Project 21

By Amanda Schmidt

Zehána grew up living each day surviving experiments and torture. She eventually learned the cold hard truth that everyone’s actions are driven by selfish desires and ulterior motives. Even when Nick Etalo kills the Beast, she knows that her future will never be what it should have been. After all, she knew that every face - no matter how attractive - hid a monster within. How could this possibly be any different?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Schmidt
• Release date: Nov 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370921034

Amanda Schmidt

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University and live in Rochester, Michigan. I am a single mother of three amazing children who have helped me rediscover my love of writing. I started writing in 2009 and discovered there were many stories within me that I wanted to share. With the help of my family, friends, and fans, I have gained confidence in myself and in what I love, allowing me to live my dream to be an author who finds inspiration everywhere: my past, listening to music, in laughter, and even random moments while out hiking or practicing Tai Chi.I discovered the hard way how important it is to believe in yourself and your dreams. With each story I write, I hope to take my readers into a world that will captivate their imagination. I hope my stories remind you to believe in your dreams, allowing you to think outside the box and become more than you thought you could be.

Book preview

The Krutan is dead, for now, the stranger said to no one as he worked his way through the rubble. No. I need a few more minutes… Yes, I’m certain there is a woman in here… Definitely not Krutan… I don’t know. I’m checking to see if she’s still alive…

His intermittent pauses made me think he was hearing another voice, but there was no one with him, and I definitely wasn't hearing another voice, not even a muffled sound.

He was slightly annoyed by my interruption and threw her across the room. She actually hit the ceiling… he continued and I became aware he was talking about me. I realize that. However, if she’s not dead— I need more time. Obviously… Then I’ll have to dig her out of the ceiling that fell on her… Yea, I think it’s safe to say this Krutan is stronger than any other I’ve gone up against… Oh, you know me, I like to take my time in a room that’s filling with smoke… Really? I thought the obnoxious buzzing was Krutan music…

I stared at the stranger’s silhouette in the smoke as he cautiously moved closer to me. With any luck, he wouldn’t be able to find me. He had defeated the beast. When I became conscious, their battle had already begun. I had missed most of what happened after his arrival. By the time my eyes became focused, the stranger was killing the beast. A beast whom I knew would not stay dead… not until the ship exploded anyways - which I hoped would happen soon.

The beast had found many ways to hurt me since I was handed to him, and I understood this could all be a ruse, or a test - or worse, another experiment. But what made me leery about the man most was that he wasn’t the least bit concerned about the beast. So either the man didn’t know the Krutan wouldn’t stay dead or he was in league with him.

"Martin won’t be too pissed if I’m dead. He will miss the glory I bring him, but we both know he won’t shed a tear for me… It shouldn’t matter. This is my job… Well it shouldn’t matter how much longer I take as long as I— Found her."

I shook my head as he moved toward me. I wanted to flee, but I couldn’t escape.

As he lifted a piece of the ceiling off my head and back, I glanced over my shoulder. The pile of metal and rubble on top of me caused my stomach to knot up. I was never getting out of here.

You okay? he asked as I faced forward, focusing on the floor.

I shifted my attention to him, surprised by the tone in his voice.

Yep, she’s alive… No, she’s not talking, but that’s normal…

His eyes scanned the mess I was underneath. He seemed to be considering the best way to remove the debris - at least, that’s what I hoped he was doing. After another moment, he began removing some smaller pieces. My heart was racing, I couldn’t see how this was going to end well for me. The fact that he continued to talk casually to no one, could not be a good sign.

The Krutans were like that. They found nothing horrific or urgent in torture, fighting, or death. In fact, those were all things that they took great satisfaction in. I could tell by the man’s humor that death did not bother him either. While my eyes had been trying to focus on their battle, he was making small talk and attempting jokes. Since he was the victor, I couldn’t help but believe that he was going to be worse than the beast. I did not want to be taken aboard another ship where a new type of people would continue to torture and experiment on me.

