“Did that help her?” he asked.
“Yes. A little, but my mom, the woman who I wanted to be there for me, to nurture me, she was gone. And I couldn’t allow myself to believe in things the way she did. Yes. Life is precious, but not to the exclusion of all else. Of your child.” She took a shuddering breath. “But now, I think that she might have been right.”
“We were right to leave the ship,” he said again. “Your people are more important. To you. And that is sometimes the difficult decision we make. My father always taught me that the Karal, my species, were the most important thing. As a warrior you have to believe that. Because it leaves you with no doubt, no need to question your motives.”
“But I’m not a warrior, and maybe I should listen to what the voice in my head says is right. My mom’s voice, like a moral compass.”
“You know, at some point, we have to be our own person. You have to do what you think you should do. I have to think what I want to do, not what my father would have expected me to do.”
“So do we go through the wormhole?” she asked.
“We have come this far, Gaia. Yes. I believe we do. If the planet is what we need, then we will make a quick survey and then go back to see if the vessel is still there. Only then will we trust in ourselves as to whether we risk everything to help those strangers.”
“Agreed.”
He pressed a button, deploying the beacons to open the wormhole, and they entered the unknown.
Chapter Twenty One – Gaia
The wormhole was black. It was as if every particle of light had been sucked from it to leave nothing but emptiness. It reinforced the way the cruiser made her feel, completely out of touch with the life force of the universe. In the emptiness, she asked her mom for forgiveness. She had never understood, not completely, how her mom sensed the life force in the world around her.
In the darkness, she cried unseen tears of regret. Why hadn’t she tried to be more understanding towards her mom? Why had she begun to resent her and her beliefs?
“Not long,” he said. “This is a short wormhole.”
“Let’s hope once we get to the other side it will have been worth it and there is nothing waiting for us.”
“Except your new Earth.”
“Except the new Earth. Although how will we live out here with such uncertainty?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice low, sexy in the darkness. She longed to take hold of his hand and feel his warmth. Anything to chase away the unease of this darkness.
“If there are people. Aliens, who mean others harm. How would a new colony survive out here?” she asked.
“The Karal would have to provide support. Cruisers, weapons. We have never gone to war. But if there is a rogue race of aliens out here, we will either negotiate with them, leave them to their own way of life, or we will destroy them.”
“Just like that.”
“Just like that. You have to remember that we have travelled long distances and have never met a species stronger than us. If anyone had technology we needed, we have always taken it, to make sure no one is ever more advanced than us.”
“So in some ways you are the bad guys.”
“In some ways, yes. The Karal are like the big cats. We hunt, we are top of the food chain, but we do not toy with our prey. The only time we have taken females was when we needed to breed. You may see that as wrong. But we did it to ensure our survival. We have never taken anything simply for our amusement,”
“But to many species in this universe, you are the bad guy. The monsters that lurk in the darkness and pounce when they want. On people who cannot defend themselves.” She was trying to understand what it meant to be the mate of a Karalian, and the mother of one. Would she simply have to accept how they behaved, how they put their own needs above all others?
“Yes. Our survival is paramount. I do not expect you to understand. Maybe when we have a child, you will.”
She placed her hand on her belly. Would her child be one of those monsters? Or would this plan work and render the pursuit of a new generation of females to be mothers for their children, her son’s child, a thing of the past?
“Let us find the planet your species needs and make us the good guys for once,” he said, and then they burst out of the wormhole into almost blinding light.
They were silent, both listening for a warning that there was another ship close by, but there was nothing. Rikka edged the cruiser forward slowly. If anything happened, he had said he would try to re-enter the wormhole before they were seen. However, as they moved further away, they both knew that their exit could easily be blocked. Another spaceship could appear from anywhere. But it didn’t.
“I’m going to set the course to the planet. We will go at half speed. At least that way, if there is anyone else out there, and they are traveling towards us at speed, we will be able to pick them up on the radar before it is too late.”
“So we pull the beacons back in?” she asked.
“Yes. It’s safer this way. At least we don’t have to watch for anything appearing suddenly through the wormhole behind us.” He pressed a switch and the ship shuddered before there was a clanging noise.
“Beacons retrieved,” the computer said.
“This should be an exciting part of our journey, Gaia. Don’t let it be spoiled,” he said gently.
“I think it already is. For the most part.” Gaia lifted her head and smiled at him, trying to summon her enthusiasm. “But you know, all I really want to do is feel the ground beneath my feet. And smell clean air.”
“Then let’s see if we can arrange that for you. It will take six hours for us to reach the planet. Why don’t you go and get some rest?” he said.
“What about you?” she asked.
“I am not the one carrying our child,” he said.
“That doesn’t make me weak and pathetic,” she said defiantly.
“I know.” He pulled her to him and kissed her. “What I should have said was, if there is trouble, it is better I am here at the controls. There is no use us both being here. The ship’s alarm will go off if we encounter trouble. That will wake you.”
