A Welcome Invasion

The only thing that could ruin the bliss felt by Seth, on the second morning of his new lease on life was...

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Work...

It was his earlier cellphone alarm. So he had about 40 minutes to get ready. Groggy, Seth sat up, feeling his distended belly. Smiling, he managed to get out of bed and brush his teeth before looking at the toilet deeply.

~ They will not be dislodged by debris. It will glide over me leaving no remains. Cease worrying. ~ with that note of assurance, he allowed himself to use the bathroom to its fullest.

He spent some time cleaning the makeup off his face. Then packed a lunch and remembered to grab his headphones. Though he left on the lingerie.

~ might as well, not like it's the most important thing I am hiding. Besides, it might make for an excellent distraction. ~ He thought snickering.

The morning was smooth for Seth, something he hadn't had in a while. By the time he had made it most of the way to work, he realized Sunder was still distending his insides.

~ Oh right! Sunder, can you disperse yourself? I can't look pregnant. ~ Seth said, just beaming with happiness.

Without missing a beat, he watched in real time as his belly deflated into its normal formation. Still a little squishy and more bumpy than normal though.

~ You appear to be in high spirits. This outcome is preferable. MAINTAIN. ~ This was a new feeling of care and possessiveness that overwhelmed his mind.

None of these feelings seemed bad though. Like if it was a human that spoke these words, it would have raised a red flag or two.

Seth knew better. He could, after all, feel Sunder deeply through his mental connection.

~ I guess they could be manipulating my thoughts to be more docile...~

~ I take care of my egg nest. I will make you happy. No matter what. This is not manipulating your feelings, Seth. I will ensure you are content. No control. If you were like other humans, you'd not be aware of any current events.~

~ wait what...?"

~ Other egg nests resist or wish not to engage meaningfully. They have to be soothed. Memory wiped. More care needs to be taken in these instances. This is why you are so valuable. A willing, accepting host.~

Without missing a beat, they cut in quick with a sentence that nearly sent Seth off the road.

~We will keep you. We will ensure your safety. I wish you to stay. Happy. Content. Pregnant. Eternally.~

The red of his face could be used to stop traffic. Which was good because he was swerving just enough to have sent cops his way. That is if anyone else were on the road at this hour.

Seth wasn't stupid. He had watched true crime documentaries involving domestic abuse. This could all be love bombing and all that. He did not give a shit! He was happy, and he still had his thoughts. He could tell they were his. His body was shared, and that made him happy.

It made total sense to him. The "worst" case scenario was no longer death in his mind. It was being an egg nest to a strange hive mind locked away from the world. Forced into a numb state, constantly full of eggs. Forever.

~ I guess if it were abusive or painful, it could be a bad thing. But as it is now, that doesn't seem too bad.~

Sunder flared and wiggled inside him.

~ Seth, you will be happy. I shall ensure it.~

That was enough for him. He had dug his bed, anyway. Not that he was worried about eternal life before. If he were he'd have lived differently. He wanted to enjoy life... and boy was he enjoying life now!

~ Wait! Back up a second. You forcefully egged humans!?!~ Seth asked disgusted.

The response was quick and blunt.

~ Our kind needed to reproduce in secret. We are parasitic. This changed after one incident involving the death of an egg nest. This is why I observed you first. A different tactic was needed. This relationship is vital. It will lead to a more symbiotic relationship with your kind. If all proceeds positively.~

~ Does that mean if we prove a good match you won't violate random humans?~

~ precisely.~

~ No pressure...~ he thought to himself

~ Cease. Expectations have already been exceeded. These new protocols started back ten sun cycles.~

~ So recent then? Also how long has this been going on..?~

Before sunder could respond Seth pulled into work. It was busy and filled with idiotic drivers that stole his attention away. It did not matter if he had got to work early, if it took too long to park!

Despite others best efforts he managed to park and get to work early. Something he had not done in a long time, since back when he had first started this job. Quickly he grabbed his headphones, played some music, and went inside. Clocked in and made it to the coffee table in the break room, where he stored his lunch.

Other coworkers sat around the table, staring at Seth like he were a unicorn. A thin, elderly woman with short blonde hair, blue eyes and caked on makeup was the first to break the silence.

