by Zena Zion
With a sigh of resignation Eliana dropped her gown and allowed the women to help her ease into the temperate water. If she had not been aware that she had been purchased as a slave only this afternoon, Eliana would have felt positively pampered.
The harsh reality was that Rox was probably disgusted with her grungy hair and sweat soaked skin. Of course he would want her properly cleaned and attired before having anything to do with her. She instantly regretted the luxurious bath. If she could only have remained filthy then maybe she would be able to dissuade him from any attentions that he might request.
One of the attendants, a malnourished looking teen with an artificial black braid that trailed behind her on the ground, washed Eliana’s hair with extreme care. The other, and elderly female with sharp blue nails and Hepto’s double suns tattooed on her forehead, tapped commands into the control center that released a series of soaps and lotions for her counterpart.
Eliana now understood why so many of the women outside of the building had been wet. It was likely that they were workers who had been drenched during a bathing, much like her young attendant was now.
Once she was thoroughly clean, Eliana stood motionless as a clear cylinder rose out of the tile around her. A swirl of warm air dried her hair and body with surprising speed. Once the cylinder had retreated to the bowels of the room she looked around for something suitable to wear.
After rejecting a pair of miniature white shorts and cropped top that were traditional Heptonian fashion, Eliana settled on a pair of pants that were identical to the ones she had seen on Rox. Unable to find a decent length shirt, she opted for one that fluttered around her navel rather than the style that ended right below her breasts.
She allowed the attendants to choose a formal gown of emerald green, to enhance her hazel eyes. It had a jeweled clasp behind her neck and the sheer fabric skimmed the front of her body, covering a revolutionary backless bra that blended perfectly with her skin.
Her back would be entirely bare until the skirt joined staggeringly low on her hips. Surprisingly, this was the least revealing of all the formal gowns and her attendants had not understood Eliana’s request to pair it with the nude bra, which was considered a stand-alone shirt for a casual outfit.
She carefully chose the rest of her outfits, including a pair of thick riding pants with boots, before dismissing the women.
Eliana wondered what time it was. She was exhausted and was sure it must already be late in the night. Yet, Rox had not returned. Would he be offended, she wondered, if she simply went to sleep.
After pacing the room, now empty except for the bed and changing station, Eliana found herself too tired to remain awake. She changed into a gossamer nightgown and crawled beneath the brilliant white sheets.
She scooted low in the plush bed and pulled the feathered comforter high over her head. Perhaps it was because she had spent two days lying on the hard floor of a space shuttle, but within moments she had slipped peacefully into the comfort of a deep, dreamless sleep.
Eliana vaguely remembered hearing Rox return to the room. She heard him open a series of floor panels followed by the distinct sound of the bath filling. That was the noise that finally woke Eliana from her slumber.
She held still and practiced slow, controlled breathing. She could hear him disrobe, quickly bathe, and enter the drying chamber. Luckily, the blanket was still positioned above her head so that she had no fear of the temptation to peek at his activities.
Finally, she heard the basin and cylinder retract into the floor Eliana braced herself for Rox to pull the covers back and join her in the bed. Maybe, she thought, if she pretended to be too tired to wake, he would leave her alone for the night.
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MORE BY ZENA ZION
PREVIEW OF ‘OWNED BY THE ALIEN’ BY ZENA ZION
Ch. 1 – THE MISSION
“Coulter, get in here!” The frenzied voice from the laboratory sent Bethany Coulter running down the sterile hallway. Lexington Margwall, or Lexi as his lab assistants referred to him in covert whispers, was the brains behind the entire Margwall Space Exploratory Operation.
Beth had joined the prestigious space research laboratory two years prior, after graduating top of her class from the Intercontinental School of Space Exploration, and had only recently been promoted to Margwall’s personal, and exclusive, advanced lab.
While she had heard many rumors about his eccentricities and garish ways, Beth had been unprepared for the maelstrom that was the man who had inspired such massive interest in field in recent years. Margwall’s discoveries had pushed the sciences to the brink of their limits. His communications with other planets had brought about massive advancements in worldwide technology and biological understanding. His newest project was proclaimed to be his most influential yet.
Beth burst through the stainless steel swinging doors that reminded her of the funny tales her mother told her of cowboy saloons that used to exist during the American’s more primitive age, nearly seven-hundred years ago. Each time they flapped behind her, she suppressed the urge to mutter, “howdy partner,” to her too-serious colleagues.
She adjusted the enormous travel pack that was slung across her shoulders, took a deep breath, and sauntered toward Lexi, who was checking items off of a clipboard in the center of the room. She decided that a display of confidence was key for the day’s events.
Though, truthfully, she could not say which she felt more, excitement, fear, anticipation, or some strange fluttery sensation in her stomach that told her that this day would define the rest of her known life. With her mousy brown hair pulled back in a no-nonsense ponytail, she appeared much more controlled than she felt.
Margwall was muttering under his breath as he riffled through the items gathered at his feet. Finally, he looked up at her, a glassy-eyed expression of maniacal excitement made her wonder how much caffeine he had consumed this morning.
