The Fem’oin Empire’s Interstellar Cruiser Zietes Khuqad, roughly translated into English as “Sweet Death of a Thousand Suns”, circled planet Earth in a geosynchronous orbit that mimicked the U.S. Military’s primary communication satellites. No long-range scanner, no matter how powerful, could penetrate their cloaking technology, a thousand light-years ahead of everything else available. They were the perfect invisible foe on a mission that could very well decide the future of their species. 

The two aliens walked side by side through the spiraling corridor separating the Bridge Room from the crew’s quarters on their way to the photonic elevator that was to lead them to the lower decks and Genetic Lab number 3. The Captain wore the customary blue and black uniform with the Fem’oin Empire’s insignia carved at the center while the doctor had exchanged the usual light blue garbs for a sleek, viridescent attire that contrasted perfectly with the ship’s sterile environment.

Captain Honah was one of the tallest officers in the Empire, standing at seven foot six. Aged one hundred and two in Earth years, she was closing in on one third of the species’ normal life expectancy. Her eyes were downturned with the irises covered by a thin, liquid layer resembling octopus ink. As graceful as deadly, she commandeered the Zietes Khuqad with a stern hand, and anyone that dared question a decision of hers was more likely to see the outside of an airlock than to find their way to the prison levels. She had always been the number one choice for this assignment because, when it came to results, none of the competition had a chance.

“Captain, is it true?” she asked, doing the best to keep up with the steady pace of her illustrious companion. “Do we have a live subject aboard?”

“Great! I’ve never seen an Earthling live. I wonder how he’ll respond to the treatment...”

“You were on the planet’s surface during the last expedition, correct?”

“That bad?”

“I’d love to hear more.”

“Would you be more inclined to share your story if I said yes?”

“Thank you.”

“It was a loud night. Humans played fantasy masquerade across the streets of some place called Washington while we did our recon when, suddenly, the portable cloaking device malfunctioned. For a few seconds, our true form was exposed and there were even pictures taken. Fortunately, the humans took it as a disguise too, and the situation was quickly resolved. However, my memories keep going back to that day.”

“I’m not afraid to say it, but yes. I hadn’t come from halfway across the Universe to risk being trapped and taken to a medical facility. Don’t think I don’t understand the irony that we’re doing the same thing though.”

“That’s how the High Council justified the last war we got ourselves involved in and look where that led us.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Not much was known of the disease ravaging the surface of both planets, but the consequences were dire. Slaves that succumbed to it became effectively crippled for life and since the rate of spread far outweighed the Empire’s capacity to replace them, extraction rates were plummeting by the day. If the decline continued, there would be no servants and no materials in less than a year, giving the Empire’s enemies a once in a lifetime opportunity to attack.

Captain Tsopor and the good doctor finally reached the elevator and descended to Genetic Lab number 3, the center of hope of the cruiser and of an entire civilization.

* * *

Despite growing up reading sci-fi short stories and novels, he didn’t accept the existence of aliens and, sometimes, had a hard time believing in other people as well. Humans were mean, cruel even, always looking for excuses to betray and exploit others. His military stint was neither planned nor desired. He hated the uniform and everything it stood for.

“Hey! What is this? I want out! HELLO?”

The laboratory had two circular doors, one in front and the other at the far right of his location. It was through the latter that other figures emerged, figures in position of power judging by their distinct attires. They were greeted by the head of the Genetics division, two-hundred years old Dr. Mhorg V’ot, who was visibly excited by the presence of the illustrious guests.

“Is that him?” Dr. Daraela V’ahzut darted across the room to examine the specimen.

“Indeed.”

“What do you think, Captain?" Dr. V’ot asked.

“But of course. So, if there’s one thing we’ve learned for sure about humans from previous expeditions is that their capacity for war is only comparable to their capacity for love. They’re combative but also highly sexual creatures with an incomparable libido. If we wish to dominate and enslave their minds, we can’t use the same brute force tactics we used in the past with other species, so we’ll have to resort to more subtle methods and that’s what this project is all about. Please take a look at this,” she produced a vial filled with a pink gas. “This is the weapon that will lead us to success.”

