Terrestrial

by CreamPuffBunny

Content with being a soldier, Ludwig suddenly finds himself caring for and collecting data on a captured alien named Gilbert. The two quickly form a bond even though they are from different galaxies. But Ludwig disapproves of the cruel experiments Gilbert is placed under and must choose between his strict military vows or saving his alien companion. Full summary inside. AU/Sci-Fi

5. Sorrow

***Here's the next update everyone! I'm thinking there will be one or two more chapters before this fic is finished! So read on and enjoy!

***Warnings: Language, mild violence, angst

***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic

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Chapter 5: Sorrow

Morning in the habitat chamber seemed to come fast for the new couple snuggled up in the nest. Gilbert was the first to wake up, tucked tenderly in Ludwig's arms and gazing at the sleeping face. He reached his hand up to softly stroke Ludwig's face and hair all the while studying his face in great detail. His mate is very handsome, Gilbert thought, and he's lucky to have Ludwig as his own. Now that they were mated, there is no way he would give up Ludwig. They are bonded in heart and body, there is no going back from it. And even though last night was his first time mating, Ludwig, he knew, was good at it!

Gilbert felt his body shiver when blue eyes opened to look back at him. "Hey." He smirked.

"Good morning." Ludwig replied. "Wait, is it morning?"

"Yeah." Gilbert cocked his head to look out the nesting hole at the artificial light. "They turned the sun on."

Ludwig untangled himself from Gilbert's arms to sit up. "What time is it, I wonder?" he feared he'd slept too long.

"Does it matter?" Gilbert sat up as well and stretched. "I'm really hungry. Go get me some food."

"Demanding me already?" Ludwig found that he was smiling. "Does being your mate mean I get nagged?"

Gilbert smirked. "Nagged? You want me to be a nagger?"

"Hardly." He got up from the bed and went to his clothes. "I should get back to my room, but I'll make sure you eat first."

"Don't get dressed just yet." Gilbert grinned, resting his chin on his knees. He hugged his legs tightly to his chest when he saw Ludwig's brow lift. "I like to look at that great ass!"

Ludwig's eyes widened in complete offense and surprise. "What kind of words did they implant in your brain?" He asked in near outrage. "Have they made you a pervert?"

"Pervert?" Gilbert had to process the word, and once he understood it, he laughed. "I'm only a pervert with you. Go ahead, bend over and pick up your clothes!"

Ludwig sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Good grief."

After feeding Gilbert and making sure the alien was safe in the nest, Ludwig headed back to his room so he could freshen up. As he stood in the shower, thoughts of last night came back to him. He had sex with an alien, a being that was so close to human yet not. He feared that Sai and his team would know what happened last night, somehow. He would have to keep himself as calm as possible when Sai approached him about it. And he figured Sai would want a full report, in detail, because he is a perverted scientist. Ludwig didn't believe in sharing something so intimate, but he had to remain a 'loyal' and 'dutiful' soldier if he is to escape with Gilbert.

Finished and dressed, he had just exited his room when he came face to face with Sai and his team. Ludwig was startled for a moment but quickly regained his composure and saluted. "Good morning, sir."

"Good morning indeed. How was your night?" Sai asked with a grin. "Have fun?"

"Must I speak of it?" Ludwig asked calmly. "I don't believe in sharing about sex, and I'm assuming you had some way of knowing what we did?"

"I didn't. You just told me." Sai smirked and he saw Ludwig's face fall as he realized he just gave himself away. "I understand, you're a big prude. But this is for science, not a bunch of guys sitting around a table with some beers laughing about the tail they got last night." The other scientists laughed. "But, if it will make you more comfortable, you can talk to only me about it. So let's go into my office and discuss, shall we?"

Ludwig had no choice so he left with Sai.

Once inside the office with the door closed and locked, Sai sat behind his desk with Ludwig sitting in the front. Ludwig focused his gaze on a painting of a galaxy for he did not want to meet Sai's face. It is embarrassing enough having to speak of his sexual acts last night.

"Did you enjoy it?" Was the first question Sai asked.

"I did." Ludwig answered truthfully.

"And how was Gilbert?"

"Very eager. He enjoyed it as well."

Sai gave a chuckle. "You can look at me, Ludwig. We're adult men."