“Miss Coutler!” His sweaty palms grasped her shoulders and shook her in what she had come to learn was his version of a welcome. “It seems as if everything is in place. Are you ready to re-define the human race as we know it?”
“Sir, I’m only collecting samples.” The real work, she told herself, would begin upon her return to Earth when they analyzed and processed the information that she would gather.
“Hodgepodge.” He muttered, waving a hand at her as he walked briskly down the center isle of the laboratory. Beth jogged to keep up with his short, but quick-stepping, legs. “The information that you collect will be our first ever attempt to coordinate an interstellar exchange of science and technology with a species of alien that greatly needs our help.” He turned on the spot and placed a hand on her shoulder, like a parent speaking to a very dull child.
“You must remember, no matter what they consider themselves, they are in need of our help to biologically ensure the continuation of their existence. This species is prideful so you’ll do well not to offend them, but their knowledge is inferior to our own and we can bring them to the forefront of the galactic network!”
By the end of his speech, Margwall had raised a fist into the air and stared blankly into the ceiling, reminding Beth of the dramatic speeches of politicians and activists alike.
Beth followed him once more as he approached the nearby pod which was being systematically packed with the items that he had previously been checking, in preparation for the long journey ahead.
Not larger than five hundred square feet on the interior, the travel pod was designed for efficiency rather than comfort. Not, she reminded herself, that she would remember the journey either way.
“Miss Coulter, have you eaten anything this morning?” The staff medical lead approached with her own clip board and a rigid air.
Beth confirmed that she had not and they began the pre-flight medical examination.
Two hours later, she was strapped into the pod, a series of tubes and monitors spread f
rom her body in a complicated web of unnatural devices.
“Alright, Miss Coulter, we’re all set and your vitals look excellent.” The woman gave her an encouraging wink. “Take a deep breath and remember, pod travel is safer than one of those death-trap cars they used to ride in.” She closed the hatch and Beth heard the seal close and the cabin atmospheric regulator kick on.
The woman’s voice returned, though this time through a speaker over Beth’s head. “Entering cryogenic sleep in three… two…one...”
CH 2 – FIRST CONTACT
The cabin shook and Beth struggled to open her eyes. Her head felt fuzzy and muddled, her tongue dry from lack of use, and her stomach growled with hunger. Instantly, a tube at her side pumped some sort of mushy sustenance into her stomach. The sensation was uncomfortable to say the least.
“Inisss.” She coughed and licked her lips. “Initiate medical independence.” Her voice croaked and sounded much deeper than was normal.
“Initiating medical independence in three… two… one…” The robotic voice repeated as a series of mechanical arms began detaching the network of tubes and monitors from her body. Each tubular location was sealed with a liquid that bubbled and, when exposed to a small amount of heat, repaired her skin without any trace of a bruise or scar.
When she was finally free to move her limbs independently, Beth was pleased to realize that the cryogenic muscle maintenance program had sufficiently exercised her body so that she felt no stiffness or loss of strength.
“Drink.” She commanded.
“Liquid electrolytes will help ease the transition out of cryogenic sleep.” The robotic voice informed her as a pouch with a blue liquid floated toward her. Beth emptied the pouch and sighed with relief as her dry throat cleared.
“Food.” Her voice, with renewed strength, was finally recognizable.
“Passenger, you have just eaten.” The pod informed her. Beth remembered the strange mush that had entered her stomach and decided that what she really wanted was a burger, or pasta, or anything solid that did not have the consistency of wet cat food.
“Food.” She repeated.
“Passenger, you have…”
“FOOD.” Beth spoke over the recording.
A slot on the wall opened and Beth grimaced as she removed the freeze-dried package of what was supposed to be a turkey dinner. The crumbly, dry substance marked no resemblance to the real thing, but it did settle the churning of her stomach.
“Please remain seated as we enter the atmosphere. Now entering the atmosphere to planet Asreen.” The voice instructed. “Remember to use your oxygen pack at all times. Dermal exposure to the atmosphere is non-life-threatening. Contact with the surface in three… two… one…”
With a thud, the pod landed. Beth shot out of her seat and instantly demanded that the outer shell of the pod be retracted to reveal a series of windows.
What she saw caused the blood in her veins to curdle. Circling in the air, high above her head, were monstrous creatures that Beth could only describe as pre-historic. Though little was known about the planet Asreen, except the few communications with its intelligent inhabitants, Beth had not been prepared for such a fearsome sight.
Each winged creature displayed colored scales with a vibrancy that Beth had never seen naturally occurring on Earth. It was as if layer upon layer of pigment melded together to create a bold and blinding effect. Quickly, she removed her camera from a nearby cabinet and began snapping photographic evidence of the magnificent creatures.
