by Marie Dry
“All right, I’ll do my best to hide my stunning looks.” It would be no hardship to ditch the jeans and sweater she’d been wearing long enough now. He got up and went over to the wall of the shuttle, and it opened exactly the way the door in his house did. He pulled something soft and silver out and handed it to her.
She held it up, and a pair of pants and a shirt, that looked like his uniform, unfolded and hung from her hands. Rose looked around. “Where can I change?”
He grunted and a door opened to reveal a miniscule bathroom with a shower. She went in and quickly took off her jeans and shirt and pulled on the oversized uniform. Like before, she nearly screamed when it shrank to fit her body like a second skin. No wonder Zanr’s uniform looked melded onto him. She got out of the small room as fast as she could manage.
She went to join Zanr, feeling a little self-conscious. She was still underweight from the frequent provings—probably more than sixteen times in the last eight months. His eyes blazed red and he looked her over with blatant interest. Then he grunted and the uniform loosened. “I have boots for you.” He threw down two strips of silver and they landed in front of her feet with a dull thud.
He grunted again, and the strip of silver metal expanded in front of her eyes and changed into calf-length boots. “You will wear this. It will protect your feet from the water.”
Remembering how he stepped in and out of his, she place her foot over the boot. It gulped up her foot. Rose screeched and jumped back.
She would’ve fallen if he didn’t grab her and steady her. He looked her over for wounds. “What is wrong?”
Rose stared down at her booted foot, feeling foolish. “Nothing.” The alien material shaped around her foot seamlessly and it was so comfortable, she barely felt the material next to her skin. Gingerly, she placed her right toe on top of the other piece of pliable metal and it smoothly slithered onto her foot and ankle and calves.
She walked up and down. “Wow, these are really comfortable.” And made from the alien silver material they used for everything. When she escaped from him, she’d take it somewhere where they could analyze it. Imagine the technological strides her country could make with knowledge of how this worked. Her father admired anyone with good business sense—men and women who saw an opportunity and grabbed it. If she could pull this off, he’d have to accept a call from her.
They left the shuttle and she nearly fell to her knees. She clutched her stomach and gagged. In her life she’d never smelled as foul a place as New York. “We’re too close to the water.”
“It is the best place to set up camp. I will set the equipment to filter the air.”
“Yes please, I can’t function if I have to smell this the whole time.”
He grunted and the awful smell of wet rotting things was replaced by filtered air.
“We will acquaint ourselves with this part of the city,” Zanr said.
“We should come back before dark.” It was a bad idea to be out after dark in most big cities. Only the spots reserved for the extremely wealthy were safe.
To her surprise he nodded.
No one in his right mind went out after dark in the big cities. Gangs and violent shootings kept most people indoors. Though with the alien at her side, she might brave it if it meant they could catch the traitors threatening to bomb human cities. Who threatened her family. Why didn’t they threaten the alien stronghold? She glanced at the door leading onto the roof, from the stairs inside the building.
“Will the shuttle be all right?” She could just imagine if someone decided to come up here and found a spaceship.
He followed her gaze and disappeared into the shuttle, to emerge with a piece of flat silver that looked like a large Band-Aid. He slapped it over the door and wall. As she watched, it solidified, making it impossible for anyone to open the door from inside.
He returned to her side. “You will always stay behind me if there is any danger.”
“Now wait just―” She was a professional; he wasn’t about to relegate her to being the little woman hiding behind her man. Or some arrogant alien.
“I am bulletproof.”
On the other hand. “Well, if you put it that way.”
“I do put it that way. When we find the thieve scientists, you will wait until I have scanned for traps and possible contaminants.”
She stood and squared her shoulders. “All right, lead the way.” She frowned at his broad back. “How can you be bulletproof?”
“Superior Zyrgin technology.”
Rose rolled her eyes, then turned when another shuttle landed, and she couldn’t be sure, but she thought it was the rude doctor who always managed to make her feel better, physically at least, who stepped out of the shuttle.
He and Zanr grunted at each other. She had to try and learn their language. She hated standing around, clueless about what they said to each other and what they said about her.
At last Zanr turned to her. “Come here, my breeder. Viglar will scan you and give you an injection to protect you.”
“Against what?”
Neither alien answered her. Before she knew his intent, Viglar pressed his injector, that looked like a pen, against her neck. Like the other times, she didn’t even feel a prick. She touched her neck and glared at him. “Give a body some warning, won’t you.”
“Do not speak to other warriors,” Zanr said.
At the same time the doctor said, “You are now insulated against the disease in this city.” She noticed he didn’t give Zanr one.
“What about Zanr?” She needed him healthy and able to find the people who wanted to bomb her family’s city. That’s why she was concerned, not because she had an unnatural attraction for the enemy.
Zanr pulled her farther away from the doctor and stepped between them. “You are not to speak to other warriors.”
“It was a simple question. No need to go all macho on me.”
“I am not macho, I am Zanr, and I will answer your questions.”
She tapped her foot. “Well, answer then.”