Ludwig finally looked at him. "I do not feel comfortable talking about this in either form, fun or scientific. It's a private matter."

"If you weren't getting paid for your data collecting, that is." Sai pointed out. "And this is data collecting. I'm sure you are thrilled with his new speech, yes?"

Ludwig nodded. "You did a wonderful job of making him speak the human language. How did you do it?"

"In simple terms, he has a small computer in his body with our language and a signal goes to the brain to tell him how and what to speak. That's what the wires are for at his temples." He pointed to his own temples. "The part of the brain responsible for speech is there. We just gave it a push in the right direction. He could always speak fluently but the art was lost. It was really quite simple."

"It is amazing."

Sai folded his hands on the desk. "Now then, let's return to the topic of mating. How did his genitals preform?"

Ludwig found he had to look away again and heard Sai snickering. "He did not know of anal but had an opening appear that...resembles the female anatomy." He couldn't believe he was talking about this. If he looked at Sai he knew he would feel the urge to punch the obnoxious scientist in the face and then run away. "I showed him anal but he wanted the other opening...served in the same manner" He had no clue how to speak of this and even he knew he sounded like an idiot. "Gilbert said that is the entry for mating and impregnating."

"And did you cum?"

Ludwig almost flew out of his chair and wanted to run to the door to escape answering such a question. "No!" he answered quickly. "I would not finish in that spot. I finished...not there."

"I see. Well, we'll have to take a few samples of your sperm and try for ourselves."

Ludwig finally looked at him but with eyes wide. "W-what?"

"A few sperm samples to keep on hand." Sai said again. "If you're not going to do it the natural way then we'll do it for you."

"What do you mean? You can't possibly want to impregnate him? He's barren!"

"Barren for his own kind, but what of a different kind?" He posed the question to Ludwig. "Their sperm has altered the same as their bodies, but yours remains as a human male. Perhaps his body will respond to-"

"No." Ludwig gripped the edges of the chair arms in a white knuckle hold. "I will not be a part of that! It is ridiculous! You've done enough to him! You've gone through so much to make him human again and now you want to attempt this?"

"Lower your voice, soldier." Sai said in a harsh tone. "You will do as I say! Chances are his body will not take to any sperm but we have to be sure. The sperm has to be yours because there is a chance that Gilbert's body can reject unwanted sperm, just like his type can prevent forced entry with poison. If he knows it's yours he'll be willing to accept it. He still has the alien instincts to be a parent."

Ludwig stood up from the chair. "No!" He shouted. "This has gone too far! You're only toying with him now! You've made him a human by giving him speech and removing anything alien-like from his body! Now you're just being cruel!"

Sai lowered his glasses. "And in just what way am I being cruel, pray tell?"

"Forcing more tests on him! If you want him to be a true human then you shouldn't be trying to force his body to have offspring! He's been altered enough!"

"But we may be able to give him something that he wants. Something that he craves." Sai pointed out, turning his tone softer now. "Did you ever think he may want the ability to bear children?"

Ludwig paused for a moment. "That is not my place to say. But it is wrong. All his children would be are more test subjects for you and your team. I...I cannot bear to think about children, my children technically, undergoing scientific testing. I will not agree to it."

Sai's features turned dark. "You will do as we say. Either do it the natural way or we'll do it for you."

"I'm sorry, sir, but I have to take a stand on this. My answer is 'no'." He may be ruining his chances with Gilbert but he just could not agree to this.

"Then maybe you need some time to think about it."

Ludwig shook his head. "My answer will still no."

Sai drummed his fingers on the desk. "Very well. You are dismissed." He watched Ludwig leave the room quickly. Once he was sure that Ludwig was far enough away, he pressed the button on his desk intercom. "Terrence, send word to the laboratory guards to have Ludwig Beilschmidt arrested and transported to a prison cell."

'Yes sir.' Replied the intercom.

/

'Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous!'

Ludwig had a feeling this topic would eventually come up but he didn't think it would be this soon. They were planning to escape, not start a family. He had no doubt in his mind that Gilbert would want to be a parent for it was embedded in his alien psyche along with the instinct to mate. But the truth of the matter is the babies wouldn't be safe and the last thing he needed on his mind were hybrid children. The first thing he had to do is get back to Gilbert and let him know what they plan to do.

Heading to the doors that lead to the habitat chambers, he saw three guards standing in front of it. "Let me pass." He said.

