by Zena Zion
The creature disappeared shortly after and the door closed behind it, sealing them in to the large chamber.
“You may remove your device now.” She was instructed.
With great hesitation, Beth deactivated the atmospheric assimilation pack and pulled it from her face. Her first breath was met with the purest, and most delicious smelling air that she had ever breathed. The pollution collected on earth had, in recent decades, made even the most isolated of regions harbor a slightly thicker air and rotten scent.
The fresh moss and clean gases made Beth’s lungs feel alive and invigorated. How did they produce oxygen when Beth had not seen a single plant on the surface of Asreen?
“How do you…” Beth began to ask but was once again stopped with a raised hand. For a species that Margwall was so certain was struggling biologically, the advancements in technology that would allow them to contain an atmosphere different than that of the planet itself, spoke of an intelligence that Beth had not been prepared to encounter.
“Dreth awaits.” The female turned.
“What!” Beth called after her. “What is your name?” For the first time she realized that in her awe for all new discoveries, she had completely forgotten to introduce herself to her first acquaintance.
“I am called Almooreenalegnar.” When Beth’s wide eyes displayed her surprise, the female gave a half smile. “Females have long names that catalog our ancestry and fertility. Males have short names that express power or strength. “You may call me Almoore, as other females do. And yours?”
“Bethany Anne Coulter.” She gave her full name in hopes that she would not be mistaken for a male.
“I am pleased for your visit Bethanyannecoulter.” Almoore spoke her name as one continuous word. “You have a fine, strong name and a healthy frame. You must make your mate proud.”
“My mate?” Beth choked. “I don’t have a mate.”
Almoore drew up short. “You have no Earth mate? Are the males not…” she whispered, “satisfactory?”
“What?” Beth was having a difficult time controlling her laughter. She did not want to insult her new friend. “No. I just haven’t met the right one yet. Someday, I suppose.” She shrugged.
Almoore gave her an appraising look.
“You can’t mean that on your planet, the females choose the mate, can you?” she seemed shocked and appalled.
“Well, sort of.” Beth explained. “We choose each other.”
Almoore scoffed as if the idea were preposterous. “How can two choose the same? Are you commanded to choose?”
“No.” Beth allowed herself a chuff. “We just decide that we want to be together. Or not.”
Almoore’s mouth turned into a thoughtful frown. “I cannot see how two opinions would be conducive to a decision. A male should choose his mate if he finds her worthy and then she shall be honored to belong to him.” Then with a shrug, she continued walking through a nearby door while muttering to herself about the strange practices of Earthly relations.
CH. 3. THREN
After what seemed like endless wandering through a complex network of tunnels and staircases, the foursome emerged into a domed, sky lit chamber filled with ornate carvings and bejeweled statues. At the far end of the room sat a fearsome looking man, his skin the color of the bluest sapphire. His dark hair spilled in waves down the length of his back, small sections beaded with a rainbow of colors that reflected the sunlight as he moved his head.
Beth followed Almoore toward the man, where he sat on a dais above all others except for one.
Despite his prominent location at the center of the dais, it was the man seated at his feet that drew Beth’s attention. A powerfully built male, muscular and obviously tall in stature despite his position, lounged on the edge of the dais. His toned legs dangled lazily in the air as he held a whispered conversation with the man above him.
Beth was enticed by the pale blue color of his skin, so pale in fact, that from afar she might have taken him for a human. The translucent color gave the effect that he was sitting under the glowing light of the moon, a beautiful mixture of shadow and light.
A more perfect specimen Beth had never laid eyes on. Each definitive inch of his musculature stood out in the sharp contrast of peaks and valleys. Her hands itched for the charcoal pencil and her observation notebook. To draw this figure would be the most accurate representation of the biological makeup of this alien species.
As her eyes roamed over his body, Beth realized, for the first time, that the creatures were wearing a version of clothing that looked so natural that she had subconsciously overlooked it.
Linen shorts covered the lower portions of each individual’s body, the females bearing a horizontal stripe of fabric that covered their breasts but left the rest of their torso bare. Sandals of some leather-like makeup were strapped to their feet, the smooth but sturdy material making no sound as dozens of the aliens shuffled around the silent room.
Upon their entry the occupants fell still and, if possible, even more silent than before. Beth felt the eyes of her audience bore into her very soul. They seemed observant, for a primitive species. Perhaps curious, though she did not have the impression that they were at all surprised, or even impressed with her presence.
She wished that she had changed her clothing after such a long period of cryogenic sleep. Resisting the urge to run her hands through her hair, she tried to remember the bathing procedures of the robotic aid on her pod. Without a mirror, or a bath, she could only hope that she looked somewhat presentable to her new hosts.
Almoore stopped in front of the dais and bowed low to the ground, pressing her lips to the smooth stone surface at her feet.
Beth, unsure of the protocol, considered doing the same until Almoore straightened and spoke in their strange, yet enchanting, language.