He eyed her tapping foot and then said, “We are immune to most diseases and were inoculated when we came to Earth as an added precaution.”
The doctor took out a filmy packet that looked like very thin plastic. He slapped one over Zanr.
“Added insulation against human disease,” he grunted at Zanr, and giving him another packet, got into his shuttle and flew away.
Zanr gently placed the packet over her, and the plastic expanded to cover her head and body. Before she could suffocate, it dissolved. “Nifty little trick,” she muttered.
She walked to the edge of the roof and stared out over the city. Zanr came to stand next to her.
“I’ve been thinking. Morgan always talked about a bar he liked here in New York. I think we should go there instead of just wandering around, hoping to find a clue. If I pretend I am alone and vulnerable, Morgan might show himself faster.” He’d love to lord it over her.
“I never wander aimlessly.” He stiffened. “This Morgan wishes to harm you?”
Rose shrugged. “I don’t know. He obviously wanted me to come here, so maybe he knows something useful. You can put on your trucker disguise and be my backup.”
She could see him thinking behind the enigmatic stare he leveled at her. “That is a good plan.” His praise shouldn’t matter to her, but it did.
“How do you do that disguise anyway?” She’d love to get her hands on it. She’d be able to infiltrate almost any organization. For a moment she enjoyed the picture of herself, solving case after case and rising in the ranks, eventually allowed home and treated like an important part of her family. Except she wasn’t so sure there were ranks to rise in anymore.
“Superior Zyrgin technology. Why do you think this Morgan knows anything about the weapons?”
It took a moment for her to shake off the daydream and realize he’d answered her question. “He was one of Parnell’s most trusted people.” She still couldn’t fathom h
ow Morgan had reached the inner circle so easily.
He gave her a shrewd look. “He allowed himself to be buried many times?”
“No.”
“You said to be in Parnell’s inner circle you had to prove yourself. Why didn’t Morgan have to prove himself?”
She glared at him. “You are trying to influence me against the Director, but it won’t work. Besides only—”
“Only?”
Until she’d said it, she hadn’t realized, but it was only ever the women who had to prove themselves. “Nothing.” He was messing with her head and she wouldn’t let him.
“Parnell is not the man you think him. We will talk more about him later. We should explore the city now.”
Rose wanted to tell him to speak with more respect about the Director, but instead she waved an airy hand toward the stairs he’d locked out with his silver Band-Aid. “Lead on.”
He tipped up her chin. “The injection and insulation Viglar gave you will protect you from contaminants, but you still have to be careful.”
“All right, lead the way.” The sooner they found those thieves, the sooner she could move on to showing her family she was worthy.
Rose shivered. The uniform kept her warm, but she could feel the air up here was icy against her skin, and strong winds tried to jerk at her silver uniform but couldn’t find purchase. She frowned down at it. “Not the best clothes to hang out in a bar with.” It might protect her against the elements, but she definitely wouldn’t fade into the background.
“What will be appropriate?”
“Jeans and a sweater.” Normally she’d need a coat, but the uniform kept her warm.
Before her astonished eyes, the pants changed into jeans. Rather loose-fitting jeans. The shirt also changed into an overly large, soft, pink sweater, with frills around the sleeve cuffs. Grey clouds hung low in the sky and strong winds howled around the corners of the buildings. But she didn’t feel cold. Her feet were toasty warm and the alien uniform kept out any hint of cold. Instead she felt cold because she could see it was cold, and from sheer nerves.
“I could get used to alien clothing.”
“Of course it’s—”
“Superior Zyrgin technology,” she finished for him with an eye roll.
“Exactly.”
Zanr took her arm when a gust almost swept her off her feet. If she’d worn human clothing, she’d be swept off the building this time. His hand was hard and warm on her upper arm. She’d love to know how she could feel his warm hand, but not the cold.
Rose stared around them. “The view from up here is magnificent,” she shouted over another gust of wind. She could see the river flowing into the ocean and skyscrapers, in the style of previous centuries, now half-submerged in water. As far as the eye could see, there were buildings, some tall, some flatter structures. The grey clouds reflected in the water surrounding the submerged building, intensifying the stark feeling of the city in late winter.
He looked around. “The views in Zyrgin cities are superior.”
Rose shook her head. “Are all you aliens this arrogant or is it just you?”
He stared down at her. “Zyrgin warriors are not arrogant. We are assured of our skills and hardworking, but always humble.”
Rose didn’t even bother rolling her eyes again. If he wanted to believe that, she wasn’t going to argue his delusion. “How do we get down? You sealed the stairway into the building.”
Still holding her arm, he walked them even closer to the edge of the building. “We will go down the side of the building. I will carry you down.” He looked ready to jump off.
Rose struggled and tried to draw her arm out of his hand. “Are you crazy, alien, we’ll fall to our deaths. I’ll use the stairs and meet you down in the street.” She pointed down. “In about an hour.”
He lifted her into his arms. “You will go down with me. I will keep you safe.”