“OK,” she said, although she doubted she would sleep. Nevertheless, it would be good to lie down and let go of some of her tension. There was a nagging thump beginning in her temples and she wanted to try to sleep it off.
Without undressing, she slumped down onto the bed, not even removing her shoes. If the alarm went off, she wanted to be able to go to Rikka’s aid in an instant. Not that she would be any use. What weapons the cruiser had, she had no idea.
A sob bubbled up and erupted from her mouth, After all the days, and weeks of travelling, of looking forward to the moment when she would set eyes on the possible new home for humans for the first time, it was as if she had been robbed of it. Just as her mom had robbed her of her childhood. Only after sharing her story with Rikka, did she understand how hurt, how scared, her mom’s behaviour had made her.
She had never really given up on her mom’s beliefs, of her own beliefs on how important life was. Instead, she had buried them, and meeting Rikka, coming out here in the tin pot of a spaceship, had been the catalyst to her remembering. Because only here, surrounded by nothing instead of surrounded by life, did she acknowledge what was missing.
She closed her eyes; her hand strayed to her belly, where the tiny life was growing inside her. As she drifted off into a dreamless sleep of exhaustion, this time, she felt comforted by her son’s presence. Although deep down, she knew it was her imagination, she still said a silent thank-you to him for giving her a small glimpse of hope.
***
“Gaia,” Rikka said softly, shaking her shoulder gently until she woke. “We are nearly at our destination.”
“We are?” she asked. “How long have I slept?”
“Not enough,” he said kissing her lightly. “But I thought you would want to see the planet; it really is beautiful.”
She
got up, having to pause for a second to stop the room from spinning. He held her hand, looking at her with concern. “I’m fine,” she insisted. “I just got up too quick. Right. Let’s go.” A thrill of excitement filled her and she followed him out of the bedroom and down the corridor to the control room.
“Oh. Wow,” she breathed. The planet before her was green, an emerald turning lazily in space. Only the occasional blur of white cloud broke the vibrant colour. “It’s not blue. Does that matter?”
“No. There is more landmass, whereas your Earth has more water, so we can see the green. Forests and grass, I expect.” He looked at the computer screen, flicking through data. “The air has sufficient oxygen. There are no poisonous gasses, and the temperature is warm. But not hot.”
“So it’s safe?” she asked, her past fears washing away as excitement consumed her.
“I believe so,” he said, although he still seemed concerned.
“Are we going to land?” she asked.
“First we do a complete orbit, while the computer scans the surface. It will look for anything that signifies that sentient life is already there.”
“OK.” She sat down. This was going to be a long wait. Her feet were itching to stand on the ground and feel the dirt beneath her feet.
Chapter Twenty Two – Rikka
“So what do you think?” Gaia asked. She was next to him, fidgeting in her seat as he checked through the data one last time.
“It would be much easier for me to concentrate if you sat still,” he said, although his colours skimmed lightly over his skin, showing her he found her amusing. And sweet, so very sweet, in her excitement.
“I’ll try,” she said. “But you have to remember this is all new to me. I bet you have landed on loads of other planets. This will be my third, and to be the first human to set foot on it would be amazing.”
He sighed. “I think it’s safe. I will monitor readings as we go in to land, but there is no sign of any thing that resembles a civilisation.”
“That’s good, right?” she asked.
“Yes. It means if the air is clean and suitable for man, and there is soil for crops to grow, then this could be your new Earth.” He took hold of the control stick, and guided the cruiser down towards the planet. They passed through the atmosphere, and down towards a spot the computer had highlighted as having everything they would need to test. Fresh flowing water and low-lying vegetation. There may even be some indigenous animals too.
Lower, the water of a vast lake reflected the sun, which was very much like that of the Earth’s solar system.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said, craning forward to watch the ground rise to meet them. And then they touched down.
Her seatbelt stayed in for five seconds, and then it was unbuckled and she was running headlong towards the exit ramp. She was about to press the button, when he shouted to her. “Wait!”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing. But it is always best to proceed with caution. There may be some kind of deadly animal out there. Or poisonous plants. Or …”
“Then when can we go outside?” she asked.
“Let the computer survey the area.”
“How long will that take?” she asked impatiently.
“Area clear for five kilometres,” the computer said.
“Now?” she asked, her hand hovering over the button.
“Now,” he said.
Her hand hit the button and the ramp began to open. She waited, her lesson learned. “Do you want to go first?”
“Yes.” He walked down the ramp, looking around him to make sure there was no hidden ambush which the computer hadn’t noticed. But before his feet reached the end of the ramp he stopped. “I would like you to be the first person to stand on the planet.”
She grinned broadly. “Thank you,” she said, kissing him on the cheek as she passed him. Then she held his hand, and took a step off the ramp and stood on solid ground for the first time in weeks.
“It will need a name,” he said.
“You mean I should name it?” she asked incredulously.
