It took us about fifteen minutes of wandering outside to find someplace open. The restaurant was more like a military chow hall I had seen on TV than anything else. It was a very sterile room, with lines of food along some counters. There wasn't a cash register. All food here was free.
They had grilled chicken, or what looked like grilled chicken. I requested the meat to be chopped and put on a salad, then grabbed some tea. Zelan found us a quiet table in the corner. Their hot tea tasted like chamomile and reminded me of simpler days. When I was young, my grandma used to make this for me whenever I slept over at her house. She died many years ago, but I always think of her when I taste chamomile.
We ate quickly and quietly. No one in the room was talking. Everyone had bleak expressions on their face. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to live in this small of a community and lose so many people in one night. I bet they all knew each other too.
After dinner, we went right back to our room. Normally, I would have liked to take an evening stroll after dinner, but the mood was all wrong. Everywhere I looked people were sad or crying. I felt awful for this community, but I wasn’t a part of it, so I didn’t feel like I could mourn with them.
“Natalie, would you mind if I went to sleep now? I am exhausted and really need to get some sleep.”
“You know what? I was going to say the same thing. It has been a very emotional day.” I took my pajamas to the bathroom to get ready for bed and thought about how awkward this sleeping situation was. He had told me earlier that he would be a gentleman. I chewed on my lower lip as I procrastinated leaving the room. I just hoped I wouldn’t have nightmares tonight.
Chapter 11
When I woke up, I was curled up against Zelan’s side. He had an arm around me. “Good morning, sleepy head. I was wondering when you would wake up.” He smiled down at me.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize I had curled up against you. You could have woken me if we needed to be up sooner.” I stretched and yawned.
“No worries. I was quite content with you in my arms. You are a perfect fit.” He gave me a quick hug. “We don’t need to be anywhere for at least two more hours. I wanted to take you to this little place that makes the best breakfast I have ever had. Have you ever eaten chocolate chip pancakes?”
I bolted upright in bed. “Are you serious? They have chocolate chip pancakes here?”
That was my favorite lazy day breakfast growing up. Mom would make them for the entire family on Saturdays when we had no plans. It didn’t happen often, but those were the days I missed the most. We would all eat the pancakes in our pajamas, and then head off to the living room to lay around and watch movies as a family. I think my sister and I actually got along back then too.
He chuckled, "I take it you like them?"
How could he look so good first thing in the morning? His teeth were dazzling white, his hair was a perfect mess, and he didn't have sleepy eyes like I always did. I bet my hair looked like a hornet's nest right about then too. What was I thinking? It was better if I looked a mess. I didn't need him falling for me any harder than he already had.
“Yes, can I shower first?” I got out of bed so fast, it was as if a fire had been lit under my butt. Finally, I found something that reminded me of home. It was something little, but sometimes it’s the small stuff that really matters.
For the first time in the history of the universe, a woman was ready before the man! It felt good to hurry him along. “Come on Zelan, we have to get there before they run out, or we won’t have time to sit and enjoy the pancakes! Do they have real maple syrup?” I knew it was silly. Nevertheless, this was the only thing enjoyable about this trip so far.
“Calm down. They have never run out before. I usually stop here for their breakfast whenever we are in town. I am not sure if it tastes the same as what you are used to. I do know that our butter and milk are different because we don’t have cows. At least not like yours. Ours are called, laulons, and produce a much richer milk. Most humans won’t drink ours because it is so rich. Only our young children drink the milk of laulons. It is full of vitamins a growing child needs.
"Strange, I just assumed you had the same cows as us. Well, I knew it would be a different name but thought it was the same. I am really interested in trying this now." When our breakfast came, I wasn't let down in the least.
While it was richer and creamier than I was used to, the chocolate chip pancakes were absolutely delicious! I think I could live here.
“Sooo, what are we doing today? No more fighting, I hope?” I could handle it again, just not this soon. Fighting was not in my DNA.
“We are going to a memorial service for those who died yesterday, and then we will head back to our ship. I must warn you, the Commander has said that unless you agree to be my mate, you will have to go back into the cells.” Zelan scratched his head, and I could tell he was sad by the downturn on his lips.
“I understand. While I am not happy about it, I knew I wasn’t going to get to stay free. Look, I do have feelings for you.” He started to smile, and I put my hand up to stop him from getting too happy, “I am not ready for a new relationship. My old fiancé, Ben, was like a cancer. I am not saying you are anything like him. I’m sure you are the total opposite.” I was wiggling in my seat.
“However, I need some time to be single and figure things out for myself. My entire adult life was with Ben. I have no clue who I am without a man. Before I can be with anyone, I need to figure myself out first. Can you understand that?” This was a truly uncomfortable situation, but he deserved the truth.
He cleared his throat. "Yes, I can understand. I am not happy, but I will respect your wishes. Does this mean you don't want to spend any more time with me?"
Oh, those sad puppy dog eyes! If I hadn't learned how strong I could be, I would have changed my mind right then and there. Zelan was a very handsome man. When his veins pulsed purple, I almost felt like I could love him. And when he pulsed blue, like right now, I felt his sadness in my heart.