"Ludwig Beilschmidt," started one. "You're under arrest by order of Professor Sai for failure to perform your duties."

Ludwig's brows furrowed. "What?" His arms were quickly grabbed by the other two guards. He fought them by struggling to pull free. He managed to wrestle one arm free from a guard but he was outnumbered by three. These guards are built and trained to overpower others. "This is an outrage! Let me go! I demand to speak with Professor Sai!" The first guard gave him a hard punch to his lower gut, forcing him to double over in pain. Then came a backhand to his face with the guard's knuckles feeling like a layer of solid rock. It stunned his thoughts and froze his jaw. He glanced up to see the guard's elbow raised high and when it came speeding down he blacked out.

/

'Where is Ludwig?' Gilbert wondered as he sat near the door of the habitat chamber waiting for his mate to come. It was getting dark and Ludwig hadn't been back to see him. 'Is something wrong?'

Ludwig did not come back, nor did anyone come to see him at all. He feared something had happened to Ludwig but he is unable to do anything to help his mate. Not while stuck in here. There is no way to get out of this place without one of those cards that open the doors.

'Please be alright, Ludwig.'

He would wait by the door, patiently, until Ludwig came back.

/

When Ludwig finally came to he was locked in a small cell no larger than 8x10. He knew immediately where he was, in the holding cells far beneath the ship. His stomach and jaw ached from the abuse they received earlier and his head is currently sporting a nasty headache. It was a struggle to get to his feet but he finally did, having to lean against the cold wall to steady himself.

'Bastard.' He cursed at Sai for this was his doing. But he noticed, after standing, that his groin was sore, at least the tip was. The cloth of his underwear rubbed against it painfully so he pulled the material away from it. 'I know what they did.' He realized that they took from him what he wouldn't give. He didn't care about HOW they did it but his concern lies with Gilbert, and what they plan to do to him. 'I can only hope it doesn't work.'

There came a soft beeping sound from above and he looked up to see a small camera flashing with a green light. "Hello?" He said up to the machine.

'Enjoying your time in there, Ludwig?' It was Sai's voice.

"Why did you put me in this cell?" Ludwig asked even though he knew the answer.

'Simple. Your failure to comply resorted to your imprisonment. But not to worry, you will be freed soon. We took your sperm and tested it only to find it to be...insufficient for the task at hand.'

'Good.' Ludwig said to himself.

'That doesn't bother you at all?' Sai asked with a curious tone.

"No. How much sperm I have or how strong it is doesn't define who I am. To be blunt, sir, I could really care less."

There was silence for a moment, and then, 'Perhaps I acted too irrationally. I'm terribly sorry for your mistreatment and imprisonment. Science is such a passion of mine that I can get a little...carried away.'

'A little?' Ludwig laughed darkly to himself. 'You're a madman.'

'I would like to help raise your sperm count if-'

"No."

Silence again. 'Very well.'

'That was an easy response. Too easy. What does he have planned?'

'Someone should be by to release you shortly. I'll even throw in an extra thousand to your paycheck for this trouble. You really are the most important piece of this experiment with Gilbert.'

"What does that mean?"

The green light shut off and there was silence.

"Shit!" He cursed. 'Something's not right. Sai knows something...something he's not telling me.'

/

Sai clicked off the camera and speaker before turning to his team with a smile. "If you want something done, you have to do it yourself."

"But Professor, if anyone else tries-" the scientist stopped when Sai shushed him.

"There's a way around everything, and we have science on our side." He smirked slyly. "I think I'll pay Gilbert a visit. I'm sure he's worried about where Ludwig is."

The second scientist asked, "What do you have in mind?"

"I want you to give Ludwig a small dose of B7225."

"But, Professor," started the third "That's a poison."

Sai folded his hands. "A mild one that won't kill him, only keep him in pain for a bit. This is necessary for what I plan to do. So do it now and do it quickly. I want Gilbert to see Ludwig suffering. Go!"

The three left the room.

/

Gilbert had fallen asleep on the grass waiting for Ludwig to come. His ears jumped at the sound of the door sliding open with that familiar 'hiss'. Instantly he sat up at full attention with a smile on his face, hoping to see Ludwig but only to frown when he saw Professor Sai instead. The scientist had a grim look on his face but it was one of sadness rather than menace. Gilbert wouldn't let his guard down no matter how friendly or sad the bastard looked.