" Seth?! Well, I'll be damned. My little Kaczynski. Good to see ya again. You look goooood, friend. How's it been?" Her voice was husky and baked in a heavy southern accent.

She was insane. She would call people by the strangest nicknames. Often comparing others to famous killers, cult leaders, and other people of infamy.

~ Hello Janet.... oh right!~ he had been doing a good job psyopping himself into thought communication. Yet he still had a way to go before he could perfectly switch when needed.

" Hello Janet. I am doing great. Feeling nice and..." he could never get a word in edge-wise, before being interrupted. This was only part of the reason he did not interact with her much.

" Get fucked? That's a face of bliss. We've seen you basically skip through these halls. No music, only one other thing could do that! Well, that or drugs..." Her words were loud, bombastic, and dripping with a sensual nature.

It was well known she did "favors" for people to get them to do her work so she could relax faster. Seth had helped her out of kindness before. She offered a different kind of aid. He would always refuse as kindly as he could.

Unfortunately for Seth, he wore his emotions on his face like a gunshot. He was deep red.

" Um...no, I just got some rest and things are going well...got a new game!" he stammered out in rapid succession trying and failing to look subtle.

Hehehehehe she laughed

" Well, well, someone is getting some. I'll stop teasing ya baby boy. Oh! Before you go, did you hear? The government's exposing all them aliens! Finally, vindication! Those dastardly government dogs couldn't hide it anymore!"

She was insane

" Oh, ya what happened?" Seth was used to placating people at this point. He had done it with his parents and siblings in their beliefs. Now he was doing it at work. A coping mechanism so he didn't have to deal with any confrontation.

This, however, only gets you so far, and unfortunately for Seth, he knew that all too well...

! BUUUUUUUUZZZZZ!

The start of shift.

~ thank God... ~ he thought to himself

" Good to see you, Janet, but duty calls." The other coworkers did not engage in the conversation at all. They were smart. She barely had time to wave before Seth was out of the door and at his station.

~ She is correct. ~ a low voice hummed

"What?" Seth shot back before realizing it was Sunder in his mind.

~ That woman. She is correct.~

~ about...?~

~ extraterrestrial life. My species. Oseroxioidian. We are from another planet.~

Seth stopped dead in his tracks. He did not really think about it. Of course this was the case, though what else could Sunder be?

The realization of it all hit him like an intergalactic truck.

~ Maintain. You already considered this possibility.~

He tried to continue working, however, if anyone were to observe Seth, it was clear he was off.

~ You...you.. you're a..a..an alien?~

~ Affirmative. My species comes from a planet 4 light years away. I was sent on a forward mission. To assess. To observe. To prepare. I arrived on earth ten sun cycles ago.~

Worry, stress, and fear all flooded his mind, questions going a million miles a minute. He could not help but let his mind go.

~ I shall answer. You are safe. Your species is safe. Observations and preliminary reports across the hive mind now recommend co-habitation. It is a colonization effort. You are among the highest rated specimens found.~

This news sent a shiver down his spine. Sweat beaded down his body. It was no longer just a little thing relegated to him and his life. It was bigger.

So much BIGGER...

~ What is the plan? Like the goal, how...am...am I just a tool? ~ he asked with all his soul, sad to hear the response but needing, no begging to hear it.

There was a lull in their response.

~ Permission Granted. Maintain current course.

Reproduction. Safety. Expansion. Biological needs. Your planet is not alone. It is a rarity. Only 3 planets bear compatible lifeforms. Only 1 of those species proved to be of adequate danger parameters. ~ There was a sense of a large third entity connecting to his mind. Hence the delay. Sunder was talking to the others.

Then there was a long silence after that.

~ You are my egg nest. My liaison. A tool implies a limited use. You are no tool. Useful. Helpful. More. Mine.~

~ ours, you mean... ~ Seth said, almost devoid of life. The happiness drained from him.

~ Mine. Our species has individuality. Like you humans. We are more connected than you. You are of interest to my kind. Be honored.~

~ I... I thought. I hoped for... ~ barely holding in tears.