The stranger grunted as he moved a chunk of ceiling which actually lessened the weight on me.

She’s in really bad shape, he commented as he crouched in front of me. Tell Connor that he’ll have a patient soon… Ha Ha. I’m fine. She, however…

My eyes shifted beyond the man as I heard him breathing, and I shook my head in horror. The stranger immediately turned, firing his gun. It hit the beast’s skeletal body, causing him to back away. The Krutan let out a snarl of attack and charged at the stranger who continued to fire shots. His accurate shots were keeping the beast at bay, but I knew it would be a short lived victory. The beast roared in frustration and the stranger slid his other hand to his waist, wrapping his fingers around the handle of a blade.

She is not yours to take, the beast said in his terrifyingly deep voice.

She was never yours to have, the stranger replied without an ounce of fear.

I have heard of your meddling.

Freeing the men and women you have stolen from their homes is not meddling.

This is our way of life, our way to reproduce. Your attempts to try to prevent this is far worse than meddling.

The stranger laughed. "The Krutans are too intelligent to not discover a better way to reproduce. And if they’re not, then perhaps it’s time for your kind to disappear."

You think I lie?

I know the Krutans, along with several other types of scum, are trafficking men and women for pleasure and no other reason.

The Krutan chuckled before he focused intently on the stranger. You are the one called Nicodemus, are you not?

Nick, actually.

Your reputation precedes you.

My— wait, what?

I know who you are, Nicodemus Etalo.

I don’t think so, he stated, his arrogance faltering.

You already know that we—

"Have no rights to anything you do to those that are not of your race."

The beast let out a low chuckle. What creatures…

People, Nicodemus corrected.

…we decide to use is of little consequence.

Little consequence?! Trafficking people of any kind is forbidden. Especially for torture and explicit acts.

I am disappointed in your inability to acknowledge the artistry, Nicodemus. With all that you have done, I expected a higher level of thinking. It’s too bad really. I had such high expectations. You, like so many before you, will have to accept that you cannot stop a race superior to yours from doing anything.

Yes, well, any race that kidnaps and trafficks other beings aren’t really superior, are they, Nicodemus curtly replied.

Your lack of comprehending what I am doing is of no interest to me. Your closed-mindedness is the reason you will always be inferior. You are nothing more than a primitive creature wishing to have importance in this vast universe. I think it’s time you recognize that by boarding my ship you have met your last moment, Nicodemus.

Only my mother calls me Nicodemus, Nicodemus replied between clenched teeth.

The beast chuckled, sending chills down my spine and fear through my mind. I had heard that sound far too often, and knew the beast was going to annihilate Nicodemus.

Before the beast made his move, Nicodemus unsheathed his blade and attacked. He had maneuvered the beast into the smoke where I could not see them. He might have defeated the beast once, but I knew that it had been luck because the beast never lost. I hastily tried to push my torso away from the floor so that I could escape. Nicodemus had lightened the weight, but it was still too heavy. I attempted to slide myself out anyways, but I halted, screaming in pain. Something was very wrong with my body.

Nicodemus howled in pain, causing panic to swallow me whole. I no longer cared about the pain. I was not going to allow the beast to take his frustration out on me. As I struggled to get free of the ceiling, my eyes caught sight of a shard of metal and I immediately reached for it. It was just out of reach. No. No. I could reach it. I had to reach it! I willed myself to stretch further, to push harder against the ceiling that trapped me, biting back the screams that were burning in my lungs.

Okay, let’s get you out of here, Nicodemus said as he re-emerged from the smoke.

I froze and stared at his bloody face. Nicodemus crouched down and grabbed a beam of metal, all of his muscles tensed as he held his breath. As he snarled, the weight was lifted off of me, causing me to scream at the unexpected pain that ripped through my body. The debris crashed on the floor to my right, but I still couldn’t move. I glanced up at Nicodemus. His eyes were scanning over my body. I hastily focused on the metal that was barely in front of my fingertips. He was not going to take me. I would rather die than… Bloody fingers wrapped around the metal shard and my eyes followed up the blood coated arm, across the torn material barely covering his shoulder, and to a gash on his cheekbone.