"What do you want?" Gilbert said to him. "Where's Ludwig?"

"I'm afraid I have some bad news about that." Sai said in a tender tone.

Gilbert stood up. "Why? What's wrong? Did something happen to Ludwig?" He gasped. "Did you do something to him?" Growling, he bared his fangs at Sai. If the man had hurt his mate in any way-

"Not me. I did nothing to him...but you did."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Last night you two mated, correct?"

Gilbert nodded. "Yes."

"Well, sadly, it would seem that your body rejected Ludwig in some way. We're trying to figure it out now."

Pink eyes widened slowly. "Rejected? But...everything was fine. We mated without any issue." then his eyes narrowed. "You're lying to me! I want to see Ludwig! Now!"

Sai nodded grimly and reached into his pocket to take out one of his tablets. "We currently have him in the hospital wing of the ship. That's where we send our people to go and get better when they are sick." He explained and tapped at various spots on the screen to connect to Ludwig's room. His team sent all the information once Ludwig was safely transported to the hospital wing. "I will get his room up on the screen."

"Show me! Show me now!" He went to Sai's side to try and see what was happening on the screen. "Where is Ludwig?" He demanded.

"One moment please." With a few more taps and codes, the tablet screen opened to a small hospital room with Ludwig writhing on the bed in pain.

Gilbert stared at the screen of Ludwig thrashing in pain on the bed, tangling the covers in his limbs as he rolled around. Like him, there were wires attached to Ludwig's arm. He knew this to be Ludwig, and that Sai is not lying. "What did I do to him?" He asked regretfully.

"Your body has poisoned him, not much to kill him but enough to keep him in constant pain."

Pink eyes started to sting with tears at the sight of his lover in so much pain. "But...but that can't be. I wanted him to mate with me."

"Yes, but you forget that he is fully human and you are not." He hid his smile when Gilbert raised his eyes to look at him woefully. "We're not sure exactly how just yet, but we think it has to do with your body responding to a human and not one of your own kind. Perhaps your body mixed itself up. Perhaps it read Ludwig's body wrong but became confused with your intense need to mate so it released only a bit of poison."

"I did this to him? I put my mate in pain? But...but I didn't mean to! Make him better! Please!" He hated to beg this bastard for help but Ludwig's well-being was more important than his pride.

"We have a theory, but it involves the surgical removal of your rape gland."

"My what?"

"The part of your body inside of you that poisons another you do not wish to mate with."

Gilbert lowered his eyes to the ground. "Oh…" he thought for a moment. "Then...if you do that, Ludwig can mate me without being poisoned?"

Sai nodded. "I believe I can reverse the doing of the poison but I will need to study your gland once it is removed."

"But if you remove that gland...then other humans or aliens might-" he stopped when the scientist cupped his right cheek.

"You've mated with Ludwig and he will protect you from anyone who tries to do you harm." Sai assured him with a smile. "You don't have to fear losing your gland in any way."

Gilbert stepped away from him. "How long will this take? Ludwig is still in pain!"

"We can give him some medicine to help him sleep and combat the pain. It may even go away on its own, but if it doesn't, then it is best we have a backup solution. Besides, you want to keep mating with Ludwig, right?" Gilbert nodded. "And you want to have his babies, right?"

White brows lifted. "Babies? But...I'm barren."

"We may be able to fix that too." Sai wasn't sure himself but it was necessary for Gilbert to believe it could happen. "You two would make very handsome babies."

Gilbert found himself smiling. "Yeah...we would."

"So let's go save Ludwig." Sai took Gilbert's hands in his. "Don't be afraid. Ludwig's health depends on you. He's given you so much, don't you want to give back to him?"

"I do." Gilbert was silent for a moment as he thought. Then, with a determined nod, he made his decision. "I accept!"

"Brilliant!"

/

The pain was too much to bear. Ludwig didn't know what was wrong with him but he had a hunch it was something planted in the water he drank. He should have never taken the water and food the guard offered to him! This pain was his own doing, no one elses. He should have known better! Now his stomach felt as if it would burst with all the twisting and turning it was doing- or rather, that is what it felt like. He had vomited everything in his system and there was nothing left but light bial and to dry heave. His throat is so raw from the heaving that his spit is tinted with blood.

