?”

  Vol grins. “You’re doing it right now: just smile, enjoy your breakfast… act like you just had some amazing sex and everything is just fine. Okay?”

  Interesting.

  “Yes, sir,” I say as a light tone sounds throughout the room.

  “Right at the buzzer,” Vol laughs, noticing the timer, which shows only seconds left. “Here we go.”

  The hologram of the Earth breaks into a million pieces, then reforms into the image of Sabine Marchessault.

  Then I remember: he gave them twenty-four hours to draft a surrender.

  Oh, boy.

  Remembering Vol’s request, I don’t stop eating, but I do slow down so I can pay attention.

  “Sabine, how are you?” Vol asks, sounding a little smug.

  I almost feel bad for her: she’s wearing the same clothes she had on yesterday at the summit. Her makeup is a mess, and I can hear more than one person shouting in the background of wherever she’s calling from.

  “Commander Vol,” she says, not hiding the disgust on her face. “As you can tell, we could use a little more time to discuss the surrender.”

  Vol frowns and shakes his head. “I don’t see what there is to discuss, Ms. Marchessault. If Earth doesn’t agree to a surrender, I will have no choice but to continue my campaign and conquer the planet by force. I can name several nations that still condone a variety of rights abuses. They would make excellent first targets. My squads can be ready to strike in a few minutes. All I need to do is finish my breakfast and have a shower.”

  Marchessault glares at someone off-camera; I wouldn’t want to be the one on the receiving end.

  “Please, Commander,” she says. “I understand your position, and thank you for granting us the time you have, but this is a very complicated matter. Not all of our member nations have agreed to the surrender—”

  “Which ones?” Vol asks, reaching for a vaba fruit. “I could probably convince them, don’t you think?”

  She actually grins. “I know you could, but I’m asking you to please be patient with us. We need more time.”

  Vol turns toward me, biting into his vaba. “What do you think, Ms. Wexler?”

  I shrug, sipping from a glass of orange juice. “I think they should just surrender now. What do they have to gain by drawing this out?”

  Vol nods, turning back to Marchessault. “I agree with Ms. Wexler’s assessment. There’s nothing to be gained, but they have a lot to lose. I think it’s time I showed you.”

  The hologram of the Earth reappears and swings around to America, zeroing in on a location in Pennsylvania marked by a tank. A satellite view of the area appears alongside the hologram depicting what looks like an army base of some kind. Several rows of tanks are parked in the northeast corner of the base. After a second, several bright flashes erupt, blanking out the image—when it resolves, the tanks are gone, reduced to piles of smoking debris.

  “What was that?” Marchessault asks as the blood drains from her face.

  “M1 Abrams tanks. Sixty-four of them, destroyed by precision strikes by my orbital weaponry. A network of attack systems is in position around Earth. I could level every structure on the planet within a matter of hours. For now, I’m going to target your machinery of war. Because I’m not a tyrant, I will start with unoccupied craft and weaponry, but when I run out, I will allow strikes against manned vehicles. They’re fair targets, after all.”

  Marchessault stares at us in disbelief. Vol glares back, face rigid with conviction.

  This is what he meant by saying things he doesn’t mean, I realize. I know beyond a doubt that he will not kill any humans, especially in this way—it’s a bluff. I’m surprised he’s playing a trick, but if it helps bring about a quick surrender and saves lives, I have no objection.

  The noise in the background around Marchessault goes quiet, no doubt as word of the destroyed tanks spreads.

  “You wouldn’t,” she says at last. “After all that talk about avoiding bloodshed. I don’t believe you.”

  “That was before you attacked us. I wondered last night if I’d underestimated mankind’s willingness to die for nothing. If killing a few dozen will save billions, it seems like a reasonable solution.”

  The hologram of Earth turns around and zooms in on an airbase in Germany; after a moment, twenty-four Tornado fighter jets explode on the tarmac.

  “Okay, Ms. Marchessault,” says Vol as the hologram spins around to the next target, a group of missile silos. “Tell your people that one way or another, the Dominars are here to stay. Call me back as soon as you’ve all reached an agreement.”

  “Commander, if you’d just—”

  Her last words get cut off, as Vol ends the transmission.

  “Jillian, have you had enough to eat?” he asks.

  I take one more bite of cantaloupe, then nod. “Yes, thank you, sir.”

  “Good. Come with me.”

  He takes me up to his ship’s observation deck, where instead of a hologram, we can see the whole of the Earth. Despite all the time I’ve spent in space the last few months, seeing the planet like this still fills me with wonder.

  “It’s very beautiful,” Vol says, taking a seat on a couch. He motions for me to come sit next to him, which I do. “I can understand why humans would want to fight for it, no matter what.”

  “Yeah,” I mumble, not sure what to say.

  As I watch, I see a few streaks of bright light striking down at the surface. They’re always appearing somewhere different, and no doubt there’s more on the other side of the planet out of our vision.

  “Jillian… do you want to go back there? Once the invasion is over, do you see yourself living there again?”

  I sigh, not sure what to say. “To be honest, I’m really not sure. Part of me thinks that it’s my home, but I wonder if that’s just because it’s all I’ve ever known. Being with you has made me want to see the stars—that much I know. But to leave Earth for good?”

  He nods, slipping his arm around me. “I imagine it’s hard to comprehend for someone who has only known one world.”