“Yes. It’s traditional on your planet for the person who discovers something to name it. At least that is what Okil told me.”
“Yes,” she said, her voice choked. “My mom called me Gaia after the Earth. So I would like to call this planet Lilith.”
“Planet Lilith it is,” he said, coming to stand next to her. “Feel better now?”
“Yes.” She breathed in, her breasts swelling as her lungs filled with air and he longed to lay her down on the virgin soil and make love to her. But it was too dangerous; his thoughts strayed back to the vessel drifting in space, and he decided that this was to be a short stay. They would take the samples and then return to see if they were still alive. Gaia was right, the information they carried on who attacked them would be invaluable. Especially if a colony was to be born here on planet Lilith.
“I will fetch the kits we need. Soil and water samples are the most important. Then we will fly towards the ocean and take samples there. As we move, the ship will scan for animals. Let’s make sure that there is nothing like your ancient dinosaurs alive here.”
“That would certainly make life a little more interesting, wouldn’t it?” she asked.
“Very. I think even Okil might balk at ruling a planet filled with giant reptiles.”
He fetched the kits, taking a radio with him so he could monitor the cruiser’s systems too. They were exposed here, and he would hate to be caught off guard by an ambush from space. “Stay close to the ship,” he told Gaia, and she didn’t argue.
“It feels so big,” she said as she filled her kit with water. “A whole planet and we are the only ones here. Why do you think that is?”
“Life, humanoid life, might not have evolved here. Life is very diverse.”
“I know. It almost seems a shame for us to come here and spoil it,” she said.
“Your people would have to live sustainably. Okil will make sure of that.”
“I know. But we will build houses, hospitals, schools.” She sat down and lifted her face to the sun. “Maybe we should ban roads.”
“That would be a good idea. Maybe we can persuade the Hier Council to give you cruisers instead.”
“Do you think they will?” she asked opening her eyes, and looking up into the sky, where a bright flash of light could be seen. “What’s that?”
Rikka looked up to where she pointed, as he spoke, the radio started to beep in his hand. “I’m not sure. But it looks like another ship.” He was on his feet and running for the cruiser, calling to Gaia to grab her kit and follow him. “Leave nothing.”
“What?” she said, trying to pack everything away.
“Leave nothing. They are not heading for us here. Maybe we can get away before they see us. And they might not ever know we were here.”
“Wait. They might not be our enemy,” she said, now running towards him.
He reached the control deck and sat down. “Let’s see.” He pressed a button and then asked the computer. “Can you identify alien ship?”
“Searching database.” The computer was silent as it worked.
“I’ll shut the ramp, we need to take precautions. Whether the ship is identifiable or not, we need to leave. This cruiser is not built for war.”
“But we have weapons?” she asked.
“Yes. But I don’t exactly want to start an interplanetary war. The safest thing would be for us to leave.” He paused. “Under the circumstances, we do what we had originally planned. We go back and try to find out what the aliens on the other vessel know.”
“If they’re still alive.”
“If they are still alive,” he repeated. And if they could get off this planet unseen and undetected.
Chapter Twenty Three – Gaia
The computer’s voice broke through the silence. “Ship identified.”
“On screen,” Rikka said.
The screen flash
ed and a picture of the ship appeared. It was dark, almost black, with what looked like silver markings along the side of the hull. Rikka stared at it, but his face showed no recognition.
“Do you know who they are?” she asked.
Rikka shook his head. “No. The computer matched them to data it pulled from the other vessel. But it can’t decipher the language.”
“So all we know is this ship is known to them, but not whether they are responsible for the damage to their vessel?” Gaia asked.
“Yes. For all we know, this ship might be one of theirs. They may even be searching for the other ship.”
“In which case they may be coming our way very soon,” she asked, concerned. However you looked at it, they might be in danger. The aliens on board this ship might see the Karalian ship as dangerous and shoot first, ask questions later.
“We can only presume.” He sat back in is seat, and did his seatbelt up. “Come on, this may be a game of cat and mouse. I want to see if we can leave here before we are seen.”
“Never to return?” she asked sadly, looking out at the beautiful view. There was so much she wanted to see and explore. But they had run out of time.
“Let’s go back to the other vessel. Find out what we can, and then return home. A bigger force may be sent here. It’s up to the Hier Council,” Rikka said, already starting system checks.
She sat down and did her seatbelt up. Then he powered up the engines and they lifted off the ground, skimming the grass as they moved. Rikka kept a close eye on the screen, but nothing appeared and the alarm didn’t sound. Gaia held her breath and prayed they would make it home. Back to Karal.
Leaning over, she watched the new world pass beneath them. As they reached the ocean, small fish leaped up in the distance and she wanted to come here and catalogue everything, explore every inch of the planet, even if it took her a lifetime. But could she persuade Rikka to come and live here with their child? Would he agree to accompany Okil if they colonised this planet. The planet Lilith.
Found: BBW Alien Lottery Romance (Warriors of Karal Book 2) Page 9