The long-haired leader turned toward Beth and stared at her for a long moment. All the time, out of the corner of her eye, she could see the pale blue man watching her with narrowed eyes. Never once did he move a muscle. Never once, did he blink. She would have noticed, for every inch of her being felt drawn to watch his every movement, and yet he remained still as if carved from stone.
“Earthling,” The leader addressed her in a booming voice, “I am Dreth, commander of the Seven Tribes of Asreen. We welcome you to our home, and hope that you have come here with a welcoming heart as well.”
His statement caught her off guard. She understood his concern for his people, especially if the inhabitants of this planet needed as much help from the scientists on Earth as Margwall had come to believe.
“I ensure you,” Beth bowed her head slightly, “that my time here will be spent for the benefit of both parties as we work together to build a future of communication and trust.”
“What could we have to learn from Earth?” The stone man spoke in a low voice. “A primitive planet with warmongering and destructive tendencies.”
His speech was cut off by a sharp gesture from his leader.
“This is my son, my heir. Thren.” Dreth explained with the grin of a father who knew his child was old enough to have a mind of their own. Beth now saw the resemblance. A paler color than his father, and shorter hair perhaps, but the same firm stature and resolute grace emanated from both men. “He does not like the idea of Earthlings visiting our planet, however, he has a right to his opinion as Thren is the most studied of our race when it comes to external species.” Dreth shifted to sit more comfortably in his seat. “He will be your primary contact, and caretaker during your stay on our planet. He will reveal to you much about our species, and in return, you will allow him to study you as well.”
Beth nodded her assent, not entirely sure why the Asreen’s seemed to think that she was here for anything less than the survival of their species. Margwall had warned her that they were prideful, so she determined not to address the apparent misunderstanding. It should not, she reminded herself, influence her ability to observe and collect the data necessary
for her return.
“I am surprised that your professor has sent a female of breeding age to our planet without her mate.” Dreth mused as if he thought this a gross failure on Professor Margwall’s part. “What are you called?”
“Bethanyannecoulter.” Almoore informed quickly. The onlookers’ voices rose to a gentle hum. Almoore had said that names held great significance in their culture, Beth wondered what hers might mean.
Thren leaned over to get a better look at her.
“I was of the impression that Earthlings had weak names. Short and insignificant.” His voice quieted the crowd once more.
“My full name is Bethany Anne Coulter. Three names. Not one.” She explained. “I am often referred to as Miss Coulter. Or simply, Beth.” Feeling that his challenge of her name was meant as an insult, she could not resist adding. ‘I am neither weak nor insignificant, though I cannot deny that I may be short… comparatively.”
Thren threw his head back into a hearty laugh. His hand slapped the dais as if he thought her response positively unexpected. The crowd as well had begun to buzz with excitement at her cheeky response, the onlookers moved in closer now watching her with renewed interest.
“Miss Coulter.” Dreth was laughing as well. “Where is your mate?” Another chuckle escaped him as he looked down at the small human with a big attitude. “You are going to need him here.”
With her chin raised in defiance, she narrowed her eyes at the chauvinistic males before her. Clearly this species was not yet advanced enough to have experienced the female liberation that Earth so proudly professed.
“I have no mate. Nor do I need one.” Her statement brought gasps and shrieks from the crowd. Almoore clapped her hand over her eyes and whispered something that sounded suspiciously like, should not have said that.
Before Beth realized what had happened, one of the large winged creatures burst into the room with a vicious roar. Or, had it burst in? The doors remained shut. Where had it come from?
Neon green and growling with a ferocity that made the hair on her skin raise, Beth stared into the eyes of the creature that stood not thirty yards away.
Dreth was shouting loudly into the crowd in their strange language when, to Beth’s utter disbelief, one of the males beside her burst into the raging form of a blood red monster. Almoore grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the far wall but Beth could not draw her eyes away from what was happening. The male’s skin had stretched and morphed until… she felt as if she were about to vomit.
Turning to Almoore with wide eyes, Beth grabbed her shoulders and spoke hysterically into the female’s face.
“Are all of those things outside...?” Her breath was coming in gasps and she could not bring herself to finish the question.
“Yes.” Almoore nodded.
“No.” Beth did not think Almoore understood that she was asking if each of the winged, scaled, massive creatures were actually the citizens of Asreen. “What I mean is are they all…” she could not think of the word, “Shapeshifters?” Beth had heard of planets with morphology transformations but never once had Professor Margwall led her to believe that Asreen was one of those places. He must not have known or he would never have sent such a new assistant.
“Not they.” Almoore smiled. “We. All of us.”
Beth’s brain could not process the information. Instead, she turned to look back at the two beasts who had now cleared the center of the room with their enormous threat displays.
“What are they doing?” She whispered.
“Choosing your mate.” Almoore stated as if the answer were obvious.
“What?” Beth shrieked.
“Oh Earthling.” Almoore patted Beth’s head as if she were a child to be humored, “You should be honored to have two such fearsome males so quick to battle for your pleasure.”