“Impressive,” she said. “I never believed you could pull this off.”

“Not before I have a word with the subject.”

“You heard me. I want to talk to him before you try to warp his mind.”

“It’s a good thing the Zietes Khuqad is under my command, then. I know the importance this experiment has, but do I need to remind you that you’re just a guest on my ship? No? Then, please activate the translator and let me talk to him.”

“Thank you. Hello, human. On behalf of the Fem’oin Empire, I welcome you to my ship. I’m sure you have many questions about what’s happening and while I’m not at liberty to give you all the answers you need, I would just like to tell you that, no matter what happens, the Empire is grateful for your unwilling sacrifice. Is there anything you wish to say?”

“You’ve been removed of your garments to facilitate the absorption of the gas you’re about to be exposed to,” Dr. V’ot replied. “Please do not try to hold your breath, for it will only make the experience more painful.”

“Unfortunately, you’re in no position to make demands,” the Captain retorted. “Empire regulations state that, from the moment you were brought aboard this vessel, you became nothing more than a piece of property, one we will now use to our benefit. Still, given this is the first actual communication between our two species, it felt proper to extend you a form of courtesy, which I now have. You may begin, Dr.”

Despite what he had been told, James’ first instinct was to close his eyes and cover his mouth and nose, a fact that only delayed the inevitable for approximately one minute. Pheromone particles swirled everywhere, the rate of cellular absorption doubling with every second. Curled up in a ball, he thought of sweet Angela, her boy Tim, and the two golden Labs, Rocco and Rex. This was just a silly dream and he would wake up soon in his bed. Just a dream. Just a...

James gasped as the pink cloud burned his lips and throat and rewrote his memories. The invasive cocktail dug deeper inside him, making his cock harden involuntarily. He rubbed it against the floating cube, the friction swelling it even more. Red burns ran from the shaft to the tip, dilated vessels eager for more. The dream that was far too real soon became the only thing he could think of. When the mist cleared off, the man he used to be had been replaced by a panting and drooling vessel, adrift in a state of entrancing sexual euphoria.

“Scans show full assimilation. Yes, it worked. Half of his brain functions are dormant and the other half is now directly tied to his libido. As long as he’s in this state of arousal, he’s an obedient servant who will not dare question a command from the Empire. Allow me to demonstrate. Slave, stand up and look at us.”

“Impressive!” Captain Tsopor admitted. “Am I correct to assume that protuberance is his sexual organ, and that’s what we’re effectively controlling right now?”

“Does it serve any actual purpose being out like that?”

“Go on.”

James pumped furiously, nothing troubling him except the desire to surrender. Clumsy fingers slipped from the aching phallus whenever he switched hands but the jacking rhythm was constant, a beautiful melody played in F for “Fucking”. 

“Yes. This selfish, gratification ritual releases a wave of endorphins that completely nullifies rational thinking. That’s not the best part though... unlike this!”

“What was that?” Captain Tsopor asked.

“I obey,” James muttered, dropping to all fours to lick the droplets of his passion. It was as disgusting as he thought it would be, but also incredibly satisfying, the beginning of a new addiction.

“It is for the honor of the Fem’oin Empire and not mine, but thank you, Captain. However, we’re only getting started.”

“Yes, of course. I have three teams stationed on the planet, ready to collect them as we speak. Once all tests are completed and these results verified, we can move on to mass production and mass conversion, obviously.”

“Sixty thousand, give or take. But that’s only for one batch, though. We may need a second and a third if we can’t stop the spread of the disease until then.”

“Much appreciated, Captain.”

“Not right now. I’ll just continue to monitor Subject 1’s status while we wait for the others to arrive.”

“Actually, I would like to stay here a while longer and register all developments and before you ask again, no it’s not professional curiosity. This is clearly a matter of personal preference.”