Alien Instinct

by Tracy Lauren

  We follow a branch that leans against the rocky mountain. It appears we now have only a short climb before we reach our stopping point. Rennek sends Da’vi up first and instructs Allison and I to watch his foot and handholds, so we can mimic them when we make our ascents. Rennek remains behind to catch us if we fall. The climb isn’t actually that strenuous at all, Rennek is just being overprotective---which is totally fine with me in this scenario. We quickly make it up to a small plateau without any issue.

  Once all four of us are up, we finally have a moment to take in the view. For the first time in my life I feel like I really get why people say something takes their breath away. This world is incredible. The forest seems to go on forever, rolling with the hills and mountains like an ocean before us. Puffy white clouds accumulate high in the sky and mist hangs like a veil in the valleys. Farther still, there is a mountain range so tall that fades into the clouds. The peaks spike up from the ground like spears. I count at least six waterfalls disappearing down into the greenery below. As a matter of fact, I think I can hear the sound of rushing water. There is likely another fall somewhere nearby us.

  “Look,” Allison points out in another direction. “Is that an ocean?” She squints. We all look where she indicates.

  “I think you’re right, it looks like there are some islands along the coast,” I agree.

  Just then, a loud noise breaks through the peaceful scenery. It’s like a screech and a witch’s cackle had a baby… an ugly baby. I jump about ten feet in reaction to the horrific noise. The men burst into their warrior stances, but we quickly find the culprit receding farther and farther away in the distance. It is a large black bird. The size reminds me of something you would expect from Jurassic Park, but it is covered in drooping black feathers. It looks more like a muppet than a dinosaur to me. We see it join three more birds just like it.

  “That was the most awful sound I’ve ever heard,” Allison says.

  “Right?! That scared the shit out of me,” I exclaim.

  “Quiet,” Da’vi reprimands Allison and I, “we do not know if they are birds of prey. It would be unwise to call their attention to us.” Allison nods, unfazed by his harsh tone.

  “I will check in with Dax now,” Rennek announces. We turn our attention back the direction we came. I see the meadow in the valley below and am surprised at how far we came in such a short time. I mean, it wasn’t easy getting all the way up here, but the valley seems much farther below us than I expected. The pod looks like nothing more than a tiny white dot.

  I also notice that in this direction the sky is clear and the flora changes significantly. I think I can see a herd of something in an open meadow, but it is too far away to be sure.

  “Report your status Dax,” I hear Rennek saying into the personal comm unit he carries with him.

  “We need to move in on a landing now boss. We have lost hull integrity in a few areas of the ship and had to put air locks on the doors. Luckily, they were all non-crucial locations, but I want to get this over with before she falls apart on us, if that is alright with you,” comes Dax’s voice from the comm.

  “Transmit projected landing path, we are ready when you are,” Rennek tells him.

  “This way,” Da’vi calls and I see him waving to Allison and myself. We make our way over, but my attention is on Rennek. We round a rock formation and once on the other side I see that Da’vi has found something like a small cave… or more like a large hole between some rocks.

  “This will shield us from a blast,” he tells us. Allison squeezes in without hesitation.

  “I’ll wait with Rennek,” I tell them, but before I can make my way over to him there is a noise like a sonic boom.

  “There!” I hear Rennek yell.

  I shield my eyes and follow his line of sight. I see the ship hurdling through the air, tiny at first but growing larger by the second. A trail of smoke follows it. Something snaps off and goes spiraling behind the ship. Actually, I see a series of somethings break off. The first of which falls into the ocean--I can see a great white splash shoot up from the water. It’s obvious they are going to overshoot the meadow, just as I realize this I see debris from the ship raining down on the place where we parked our only means of leaving this planet. The little black dots of the herd in the distance turn and dust kicks up as they make their escape.

  “Take cover,” Rennek shouts, his eyes fix on a point behind me. He is talking to Da’vi, who grabs me like a rag doll, dragging me back to shove me into the hiding space. I don’t fight him, but keep my eyes on the ship as long as I can as he pulls me along. The last thing I see is the massive ship skimming the rocky top of a mountain before Da’vi pushes me into the hole and uses his body to shield Allison and myself.

  My mind is reeling, I can’t think straight enough to worry in specifics… about Rennek, about myself, about everyone on the ship. My heart pounds and my mind is blank, save for fear. This is how a rabbit must feel when cornered. I expect us to be engulfed by an atomic blast, but silence stretches on. I blink a few times as my heart starts to relax a bit, and then I hear it. The chirp of the comm unit. We pile out of the crevice in the rock.

  “Whooo!” comes an ecstatic holler from the other end of the line. It’s Dax. “I won’t leave you in suspense my friends, we are all alive and well!”

  “Thank the Goddesses Dax,” Rennek exhales.

  “There is some bad news though, Captain.” I hear Dax say through the excited cheering and chattering going on over on his end.

  “What is the bad news?” Rennek asks.

