“Then you should hope you are not chosen.”
“Why weren’t we told?” she asked.
“I do not have that information.” A burst of laughter sounded down the corridor, and his attention shifted from her. “Strip. Put your clothes on the side there. I will come back and set the decon’ once you are ready.”
She didn’t answer, just watched him walk away, sure she must have misunderstood him. And even more sure she wouldn’t be chosen; she could think of nothing worse than being stuck in a spaceship with a stranger 24/7. Yet the thought of finding a new Earth, a place where children could thrive, where fresh food could be grown and the air didn’t kill you slowly with each contaminated breath, that thought wormed its way into her brain as she began to quickly remove her clothes. Embarrassed at her own nakedness, she slid onto the chair and closed her eyes.
“Ready?” he asked, reappearing at the door so suddenly he made her jump, her eyes flying open.
“Yes,” she squeaked pressing her legs together and covering her breasts with her arms. Stripping hadn’t been a problem, but seeing this alien made her body feel alive. A heat inflamed her skin, and it was only his evident coolness towards her that stopped her flesh from turning pink as her arousal grew.
“Then I will set the decon’.” He pressed some buttons and turned a dial, then turned to leave. She thought he was unmoved by her, yet as he turned, she caught the first glimpse of colours as they skimmed across his skin. She had heard that was how they showed their moods and their emotions. And now she had seen it, seen him feeling something about her.
Yet when more laughter and loud hoots, as if they had a banshee on board reached them, the colours darkened and she began to question whether the colours had been for her, or if they were his reaction to the other females.
Closing her eyes, she tried to relax and not think what the decon’ was doing to her body. Instead, she became fixated on what Rikka could do to her body with those broad hands and his full lips. A heat grew in her core and fanned out to make her writhe with desire. Gaia caught herself squeezing her thighs together, trying to satisfy the ache in her very core.
Opening her eyes, she stared guiltily around, hoping no one could see her behaviour, but the room was empty. Lifting her head, she checked no one was in the corridor, looking through the clear doorway at the horny Earthling with her naughty thoughts, but the corridor was clear. Lying back down, she put it down to the decon’ and persuaded herself there must be something in the gas which made her feel like a bitch in heat.
Yet deep down she knew it was the thought of being with Rikka on a new planet and being his Eve. Yes, she could see it now, making love endlessly until she had a child, the first of many to populate a new world. Wasn’t that what her mom had often told her, that she was named after the Earth, destined to help with the rebirth of a new world?
Gaia shook her head. But her mom had been wrong about so much; there was no way she could blindly think she was destined to find the new planet. The more she thought about it, the more she realised that the best thing for her own mental state, was to forget about going into space again and stay with her feet firmly on Karal.
Beeping broke through her thoughts. An alarm was going off. Gaia lifted her head, assuming the decon’ was over. She also took it as a sign. Her mom’s words held no truth. Gaia knew that, knew how the people of the village thought her mom was eccentric to still believe in an old Earth-based religion when the Earth was dead.
Reality stared at her from the stark white instrument, the silver walls, and the lack of life on the space station.
The whole reason Gaia had entered the lottery was to live on Karal. Going into space for months was not what she wanted. Growing crops and sitting by a river that didn’t flow with putrid water was what she dreamed of.
Yet when Rikka appeared and let her out of the room, she still couldn’t quite convince herself that she wasn’t experiencing love at first sight.
Another of her mom’s beliefs. Another reason why her mom had been left alone with a child to support. No. Think with your head.
Gaia had long ago turned away from her mom’s beliefs. Yes, she held on to the love of life, the love of things that grew. But not the other stuff, the stuff filled with magic and make-believe, that didn’t have a place on Earth, nor did it have a place on Karal.
There was a strong possibility that if she mentioned tree spirits, which her mom had claimed to have spoken to once, she would be shipped back to Earth as not suitable material for the mother of a Karalian child.
No. Be normal. It was what she had taught herself to be. No adventures. No winning trials. Just settle down and breed an alien baby.
Yes. Completely normal.
Chapter Six – Rikka
“They irritate me,” Rikka said through gritted teeth. He was at the controls once more, longing for the journey to be over with.
“They are excited,” Okil said, turning round to look at the seven females, all strapped into their seats, awaiting the journey to Karal. “Although, I must admit I have my reservations about two of the females. I wonder if Darl’s DNA matchmaking and character references were not working properly this time.”
“Not working? Is that possible?” Rikka asked. “I would gladly go alone or with one of my fellow Karalians than take a female who will drive me utterly insane.”
“It is the Hier Council’s ruling that you take a female with you. If not, you might miss your prime.”
“I understand. But my prime could last for years. I have lots of time to father a child.” Rikka understood the arguments. If for some reason he was lost in space, his prime—the period when he was able to father a child—might pass, and his genes would be lost to the Karal forever. The Hier Council had ruled that every eligible male on Karal had to father a child in the next five years.
“I do not make the laws, Rikka. I wish I did. Anyway, the female you take will help make sure, if you find a planet, that it is suitable for human habitation.”
