by Melody Adams
"Oh!" I was shocked. I didn’t even realize how much I really owed Hunter.
The curtain was pushed aside and my father followed by Hunter entered the tent. Hunter's gaze found me immediately and I saw both relief and concern in his eyes.
"Pearl, girl!" my dad said and I gave him a smile. "How are you? Are you all right?"
"Yes, Dr. Dexter says I can fly out today."
"Great!" Dad said enthusiastically.
Hunter had walked across the tent with long steps and I got up to throw myself into his arms. I was so happy to have him here with me. Only in passing did I noticed Dad talking to Dr. Dexter.
"Well?" I asked quietly.
"Everything's fine" Hunter replied roughly. "Nobody's going to keep us apart anymore, baby."
"What would you have done if my dad had said no?"
Hunter laughed quietly.
"Then I would have kidnapped you. What else is there?"
"I heard that, my boy!" Dad suddenly stood next to us.
"That's nothing compared to what I would do, Daddy!" I said laughing.
"Oh? I am curious what that would be, daughter!"
"First I would have destroyed the white house in my rage, then I would have told Anna that you were secretly smoking again and where you were hiding your cigars. And after that ..."
"All right, all right!" Dad interrupted me in mock horror. "I can already see that I can no longer dissuade you from your plan to leave me. What will I do without you?"
"You can visit me, Daddy!"
"I'll have to do that then!"
I snuggled into Hunter's arms and smiled happily at my dad. His warm gaze rested on me and he nodded.
"My little girl is leaving the nest," he said roughly. His eyes sparkled suspiciously. "I wish your mum could have experienced this moment."
"Me too, Dad!"
Pearl
In the Orbit of Eden
January 1, 2033 / 08:42 a.m. local time
I was excited as we approached the planet that would now be my new home. Hunter squeezed my hand as the shuttle approached the atmosphere of Eden.
"We're about to dive into the atmosphere, then it'll get a little uncomfortable", Dad warned me.
"Worse than before?" I asked.
We had flown through a Spacefold, as the technicians called it, about three hours ago. Humans had not only learned how to build these shuttles from the records of the aliens that landed on Earth four decades ago, they had also learned that you could fold space, so to speak, and quickly bridge great distances. The whole flight had taken only six hours.
"Yes, it's a little worse, but it will pass quickly!" Dad said. The flight through the Spacefold took about half an hour.
"Okay, here we go!" Hunter said and I grasped his hand tighter. The shuttle began to vibrate violently and I closed my eyes. The small spaceship jerked more and more and I was thrown back and forth in my seat. Without the seatbelts, I would probably fly through the cabin like a ping-pong ball. At some point the terrible shaking finally stopped and I opened my eyes.
"Wow!" I said.
A huge forest spread out below us, crossed by three long rivers. Beside it there was a wide prairie to which we were heading slowly. As we went deeper I recognized the settlement. The airfield was right outside of it. Now I could clearly see it. Some smaller aircraft were standing at the edge. These had to be the newly developed gliders, which were used for overland flights here.
"Your new home", said Hunter not without pride.
"Yes. Our home!" I replied and looked at him happily.
"Do you like it?" my dad asked. "Will you feel comfortable here? It's not exactly a big city."
"I don't need a big city, Daddy. All I need is Hunter!"
The shuttle landed relatively softly and a few minutes later I entered the ground of another world for the very first time. It was a phenomenal feeling. I still couldn't believe that I was actually here. It was hot, but the heat was easier to endure than in the jungle of Brazil.
After a short stay in Washington, where we had immediately prepared for our departure, I realized that I preferred the heat to the cold. I certainly didn't miss the snow. Especially not the bitter wind that had been blowing when we arrived in Washington.
A few soldiers greeted us with a salute. Two serious looking Alien Breeds also stood at the edge of the landing area and came towards us after we stepped out.
"Welcome to Eden, sir!" said the smaller of them. "We are extremely glad to have you here. There was an incident which I hope can be resolved quickly by your presence."