  “The ship is dead. Zero power, no control to any of the systems. I will not know if we can get things running again until Bossan has a chance to poke around. Also, I believe we have landed in a swamp.”

  “Can you transmit your coordinates through the personal comm units?” Rennek asks.

  “Yes sir, those are independent systems and are still functioning fine. Sending them now,” Dax replies. There is the telltale beep of an incoming message. Rennek studies the information on his unit.

  “Does the swamp pose any immediate threat to you or the ship?”

  “The water is not so deep that we will sink. Tennir and Kellen are doing manual scans of the area now, but it is likely our landing caused any nearby creatures to scatter,” he tells us. “There are significant ruptures to the exterior of the ship, but if any predators become curious enough to poke around, we have blasters.”

  “Would you like our assistance?” Rennek asks.

  “Honestly Captain, although there is much work to do here, there are more than enough able bodies to do it. I suggest you and the others continue with your goal and we can rendezvous at a later time. If the situation changes we can always communicate via the comms,” comes Dax’s easy voice.

  “That is true, however, we will be more than a rotation’s journey from you. If you are in danger it will take time for us to return to you for backup,” Rennek challenges.

  “We are eight bodies strong, we have blasters as well as the safety of the ship. It is more likely that you will call us in need of assistance,” Dax laughs. Rennek looks at us with appraising eyes.

  “Somehow, I think that will not be necessary,” he shoots me that gorgeous cocky smile and flicks his untamed black hair. I eye his wide, muscular shoulders and the V of his hips. I think we’ll be just fine too.

  “It is agreed upon then, my friend. We will proceed to the beacon, scouting the surrounding areas as much as possible. Safety checks at sunrise and sunset,” Rennek tells him.

  “Yes sir. Good luck, my brother!” Dax says cheerfully.

  “May the goddesses be with you,” Rennek replies before turning back to our group. He paces in front of us, like a jungle cat. His eyes are wild and full of amusement in a way I have never seen before.

  “Are you ready brother?” He bounces a little in place and takes a couple playful swings at Da’vi, who blocks him methodically.

  “I am ready for anything, Captain.” Da�
��vi responds.

  “And you, my mate?” Rennek stills and looks at me intensely, waiting for my reply.

  “Like the man said, I’m ready for anything, Captain,” I give my best salute and Rennek scoops me up, laughing heartily. It’s exhilarating seeing him like this, so easy and playful. I can’t help but laugh along with him.

  “Allison, my sour friend? What about you?” He asks, nodding to said sour friend.

  “I was born ready,” she says, unaffected by the barb.

  “Good! Because now our adventure begins!” he bellows.

  “What the hell have we been doing up until this point…” Allison mutters as she walks away. Rennek doesn’t hear her though, he’s too busy nuzzling into my neck and giving me kisses that are almost a bit too sultry for company. I don’t know what has gotten into him, but I’m going to go on the record here and say that I like it.

  Chapter 35

  Rennek

  I feel a sense of elation I have never experienced before. The past few rotations since Kate came into my life have been in a constant state of peril: running from pirates and corrupt UPC, searching for Tennir, being attacked by bounty hunters and criminals. But now, we are hidden from all this danger and conspiracy. All my friends, my brother, my mate and her people are safe and well. That is more than any male could ask for in a lifetime, but the Goddesses have granted me even more. They have granted me what I once would have considered the greatest gift of all: answers to the questions I have had about myself and the history of my people. Answers to questions I have held in my core my entire life. I know and accept that in this endeavor I may not find all the answers I seek, but never in all my dreams did I expect to have any of my questions answered. To know anything at all is a gift beyond imagination.

  Truthfully, I had been too fearful to even speak the questions I coveted. Now I find myself on the planet my people had hoped would be their home, with my own mate no less, and I may even be in a position to help my people--to rescue them from their purgatory in space and deliver them to their new home. If it is not some type of magnificent fate that has led me to this point, then I do not know what it is.

  But there is more than just that. There is so much more, it feels as if a veil has been lifted and I see my path clearly now for the first time in my life. My friends have asked me to lead them and I have finally agreed to take on this role of “Captain.” In the past I always pushed the title away, but now that I have chosen to embrace it--it feels like a second skin. My methods of leadership have not changed, but now there is a peace inside of me surrounding it I have never known before. It is as if my core, my very being, has suddenly come into focus.

  I think there is something nearly magical about this planet as well. Perhaps it is simply the fresh air, or maybe it is that I enjoy being in the wild again after so many yets. Javan was like this--an untamed world. There is a freedom like no other in a place like this--in finding your place in the wheels of nature.

  I look forward to all the work ahead of us. We will need to hunt and create shelters. I will teach my Kate how to make her own weapons and to build a fire. I sense she is as excited about this place as I am. Oh how I look forward to working alongside my mate! But, if she does not wish to do such things, I will gladly tend to all her needs instead. Perhaps I will build us a home with a soft bed--a large bed--and if she does not wish to hunt and work? Then she can rest all day in the covers so that she may have ample energy to mate with me late into each night. Either possibility pleases me greatly.