“My pleasure?” Beth was mortified at the concept that they would consider her impressed by this.
“Yes! Aren’t you pleased? Which do you think will be your champion? Are you not excited for your winner to claim you as his own?” Almoore was clearly enjoying the event, completely unaware that Beth thought the entire display barbaric.
“No, I’m not pleased.” She took a step toward the two creatures that were now circling each other. In one idiotic moment, she made the decision to run between them.
Holding her hands out as if her feeble stance could keep the towering beasts apart, she shouted up into their snarling faces.
“I don’t want a champion. This does not please me. Stop this right now!” When that seemed to have no effect, she called at the top of her lungs into the echoing room, “I refuse either of you as a mate.” She stamped her foot. “Neither of you.”
This did not go over well. Apparently on this planet, the females did not express preference prior to a battle being fought.
In one last ditch effort; she turned to the dais, where Dreth and Thren sat idly watching the display. Hoping that a command from their leaders would put a stop to this insane behavior, Beth stamped over to the rulers, put her hands on her hips and pierced Thren with a serious glare.
“Well,” she demanded, “aren’t you going to do something?”
His perfectly arched eyebrows raised in surprise. With an appraising look that traveled from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, he stared at her. The act made her skin tingle as if he had physically touched her in all the places his eyes had traveled. For some strange reason, despite the fear that she felt at the moment, she could not suppress the momentary burst of attraction that she felt for what was essentially the prince of this alien species.
Pushing himself up from the platform, he stood upon the dais and looked at his father.
“Of all you’ve denied?” Dreth mumbled in shock.
Thren nodded.
The exchange was lost on Beth. What did this have to do with the battle beginning behind her?
Thren gave one last, sideways, look at Beth before launching himself off of the dais. His body transformed in mid-air. As he soared gracefully over her head, Beth watched the massive wings protrude from his back, his body widen and elongate, until he landed in the center of the chamber with a great roar that shook the pillars along the walls.
His final form was significantly larger than the two creatures that stood before him. There was something majestic about his movements, a lithe sway to his sweeping tale and neck that darted at his opponents with lethal aim.
The battle was over before she realized it had even begun. In two swift motions, Thren grabbed the other beasts by their neck or tail and flung them across the stone floor where they lay nursing their open wounds. Standing on hind legs of pure muscle, he stretched into the air, extending his wings, and releasing a cry of pure victory. Beth was not surprised when neither attempted to renew his attack. Thren was too fearsome to even attempt to best. It was clear that he was the true alpha of all the citizens except, for now, his father.
As his body transformed back into what Beth could now only describe as his humanoid form, she realized that the room had quickly cleared of all but the two of them. Not even Almoore could be found waiting to lead Beth to her next destination.
Thren turned toward Beth and pierced her with a forbidding stare.
“I was under the impression that your stay was not permanent.” His words sounded measured but there was an underlying tone, which she could not put her finger on.
“I’m not.” She replied with a simple shrug. “Listen, thank you for…”
“It doesn’t get more permanent than taking a mate, Human.” Not for the first time, she was struck by the masterful command of the English language that they had all seemed to perfect.
“I’m not taking a mate.” She argued. Was that not what he had just prevented from happening?
Thren spoke a word that she did not understand but clearly got the impression that it was a curse.
“You Earthlings are so ignorant.” He stared up at the glass ceiling in frustration. “What
exactly is it that you expected me to do then… in your feeble mind?”
“My feeble mind? What are you talking about?” she took two long strides over to stand toe to toe with the man who was infuriating her beyond belief.
“You can’t ask a male to stop a fight for dominance.” He spoke slowly, making it very clear to Beth that he believed she was the one of inferior intelligence. “You ask him to best it on your behalf.”
Comprehension washed over her like a cold wave. Thren had not forced the others to stop fighting over her, he had claimed her as his own. The worst part was that he clearly thought that she had wanted him to do it, preferred him to the others, and chosen him as her ideal mate. She averted her eyes from his watchful gaze as she felt a heated blush cross her features.
He leaned closer to her, causing Beth to take a step back.
“You were clearly unprepared for the knowledge that we have dual forms on this planet. Through my studies, I am aware that you do not share this trait.” He began to walk in a slow appraising circle around her. “How much preparation did you do for this journey? You have no knowledge of our physical capabilities. Did you learn our language as we have yours?”
“No.” Beth admitted. “I’m new to Professor Margwall’s laboratory. I believe he is the only one who can decipher your messages.”
He scoffed. “Primitive and uneducated.”
“I am not uneducated!” She countered. “I received top scores in the most difficult space biology program on our planet.”
“What use is that when you spent little time learning about us?”
“That’s what I am here to do. I was supposed to have communications with Professor Margwall who is knowledgeable about your species but I’ve lost communication with the base.” She was speaking quickly as if she could explain what she knew was a massive defect in her plan.