As my eyes met the shadows hiding his, he tossed the metal away from me. I shook my head as my only chance to defend myself vanished into the smoke.

I’m not going to hurt you, he assured me. He slowly moved next to me and collapsed to his knees. I’m going to get you out of here. He carefully rolled me onto my back, and my breaths quickened. He took his shirt off and laid it over my body. I got her. We’ll be ready for transportation in a moment… She’s in worse shape than I originally thought… Just have Connor ready. His hand gently touched my face. You’ll be safe soon.

His touch filled my mind with thoughts of honor, confidence, and the desire to protect. My eyes shifted to his in surprise. Those were things that had never filled my thoughts. As he lifted my body off the floor, everything vanished into my screams.

Chapter Two

I awoke to the cold touch of metal and sounds I only recognized from when pain was inflicted. I glanced down my body and saw a man with blue eyes, not marbled liked the beast’s, between my legs. I immediately kicked at him, and my foot sent him flying into a door. I sat up to find that there were needles in my arms and wires connected everywhere. I ripped them all from my body, and moved off the table, crying out as my legs failed me. My midsection was in horrible pain and my left thigh didn’t feel normal. However, I would escape. I had to. My back might not be aching, but I was not going to wait for them to continue what the beast had been doing, nor did I want to be used again.

A door opened and three men in black pants and brown shirts hurried in, guns up.

Don’t shoot those at her! the blue eyed man hastily said.

I cried out as I forced myself to stand, leaning on the table for support. My breaths were hard and quick, trying to control the pain as my eyes scanned the room for a way out. There was just the door and a large window on both sides of it. Those were my only choices, the rest of the room was metal. Problem was, all three of the men were in the way. I glimpsed around my surroundings, as my mind rapidly searched for something to use to get past them. There were plenty of sharp objects on a small table next to where I had awakened that I could use to defend myself, and a counter on the wall to my left with tools and papers all over it.

Her body can’t handle any more damage, the blue eyed man said as he leaned against the space between the left window and the door.

I clenched my jaw and glared at him. His shirt was blue like his eyes, but more importantly it was a brighter color than the others, meaning he was more important… he would get to do what he wanted first. I would allow no beast or man to touch or experiment on me ever again.

The man slowly stood upright and put his hands out to the side, showing me he had no weapon. I wasn’t stupid. I knew that weapons could be concealed, and any show of no defense was a lie. The beast had locked me in a room more than once with men, but never before had I felt such confidence that I could get away from them. The man slowly walked over to me and I waited, hoping that he would give me the opportunity to escape. I continued to glimpse at the men. They weren’t moving towards me, and they weren’t blocking the door. I just had to wait for him, to take a couple more steps.

I’m not going to hurt you, the blue eyed man assured me.

I wanted to believe him, but I would not make that mistake.

Do you understand me?

I continued to breathe deeply. I could do this. He slowly reached for me.

We are here to help you.

I shook my head as he stepped closer. I should have already made my escape.

The man gently grabbed my wrist and my mind filled with desire for knowledge and…

In the next moment, all four men were on the floor, and I was hobbling out of the room with my right arm wrapped around my waist.

I halted immediately as I saw at least thirty people laying on beds. I slowly turned full circle. They were all unconscious with needles in their arms and wires attached everywhere. I needed to free them, but I didn’t know h— I turned and swung at the man who had attempted to sneak up on me. As my fist hit his cheek, my mind was filled with the same arrogance and desire to be the best as three of the four men I had just protected myself from. They were not going to use me!

My body wasn’t functioning properly, I stumbled every time I moved, but nothing was going to prevent me from defending myself. Two more men entered the room and came at me. I ignored the excruciating pain that should have brought me to my knees - like it had so many times before - and dodged their hands. Their fingers slipped across my skin in their attempts to capture me. All the same. Arrogant, lustful, desire to be accoladed.