A nurse came into the room along with a doctor, both armed with a set of needles. He tried to ask what they are for but his voice was so hoarse that it ached his throat to speak. The pain is so intense that he was unable to fight off the two as they approached the bed. The nurse injected something into his I.V. while the doctor gave him a needle in his other arm. He felt the effects of the nurse's job first; a sedative, to calm him but it did nothing for the pain.

"The painkillers will kick in soon." the doctor assured him. "Just give it a few more moments."

The sedative had his body becoming limp and useless like a rag doll. Next, the pain started to fade only very, very slowly. It was enough pain to keep the sedative from working to its full effect. Then, in his line of sight entered Sai who dismissed the doctor and nurse from the room. Ludwig was unable to say a word as Sai crouched beside the bed to look him in the eye with a victorious smile.

"No need to worry, my friend. We have it all figured out. Since your sperm is useless, we're going to try a different route, one where you will not be needed."

Ludwig could only stare at him.

"Poor Gilbert thinks that this poison in you is his doing. He's willing to do anything for you...such a strong bond you two have. He's agreed to let us remove his rape gland. Once we do that, well," he smirked. "I have some others lined up to do your job."

'Bastard! You bastard! Dammit! I can't move!' As the pain grew fainter the sedative worked faster. His vision was going dark.

"Don't worry, I'll still pay you for your services. In fact, I will still need them to some degree." He grinned. "Goodnight."

Ludwig's eyes closed and all had become dark.

/

Gilbert looked up at the bright white lights surrounding him while his body lay strapped to a cold metal bed. Once again there were needles and tubes throughout his body with a cap on his head and a breathing mask on his face. He saw the doctors preparing around him from the corners of his visions but there was no need to watch them. All he could think about is Ludwig and the pain his lover is in because of him. Removal of the gland was risky, he knew that, but protecting his future with Ludwig is more important.

"Gilbert, can you hear me?"

Gilbert looked to his left, recognizing Sai's voice. "Yes."

"We're going to put you to sleep now. Don't worry, you won't feel any pain." Sai put his surgical mask on. "Ludwig will thank you when this is all over."

'Ludwig...' he watched as Sai turned on the large green tank and his head became hazy. Slowly, his eyes fluttered closed.

/

Ludwig woke up feeling better but with a throbbing headache. The intense pain in his stomach is gone as well as throughout his body. Only now he felt incredibly weak, too weak to even move more than his hand. He saw that he is still in the hospital ward, on the bed, and unsupervised. It wouldn't make a difference seeing as he could barely move, most likely due to whatever poison Sai injected him with.

'Sai...that bastard! We have to get out of here. I have to get Gilbert away...we both have to get away!'

"Oh, you're awake." Said a woman's voice, the nurse, as she came in to check his stats. "How are you feeling?"

"I need to speak with Professor Sai." Ludwig demanded.

She nodded. "We will inform him that you are awake. He's been calling here and asking about your condition." She smiled. "It is nice of him to do so."

"Mmm...why can't I move?"

"That was some nasty poison in you. Your body is just weak from having to fight it off for so long, and the painkillers don't help it either. You'll be up and walking within the next hour or so. Just let your body rest and build up its strength. Don't do more damage to yourself by forcing your body to move."

He knew she was right and it wouldn't help Gilbert if he were to damage himself further. Besides, he could use this time to think about their escape. He would have to conduct himself carefully and try not to overstep any bounds. The first thing to do is purchase a ship, something that he would not be able to do without it being written on public record. He had more money than he knew what to do with, so maybe he could bribe one of the ship salesmen to keep it quiet. Or, he could use a false name. So many people and soldiers lived on this ship that there is a very good chance no one would know who he is.

There is only one issue: soldiers of his status did not have so much money in their accounts. If he were to pull it off, he would have to come up with a very convincing story to explain why he can purchase a ship flat out. Lying was never one of his strong suits because honesty is always the best policy, except when you in a dangerous situation such as this. He has no choice but to lie. He had no friends aboard the ship that could help him. He did not know any generals or captains close enough to ask for their help. As of right now, he is completely alone in planning this escape. It's at a time like this where he now regrets keeping away from people.