There was this need inside of me to make him happy. I wasn’t sure if it was a trained desire from my last relationship, or if this was because of how I felt for Zelan. These are the types of things I needed time to learn.
“No, of course not. I want to spend time with you, getting to know you. Maybe if we lived here in this settlement we could date? Could we do that on the ship? Would the Commander allow it?"
“Date? What is that?” I watched Zelan’s veins as they pulsed back and forth between blues and greens. It really was mesmerizing. He was so cute when he tilted his head to one side and scrunched his forehead.
“Dating is a social event where a man and a woman who are interested in each other spend time together. They go out and do romantic things like candlelight dinners, mini-golf, sailing on a lake, or even making pottery together. I am not the best at these things since my ex never did any of it. We went out in groups to parties a lot. Or out to dinner, but nothing romantic. I want to experience romance. Can you understand that?” I put my hand out to touch his hand and he lightly clasped it in between both of his.
“Yes, I understand what you are looking for. This isn’t something my species is accustomed to, but I have noticed other humans, with their mates, back home doing some of what you have said. I will speak with the Commander and see what I can do.” He lifted my hand and kissed the palm. It sent goosebumps down my entire body. I couldn’t help but shiver and smile.
We walked out of there holding hands like a real couple on Earth would do. I wasn’t sure if that was the best thing, but I did say I wanted to date him. How was I going to do this from a jail cell?
Later that day after the tearful memorial service, we boarded the transport ship and made our way back to the “jail” ship. I missed the colony from the moment we took off. There had to be a way I could get into the colony as a worker.
We were making our landing when inspiration struck. “Paris, could I have dinner with you tonight? I have some questions about my status and
how it will all work here on this planet. Is that possible? Can you come get me from jail whenever you feel like it?”
“I can get you tonight, I think. In the future, I will have to run it past Venay. He is running the entire ship, and I need to be careful about the liberties I take, even if I am his mate.” Then she whispered, “Aren’t you interested in Zelan?”
I leaned in closer and replied, “Yes, I am. Although, I have never been a single adult. I don’t even know who I am without Ben. I want to figure this out before I accept anyone’s offer of marriage.”
“Then why don’t you just accept Zelan’s offer and sleep on his couch. That was what I did in the beginning.”
“Yes, but you only waited, what a week, before you married the Commander? I am not interested in just waiting a week. Zelan and I had a great conversation over breakfast. I would love to talk to you about it and see if what I asked him is even possible. Could we do that tonight? Or tomorrow sometime?” I looked over and noticed that Zelan was smiling at me.
I returned his smile and remembered that they had excellent hearing. Everyone here probably heard what we just said. I could feel my cheeks heating up. There was no way anyone missed my blush.
Paris noticed and chuckled. “Yes. I will get you an invite to dinner at my place tonight. Don’t worry. Since we have been gone longer than expected, I doubt Venay will even be home tonight.”
“Thank you, my friend.” I realized that she really was my friend in every sense of the word. Hopefully, we wouldn’t be separated once we got back to the homeworld.
Going back to the jail cell was miserable. I felt oppressed and depressed all at once. The only thing that made it tolerable was the knowledge that I would see Paris soon.
Lucy and Betty came over right away, “How was it? Did you get to meet any interesting people?” Lucy asked.
Betty asked, “How did they treat their humans? Did you get to see many of them?”
Everyone around us perked up and listened to our conversation.
“Yes, I did see how the humans live here, and if there is any way you can get a spot in that colony, you need to do it! Seriously, they are not slaves here. Every one of them work at a job and have regular freedoms like we would back home. Well, except for now. They are all required to stay inside the fences, but that is for their own safety. After the attack yesterday, I bet they are going to be looking for some more workers.”
Rachelle was in the cell next to mine. She stood up and got as close as she could. “What attack? Who attacked you guys in a big colony?” She put her hands on her hips and chewed on her lower lip.
“It was the bugs. They found a way to quickly reproduce and send hundreds, if not thousands of their young cockroaches to attack the settlement. Paris and I both had to fight them off from the top of their fence. It was awful. So many got over and killed at least fifty warriors and humans who lived in the settlement. They were not prepared for this attack at all.” I continued to tell them about what I saw, and they were all shocked.
“But, but, how could that be? I overheard one of the warriors talking about how the mutants reproduce. How could they have reproduced so many in such a short time?” Lucy asked.
"I don't know the specifics, but from what we saw the other day when we found those women out there in the jungle, I would say that there are no more free humans on this planet. My guess is that they were all rounded up by the Zateelians and used as breeding vessels. Zelan thought that maybe multiple bugs implanted their eggs into each person." I wasn't the only one who was grossed out. Most of those near me were shivering, and it wasn’t cold in this room. A few even coughed, probably trying to hide the fact that they were gagging.
I directed the conversation back to the colony. “Our kind have normal lives and work at regular jobs. I met a woman named Clarissa who is a receptionist in a regular office building. They have human architects who are designing new buildings here and sending their designs to the V’Zenian homeworld. They have restaurants, and even regular BBQ’s where everyone gets together for the evening and has fun. We were supposed to have one last night, but the cockroaches ruined it!”
