The Alien Within

Chapter 223: The Shadows of the Clover

Tessa leaned back in her seat, her body finally finding relief as the spaceship cruised smoothly on autopilot. The strain of standing for hours to input complex codes and monitor the ship's systems had taken its toll, and now that her task was complete, she allowed herself a brief moment of rest. The hum of the ship's engines filled the silence, lulling her into a sense of temporary calm.

But even as she rested, her mind remained vigilant. Time was of the essence, and she couldn't afford to lose focus—not when so much depended on her next moves.

---

Far away, back at the Clover Manufacturing Company, a team of aliens huddled around a massive holographic screen displaying the real-time movements of The Clover as it appeared as a dot on the screen with a map used as a reference.

The room was brightly lit, buzzing with activity as technicians in matching uniforms worked feverishly at their stations. In the center of it all stood Otopi, a senior officer whose octopus-like beard twitched with every word he spoke. His sharp, glinting eyes were fixed on the screen, filled with greed and anticipation.

"Where are they headed? Someone give me a possible projection," Otopi barked, his voice carrying an air of authority that made the junior staff sit up straighter.

"Sir, that region hasn't been fully mapped or explored," a nervous technician replied. "Our systems can't accurately predict their destination."

Otopi's eyes gleamed, and he rubbed his palms together, his tentacle-like beard curling as he licked his lips in excitement. "So, in other words, we might have stumbled upon something new. Excellent. This could be another great harvest waiting for us."

Turning to the entire room, his voice grew louder and more commanding. "Monitor that spaceship with everything you've got! I don't care if you're in the toilet, in the kitchen or even in your mother's womb—have a device in your hands at all times. A phone, a tablet, a computer—whatever it takes! We can't miss this opportunity. Prepare for a harvest, and prepare well."

His enthusiasm was infectious to some but unsettling to others, particularly the younger personnel, who exchanged wary glances.

---

Back on The Clover, the atmosphere was quiet, though tension lingered like an unspoken word. Gastro finally broke the silence, his voice hesitant but edged with curiosity.

"Who's the father of your child?"

The question landed awkwardly, and Gastro instantly regretted it. He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Tessa to gauge her reaction, unsure if he'd crossed a line.

Tessa opened her eyes slowly and turned her head to look at him, her expression unreadable. She let the silence stretch, savoring his discomfort as if it amused her. Finally, a sly smile crept onto her lips.

"Gastro," she began, her tone deliberately slow, "you're far too invested in that joke. Do you really want to be my man?"

Gastro's face flushed red, a mix of embarrassment and relief washing over him. "I—well, you said it so seriously, I thought…" He trailed off, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

Tessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Relax, Gastro. I'm only teasing you. Also, the baby I carry in my womb wasn't a result of any… traditional union between a man and a woman."

Her cryptic words widened Gastro's eyes in disbelief. He couldn't help but ponder, How could someone be pregnant without that?

Before he could voice his thoughts, Tessa continued. "Long ago, back on Earth, I was part of a crew known as the Green Rhemonics. We dedicated our lives to traveling across regions to rescue Earthlings and protect them from the evil forces, the same evil forces I intend for you to face alongside me when we return to Earth."

Gastro straightened in his seat, his attention completely captured.

"In one of our missions, I, along with Nyala—a strong female warrior and the leader of the Green Rhemonics—and my half-brother, Adrian, were sent to—"

"Wait," Gastro interrupted, his curiosity piqued. "You have a brother?"

Tessa nodded, her face softening. "Yes, a half-brother. He's the child of my father and a maid."

"Are you two close?" Gastro asked, sensing an opportunity to know more about her.

"As close as siblings can be," Tessa replied, her tone warm with a tinge of nostalgia. Then, narrowing her eyes playfully, she added, "Why? You're not asking because you plan to sweet-talk my brother into convincing me to marry you, are you?"

The jab hit its mark. Gastro averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact as if her words had struck too close to home.