~ A lover. I can grant that. If you desire. I will be the only one to be bounded to you.~

~ do you love me?~

~That is a human concept. Great care. Prizing another. These are notable aspects. I know you love me. It was stated last night.~

Seth blushed, nearly vomited from the rush of emotions and heat.

~ Isn't that love? That is love, you can read my thoughts, you know how I feel! ~ he said, now angry.

~ Cease emotional outbursts. I do. This concept of love is alien to me. It is beyond a simple diction change. It honors me that a specimen like you puts such weight on my existence. ~ While the language barrier did not lead to the exact outcome Seth wanted. The last thought might just be what he needed to hear.

~ oh okay... this is still alot.~

~ It is what you asked. Truth. There is no correct response. You wish me to love you. I can not understand that. You wish not to be manipulated. If I said I love you, you would feel manipulated.~

Well, they had that all right. They could read his mind after all. Seth was in a tight spot but couldn't bring himself to say anything further, the whole situation seemed more bleak than it had before.

~ I can learn to understand. ~ he cooed kissing the interior wall of his body.

A wave of utter bliss reignited inside Seth. His thoughts and hopes flared uncontrollably. More than a lot of other basic statements Sunder had said before this one had a genuineness to it that felt more... human.

~ I hope you can. Though I do think you have a basic understanding and should be able to come to a conclusion already. ~ he pouted.

~ Cease. I will learn. Know. You meet most of the criteria for this earthen concept.~

~ Are you buttering me up?~

~ Cease. I say the truth. You have limited access to my mind. Enough to not shatter your mind.~

He knew. This connection was indescribable. His mind buzzed back to the insane truth of it all. He had an alien inside his body along with its eggs. If this were a horror movie, he'd be in big trouble.

Maybe he was, he thought.

From inside, Seth was coddled by many tentacles. They moved around making sticky, bulbous mounds jiggle against his walls. The eggs tickled as they settled back into place. Causing him to get hard and begin leaking.

~ The offspring will bring you no harm. The coating keeps them in place. It will provide needed nutrients. They cannot harm you to any drastic extent.~

~ So they can harm me?~ he asked, worried. Now compounding all his negativity into this new thought.

~ Cease. They will seek out other nutrients. Our species can process any material and separate anything unnecessary. I have fed off you already. absorbing semen. sweat. Saliva. The offspring, while young, will seek out any nutrients. Their undeveloped bodies will mostly absorb nutrients from their surroundings.~

~ MOSTLY!?!!~

~ they can forcefully absorb these through their developing tendrils. They will lack the talent or know-how to achieve much. They require little to survive.~

~ how many are inside me?~

~ I have managed to implant 43 eggs in this batch. ~ he seemed almost disappointed about the number.

~ well 43 little you's, even taking a teaspoon worth of blood will be dangerous!~

~ Cease this thought process. I shall be there to aid them. No harm shall befall you. I have also been stockpiling nutrients for their birth. For you as well if need be.~

~ That's slightly worrying! No majorly worrying!~

~ All measures have been taken. I have calculated the odds of a successful birth. 98.76 percent.~

Before Seth could get worried over less than 2 percent. He felt a warmth from within and began to relax. The soothing nature of sunder pressing into his mind aided in his stress levels decreasing.

~ Well, those are better odds than normal births. And I doubt I could afford a better doctor than Sunder.~

Just as this thought passed his mind, he bumped flat into someone.

Eric. He looked down at Seth and frowned deeply.

" Headphones and an invasion of personal space? I think today is a write up. So sad for both of us... I'd hate to put extra work and worry on either of us. Tell you what! Kiss my hand and apologize, then I'll forget about this day's transgression." The malice oozing off Eric had reached a new apex.

~ Seth. Why is this human raising your stress levels?~

He was going to pull away, then a hand reached out towards him. It had several rings of different styles on each finger.

"Well... get to it." Swaying his hand back and forth in front of Seth.

~ GET CLOSE TO HIS HAND~ a demand, but one Seth could easily ignore. He obliged the demand hoping Sunder knew something he didn't.

Just before the lip hit ring, a tentacle shot straight up Seth's shirt and into the sleeve of Eric. The speed caught Seth off guard; he barely had time to process the thing leaving his hole before he saw a tentacle slither up through Eric's suit and into his ear.