A few of the women smiled, but most sat there thinking. Rachelle spoke up, “Do you think we will have a chance to stay here and get regular jobs? Do they have any industries there, or manufacturing?” She seemed to be very interested in this new turn of events. Her hands were holding the bars pretty tightly, and she was focused on the conversation. Even the male jail handlers, who she normally kept one eye on so she could flirt with, had lost her attention.
“I did see industry, but I couldn’t tell you what they make, or if they actually manufacture anything.” We all spent the next hour or so discussing the things I saw while I tried to answer their questions. Most of which I couldn’t. I told them I would be seeing Paris soon and would ask her if any of us could move to the settlement.
Zelan came to get me. He smiled at me and opened the door to my cell. “Natalie, come on. We are both invited to dinner with the Commander and his mate.”
I raised one eyebrow. “Oh really? The Commander will be there?” I asked as I walked out, not sure if I liked that idea. He usually intimidated me. “I thought he was going to be really busy tonight since we were gone so long? At least, that’s what Paris thought.”
"He had planned to work late until he heard your conversation with Paris. I think he might like the idea of sending all of you humans to the settlement when half of our warriors go later this week."
I stopped and put a hand on his arm. “Wait, half of you guys are going to the settlement? Why?”
“They need our help. Until we have eradicated those bugs, the civilians are in real danger, especially the children. Commander Venay wants to set up a training regimen for all of the settlers. That way they can learn to defend themselves. Even once we eradicate the bugs, they still have other animals on this planet which are quite deadly.” He continued to walk, and I followed him.
"That makes sense. If we can be given the same freedoms as all of the other people living there, then I know that everyone will want to go and get jobs. I am sure some will even be happy to marry or mate with V’Zenians. Especially if they learn how to woo a lady.” I raised my eyebrows suggestively at him.
His veins pulsed purple as his smile grew, and he reached for my hand. We walked hand in hand the rest of the way there.
Paris answered the door. “Natalie, I am so happy you could make it tonight.” She smiled and acted like this was some regular dinner party where I was invited but did not RSVP for. Strange.
“Um, I just saw…” She put up her hand to quiet me and invited me in. I almost stopped dead in my tracks. There was Captain Montgomery, former leader of this ship. He was worse than Commander Venay. I got the impression he didn’t like humans.
Zelan did his strange military salute, where he put his right fist over his heart, and then bowed slightly. “Commander, Captain, it is an honor to be invited to your dinner tonight.”
I stayed quiet since I didn’t know the protocol for this. The Commander came over and put his hand out for me to shake. “Commander, thank you for the dinner invitation.” I almost curtsied but remembered he was military, not royalty.
The Captain came over and shook my hand too. "Nice to formally meet you, Captain. What an honor it is for me to have dinner with such prestigious company.” Thankfully, my mother taught me how to kiss up when in the presence of powerful men.
Paris took my hand and brought me into the kitchen with her while the men stayed in the living room chatting in their native tongue. I still needed to get my universal translator installed. Maybe I could get that tomorrow or the next day. One more way to keep out of the prison cells.
“Paris, what is going on?” I looked back at the men, and over to Paris who had plastered a smile on her face.
“I think that a large group of us are going to be asked to volunteer to head over to the settlement for the next few months. You might want to conside
r it.”
“Are you going? Or staying?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I think Venay and the Captain are discussing that tonight. Either way, Zelan is going to be heading up the mission. Although, I am not sure he knows that yet. So keep it quiet until they ask him. It is a really great opportunity for him. Here, he is highly ranked but not in charge of the warriors. On Venay’s ship, he was in charge of the warriors. He created their schedule and conducted the daily training. I think he misses it.” She was preparing some sort of meal in the replicator. It looked like it might be a pot roast.
“Did they get the replicators from our old ship while we were gone?” I wondered.
“Yes, one was installed here, and two were installed in the mess hall. All of our friends will get human food starting tomorrow.”
“That is great news.” My stomach responded it’s appreciation as well with a nice rumble. “Well, I guess that was an approval of the smell at least. It does smell great.”
“I’m glad you approve. Help me carry the dishes out to the table?”
“Sure.”
Dinner went rather smoothly, and Zelan even brought up the subject of my universal translator. “Natalie, now that we are back, have you thought about getting a universal translator installed?” I noticed the Captain was paying particular attention to me.
“Yes, I was actually just thinking about that. Is there a way to do it tomorrow or the next day?” I hadn’t heard of any issues from Paris, so I figured it was probably safe. More women had been getting them implanted since we arrived on this ship. I was a bit leery at first, but now I think it might be smart.
“Natalie, how did you like your time at the New Hope settlement? Did you find it relaxing? Or enjoyable? I understand you pretended to be mated to Zelan in order to stay with him,” the Captain asked.
My cheeks heated up very quickly. “Yes, it was an interesting time. Dealing with the attack on the settlement changed the entire stay. Paris and I both took up positions on the wall and helped to kill quite a few mutant cockroaches.”
Worlds Collide: Sci-fi Adventure/Romance (Alpha Alien Abduction Tale Book 2) Page 8