That’s enough, a man growled and the two men in front of me immediately backed away.

I clumsily turned to see a man in a long sleeve black shirt deflecting another man’s attempt to stab a needle into me.

I said that’s enough, he said through his teeth.

I put my arm around my torso as though that would lessen the pain as I limped a few steps further away from them. The black shirted man released the other after the needle fell to the ground, and the other man instantly backed away. The black shirted man observed the room before slowly turning to face me. His long sleeve shirt was actually a jacket over a purple shirt.

Are you okay? he asked in a gentle tone.

My eyes shifted to his face. My heart was thumping in my chest. He was the man from the ship…Nicodemus Etalo. The one who took me. Was he helping me? No one had ever attempted to help me. I shook my head, quickly reminding myself that I was here because of him.

She’s dangerous, a wary voice said.

She’s scared, Nicodemus replied over his shoulder as he glanced toward the room I had escaped.

She took us all out.

She didn’t kill anyone, Nicodemus pointed out. This your first encounter with survivors?

Yes, sir.

Of course it is, Nicodemus quietly grumbled.

The other man stayed silent, but I kept my eyes on Nicodemus. He had defeated the beast twice and he seemed to be in charge, making him the most dangerous.

You’re safe.

I shook my head.

A small smile played upon his lips. You understand me.

It wasn’t a question, but I nodded anyways.

Do you know any of these people? he asked as he gestured to the men and women on the beds. Where they came from or where we should return them to?

I eyed him suspiciously.

We don’t want to keep them. We’d like to return them home.

I remained silent, watching him - ready to defend against the coming attack. I would not be fooled by his attempt to distract me.

However, if that’s not possible, we have a place several light years away that we can take them to until they can be relocated.

He was helping these people? I was not aware that men still did that.

He took his jacket off and offered it to me.

I stared at him.

Not that any of these guys mind looking at you, it’s just… I mean most women are uncomfortable being naked in front of men.

I shifted my eyes down to the scars on my body, noticing new bruises and lots of tape, tape that was oozing with my blood. I glanced at the men who immediately looked away. I tilted my head to the side with confusion as I focused back on Nicodemus.

Connor, you alright in there? Nicodemus inquired as his eyes shifted behind me.

Mostly. Did she esc— Why is she not attacking you? Connor inquired.

Nicodemus immediately shifted his attention back to me. Good question.

Usually the medic is the one survivors trust, Connor remarked, much closer. Not the overzealous weapon-toting soldier.

I shifted my body so that I could see him as well.

I don’t think she trusts me. I’m pretty sure she would have tried to kill me on the Krutan ship if she hadn’t been pinned down. After I killed the Krutan, for the second time, she was trying to reach for a piece of torn metal.

So… right now, it’s just dumb luck? That makes me feel better. That, and she apparently doesn’t like the way you smell. Perhaps she’d prefer some clean clothes instead of that jacket.

Ha. Ha.

Nicodemus glimpsed at the jacket that he was still offering to me before he returned his attention to me. I realized Connor was trying to insinuate that I hadn’t taken Nicodemus’ jacket due to the smell. I was unaware of an unfavorable odor, but more importantly I didn't want Connor to feel better about anything. I slowly reached out and grabbed the jacket. As my fingers slid over Nicodemus’ skin, I gazed up at him and his eyes met mine. Again there was honor, confidence, and the desire to protect, but this time there was something that hadn’t been there before. Something I didn’t know how to describe.

I continued to stare at him as I slid his coat on.

So clothes are not a foreign object to you, he distractedly remarked.

I shook my head.

A small smile caressed his lips before he shook his head as though just realizing he was staring. This is my friend, Connor, he stated as he gestured to the blue eyed man.

