A Soldier in Love

by A. Petrov

  “Some memories are wounds… You feel the emotions strongly now because you have been numbed from them for so long,” Serik replied softly.

  “I’ve lost… I’ve lost everything,” Michelle stammered as she tried to fight back the tears. She silently cursed herself for crying again. She hated being weak. She was trained to a soldier, to kill, to defend, to be strong but instead she was crying uncontrollably.

  “I know baby, I know,” he replied as he held her gently in his arms.

  “Why was I left to live when everyone around me has died? Everyone I love is gone,” she sobbed.

  “It will be OK,” he replied softly.

  Michelle relaxed in his embrace. She hadn’t felt the type of soothing comfort he gave her ever before. Despite his size and stature, he was gentle with her. He was loving, he was caring, and he was kind. At first she thought he merely pitied her but it wasn’t that. He cared for her, no, not just cared he deeply cared for her. He had seen her at her worst, her weakest, a state she was ashamed of yet he thought nothing of it. Instead, he held her close and told her she was strong.

  Does he love me? What is love? Is this what being in-love feels like?

  She had never experienced love before.

  It was slow at first, that little feeling that came. But it got faster, it got larger, it became much more intense. It became almost overpowering at times. Michelle couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him, but she was also having a difficult time denying that she was in love with him too.

  Serik had saved her life. He didn’t know her but he saved her life anyway. He did what was right instead of what was easy, in the face of imminent danger. He nursed her back to health and did not expect anything in return. He stayed with her every night when she thought it was all too much. He held her and soothed her. Most of all he made her laugh and he made her smile.

  We understand what we are shown and what he is showing me is love.

  Chapter Thirty

  “I’ve got a stop to make on Kano,” Serik said as he configured their path.

  “OK,” Michelle replied apprehensively.

  “It’s a safe place. It’s a trade planet but I think you’ll like it,” he added sensing the tone in her voice.

  “Strap in,” he said.

  Michelle nodded and fastened herself into the copilot’s chair. She sat quietly and looked at the viewscreen down at the approaching planet. A few minutes later he began to pull the ship down. Michelle clung to her seatbelt like contraption. She didn’t know if she would ever get used to getting hurled through different atmospheres.

  She felt the rapid acceleration slowly lesson as they got closer. She looked out the viewscreen and to her surprise the approaching planet was pink. With a name like Kano she expected something a bit more dreary or masculine.

  “The planet is pink?” she asked.

  “Yeah, that is the fog surrounding the atmosphere. I don’t think it is as big as your planet, most are not. I think you will like it here. Everyone is friendly, even to me,” Serik said with a smirk.

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, ‘cause it’s a trade planet and they want your money. I just have to make a delivery and then I wanted to show you around if you’re feeling up to it.”

  “Of course! I’d love to see another planet besides Redex,” Michelle smiled.

  “Don’t worry, baby I will never take you any where even close to Redex conditions.”

  “Where are we going to stay? Are there hotels on other planets or do we stay in the shuttle?” Michelle inquired.

  “Yes, there are establishments somewhat similar to your Earth hotels on some planets but we will stay with my friend, Bock.”

  “Is he from Baat?” Michelle asked.

  “Yeah, he is. He was also in the Baat explorations,” he explained.

  Michelle nodded as she looked out the viewscreen. She could finally see past all of the pink fog. There was a lot of vegetation. She knew better than to guess they were trees. She could see a vast area of blue. She wondered if it was an ocean or something else.

  “We’re almost to the docking zone,” Serik said.

  Michelle felt the shuttle lose more and more speed until they were finally at a stop.

  ***

  Serik led the way as they made their way onto a path. Michelle looked around at their surroundings. To her surprise it reminded her of Earth except the coloring was off. The dirt beneath her boots was a gray color but from what she could tell it had the same consistency of dirt on Earth. She looked up to several tall trees covered in red vines. The pink fog hung in the sky behind the vegetation and mountains. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before; it was breathtaking. She could hear the soft sound of what was similar to birds cawing in the far off distance.

  Michelle took a deep breath in and then another.

  “Serik, this is going to sound stupid but the air here…” Michelle began.

  “It is easy to breathe?” he replied.

  “Well, yeah exactly,” Michelle replied feeling kind of silly.

  “That’s because this planet does not have as much pollution as yours did. The air is also not as dense here thus making it easier to take into your lungs,” he explained.

  “Did you tell Bock I was coming?” Michelle asked.

  Serik nodded. “Of course but I’m not sure he believed me. Let’s get something to eat first; he said he can’t meet us until closer to sundown.”

  It’s like I’m on vacation with my boyfriend, Michelle mused to herself.

  No, you’re not. You’re a homeless vagrant, AWOL from the Earth Army at the mercy of alien man you barely know, a snidey little voice from the back of her head hissed.

  Then why do I love him? Why does he care for me and keep me safe? Why does he make me feel this way?

  They made their way into the town on a shuttle cart. It reminded Michelle of a train, just not as nice.

  “Michelle, let me carry your pack,” Serik said breaking her thoughts.

  She shook her head.

  “Let me,” he said reaching for her pack. She stepped backwards.

  “No, a soldier always carries her own pack,” Michelle replied with an unrelenting seriousness.

  “Michelle, I can carry these things for you,”

  She shook her head. “They are not heavy. I feel safer if they are on me.”

  They are all I have, I can’t risk losing them.

  He sighed. He wished she trusted him more.

