Encounters Out There

Captain Marsha Zimmer blacked out while en route to a space colony.

She awoke to an orb hovering above her.

Marsha tried communicating with it, but it shocked her, inflicting excruciating pain.

Once she stopped, the orb ceased its torture.

Later ...

The orb zapped Marsha's eyelids shut, effectively blinding her.

Marsha walked in complete darkness, guided by shocks, till the orb restored her eyesight.

She stood on a stage, naked, beside her fellow crew members.

Bright lights and beeping robots surrounded them.

The orb rapidly signaled back and forth to its robotic audience.

"An auction?" Marsha's eyes teared up.