  I watch my mate hungrily. Since the moment Dax informed me everyone was well the entirety of my attention has been able to shift back to my sweet Goddess, Kate. Blood pounds in my veins and the drumming from within threatens to take me. It is like a song leading me to my female. I want nothing more than to take her against the trunk of one of these old trees. Now that there is no longer a threat absorbing my mind, it is as if all I can see is her. I can smell her sweet scent, I can almost taste her on the air.

  She looks out at Elysia, taken by its beauty. But it is her beauty that whispers in my ear. I am aware that Da’vi speaks in the background, making plans... but it is of little importance to me. Instead, I stalk my mate. I wonder if there is time before we resume our journey to steal her away and lick her cunt until she cries my name. The breeze catches her fiery mane, bringing with it a fresh rush of her scent and I nearly go mad with desire. I pounce her before I can think twice about it.

  “Rennek!” She squeals my name as I scoop her up into my arms. I bury my face in her neck, savoring her sweet smell. She wraps her arms around me and I am in heaven.

  “Do you like it here, my mate?” I ask--no, I nearly plead. I want her to love this as much as I do.

  “Oh, Rennek! It’s just stunning. It really is. Back on Earth I never imagined I’d be able to travel. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it, but I always wanted to see the rainforests. It was a dream I never let myself entertain, because I didn’t think it’d ever be possible. Now look at me, not only am I in a rainforest--but a rainforest light years away from my own planet! Now that’s some serious traveling,” she laughs and it is like music to me.

  “That pleases me,” I tell her, pulling away just enough so I may study her face.

  “How do you feel? I mean clearly, you seem pretty happy… but I know this place must hold a lot of layers of meaning for you,” she asks, studying me. Her small forehead creases with concern. It is adorable. My sweet mate’s features are so expressive, it is endearing. I shake these thoughts from my mind so I may give a truly contemplative response to her question. I let out a long sigh, truly trying to focus on her concerns.

  “I feel… I feel like kissing you until you are breathless and begging for more,” I laugh.

  “Dang, tiger. What’s gotten into you?” She chuckles, but I see her eyes shine in anticipation.

  “Oh my god, Da’vi, teach me how to… I don’t know... use a divining rod or something. I’m going to barf if I have to listen to any more of this crap,” Allison complains.

  “Yes, Da’vi. Show her your divining rod. I must speak to my mate privately,” I shout as I carry Kate down into the privacy of the trees. We head further into the forest ahead of us, dropping down a few limbs until we can no longer see the rocky plateau--or hear Allison’s complaints.

  “Seriously though, I want to know what you’re thinking,” Kate asks as we make our way to a secluded spot. “What’s this like for you?”

  “You are correct in thinking there is much on my mind,” I tell her as I press her back against the smooth bark of a tree. I want to touch every inch of this female, but I settle first on her face. She has the face of a Goddess. I push a lock of her mane back and she smiles at me.

  “I find I have many hopes for this place. It is strange. Two rotations ago I did not know it existed. I did not know anything of my kind, save that my sire was a rapist. Now, I have met another like me who proved himself to be an honorable male--Gorrard has given me hope that I might have a culture and a heritage I can be proud of, regardless of my parentage. I hope to find the beacon. I hope to unlock its secrets and call my people home.”

  “I can hardly imagine how life changing this all is for you, Rennek. I’m so happy for you,” Kate beams--I can feel her sincerity.

  “There is more on my mind though, my Kate. This place… it could be our home too.” Her smile falters a bit as she takes in my words and she pauses briefly before she speaks.

  “I don’t want to be that guy who brings up worst case scenarios, but… are you entertaining any worst-case scenarios… you know, before we start planting roots here?” She asks with a pained expression.

  “I know this may be all I ever have. There is a chance we will fail to understand the technology of the beacon, we may never understand how to activate it. It is entirely possible I may never know more about my people than I do in this moment, but just this has been a gift I am grateful for. And, even if my people are never found, this planet is a g
ift. It is fertile and safe--”

  “Well, I’m not sure if we can declare it safe. We don’t know much about the animals who live here yet,” she counters.

  “I am the only wild animal you will ever need to worry about,” I lean in and tease her neck with my teeth. “Wildlife I can handle, other males attempting to take you from me, attempting to harm you? That is the danger I wish to avoid,” I explain. “But this place can be more. Think of the other humans.”

  “Reagan and the others--” she begins.

  “No, the ones the Ju’tup escaped with. How many more are being taken from their homes right now? How many have been sold since I rescued you? Who have woken from their cryo bags alone, with no one to save them?” I could continue, but I can sense her pulse quicken and her body tense. She is affected by this. I am a bit surprised by how sensitive I am to her states.

  “What can we do?” She asks.