by Rachel Burns
This would be my longest trip ever. I hoped that the contractions wouldn’t start. Alex could fly too, but one needed to see the bigger picture to fly well. Alex was the type to concentrate on a single point. That was why he was so good with weapons. He always hit his mark.
Alex sat up straight and looked out of the window, searching for something that might be considered a threat. “The president’s men will arrive soon and quickly figure out that you aren’t there. We can only hope that Daddy doesn’t do anything impulsive that could get anyone hurt.”
“We should have told Daddy that we were leaving. Computer connect me with home.”
“Computer cancel,” Alex shouted out. “It’s better for him when he doesn’t know where you are.”
“Won’t everyone guess that I’m going to save my husband?” I asked him.
“I doubt that they’ll be so sure. You could be hiding anywhere. The fact that I’m with you and so many weapons are missing will make them think that you are hidden somewhere, and I’m there to protect you.” Alex went through the weapons that our airship had and tested them to make sure that they would glide in and out as he needed them.
“Why didn’t you just send me off?” I asked Alex.
“My job is to protect the family. Daddy told me to do it as I see fit. When he realizes that I’m with you, he’ll know that I’m doing my job.”
“Do you think that the President will do something to Daddy and the others?” I asked him.
“If Daddy is clever, and he is, then he’s talking to our siblings and telling them the truth right now.”
“I just had an idea. Do you think that the President killed Daddy’s wife and child?” I asked Alex, thinking that I was probably right.
“It’s a possibility. Daddy went into the fight with a thirst for blood. He determined who won the war. His wife had already negotiated peace. If the President is sending someone to kill you, then he would have done it back then too.” Alex reasoned.
“So Daddy’s entire life is based on a lie. I don’t know what to think. He never would have adopted us if his wife had come home. He would have lived a happy life, and I would have been killed when I turned sixteen.”
“And I would have landed in the military with my talent. For me, that might not have been so bad, but for Shane and Cole it would have ended badly too.”
“Like I said, I don’t know what to think. I know I should wish that Daddy had never lost his wife, but the thought of being killed scares me.”
“Don’t worry about the past. We have enough to worry about in the here and now.”
“You’re right. Tristan needs me.” I knew that it would take me over a day to get to Tristan. I would need to fly without a break to make sure that the President’s men didn’t catch up with us. “You’ll need to take over often. I have to go to the bathroom every half hour, and I’ll need to sleep.”
“Sure, tell me the plan, and we’ll go with that.”
“I have to go now. When I get back, I want you to sleep. Then I will sleep while you fly. That way I’ll be awake when we get closer.”
“I need to be awake and alert too,” Alex protested.
“Sleep as long as you need now.”
“What about the bathroom?” Alex was used to having pregnant sisters and sisters-in-law.
“I’ll have to hold it while you sleep.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Alex took over control of the airship and I hurried off to the bathroom.
Chapter 28
Alex and I were finally in the area that we needed to be in. Hundreds of airships were hovering across from the Queen’s ship. Tristan’s airship was held next to her ship in a magnetic beam. They were trapped.
“What should we do?” Alex asked me.
“Computer, connect me with Douglas’ ship,” I commanded.
“Captain Reeves,” Douglas answered.
“Here is Captain O’Brian,” I answered him.
“What? Tristan?”
“No. It’s me, Sophia. The Aliens wanted to see me. I’m here,” I told my brother.
“I’m going to kill you. I’ll do it personally. Go home, Sophia.” Douglas was livid.
“I can’t. The President sent men to kill me so I couldn’t let anyone know that he has been lying about what the Aliens say. Everyone who can understand the Aliens has been captured and will be executed. The President has been lying to everyone because he wants to mine gold and other metals on the Aliens’ planet. This war is about money. I’m going to speak with the Queen. Please pass on what I told you. It may save Daddy’s and the rest of our family’s life. Take care, Douglas.”
“You too, Sophia,” he replied.
“Computer, connect me with the Queen’s ship.” I rose to my feet and waited for the connection to build. I was feeling a little dizzy, but I needed to stand and face the Queen, only men bowed down.
The Queen appeared on the screen. Her skin was whiter than it appeared on TV. She had no hair, and her skull bulged out on top. Her eyes were sunken back and bright violet. She was beautiful, more elegant than anyone I had ever met. But I knew that I mustn’t show weakness.
“I believe you have something of mine, Your Majesty,” I stated.
“Something of yours?”
“My husband. I’m here to get him back,” I informed her.
“Who is the man sitting beside you?” She glanced at Alex for a second. His mouth was hanging open in shock as he listened to us.
“This is my brother Alex. He is along for my protection.”
She looked back at me and smiled, already forgetting Alex because men weren’t considered important. It was a reverse of our world. “I haven’t seen you in ages. Are you well?” She laid her hand on her belly to show me what she meant.