He lay on the bed staring at the far wall, thinking of anything and everything that he could do. Someone came into the room and figuring it was another doctor, he did not break his stare. He was angrily surprised to see Sai take a seat next to the bed. But he had very little strength to do anything about the man before him.

"All better I see?"

"No thanks to you." Ludwig answered. "That was a dirty trick you played."

Sai smiled. "All in the name of science. I know you're mad, but you really have no one to blame but yourself for this. You could have just mated Gilbert again like I wanted you to, or let me treat your weak sperm, but you were just too headstrong and noble to accept it. So I had to take matters into my own hands. You'll be pleased to know that Gilbert came out of the surgery well and is resting now."

"You did a terrible thing."

"I only do what I have to in the name of science."

Ludwig heard himself growl. "Why must you insist on destroying lives for science? Can't you leave well enough alone?"

"No, because if everyone in the history of time did that, nothing would be accomplished. If past doctors just let the Black Plague or Pollo carry on without trying to find a cure the world would have been wiped out- but that's okay, because we left well enough alone." He added the last part with sarcasm.

"This is not the same thing. What you are doing is based on curiosity. What you are doing to Gilbert serves no purpose to the human race or to the universe."

Sai smirked. "And the universe is so vast that no one gives a shit. Now, just so you know, I've already injected Gilbert with another's sperm to see if it will take. If it doesn't, then he is indeed barren and I'll leave the whole matter behind, scratching it off my list. An albino is still an albino no matter what race. I wanted to keep everything natural, to have Gilbert mate naturally instead of having it done surgically for him."

Ludwig clenched his eyes shut. "It's all for nothing! It's just you playing evolution for your own enjoyment. You've been cutting corners because you can."

"Guilty as charged." He chuckled. "But I still need Gilbert to be happy so I cannot get rid of you. All of his stats were low because of his fear and depression, all concerning you. It was quite remarkable, actually, to see how much his persona changed when he heard you were in pain. You're a lucky man, Ludwig." He leaned closer to the bed. "But you are defeated. Your pride and honor has gotten you nowhere, and it will continue to get you nowhere. Gilbert belongs to me. Now, either you can obey my rules and do as I say, or I will dismiss you from this case and you will never see Gilbert again. It's your choice."

There was no questioning or reasoning in his mind. Ludwig had to stay with Gilbert. "You're right." He said, pretending to be defeated. "I can't combat someone of your high rank. I have to remember my duties to the universe and this ship, as well as my role as a galactic soldier. Don't dismiss me from Gilbert." It killed him to kow-tow to this bastard but all he could think about was Gilbert and how he did not want to leave him. They would escape, he is determined to see it happen, but keeping Sai as his enemy would make fleeing twice as difficult. "I will continue to do as you say." It was best to bite his tongue, swallow his pride, and keep friendly with the bastard.

Sai slowly smiled. "Good boy. I know Gilbert will be pleased to have you with him. You can continue your work on collecting data. However, you will only have certain times where you can physically interact with Gilbert."

"What do you mean?" He was finally able to sit up in bed.

"We're moving Gilbert to the top floor of the habitat chambers where he will be the only one there in a much bigger chamber. This chamber, however, will not be mimicking his home planet but rather Earth. I want to see how well he can figure out basic human objects on his own, like phones and television. You will only be allowed to spend time with him for five hours once a day. The rest of the time you must do some other duties, such as following me around and doing some assistant work."

"Why would you have me do that for you? Be an assistant, I mean."

"Because I want to keep you very, very close to me." He answered sharply. "Understand?"

Ludwig lowered his head. "Yes sir." 'Sai must figure that I plan to do something.'

"Good." he stood up from the chair and fixed his lab coat. "Gilbert will be recovering for the rest of the night. Remain here and get well so you can start fresh tomorrow. I'll have the doctors prepare your discharge papers."

"Thank you."

Ludwig sat silent in the room after Sai left.

/

"Professor, we have the results of Gilbert's tests."

Sai tapped his fingers on the desk. "Well? What are they?"

"The sperm did not take. His body rejected it."

"Damn." Sai hissed. "I guess we should move away from this. Barren is barren." It annoyed him that Gilbert's body did not take the sperm, which would have made Ludwig's argument valid. To implant a new womb would be a complete waste of time since he would have to triple the altering of the alien's body for an albino was not so easily changed.

"What should we do next, Professor?" Asked the scientist. "Just continue with reintroduction?"