“Overlapping scale formations and bone structure appear serpentine. Height at least ten feet, length estimated at one-point-five times that, and wingspan at least double the estimated height.” She dictated into the microphone that remained attached to the collar of her shirt. “Vibrancy of color likely a result of atmospheric conditions. Flight control and ease of motion is unlike anything on Earth. Skeletal and muscular structure must be incredibly intricate to allow for such capabilities. Currently non-violent, yet definitely have the potential to cause serious injury.”
Beth watched the creatures weave in and out of view for a few more minutes, her mouth hanging open as she stared in awe at their grace and power. She could not think of anything that she wanted more than to study these beasts but her primary objective was to make contact with the primary residents of the planet.
With one last look at a particularly beautiful, red and yellow tinged creature, she moved to the command board of the pod to initiate communications with the laboratory base on Earth.
“Coulter to base 1.” She pressed the communication’s sequence that would project her voice into the deepest reaches of space. There was no response. Beth waited patiently for the message to travel, all the while creating a detailed drawing of the winged beasts in her observation notebook.
“Coulter to base 1.” She repeated several minutes later. “Base 1, come in.”
“B… …ne to…” the radio sputtered. “….copy?”
“Copy base 1. Successful docking. Waiting for contact.”
“Coult…” Static rang consistently for thirty seconds before the voice broke back through, “… mission…” More static. There was a loud pop and the communication was severed completely.
Beth attempted fruitlessly to reinitiate contact but all attempts were met with only deafening silence.
A soft knock on the outer shell of the pod had her turning to look out the window behind her.
With a scream, she flew out of her chair, flailing in a panic she landed haphazardly on her rump on the cold floor of the pod. Staring in at the window was a creature much stranger than the flying monstrosities that she had viewed upon landing. It was a human. Or, at least its features were eerily humanoid.
The skin, however, was tinged with the same vibrant hues that seemed to prevail in every creature on this planet. This was surprising as the landscape seemed pointedly barren. Beth held her hand to her heart and took slow, deep breaths as she stared at the pale violet person outside of her window. Again, the alien knocked.
Leaning over to press the button that would project her voice outside of the pod, she decided to ensure that this was, in fact, the intelligent species that she had come so far to visit. Just because they looked like humans did not mean that they were not some primitive sub-species that would inflict harm without a moment’s notice.
“Hello.” She spoke in a clear tone. Margwall had assured her that the local population had made an effort to learn English during their rare communications, a fact that Beth found surprising considering the fact that he was certain of their inferior intelligence level to the humans of Earth.
“Earthling. Welcome. I will now take you to our…” The female voice paused in thought, “home.”
Beth grabbed her oxygen pack and strapped it to her face. When she reached for her observation pack, the female tapped the glass once more and spoke.
“The items will be brought shortly. You must leave now.”
Beth wondered if the female was worried about the chance of an attack from the still-circling creatures above. Perhaps she felt hurried to return to the safety of their small camp. Leaving everything except for her atmospheric assimilation pack and the small handgun strapped to her ankle, Beth tentatively pressed the access button to the hatch.
With a small hiss, the door swung open to reveal a hugely muscular female flanked by two towering males of the deepest grey. When she stepped down from the pod, Beth realized that her head barely reached the shoulder of the nearest male. She swallowed and offered a hand to the speaker, who stared at it with great confusion.
After a moment, Beth withdrew her hand and wiped it on the leg of her pants.
“You will follow me now before you are seen by any but those who have forsaken their color. They are merely servants. Eunuchs, you would call them.” She gestured at the dull hued men beside her. “Dreth will see you before any other.”
Dreth. A name Beth recognized. The leader, or king, of their people. He had
provided an enormous amount of information about this planet that Lexi kept guarded from all but his most prized assistant. In return, a practical library of information on Earth and its inhabitants was returned for the study of the Asreen population, though her boss assured her they did not have the intelligence to interpret more than the most basic of language.
“It’s a courtesy, Miss Coulter.” Professor Margwall had informed her. “It shows our support of their culture, but I highly doubt they’ll read anything past the elementary school books. It’s a waste of information, really, but a necessary waste to gain their trust.”
With a quick nod, Beth followed the woman, who turned and began the slow descent down a rocky path that ran between two boulder outcroppings.
Careful not to lose her footing, Beth was watching her feet when she finally reached level ground. It was for this reason that she did not see the elaborate fortress until she was veritably standing at its doors. Made entirely of stone, the structure was honed with the skill of a master mason. Some of the curves and angles seemed to defy physics, their beauty and skill creating the illusion that the city-sized construction was swaying in the wind.
Contrarily, Beth would have said that it was the most solid and secure fortress that she had ever laid eyes on, even more so than the underground headquarters of the Intercontinental Task Force on Earth.
There was not a single door or window anywhere in the lowest hundred feet of the wall in front of her. Beth was wondering how they were expected to enter the stronghold when the violet woman gave a sharp whistle and one of the winged beasts came diving down to land beside them.
The fiery orange creature roared at the top of its lungs at the sight of Beth. It snapped razor sharp teeth in her direction before being resolutely scolded by her guide in what sounded like an enormously complicated language.