My eyes skimmed over Connor’s slim build, short black hair, and his hairless jawline. I shifted my attention back to Nicodemus, realizing he was the only one I had seen so far with hair on his jaw. My mind immediately tried to reason why that was.

He is our medic, and he is very good at helping people, he commented.

I glanced around the room at the unconscious people and shook my head as I returned my attention to Nicodemus. This was not what helping people looked like.

Nicodemus glimpsed around the room before he smiled awkwardly. Yea, he began, running his fingers through his hair, I can see how this could look, but he is helping them. Connor had to remove the toxins and creatures that were implanted in the women. The needles are supplying all the survivors with nutrients they need and a serum to help their bodies recover quicker.

I shook my head. This is what happened when the beast wanted… something.

If you have been used as a birthing vessel, then the sooner we remove—

I shook my head again, and he stopped talking. He glanced over at Connor and then focused on me.

You don’t want it removed? Or you weren’t used as a vessel?

I glanced around the room and then at my feet. After a long moment I glanced up at Nicodemus. I took a deep breath and hobbled several steps closer to him until I was standing less than an arm’s length away. I glimpsed up at him, not understanding why I cared if he knew what I had been through. I moved the jacket away from my left side. When he didn’t look down, I hesitantly grabbed his hand. My mind instantly filled with the desire to protect, and I slowly slid his fingertips along the dashed scar on my side, up to the zigzag on my sternum and to the crescent moons on my neck.

Is she trying to seduce you? Connor inquired.

Check the others for scars, specifically crescent shapes on their necks… Or any scars on their torso - shoulder to hips, he quietly stated over his shoulder without looking away from my face.

I don’t recall scars on any of the women.

And you didn’t notice these?

I did. I assumed that they happened to her before she was taken.

The ones on her neck are from the Vaporians.

The Vap… Are you sure?

Gigi has these exact scars.

I know they do trading, but…

Nicodemus’ eyes shifted to my neck where I had left his fingers. She’s not like the others, he quietly said. His hand that I wasn’t holding skimmed over the scars on the left side of my face.

My eyes immediately shifted to his. His eyes were following his fingers as a heartbreaking expression overwhelmed his face.

None of them have any scars, Connor distractedly informed Nicodemus.

No scars? he whispered in surprise before he glanced over his shoulder. You’re sure?

None. It is possible she was traded from the Vaporians.

I did not get that impression from the Krutan. Nicodemus’ eyes shifted back to mine, and the desire to protect became stronger. Connor, will you clean up the Em room?

She’s not going to go back in… there. Oh, right. Sorry.

Connor moved back into the room I had escaped, and the other men exited the room without a word.

The Krutan did something new to you, didn’t he? Nicodemus asked. He had no intention of using you as a vessel.

I backed away as I glanced around the room, regretting that I had brought his attention to the scars.

Connor’s job is to make sure the people we rescue are okay. If they’re not, then he does his best to make them better. Will you let Connor make sure that you are… okay?

I shook my head.

He reached out for my hand and I hobbled a few steps backwards, pulling my hands to my chest. For whatever the reason, I didn’t want to have to defend myself against him.

He immediately put his hands up by his shoulders, palms out, and took a step back. I won’t force anything upon you.

Not want… hurt you. My voice sounded strange in my ears, but I suppose that it would since it had only been used for screaming for so long.

Nicodemus gave me a quizzical expression and I clenched my hands into fists.

Men touch… hurt them. Why was I struggling to speak?! I took a deep breath and focused on my words. Not want… hurt you.

Someone touches you and you protect yourself, he clarified.

I shrugged. I hadn’t thought about protecting myself when those men tried to recapture me, I just prevented them from getting a hold of me. Something I had been unable to do against the beast.

Nicodemus tilted his head to the side, his eyes scanning my face. How do we make sure that you’re okay?

Why… it matter?

He glanced around the room. It’s what we do. No one on this ship has an ulterior motive. Helping survivors get their lives back, is just what we do.

From… beast.