“Another thing I do not understand,” Rikka said. “Don’t my instruments tell me exactly what I need to know? And if the female is carrying my child, I would never put her in jeopardy by sending her to a planet that might kill my son.”
“And that, I think, is why the Council has made the ruling. It means you will check everything is perfect.”
“As if I wouldn’t anyway,” Rikka said haughtily.
“You might, my friend, but there are some among the Karal who might like to see a few thousand humans die on an alien planet. It would destroy any trust humanity has in the Karal and ruin the agreement we have.” Okil’s face grew serious; this was news to Rikka.
“Are you saying that there are Karalians who would defy the Council? I have never heard such rumours, and certainly not among the warrior class.” It puzzled Rikka. Of all the Karalians, there were none more loyal than the warriors. They were raised to protect the Hier Council above all else.
“There are murmurings. You forget that this is the first time we have tried to integrate the mothers of the next generation of our species into our society. Sharing our way of life with humans is not something many traditionalists favour.”
“I see. And some of them would like to see these missions fail? And the humans taken to the new planet die. Then what? If Earth no longer agrees to the lottery, we go back to our old ways of stealing the females we need?”
“That is exactly what some on Karal would like. The breeding house is where women belong. That is the view held strongly by some factions.”
“Factions? That is not a word I have heard used on our planet for some time.”
“It is more from the miners. The labourers who are happier to have their children raised in daycare rather than by alien mothers. They can be underground for two or three days at a time. The thought of alien females running amok while they are working does not sit well with them.”
Rikka laughed. “Can I guess where these females are headed?” He pointed t
o the females who had gone quiet as the ship came into land.
“You would make a good politician, Rikka. The miners are indeed about to have their first mates. I am sure once they get used to having females around, they will be more than happy.” Okil still did not look happy, and Rikka wondered how much trouble there would be, and whether the human females would settle down in the homes of men who resented them.
“Why? Why are you integrating them, Okil? It would be so much easier to have them all walled in at the breeding house. It is where our mothers lived.”
“Because everyone should have freedom. Our mothers were forced into a life they did not choose and did not want. Our fathers forced them to breed, and I would not have my son growing up in that kind of world.” He took a deep breath, glancing at Rikka. “If I tell you something, do you swear to keep it to yourself?”
“Of course,” Rikka said. “As long as it does not involve treason.”
“No. Nothing like that.” Okil looked over his shoulder, but the females were all still seated in the chairs. Intrigued, Rikka waited for Okil to speak. “There is a chance that these females will breed a new generation of Karalians.”
“Isn’t that the point of bringing them here?” Rikka said, not sure why Okil would class that as a secret.
“I mean a completely new generation. There is a chance that Darl can perfect a way to reintroduce true Karalian females back on Karal.”
“You mean we won’t just have sons?” Rikka asked. That was news he never expected to hear.
“Yes. The first human female, Elissa. She had some of our DNA introduced into her body. By complete accident. Any day now she will give birth to a girl.”
“Then why the search for a planet? Why help the humans on Earth? We could just take what we need and leave them to their fate.”
“We could. But there is no guarantee that any Karalian females born will be fertile. We will not know that for another hundred years.”
“So this new colony is a back-up plan?”
“Yes,” Okil nodded.
“And what if the colony is set up and the females are fertile? Do we abandon them to their fate?”
“No. Because there will be some Karalians among them.”
“Who would be stupid enough to go and live among humans?” Rikka watched Okil’s face brighten and then he laughed. “Oh, you volunteered for the job?”
“I wouldn’t say volunteered. But yes. I will be sent to the new planet. So choose the new planet wisely. If only for my sake.”
The space cruiser touched down at the airport and before Rikka had chance to question Okil further, he had got up and moved away, to talk to the females. As Rikka scanned their faces, he wondered which one he would choose. But he found none of them appealing.
Because he would never let his emotions make such an important choice. Not when whoever he chose would bear him a son and a daughter.
Chapter Seven – Gaia
They landed on Karal, passed out of what appeared to be an airport, and, without stopping, journeyed on. Green filled the cruiser’s windows: vast expanses of grasslands, filled with animals. Some on four legs, others flying high in the air.
Her mind was reeling, trying to piece together all the colours she had seen. They circled in her head, broken fragments, like a kaleidoscope, nothing fitting together. So much life! In the short time since they had entered the Karalian atmosphere, she had seen more animals and plants than she ever had on Earth in her whole life.
“Gaia,” Issy said, touching her shoulder. The spaceship had stopped and the others were standing up, beginning to move to the hold to collect their luggage.
Gaia looked up into the concerned face of her new friend. “Sorry. I was lost in thought. Did you see those animals? They were huge.”
“Arunda,” Rikka said, his eyes fixed on her, no doubt weighing up how he could get her removed from the trials. If she went into shock at the sight of the animals on Karal, what would she be like in space when they found a new planet?
“They had such long necks,” Gaia said incredulously. Yes, she sounded like the town simpleton, all right.