I grinned like a fool. Talking about my baby was something that I enjoyed. I already knew that he would be brilliant and beautiful. “The child and I are doing very well. Thank you.”
“Your mother was also so big when I met her. She was a marvelous woman,” the Queen stated.
“My mother? You knew my mother?” How could the Alien Queen know my mother when I didn’t?
“Of course, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I needed to see that you were well. When I gave you to the humans, you were so tiny and sick.”
“You gave me to the humans?” Was I part Alien? I wanted her to give me more information.
“You were born on my ship shortly before your mother died. I was present for your birth. It was amazing to be a part of something like that. Your mother fought until her last breath to give you life. We admire her as a martyr.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “She’s dead?”
I had always hoped that I would somehow be able to find my mother one day. That she would see who I had become and be proud of me.
“How could you have known my mother?” I asked the queen.
“She came here to negotiate peace with us. It was impossible to deny her request. She was so bright and interesting. But the men from your world poisoned her. They would have killed you too, but your mother refused to die until you were safe. Unfortunately, some of the poison got into your blood as well. If our doctors could have helped you, I never would have returned you to the humans. I don’t trust them. They lie to each other and fight. They love war. Human men need to be better kept under control. The women need to rise up and put them in their place.”
“I doubt that will happen. They have set up a system that makes it very difficult for a woman to succeed. But that is beside the point. You are holding a group of men hostage. I want them back.”
“Our computer recognized your DNA and knew that you had been on board the airship. We are questioning the captain and the crew.”
“The captain is my husband.”
“What is a husband?” she asked me.
“He is mine. He keeps me satisfied sexually and emotionally. I do the same for him. We are partners. Humans only have one mate.”
“O
nly one?” She recoiled at the thought of that. “Doesn’t that get boring?”
“No, on the contrary. Having only one partner makes it better.”
“Oh, I understand. You train your men.” She looked pleased.
“Exactly. I don’t want to start from the beginning, training someone new. I want my husband. Through training, we formed a strong bond with one another. He would do almost anything to be able to return to me.” I explained. It was an explanation that every man would hate, but it was basically true.
“Loyalty, I like that. I’ll see that he is returned to you after your stay.”
“My stay?” I asked her.
“You will stay with me, and we will talk. Your people have declared war on my people. That has to stop. And once we have solved our problems, I want to show you something.”
“But it was your people who began attacking mine,” I protested, not letting her drift off course.
“No, not my people. It was a group of men who want you to think that I was attacking you so your people would go to war with us. I’ve been explaining that to the translator, but they don’t understand me. Or as I’m guessing, your men are like ours and want to fight. Why are men always running around and punching each other. I would adore a man who uses his mind. I could make a man like that my husband and train him.”
“My brother Shane is like that. Perhaps I could introduce you to him one day.” I only said that because I wanted her to know that not all men are war hungry.
“I would like that. Have him sent here.”
“Your majesty, you have to understand that you and he could never be together in the same room. He needs oxygen to survive.” I reminded her.
“There is a planet where both humans and Vespians can survive. It’s been inhabited by both species for the past ten years. I would like to meet him there. Arrange it,” she instructed me.
“I will ask him if he is interested in such a meeting. If he isn’t, then there will be no meeting.” I needed to be tough as nails to get ahead with the Queen.
The Queen grinned at me. “You are no longer a baby. You’re all grown up and about to have a baby of your own. It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t keep you. I designed that planet for you. I’ve been looking for you. I’m certain that your mother would have wanted me to have you.”
“Who was my mother?” I asked her.
“She was a translator. She came seeking peace.”
“Do you mean Lily Reeves?” I asked her in shock.
“Yes, that was her name.”
I had to sit down. I looked over at Alex. “She just told me that my mother is Lily Reeves.”
“Seriously? What’s the chance of that?” Alex smiled at the thought of that. I’d bet that he loved that he was the first one to hear a juicy bit of gossip.
“Basically zero. It might be some sort of trap. She said that Daddy’s wife was poisoned, but that she gave birth to me before she died.”
“That sounds like what the President said. What if it’s true? What are the chances that your real father would adopt you?” Alex asked me.
“Practically zero if you consider that Daddy only adopted based on the parents.”
“But he adopted you on an impulse. Somehow he must have known.” Alex was nodding to himself.
“Alex, you’re acting as if she’s right. This could be some sort of trick.” I warned him.
“Why would she lie? She wanted to talk to you. Practically every man in that airship has a wife, and she only wants to talk to you. Get up and talk to her. We have a war to stop.”
He was right. I got back up to my feet. “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”
“Of course. When will you be ready to move to the planet I told you about?” she asked me.
“Move?”
“I search for that planet so we could meet face to face. Your child can be born there.” She had it all worked out.
“One thing at a time. I want the war to stop.” I needed to keep my head on straight.
“As far as I’m concerned it has. If any of my people attack yours, feel free to blow up their ship. We won’t seek revenge. I was very clear with my people.”