Unfortunately, the Krutans are not the only ones enslaving mass quantities of peo…ple, he replied, glancing at my neck. But yes, we have rescued many people from the Krutans. Although that was my first encounter with that particular Krutan.

I was well aware the Krutans were not the only ones who kidnapped and used people. Even though the beast had control aboard his ship - made temporary trades, allowed for group tortures, and forced his captives into becoming vessels to anyone he chose - there had also been attacks against the beast. The attacks were from the many others who wanted to collect what he had, but the beast excelled at keeping what was his.

I shifted my attention to Nicodemus’ face. I was confident that he was telling the truth about himself, that he selflessly helped survivors, but I was not as sure about the others.

What about if we get you home?

I shook my head. Home desolated.

The Krutans?

I nodded. War first. Krutans trade. Krutans destroy.

Trade?

I shifted uncomfortably. It had been a bad time in my people’s existence. My people had divided and a war broke out between them. The Krutans arrived just after the war had ended, when my people were in need. The victors of the war were in dire need of funds and supplies to rebuild, and the Krutans took advantage of their desperation. The Krutans offered to buy whatever the victors would sell - or trade - for needed supplies. My father had brought me to the exchange. The Krutans laughed, telling him that I was too young and they had no use for me. Except the beast. After his eyes inspected me, his cheeks pulled his face tight as he smiled. After the victors were done selling and trading, the Krutans' turned on them, extinguishing all remaining life before they left. I couldn’t have wished for a worse death for my father. Although, I have always felt those who died in the massacre received the better end of the deal.

Don’t worry, you don't have to tell me. I have a pretty good idea of what you mean.

I shifted my attention to him as his words cut into the horror that had crept into my mind.

We’ve been fighting against the Krutans longer than I have been in the Trintaty Military. I have read and studied their horrific practices long before I witnessed it. There are few people I’ve met in this universe that I would personally like to exterminate, but they…

"You studied?" I asked when he didn’t finish his sentence.

Yes, he replied, intrigued by my question. Since they don’t perform genocide to every species they come in contact with, we’ve been able to collect information. Also, speaking with the survivors has allowed us to learn intrinsic details that… You said your people were at war. Is that where you learned to fight?

Learned? I shrugged. I had really struggled with the art of war.

Became proficient because of the Krutans?

I shrugged again and focused on the floor. He stepped closer to me and I hastily glanced up at him, shaking my head.

He took half a step back. I have to believe that you allowed me to touch your scars because you understand I’m not going to hurt you.

I focused on him when I realized he was right. Why did I believe Nicodemus wouldn’t? Was it because of what filled my mind when he touched me? How was I so sure he was not like the others? Could be a trick. Something the beast did. I shifted my eyes to Nicodemus’ face. Something he did? It had never happened to me before he touched my face on the beast’s ship. Usually a man’s touch felt wrong. His touch, however, felt… nice.

If the Krutans have made you a vessel, trust me, you want that creature out of you.

No vessel.

How can you be sure? It’s what happens to all the women they capture.

Try new.

I don’t understand.

I put my hand in my hair and bit my bottom lip. It was so hard to speak my thoughts, to take the images in my mind and verbalize them. It shouldn’t be, but it was.

Tired.

You’re tired?

I nodded.

Okay, well, umm… what if we fini—

No, I stated and took another unsteady step backwards.

Perhaps you could take my hand, and I will stay with you while Connor finishes making sure you’re okay.

I… not okay.

If you know you’re not, then let us help you.

Can’t help.

Our technology is quite advanced.

No.

Whatever he did—

Too young… Beast try new… Different.

He was trying to make sense of what I was saying, but I didn’t know how to articulate it better.

Connor can fig…

No!

He won’t…

No. Beast… try new… UGH! Did different… things? He…

I think she’s trying to tell you that the Krutan experimented on her.

Captain, Nicodemus said as he stood tall and turned toward the short stocky man who entered the room.