“No, let me go. Don’t you dare.” She kicked and screamed with no effect. Visions of splattering to the pavement made her fight harder, but he was too strong.
Before she could blink, he held her tight in one arm and leapt for the side of the building. She screamed, and remembering his wince earlier, she put her mouth right next to his ear and screamed at the top of her lungs. He jerked but kept going.
Chapter Twelve
Rose wanted to close her eyes on the harrowing trip down, but at the same time she was too scared not to look. Icy winds streamed through her hair and jerked at her large jacket. He literally ran down the building while he held her against his side. She felt like a doll clutched against his chest. A soon-to-be-splattered doll. If he used any ropes or other aids, she couldn’t see it. She didn’t stop screaming until they stopped moving and her feet made contact with something. Rose cautiously opened her eyes—when did she close them?—and sagged in relief. They were on firm ground. Well, on firm ground covered with water. And her amazing new boots kept her feet warm and dry. But at this moment she couldn’t appreciate that fact.
“You ass, how could you do that?” She punched out, but he moved out of the way with that incredible speed. “You will hurt your hand.”
“Or I might break your jaw.” She threw another punch, and he dodged her again with an agility that was abnormal for anyone that size.
“You cannot hurt me.” He dodged another punch.
“Stop moving around when I want to punch you.” Rose knew she didn’t make sense and she forced herself to stop trying to hit him. She stood glaring at him, her fists clenched.
He threw back his head and let out an unearthly noise. The jackass was laughing at her. He stopped abruptly. “You are a very entertaining breeder. What human males call cute.”
Cute? He thought her wanting to hit him cute? It took a lot of self-control, but she forced herself to move on. She frowned and looked around. This area of the city housed the people who were long past hope to find a job and a good place to stay. Some of them had survived for centuries now in the submerged part of the city. In these areas there was no one walking around to do shopping. But there were people skulking around. She could feel their eyes on them. “Why isn’t anyone reacting to my screaming and your diabolical laughter?”
“I filter the sound.”
“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say to that. It was exciting but also scary what they could do with their technology. Not wanting to even think about the coming fight against the aliens, she stared down at her feet. Again, she marveled at the fact that she could see how cold it was. The water lapped at her ankles, and every now and then, the wind drove the water up to her calves. But she didn’t feel the cold.
“You know, we could make a killing selling boots like these.” She looked up at him and felt her eyes widen.
Zanr had his human disguise on. The weird thing was that no one stood gaping at them. He made a very handsome human. He drew her flush against him. “We do not harm our breeders. If a breeder breaks the law, her warrior may take her punishment. But know this: Giving away or selling jinz izwe is punishable by death. That is the one offence a warrior cannot protect his breeder from.”
Rose stared at him, hyperaware of his warm body against hers. There was so much information in what he’d just said. But one thing was clear: she’d make very sure they couldn’t get their hands on her again when she escaped with the boots and the gadget protecting her from infection. And their shuttle. And maybe she could get her hands on some of his weapons. “Jinz Izwe is the silver metal stuff you make everything with?”
“Yes.”
“Fine, we won’t open a shop selling expensive boots.” She hit his shoulder with her fist. “Never ever grab me like that again. I don’t jump off buildings.” She shook her hand. “Ow. Now see what you made me do.”
He took her hand in his big paw and rubbed it. Heat rushed from the point where his leathery, rough fingers touched her skin. Hopefully he didn’t know what a blush meant. She was hyperaware of him standing so close, she could feel
the heat coming off him, even through the uniform. She wanted to step closer to him, feel his warm body against hers, and that was such a crazy need, she wanted to hit him again. How could she react so strongly to one of Earth’s invaders?
He let go of her hand and drew her in to his side. “The bar you talked of is not far from here. We can walk.”
“How do you know where it is? Have you been in New York before?” It was disturbing how easily he managed to get around in a country, on a planet that was foreign to him.
“No, I looked up the coordinates.”
“Oh.” She didn’t see him look at any gadgets or do any searches, since she told him about the bar, but who knew what their technology was capable of? He could even be capable of using his mind to access his equipment. She’d seen a sci-fi movie like that long ago.
“When we are at the bar, I will sit separate from you, but I will watch over you.”
“Thank you.” This was probably where she should insist she could look after herself. But she was grateful to have someone strong watch her back. Big cities were dangerous to strangers, and New York was notorious for their tourist syndicates.
“Be casual about it, but ask him if he knows anything about the stolen equipment from your Golden Age. You should try to blend in, and you should not speak to strangers.”
“I am an agent, you know. You don’t have to tell me how to do my job.” Asking Morgan about the stolen equipment was not the first question she had for him. She’d like to know how Morgan had escaped when the aliens had the Director. And a few other things.
“We will need credits to enter the bar.” She needed to get a TC so she could access her credits.
“I have come prepared,” he said.
He stopped before a building that had shops at street level and apartments on the upper levels. It wasn’t a seedy area of the city. At a guess, she’d say it straddled the really poor area and the lower middle class. Not the kind of place she thought Morgan would frequent.