  “Yeah. It really is. Then again, I may not have much of a choice.”

  Vol’s brow crinkles. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m probably one of the most famous people on the planet now, right? They saw us kiss at the summit; they probably see me as a collaborator. Eventually, someone discontent with Dominar rule will come after me. I may not be able to go home without going into hiding.”

  Taking my hand in his, Vol shakes his head. “No, that will not happen. If you want to return to Earth, I will make sure that you are safe. I can leave a personal Dominar guard detail with you. They will protect you.”

  “Thanks,” I say, smiling and squeezing his hand. “I appreciate that.”

  “Although, I was wondering if maybe you’d consider staying with me. You could live with me, Jillian. I don’t want to give you up.”

  Looking out at the Earth, and the bright strikes zapping at it like needles, I ask, “Do you have to leave? Can you stay here?”

  Vol pulls me into his lap and kisses my neck. “I can, for a while. Once Earth is conquered, the Forward Delegation probably won’t be needed for at least a few years, and someone else could take charge of it, like Hallyx. He’s more than capable. But
once my work here is done, the only reason I have to stay is you, Jillian. I’d rather take you with me and show you the galaxy.”

  Wow.

  Ever since I started falling for him, I’ve imagined him asking me this very question. Despite how much I love him, I haven’t been able to picture how the conversation would end.

  “I’d like to, very much,” I say. “Only, what would that mean for me? Would I literally be your pet? Are you going to keep me in a cage while you’re out conquering other worlds? Will I have anything to do but wait around your ship until you feel like fucking?”

  In fairness, I could imagine worse ways to live a life, but in my heart I know I need something more. I can’t just be someone’s plaything, even if that someone is caring, brilliant, and drop-dead gorgeous.

  “I understand, Jillian. Everyone strives to have a purpose. I had an idea about that, actually. What would you say about taking a job with the Dominars?”

  I look at Vol in disbelief. “What kind of job?” I ask warily. What could I possibly do for them?

  He grins. “Well, you have experience with being the subject of a Dominar invasion, and your background is in analysis and governmental communication. How would you like to be an interplanetary ambassador?”

  I can’t help it—I shoot up off the couch and take a step back. “Seriously? An ambassador… in space?”

  “Is that not what—” Vol starts.

  “That would be amazing!” I scream. “How would it work though? Is there a planet I’d be the ambassador to?”

  Smiling, Vol gets up and pulls me back into his arms. “Whichever planets I’m conquering, pet. You could help guide them through the process, telling them about what it was like for Earth, and how much they’ll be better off under Dominar rule. I think my work might go smoother if the worlds I’m conquering could hear from someone who shares their perspective and can empathize with their concerns—someone who started on the opposing side and had to be won over. Like you, Jillian. You could even stay in touch with these worlds afterward, like Earth, and continue to share with them your experiences. What do you think?”

  “I think I’d love that,” I say, hugging Vol tightly. “Your ambassador in public; your pet in private?”

  “Exactly,” he replies. “Just keep in mind, this is a long-term position. Sometimes these invasions can take years. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to enable the life-extending capabilities of your nanites.”

  I gulp, my heart pounding. “You mean, to stay… like this… forever?”

  He kisses my forehead. “For as long as you want.”

  “Yes,” I say, tearing up. “I… I want that. It sounds perfect.”

  “Good. I love you, Jillian,” he says.

  “I love you too.”

  He leans in to kiss me, and I can feel something powerful come alive inside me: the promise of happiness, of a future that used to exist only in my dreams. His lips press against mine, and my legs feel weak…

  And then we hear a tone.

  “Damn,” Vol laughs, letting go of me. “Sorry, pet. Hang on a second.”

  Marchessault’s hologram appears before us. “Commander Vol,” she grunts. “We’ve reached a unanimous vote to surrender,” she says, practically spitting her words. “Could you please call off the bombardment now?”

  “Of course,” he replies, no doubt mentally sending the cease-fire order. “Thank you for your service to humanity, Ms. Marchessault. You’re all subjects of the Dominar Empire now, so what you do for your people, you also do for us. I promise the same level of professionalism and care that I have demonstrated will be upheld throughout Earth’s transition to Dominar rule.”

  “Thank you, Commander,” she replies. “I hope so.”

  Vol nods, then ends the transmission. He turns again to look at Earth. “My work here is done, Jillian. And I meant what I said: I’m leaving Earth in very capable hands.”

  “I know,” I say, taking a long gaze at the blue-green ball. For the first time, it looks a little small.

  This isn’t goodbye. Just see you later.

  “Okay,” I say to Vol. “I’m ready to go.”

  He takes my hand. “You’re sure?”

  I nod. “I have everything I need right here.”

  Vol smiles. “Well, in that case…”

  Crew, this is Commander Vol. Our mission is ended. Prepare for departure.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  Vol kisses me. “First, the Dominus to see the council for debriefing, and to formalize your ambassadorship. Then, I was thinking a well-earned vacation on Ohalessa. Sound good?”

  “Yeah, it does.”

  I feel a stir go through the ship, and then we start to angle away from Earth. A moment later, the stars turn to streaks, and then we’re gone, on our way to conquer the stars.

  The End

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  Additional Books in the Captives of the Dominars Series

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