Tessa's teasing smile faded as her eyes studied him more carefully. "Wait… Gastro, do you… Are you seriously interested in me?"

"I… I am," Gastro admitted, his voice soft but earnest. He tried to suppress his panic, but the confession felt like a weight lifting off his chest.

Tessa tilted her head, her expression caught between surprise and amusement. "Yet you can't even face me like a man…" she teased, though her tone lacked malice. Her smile softened as she added, "You're full of surprises, Gastro. I didn't expect this… but I don't dislike you."

Her words hung in the air, leaving Gastro both embarrassed and encouraged.

"Can you continue your story now?" he asked quickly, desperate to change the subject.

Tessa burst into laughter, shaking her head before continuing. "Fine. Where was I? Oh, right. So, I, Nyala, and Adrian were called to my old school—my alma mater—where the principal reported strange disturbances happening in a particular part of their underground facility."

"Wait, they have an underground school?" Gastro interrupted, unable to contain his curiosity. "Why would anyone build a school underground?"

Tessa smirked at Gastro's bewilderment. "Gastro, this wasn't just any school—it was my alma mater. At the time, evil forces were converging, trying to take over schools and use them as breeding grounds for their dominance. The principal had no choice but to build an underground sanctuary to hide the students and shield them from external threats. Keeping parts of the school hidden was a matter of survival."

Gastro nodded slowly, his imagination running wild. "What kind of disturbances were they dealing with?"

"A creature," Tessa replied, her voice lowering as her expression turned somber. "Something… ancient. It was called the Niöhöggr. Back then, the principal didn't even know what it truly was, only that it had been sealed away long before the underground school was built. But the seal was weakening. Anyone who ventured into that part of the school rarely returned, and construction workers tasked with expanding the sanctuary were vanishing without a trace. It was clear something sinister was stirring."

Gastro leaned forward, completely engrossed. "What happened next?"

Tessa's gaze turned distant, her tone heavy with memory. "We went down to investigate, and that's when everything changed. The Niöhöggr wasn't just a creature—it was a remnant of something far older than Earth itself, a being tied to the very fabric of the universe. Its power, its presence… it was overwhelming. And it was Kaelrian."

Her words sent a shiver down Gastro's spine, but he couldn't stop himself. "Kaelrian? Like you?"

Tessa nodded, her voice softening. "Yes. That's why it resonated with me… and why it spoke to me before it died. Adrian and I managed to kill it, but not before it made me swear an oath. It begged me to carry its eggs."

"Eggs?" Gastro whispered, his eyes wide.

Tessa's expression remained calm, but her words were heavy with implication. "Its eggs were almost impossible to hatch. Millennia could pass, and they would remain dormant. But because of my Kaelrian energy—because I was of its kind—at least one or two of the eggs survived inside me. That's the reason for this." She gestured at her baby bump with a calmness that belied the monumental revelation.

Gastro sat frozen, his mind racing. "So… the baby you're carrying is…"

"Niöhöggr," Tessa confirmed, her voice quiet but firm.

He couldn't believe it. His thoughts were a whirlwind of awe and fear. Yet, instead of retreating, he found himself leaning in, his curiosity insatiable. "Tell me more about your escapades on Earth! I need to know everything!"

Tessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're like a child with endless questions. But no, not now. I need rest. I've shared enough for tonight."

Gastro sighed, leaning back in his seat, though his mind was still whirring. "Fine… but don't leave me hanging too long. You've got me hooked."

Tessa smiled faintly, her amusement genuine. "Patience, Gastro. There's more to tell, but you'll understand it all in time."

Outside, the stars streaked past, the spaceship moving steadily toward its unknown destination.

Unbeknownst to them, their journey was being closely monitored. Back at the Clover Manufacturing Company, greedy, calculating eyes tracked their every move. Plans were brewing, and the forces watching them knew the time to strike would soon be at hand.