"An incident?" Hunter asked. "What happened?"
"Seven Alien Breeds were arrested and Governor Whites wants them executed", the Alien Breed replied grimly.
"Let's go to my office, then you can tell me everything", Dad said and headed for the military jeep parked on the tarmac.
The ride was a quiet and depressed one. Of course I would have preferred a more pleasant arrival, but I was glad that we had obviously arrived at an important time. I didn't like the idea of killing seven Alien Breeds just like that. Hunter was tense and I could literally feel his suppressed anger. When we parked near a large building and got out, two women approached me.
"You best accompany Snowflake and Diamond," said Hunter next to me.
"But I ..."
"Pearl!" Hunter said warningly and I earned myself a serious look from my dad.
"Do what Hunter says, Pearl!" Dad said and I nodded with a sigh. It didn't take long for my dad and my lover to band together against me. Disgruntled, I watched the men disappear into the building.
"Hi!" said the taller of the two women. "I'm Diamond and this is Snowflake!"
I looked at the two women. Diamond towered over me by about a foot and had all the typical features of the Alien Breed. She was also beautiful and well-toned like a fitness model. Snowflake was clearly also an Alien Breed, but she was small. Even smaller than me. The rest of appearance was also very unusual, albeit beautiful in a way. She had to be an albino. Her hair and skin were white. Her eyes were a pale blue. She seemed truly supernatural and quite fragile. She smiled at me, apparently she was used to being stared at.
"Sorry", I finally said a little embarrassed. "I’m Pearl."
„Snowflake", said Diamond to the little Alien Breed woman. "Why don't you tell Jessie that the president is here? I'm going to the canteen with Pearl."
"Okay!" Snowflake agreed and disappeared.
"Come on!" Pearl said with an inviting gesture. "I’m sure you're thirsty. We have a coffee machine in the cafeteria."
"Coffee sounds heavenly", I said smiling and followed the Alien Breed woman inside the building.
The canteen was empty and in the semi-darkness. Diamond operated a switch and the roller shutters, two-thirds down, slowly moved up and allowed more light into the large room. There were about twenty tables for eight people each and a long counter. In one corner a few tables were standing together. Perhaps they were used as a buffet. Next to the bar was the coffee machine. Diamond headed towards it and turned to me.
"What would you like? Black coffee, Café Latte, cappuccino, espresso, Café Vanilla or my favorite: Café Latte Macchiato?"
"Black", I decided.
"Okay!" said Diamond and pressed the respective buttons. We sat down at a table by the window with our coffee. Diamond didn't beat around the bush for long. She gave me a sharp look and asked, "So, Hunter saved you?"
"Yes”, I confirmed and took a sip of my coffee.
"And what is going on between you two?"
"What makes you think something's going on?"
"I know Hunter", said Diamond. "I know our men. Hunter is protective and possessive of you. This only happens with our men when they have chosen a woman. When they ... have found their mate!"
"I haven't even known Hunter for two weeks, Diamond. We'll see what happens."
Diamond laughed.
"Our men don't need two weeks to see if a woman is right for them, Pearl
."
There were voices and footsteps and Diamond looked at the door.
"There’s Snowflake and Jessie. Jessie is a doctor here. You'll like her. She's dating Rage. Rage was also arrested."
Snowflake and a pretty woman with blond curls and friendly blue eyes entered the canteen. That had to be Jessie. It was nice that another human woman was living in Eden who was also involved with an Alien Breed. Maybe Jessie and I could become friends. The two women approached us.
"Hi! I'm Jessie", the blonde greeted me.
"I’m Pearl. Nice to meet you. Diamond said they arrested your boyfriend, too?"
"Yes. Him and six other Breeds!" Jessie said bitterly.
"I'm so sorry about that. But I'm sure my dad will clear things up quickly."
"Would you like a latte?" Snowflake asked Jessie.
"Yes, please."