“I’ll pass that along, immediately. One moment please.” I called Douglas and told him everything that I knew.
“I’ll pass that along to the other captains. I’ve been talking to Daddy, and he said not to take orders from the President. Kyle has already gone on TV and told them what the President wanted to do to you. Daddy is on the way here. He’s taken over command of the fleets, but basically, he’s coming to get you. I don’t know what he’ll do when he finds out that you’re his real daughter.”
“We don’t know that for sure.” I needed to slow everyone down.
“I think you look like him. You can fly so well and talk to Aliens, who else could be your parents. This makes sense.” Douglas nodded to himself.
“That’s what I said,” Alex joined in the conversation.
“I need more proof,” I interrupted them. “The Queen is waiting.” I ended the call with Douglas and stood up again.
“I’d like to see my husband,” I told the Queen.
“Of course.” She leaned to the side, and we both looked at the screen behind her.
Tristan appeared. “Has a translator arrived?” he asked her.
“Yes, I have.” I spoke loudly and clearly so Tristan could hear me.
“No, Sophia, no. You can’t be here. It isn’t safe.” Tristan looked as if he were going to be sick.
“I had to leave home. The President sent someone to kill me. He wants this war at every cost. He had my mother killed. The Queen saved my life. But I couldn’t survive with her. Somehow I ended up in a baby hatch. Brandon Reeves is my real father. I didn’t believe it at first, but I can feel it now. She isn’t lying to me. The President killed my mother because she had worked out a peace treaty. He never wanted peace. He wants to mine the metals on her planets. This is all about money.”
Tristan’s hands were clenched into fists. “Tell the Queen that I want to go to you.”
I told the Queen what he said.
“Your husband and his crew are free to leave, but you are not. I have reason to doubt that you’re safe. I want you to live under my protection.” She denied my request.
“She’s pulling us in with a magnet, Sophia. What should I do?” Alex asked, prepared to listen to me.
“Nothing.” I told him.
“I will stay where I am or go to my husbands airship,” I told her clearly.
“Your mother would have wanted me to watch out for you. The orphanage, where we left you, moved you to another one. They did it a few more times, and then some man adopted you. I tried to find you. I made a safe place for you to live where you could survive and thrive.”
“The man who adopted me was my father. Lily’s husband,” I told her.
“Is he a good man?” the Queen asked me. Worry was etched on her beautiful face.
“Daddy’s here,” Alex announced.
I saw an airship placing itself between my airship and the Queen’s ship.
“You could ask him yourself, Your Majesty.” I bowed to her. “My father is blocking my ship.”
The Queen was mad. “How dare he? You leave me no other choice.”
Suddenly, Alex and I were on her ship. My father and Cole were also there. Then Tristan appeared. He wrapped me up in his arms. “Are you alright?”
I took a deep breath of air and then yawned.
“The mix of airs will make you feel sleepy until you’re used to it.” The Queen was on the other side of a glass. This made me feel as if I were in a fish tank.
Alex positioned himself so he was standing between the Queen and me. Tristan turned to the Queen and pushed me behind him.
“Tell these men to move.” The Queen thought that the men were annoying.
“They’re my family. Human men protect their women,” I said peeking over Tristan’s shoulder.
“You got that
right,” Tristan said.
“I brought you here to have you tested. My computer is currently scanning you to see in what relationship you stand to one another.” She appeared to be waiting for the results.
Then she looked at Daddy. “She is Lily’s daughter, but also yours. You are her father. Apparently, it is important for human men to have their children. If I had known, I would have given her to you.” She looked away from him and turned to me. “The man in front of you is the father to the baby you carry. The other two men are of no relation to you,” she stated coldly.
First, I translated what the Queen said, and then I answered her. “My father adopted them. They are my brothers.” Cole had already been moved out when I had been adopted. We weren’t close, but we had the same father. Cole was staring at the Queen, studying her. He was interested in her medically. He must have come along with my father.
Alex was looking over her shoulder, trying to see if anyone was dangerous for us. He had a gun tucked into his jacket.
“I want this war over with.” The Queen gave my father perturbed glance.
“We all want that. I fear that by bringing us here, the others will think that you kidnapped us. Please allow my father to address the other airships and let them know that we are continuing our talks on board your ship.”
She waved her hand giving him permission. Tristan’s crew was suddenly on the screen.
“The Queen has moved us here to continue talks. Tell your crew that this isn’t an act of aggression.” Tristan spoke with his crew and warned them not to attack. His airship had realized that they could move and were now by the others.
Douglas came on the screen. He asked me to make a statement because the President was ordering them to blow up the Queen’s ship.
Suddenly, the whole universe was listening to what I had to say. I felt shy and unsure, but it was my duty to avoid any senseless killing. I explained what I had learned and about why the President secretly wanted war. I told them about the planet where humans and Aliens could live together. I promised to make a binding peace treaty.