by Zena Zion
“Examiner, I’ve heard your weekly reports. We discussed this.” The king’s tired voice made it apparent that he wanted no waste of time.
“Your majesty, the human must stay,” The old man coughed once more.
If it were possible, the silence deepened.
“The human must stay because she already carries a child within her.”
Avery’s jaw dropped as did, she was certain, every other person’s in the room.
“It was determined only this morning that her most recent test proved positive and they have already conceived an heir.” The old man raised his voice above the crowd. “Errion, Prince of Lanoxia, truly is the future king!”
A roar of congratulations broke forth around the table. The king jumped from his seat and rounded the table to pull his son into a rough embrace.
“The first natural born in two decades.” The elder smiled then leaned forward to whisper ashamedly, “and I nearly put it to death.”
At once, the king rounded on Avery. He grasped one hand in his own and placed a formal kiss upon her fingers.
“It has been many years since we have had a queen. I am sure that you will make my son, and out people, very happy.”
Avery nodded. The shock of the announcement still made it impossible for her to form words.
They were having a baby.
Suddenly, she turned to Errion with a look of sheer terror. She did not need to say the words for him to understand her thoughts. She had nearly returned to Earth with their child. All that they now had, could have been lost.
Before the king could ask any more questions, Errion leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Then, he pulled Avery away from the table and toward the doors that led to the great city.
“Come on, Father.” Errion’s voice was filled with glee. “We have an announcement to make such as our people have not heard in over twenty years!”
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 through 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 r
emembered 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 prevail 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.”
Dreth. A name Beth recognized. The leader, or king, of their people. He had provided an enormous amount of information about this planet that Lexi kept guarded from all but his most prized assistant. In return, a practical library of information on Earth and its inhabitants was returned for the study of the Asreen population, though her boss assured her they did not have the intelligence to interpret more than the most basic of language.
“It’s a courtesy, Miss Coulter.” Professor Margwall had informed her. “It shows our support of their culture, but I highly doubt they’ll read anything past the elementary school books. It’s a waste of information, really, but a necessary waste to gain their trust.”
With a quick nod, Beth followed the woman, who turned and began the slow descent down a rocky path that ran between two boulder outcroppings.
Careful not to lose her footing, Beth was watching her feet when she finally reached level ground. It was for this reason that she did not see the elaborate fortress until she was veritably standing at its doors. Made entirely of stone, the structure was honed with the skill of a master mason. Some of the curves and angles seemed to defy physics, their beauty and skill creating the illusion that the city-sized construction was swaying in the wind.
Contrarily, Beth would have said that it was the most solid and secure fortress that she had ever laid eyes on, even more so than the underground headquarters of the Intercontinental Task Force on Earth.
There was not a single door or window anywhere in the lowest hundred feet of the wall in front of her. Beth was wondering how they were expected to enter the stronghold when the violet woman gave a sharp whistle and one of the winged beasts came diving down to land beside them.
The fiery orange creature roared at the top of its lungs at the sight of Beth. It snapped razor sharp teeth in her direction before being resolutely scolded by her guide in what sounded like an enormously complicated language.
The beast ruffled its scales, making them stand on end in an impressive disp
lay of might, but otherwise remained quite docile.
“You will sit.” The female instructed, gesturing at the slight hollow in the creature’s back.
“What?” Beth exclaimed. “No way!” she shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
“You must.” The guide pressed her. “There is no other way inside.”
Beth glanced up once more and to her amazement, she realized that dozens of the creatures were flying in and out of massive cave-like entrances that were spaced evenly along the higher surface of the wall. She squinted her eyes, looking for riders, but saw none.
“No.” She repeated. She’d go back to her pod for the night if she must but she would not side astride this ferocious beast. Especially not before she had a chance to observe their behavior and study their biology.
“We have your oxygen inside. Lots of it.”
“Why would you need oxygen?” Beth wondered because the trio appeared to have no difficulty breathing in the current atmosphere.
“We CAN take in the gases but oxygen is, as for you as well, easier on our bodies when we are in our gentler form.” When Beth’s brow furrowed in confusion, the woman held up a hand to keep her from asking any further questions.
“You will have no need for that… device… on your face.” The female attempted to coax her but Beth still refused. “Your home is already inside.” She tried again.
With disbelief, Beth followed the female’s gaze into the air where, just as she had stated, Beth’s pod was suspended between two of the creatures as they carried it through an opening and into the massive fortress.
“Do you ride?” Beth asked the woman with a pleading voice.