The little Albino woman walked to the coffee machine while Jessie sat down with us. A short while later Snowflake returned with two cups and handed one to Jessie before she also sat down.
"So, you're President Jackson's daughter?" Jessie wanted to know.
"Yes, that's me", I replied with a smile.
"So, Hunter was successful!" Jessie noted. "Well, I didn't expect anything else. He was the perfect man for the job."
"Pearl is Hunter's mate", Diamond gleefully divulged and I blushed as everybody looked at me.
"So that means you're staying here in Eden?" Jessie asked excitedly.
"Looks that way!" I confirmed with a grin.
"That's awesome. We can sit together and gossip about our stressful overly alphas. Rage is the greatest man I can imagine, but my God, he is exhausting sometimes".
I had to laugh.
"Yes, I can attest to that."
The door to the canteen was opened and Hunter and another Alien Breed entered.
"A hearing is about to take place", Hunter announced.
The hearing took place in the main hall on the first floor. Dad had already been briefed a bit about the events. I was sitting between Hunter and Dad, looking through the room, which was filled to the brim. Some of those present had to stand in the corridors between the rows of chairs because there were not enough chairs. Dad took a hammer and knocked loudly and clearly three times to get the attention of those in attendance.
"I ask for order!" he shouted, and all conversations ceased.
"We are gathered here today to discuss the events of the last few days that led to the arrest of seven Alien Breeds. We will uncover the truth, I can promise. First, I ask Governor Whites to step forward and describe what happened."
The governor rose from the bench where he had been sitting and stepped in front of the desk. I disliked him from the first moment I saw him. He seemed to be a rather unpleasant fellow.
"Well, Governor, can you tell me how these incidents happened?" Dad wanted to know.
"It all started when I was told that the Alien Breed named Rage had raped Doctor Colby and injured her."
That sounded just like mine and Hunter's story. It appeared that some men couldn't stand it when a woman got involved with an Alien Breed. As if the Alien Breeds weren't worthy of us. I couldn't imagine a better man than the one sitting next to me, holding my hand under the desk.
"Who told you that?" Dad wanted to know.
"It was Lieutenant Green, Mr. President. A reliable man", Whites replied.
"And did the allegation correspond to the facts? Did you question the alleged victim?" Dad wanted to know.
I was very excited to hear the answer!
"I had appointments in the East Colony, and I had to postpone the interview", Governor Whites replied. "But it turned out later that Doctor Colby was actually having an affair with this Rage. As if any decent young woman would give herself up to a half-bred animal. Only a whore ..."
I felt Hunter bracing himself and holding his breath next to me.
"Governor!" Dad interrupted him sharply. "Are you saying that you think a woman who sleeps with an Alien Breed is a whore?"
"It is what it is!" the governor confirmed complacently. I felt Hunter trying to jump up, but I squeezed his hand and whispered: "Wait! Dad will take care of it!"
Hunter growled reluctantly, but he remained seated. A look at Dad confirmed how angry my father was. His face had turned red and he had a hard time keeping himself in check.
"Then you obviously think my daughter is a whore as well?" he asked and the governor turned pale.
"But no! Why ...", he stammered, then his gaze fell on Hunter, who had possessively put an arm around my shoulders, and was now emitting a distinctly threatening growl.
"I think I've heard enough", Dad decided angrily. "Take Mr. Whites away. He is removed from office with immediate effect, and will remain in custody for the time being. He will answer to a court on Earth. Now I would like to hear Doctor Colby."
His gaze wandered to Jessie and she rose to walk down the aisle towards us. The poor woman looked a little upset and seemed a little unsteady on her feet.
"Could someone please bring a chair for the doctor?" Dad asked, and one of the soldiers rushed to comply.
"Well, Doctor Colby", Dad turned to Jessie. "Please tell me your version of what happened."