“They move in vast herds across the grasslands,” he said. “When you leave the breeding house and journey to your new home on Karal, you will have plenty of time to see them all. Right now you need to get up and collect your luggage so we can begin.”
With no other word, and expecting them all to obey, he went to the top of the ramp, as if he couldn’t wait for his ship to be purged of humans. She unbuckled her seatbelt and got up, picking up her pack. She then followed Issy to the hold and helped her drag the heavy suitcase down the ramp.
The first breath of air she took made her brain buzz. Oxygen overload.
“Wow. The air is so clean. Have you ever smelled anything so wonderful?” Gaia asked.
“In the oxydomes. Have you never been in one?” Issy asked, masking the shock that crossed her face. “I can’t imagine living outside of one.”
“The outside is all I’ve ever known,” Gaia said.
“You are a true skim, aren’t you?” one of the other women asked.
“Yes, I am. My name is Gaia. I hope we can all be friends, no matter what our backgrounds, now we are here on Karal. We’re all in this together.” She smiled at the other woman, taking in her appearance.
“Sonia. And I guess we can be friends. Whatever these aliens have in store for us, I’m sure a good laugh and a joke isn’t one of them. He told me to shut up and be quiet on the space station.” She nodded at Rikka, who ignored her, going to talk quietly to Okil instead.
“They aren’t used to women,” Berni said quietly.
“In the same way you aren’t used to men,” Sonia laughed, making Berni blush furiously.
“None of us are,” Gaia said, sticking up for Berni, who looked about to burst into tears. “If we were, then we wouldn’t be here. We all know part of the lottery rules is that we have to be pure.”
Sonia laughed raucously. “Some of us are purer than others.” She winked at another woman, who grinned back at her.
“Less said about that the better. I’m Yolla,” the other woman who seemed to have drunk too much giggle juice, said.
“Hello, Yolla.” Gaia didn’t have chance to say anything else before Okil was talking again, his voice full of authority. They all turned to look at him, except for Sonia, who was making a pouting face at Rikka.
“You know, he might just be the one to make me a new woman,” Sonia said under her breath, making Yolla giggle again.
“If I can have all of your attention,” Okil said again, glaring at Sonia and Yolla. “The trials will begin now.”
“Trials?” Sonia asked. “No one said anything about trials. I thought we were just going to go to live with a man. Or whatever it is you call yourselves.”
“Most of you will, but one of you won’t.” Okil’s look made it clear that they needed to stop messing around. “First, you will be expected to show us your intelligence, strength, and other capabilities so that Rikka here can decide which female he is to take with him on his deep space mission.”
“So he can choose what?” Berni squeaked.
“Someone has to go with him into deep space and find a new Earth,” Gaia whispered.
“Not me.” Berni looked as if she were about to pass out, her face going deathly white, and she swayed on the spot. “I have no desire to leave Karal. Not now I’m here. I can’t.”
“Don’t worry, Berni. I think he will need a woman with more courage than you possess, little mouse,” Sonia teased.
Gaia put her arm around Berni. “If you are chosen, you will be safe. Once you are carrying a Karalian child, they won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Because of the child.” Berni said weakly. “But I have to conceive a child first and that means sleeping with one of them, I never realised they would be so … big.”
Sonia and Yolla collapsed into laughter, while Okil stood with a neutral expression on his
face. The only sign of his growing anger were the red flashes across his skin.
“OK. Stop it. We have to listen to what Okil has to say,” Gaia said sternly to the others. “This is why we are here. Finding a new Earth should be important to us.”
“Then you go,” Sonia said, pushing Gaia forward. “The rest of us are quite happy to stay here.”
“We did not ask for volunteers,” Okil’s voice boomed. “There are rules on Karal that have to be obeyed.”
“And if we don’t?” Sonia asked.
“Then you will live here behind these walls for the rest of your life …and you will breed with as many Karalians as we choose.”
Tension filled the women around her. “You mean we will be used as breeding machines? But that was not what the lottery said.”
“You are not ruled by Earth now. The Karal laws are plain. Females brought here are for breeding purposes. Yours is the first species we have allowed to integrate. But our sample size so far is small. If it appears we have made a mistake, all unsuitable females will be made to live and breed here.”
“I don’t think so.” Sonia moved forward, pushing her way through the others towards Okil.
Gaia grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her back. “What is wrong with you?” she hissed.
“They took stims,” Berni said, her voice barely audible.
“What?” Gaia asked. “How do you know?”
“Because we offered some to the little mouse. It would have helped perk her up. Give her the courage to rut with one of these handsome aliens who want to stick their cocks inside us and shoot their alien cum inside us.” Sonia was getting worse; she began to undo the buttons of her shirt, and Gaia could see this ending so very badly.
Looking around, she could see no way of preventing a disaster, and then Okil was down amongst them. “What is wrong with you?” he asked. “Do you want to mess this up for everyone?”
“They took some stimulants,” Gaia said, trying to keep Sonia’s shirt around her breasts without it tearing.
Found: BBW Alien Lottery Romance (Warriors of Karal Book 2) Page 3