Eric nearly fainted. He retracted his hand and looked blank.

~ Hey! Don't get caught!~

Eric then removed something from his pocket. A wallet brimming with cash. Money was snatched by Sunder as he retreated leaving Eric slightly breathless. As he came to, the money disappeared into Sunder, who then disappeared into Seth.

" What was I... oh, Seth! Get back to work." He said shaking before heading down the opposite corridor.

~ Sunder, what did you do?!~

~ Protected my egg nest. He will not recall this interaction. He will not recall having money on his person.~

Seth did not know how to feel about that, but Eric was a prick, so he moved on.

He did not get much of a break today trying to finish out his day flooded with thoughts and worries. Sunder chose not to interrupt his musings much, only speaking up when his worry peaked.

With 15 minutes left in the day. Seth sat back waiting for it to end. Maybe dramatically, he didn't just mean the workday.

~ How much are you able to tell me? ~ Seth asked sheepishly.

~ The only restrictions. Are ones that have been placed upon myself.~

~ So I can ask anything and if you have the information, you'll give it. Or is there secrets?~

~ Information is withheld. To ensure the safety of our homeworld. To ensure safety of the whole.~

~ Okay, so what's your home like? ~ He leaned into the conversation listening intently.

~ Its location is of paramount importance. The universe is filled with dangers that threaten all life. Thus, I will not divulge it. My home planet is divided into two distinct aspects. Land and sea. Like your own. Land is underdeveloped. heat levels are high. Barley sustaining life upon it. The water is where my species developed. ~

~ Is that it? ~ he asked, disappointed.

~ There is not much to my home. Resources rich. We left searching for egg nests. The land dwellers dwindled in our efforts to expand the oceans.~

~ Hope they won't do that here!~

~ Your planet consists of a much higher density of water than my home planet. We can't afford to threaten our only hope for our species. We learn. We left. Now we try to adapt.~

~ Seems familiar...~

~ YES. Your species. One of the mission statements is to preserve your planet. To preserve humanity. To preserve Oseroxioidians.~

~ Why us though? You could easily wipe us out, and Earth has a host of animals surely suited for the task.~

~ easily... ~ Sunder stops almost laughing.

~ No. Suffering. Collective suffering. Avoiding suffering is the mission. No other creature on this planet comes close to human compatibility. Soft. Intelligent. With working neural receptors. That is why. ~ He seemed so sure of it. Clearly, they were desperate.

Seth thought about humanity being in their shoes... tentacles. If we had a shortage of women and found a hot alien species out there with compatible vaginas. Well, he got it. Avoiding suffering, though. Even to the other party? That had to be because of the intense link their species was capable of.

~ Noted. ~ Sunder uttered.

The buzzer went off, and Seth made his way out to his car.

~ what did you note down? ~ he said as he sat down in the driver's seat.

~ Ways we could approach humanity better.~

~ Well, if your kind looked like a sexy woman, I bet you'd get more support. ~ he said jokingly.

Without missing a beat, Sunder slid out and onto the chair next to him. Their body shifted into a roughly humanoid shape about 4 feet tall.

The yellow tentacles faded into a more natural tone. Sunder now sported sunken eyes like holes covered by a mass of tendrils shaped like a cute bob of hair. A pert, cute V like mouth hole formed in between their round cheeks. Their arms and legs were thick, smooth tentacles. Breast-like mounds started to form on their body.

~ Wait! Wait! Get down, you idiot we are in public!~

~ We are inside the vehicle with little surrounding lifeforms. I have also assumed a disguise. Based on the skin tone of my host. ~ they purred.

~ Normal people don't have naked women in their front seat! Let alone leaving work! ~ he thought and yelled this. Which drew some attention.

~ I know. This state pleases you. This information will aid our mission. ~ the inner voice was very feminine sounding and triggered a familiarity. They were using the voice of one of the heroes he played!

~ GET. BACK. INSIDE! ~ using their own tone and vernacular. Sunder slides back inside causing Seth to moan and shiver.

He had little time to think before the staring got to him. He quickly drove home, embarrassed and worried out of his mind.

~ You shall be rewarded.~

These aliens had no idea how easy their invasion was going to be.