by Zena Zion
Two days later, Benjloc guided the pair from the shuttle to the pavement of the Pan-Continental Alliance landing zone, Earth’s main visitor’s space shuttle monitoring district.
The merchant waved ahead at the diplomatic envoy that was approaching at a slow pace.
“The President of the PCA has come to welcome you to Earth. Well, back to Earth for you, tiny human.” Benjloc clarified.
“Your finances have been preserved, Master Rox. You will have more than enough to live comfortably on this planet. Their means are not so expensive as those on Hepton.” He continued.
Rox and Eliana expressed their gratitude for Benjloc’s service before the alien moved away to re-fuel his ship.
Rox looked at the approaching diplomats who were still far off in the distance. He grasped Eliana’s hands in his own and held them carefully between their bodies.
“Eliana, I have a proposition for you.” He spoke in measured tones. Elaina’s heart leapt dramatically. Could a proposition be the same thing as a proposal, she wondered.
“I have a massive fortune on this planet.” He bowed his head to look into her eyes. “I am grateful for the time that I had to spend with you. If we are to go our separate ways, I offer you more than enough to live on for many years. You may take it with you and owe me nothing in return.”
Suddenly, Eliana could not breathe. She did not understand what Rox was telling her. How could they have shared so many days and nights of passion for him to expect their parting to be so simple?
Eliana took a series of shaky breaths. She could not seem to calm the reaction that was initiating the painful devastation of her heart. Tears welled in her eyes and eventually began to fall down her cheeks.
Noticing her reaction with confusion, Rox bent in front of her and wiped her tears, raising her blurred vision to meet his imploring expression.
“Please, don’t cry.” He whispered. “I am not finished.”
Rox placed a tender kiss on Eliana’s forehead that only confused her more.
“I offer you these things, now that you have returned to your home, if that is what you desire. You may go back to the life that you once lived, if you wish.”
Great sobs wracked Eliana’s body. She attempted to cover her face with her hands but Rox pulled them away. She could tell that he was distraught by her reaction. Somehow they did not understand each other.
“Eliana, my love.” Rox grabbed her face and kissed her with an abrupt display of affection. “I offer these things if you wish. If you do not, I have another proposal, one which I would much prefer, but it must be of your choosing.”
Eliana sniffed and nodded her head. She would rather agree to just about anything rather than the first offer.
“If you wish,” he held her hands between them once more. “I would like to remain by your side on this planet, indefinitely. I know that you have been forced to remain with me up until this point, but my hope is that some small part of you might wish to continue to share time with me voluntarily.”
Eliana could not bring her self to move. The words he was speaking, so different from what he had suggested only moments before, were everything that she could have wished to hear.
When she did not respond, still attempting to collect herself, Rox hurried on with his explanation as if there was need to convince her.
“You are free now and have no obligation to me as a servant. I know that your traditions here on Earth are much different. The bargains between male and female are made with joint consent. This is the option I present to you, if you would consent to remain my mate for the rest of our lives.”
Eliana found that she was now crying and laughing at the same time. She loved this strange being so much, despite his awkward terminology about Earthly traditions. She could tell that Rox was becoming increasingly distraught with her reaction. Apparently, Eliana had not yet behaved in a way that assured him of the pure joy that burst from her heart at the thought of a life spent with Rox.
“It’s called marriage.” Eliana laughed. She lifted one small hand to rest against the massive male’s cheek. “Are you talking about marriage?”
“Yes,” his smile was tentative. “I believe that is what it is called. I would like be marriaged to you.”
Eliana threw her arms around Rox’s neck and smiled against his shoulder.
She drew her head back and looked into the gray eyes that were so filled with love.
“I would like to be married to you too, Rox.”
Rox threw his arms around her waist and stood to his full height, lifting her with ease from the pavement. He spun her in a circle as their mouths collided in a kiss that would seal their promise for eternity.
They were still entangled in their happy embrace when there was a small cough from behind Rox. The diplomats had arrived.
Rox placed Eliana on the ground at his side. They collected themselves in preparation to converse with the small group standing a few yards away.
An elderly man with a crisp suit and sparse gray hair expressed his happiness for Eliana’s safe return to Earth. As far as the humans were aware, Rox had never set foot on the planet.
After the introductions and pleasantries were completed the men guided them toward the large government building in the distance.
“Before we are able to release you as citizens, there is much work to be done in terms of debriefing. If you will follow me, we can begin to file the proper paperwork.”
Rox and Eliana trailed behind the group as they made their way across the landing strip. Eliana glanced up to see Rox had crinkled his nose in a grouchy way that she found endearing.
“What is it?” she mouthed.
Rox leaned down to press his mouth against her ear.
“I forgot,” he whispered. “how much I hate paperwork.”
Laughing at his side, Eliana wrapped an arm around his waist. Together they walked toward the building that housed the first step, of many, toward beginning their future as typical citizens of Earth.
***
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 throu
gh 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 from 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 prev
ail 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.”