It’s true that Rage and I are together", she began. "I spent the night with him and the next day, while I was on duty, Rage was arrested. I learned about it just before the end of the day, right before seven, and wanted to talk to the governor to exonerate Rage. But the governor was already gone. He had flown to the East Colony for several days and had simply left a man whose guilt had not been proven imprisoned. I, as the alleged victim, had not even been heard, they had not even informed me of anything. Me and Happy flew out on a supply plane that crashed on the way. The pilot was killed. Happy was injured, but we were both able to leave the wreck and head for East Colony. The Recon Glider sent by Governor Whites couldn't find us because it was night time and the glider wasn't equipped with the necessary technology for a nocturnal search. The Alien Breeds therefore decided to search for us on their own. They freed Rage because he could track me down best. Then they hijacked a glider and flew to the scene of the accident. From there Rage and the others pursued our trail, found us and brought us back here. Shortly before dawn, soldiers broke into Rage's house on behalf of the governor and beat Rage down. I was also arrested. They tried to force Doctor Forster to shut me up, which he refused to do. That's why we were both imprisoned. Only yesterday Andreas, I mean Doctor Forster, was allowed to see Rage, who had a severe head injury and who had been lying naked and untreated on the floor inside of a cell. I was not allowed to see him. Governor Whites planned to charge and convict all detainees in a military trial. Then the news of your arrival reached me."
"Thank you, Doctor Colby", said Dad. “That was very enlightening. You can sit down now."
"Thank you!", said Jessie, obviously relieved.
Dad rose, and everyone looked at him in awe.
"I am truly shocked by what has happened", he began. "I had no idea that I assigned a man, who was obviously guided by prejudices against the people he was supposed to represent to run this colony. I promise all present that we will investigate the case thoroughly and that Mr. Whites will be adequately punished. As most may have noticed, my daughter Pearl was in the hands of unscrupulous terrorists, and Hunter, thank God, was able to free her from the hands of her kidnappers." His gaze wandered to the couple and a smile appeared on his face. "Hunter has presented me with a proposal, and I have negotiated an agreement with him that may interest you. I know that there is a desire for the Alien Breeds to manage the colony themselves. I have discussed how best to do this with Hunter for a long time. The Alien Breeds will discuss together what they will call their community, who will represent them, and what the governance structure will be. Until the Alien Breeds can manage everything on their own, your elected leader will be assigned a capable man who will arrive here tomorrow. Michael McLead had something urgent to attend to today, but he
will arrive here tomorrow at noon, and will have a meeting with him and the Alien Breeds to discuss the next steps. Unfortunately, I have to fly out again in an hour, but my daughter will remain here and is available for questions until Mr. McLead arrives. And now I ask you to let the detained Alien Breeds in the room. All the accusations against them are hereby lifted, and I hope that you can all quickly forget the terrible incidents. That will be all. Thank you!“
The Alien Breeds and the human civilians applauded. The soldiers looked less than happy, but none of them dared to say anything. Dad had clearly taken the side of the Alien Breeds. There was nothing to do about it.
The door opened, and the seven acquitted Alien Breeds entered the room. Jessie jumped up from her seat and sprinted along the corridor towards one of the Alien Breeds, who must be Rage. The Alien Breed approached her and he pulled her to his chest. Suddenly everyone was talking wildly and hugging each other. The Alien Breeds would be allowed to govern themselves. Now they finally had the freedom they deserved so much. I was happy for them. Especially because I would be living among them from now on.
Hunter
I was glad that everything had been cleared up and all my friends were free again, but most of all I was happy that I could finally make love to my little mate in a real bed. I was a bit nervous what she would say about my house. After all, it wasn't very big. I had seen how she had lived in the White House. I would never be able to offer her such a luxury.
"Here we are", I said and turned to Pearl. "This is our home!"
"I'm so happy", she said, and I breathed a sigh of relief. She seemed to be really serious about it. Pearl was smiling from ear to ear.
I opened the door and let Pearl enter first. She walked into the large living room and looked around curiously. I closed the door and stood there waiting until she turned to me with a smile.