Sai was silent for a few moments as he contemplated what to do. "No." He finally said. "There's not much more we can do with him. Changing his albinism will kill him, thus making everything we've worked for. He can't get pregnant so there is no further use for him."

"Then what should we do?"

"We'll present a logical speech to the Space Board explaining why we need to return to Gilbert's planet and find another alien, one that is not an albino and completely useless. Put Gilbert in with the other failed experiments." He smirked. "We may have some need for him in the future."

"And what about Ludwig?"

"Dismiss him from our laboratories. His services are no longer needed either."

"Yes sir, Professor."

"Hmph." Sai clicked his tongue. "Another experiment that failed to live up to my expectations."

/

Gilbert wasn't sure what was happening to him but once he woke up from the surgery he was placed in some container, like a cage, and is being transported elsewhere. He looked around desperately for any sign of Ludwig but his mate was nowhere to be found. The scientists and guards escorting him would not answer his questions and simply ignored him. What were they going to do with him? And where was Ludwig? What happened to him?

"I want Ludwig!" Gilbert shouted and banged on the clear cell wall. "I WANT HIM NOW!" Still, no one answered him. "WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME? I DEMAND TO KNOW!"

"Be quiet, you little white rat." Sneered one of the familiar scientists. "You're failure has resulted in a massive waste of our time!"

Gilbert tilted his head. "Failure? You're saying I did something wrong?"

"You're no longer of any use or value to us, so we are putting you with the other useless specimens."

"Specimens?" There are others like him? "What do you mean?"

The scientist rolled his eyes. "Other aliens and humans who have failed in the name of science."

Gilbert's eyes widened. "There are others like me? You've done these things to other beings?" He shouted in outrage. "Just how many lives have you and your fucking team destroyed?"

"You'll meet them all soon." The man answered with a dark smirk. "Don't worry, we'll still feed you and care for you, but there are ways in which you will still be useful."

He didn't understand what the man meant but he did know that where he is going was not a habitat chamber. And he was partially right.

They did drop him off in a habitat chamber, only it wasn't anything like the one he was used to. The guards pulled him out of the cell and tossed him roughly to the ground, forcing the skin to stretch at his incision spot. With a hiss he clenched his side and looked back to see the door closing behind him. Cursing softly, he got onto his knees and looked at his new surroundings. Barren black land lay before him. The sky was a dark gray, the trees black and burned, and the ground hard and rocky beneath him.

'This place is terrible.' He said to himself. 'But where are all the others?'

His question was quickly answered when a multitude of sounds filled the woods around him. Suddenly, hundreds of pairs of eyes were watching him as dark bodies crept through the trees like shadows. He shied away in fear, feeling his blood run cold and his heart to still. His eyes slowly began to widen as the failed specimens seemed to make their way closer.

"Ludwig…" he started softly. "Ludwig...LUDWIG!"

/

"Dismissed?" Ludwig grabbed the guard by his shirtfront. "You must have your orders wrong! Professor Sai said I wasn't dismissed!"

"Those were the orders I was told!" The guard shouted back. "Get your hands off of me!"

Ludwig let him go and soon they were joined by one of the other scientists. "Is this true? Have I been dismissed?"

"Both you and Gilbert." Answered the man.

"Both of us? Why?"

"Gilbert's body failed to take the sperm and its too much work to replace his entire body without him dying, so we tossed him away."

Ludwig's eyes widened in disbelief and fear. "You're lying."

"Oh, he's still on the ship," smirked the man "But you'll never find him. Best you forget about your little alien friend for you will never see him again, once the OTHERS get him."

"Others? What others? What do you mean?" He demanded.

The scientist just laughed. "Move all of your things out of here and back to the soldier dorms where you belong. Keep the money in your account. Never show your face here again or you'll find yourself marooned on the next available planet."

Ludwig stood in shock as the two men left his room. He stared down at his feet for a long moment trying to process the news. They took Gilbert away and put him somewhere on the ship. But where? Ludwig thought he knew every part of the ship for they had to learn it in basic training once he boarded the Quasar 575. Then there must be another secret part of the ship that he didn't know about. But if he was not allowed to be in these parts of the lab, then how is he to find out?

Suddenly, his plans to escape with Gilbert to a happier life started to slowly fade away.

End Chapter 5 TBC