  Michelle felt rushed as the strange variety of creatures passed around her as they made their way into the city. Michelle looked around at the different beings that surrounded her. She soon realized that not everyone looked as human as Serik did. She quickened her pace to match Serik’s and reached out to grab his hand. She gave it a squeeze and looked up to him. “Is this acceptable here?”

  He smiled. “It is almost always acceptable any planet you visit.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze and they continued on and made their way down the busy streets. It reminded Michelle a lot of New Shanghai with the many sights, sounds, smells, the busy crowded streets, the hustle and bustle.

  “You OK?” Serik asked.

  “Where are those people from?” Michelle whispered and nodded her head towards a giant blue scaly duo. They were even taller than Serik.

  “They are from Xuma,” he replied casually.

  She looked around, there was no one that looked like her or that looked like Serik for that matter. Hardly anyone around her looked human at all. She saw creatures of all sorts, some with multiple arms and legs. Some that reminded her fish and some that reminded her of birds.

  She straightened her back suddenly feeling very short in comparison to the others that surrounded her. It was strange to feel short. On Earth Michelle had always been tall for a woman She was almost always taller than the other women around her and about the same height as most of the men. Although she missed the power of her former height, she also felt strangely femin
ine. She wondered if this is what it was like to feel petite and feminine.

  Michelle looked around and took in the sights. After walking for what seemed to be an hour or so, they were finally at some sort of marketplace. The further they made their way in, the more crowded it became. There were different vendors and people everywhere. The buzz of people haggling and bartering echoed through the vast marketplace. She noticed what she considered normal fruits, vegetables, and perfumes. Then there were also other items that she was unsure of. She didn’t even know what they could possibly be used for.

  “I feel kind of silly, Serik,” Michelle admitted.

  “Why baby?” he asked still holding her small hand within his large one.

  “I thought almost everyone would look like me and you,” she replied.

  “Well, now you know. It’s not your fault you’ve never been any where besides Earth and Redex. It’s OK, just take it all in,” he smiled and gave her hand a light squeeze.

  Michelle smiled back. His touch, his words, all of him was incredibly reassuring and sincere. Although she felt somewhat unworldly compared to him, he would never let her really believe it.

  “Serik,” Michelle whispered.

  “Hm?” he replied as he looked up at sign.

  “Is it just me or is everyone looking at us?” Michelle said in a hushed tone as staring eyes from all sides gazed towards their direction.

  “Baby, they are staring at us because you are one beautiful female and I’m one ugly mother fucker. They are trying to figure out how you are with me,” he said matter-of-factly before pulling her closer to him.

  He grinned as he looked down at her. He wanted to kiss her but he knew he shouldn’t. No, it would only make things worse for both of us.

  “Serik!” Michelle exclaimed. She was shocked at his words. She always felt like he was wrong when he called her beautiful. She wasn’t sure what he saw. She had gained some weight since being under his care and her feminine curves were beginning to appear again, but she didn’t feel like she was beautiful. She hadn’t thought about being beautiful since she was a child. In her world, a long time ago women existed like that. But now, no, she still felt like a soldier and that is all she was.

  “Baby, sorry it’s true. Don’t worry you’re mine and though they can look they’d have to go through me to touch and no one is getting through me. Now come on were almost there,” he said pushing forward through the crowd and ignoring the intrusive eyes.

  Michelle had never heard Serik be possessive in any way. She hated to admit it but it was nice. It made her feel safe and secure to know that she was with him. Michelle silently thanked her lucky stars that Serik had happened to give her a tutorial on intergalactic dining etiquette as they approached what appeared to be a small café.

  “Why hello my friends!” an older male exclaimed with a giant smile. He looked somewhat human to Michelle’s relief. He was tall of course and his skin was a light blue color. Upon closer inspection Michelle realized he had three eyes; all of which were a dark brown color. His gray hair was tied back into a long braid.

  Is everyone blue on this planet? Michelle wondered. She looked down at her own pale skin and suddenly felt very different.

  That’s because I’m the alien here, she realized as she began to feel a little silly.

  “Hi there,” Serik replied graciously.

  “What a beautiful mate you have! Why look at that hair!” The male exclaimed as he flailed his arms around excitedly.

  He moved in closer to study her, “Human?”

  Michelle nodded.

  “I’ve never met a human before, how exciting! How rare and precious you are,” he practically squealed in joy.

  I guess I am a novelty to these people.

  “Sit, sit, here. This is the best spot! The best spot for the most beautiful female to ever come to my restaurant.” he said as he ushered the pair to a secluded table.

  “Thank you,” Michelle replied bashfully unsure of sincerity.

  Michelle looked to Serik and smiled. She desperately wanted to make a joke about how flamboyant the male was being but kept it to herself. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings if he had supersonic hearing along with his three eyes.

  “Everyone seems so…” she paused. “Friendly.”

  “They are,” Serik replied fumbling with his napkin.

  Michelle followed his lead remembering that he had taught her the napkin in many other worlds was unfolded and tucked in on the side of the plate by the patron until the meal was served. There were chopstick-like utensils laid on the table as well.

  “They are probably so friendly because human women are able to mate with almost all species,” Serik said.

  Michelle’s eyes widened and she sat in silence unsure of what to say.

  Serik grinned at her shyness. “You are considered a thing of beauty.”

  “I’m not sure I’ve ever been considered that before,” Michelle replied. During the war she had been just a soldier. Her own needs, wants, and desires had been buried for a very long time. She wasn’t sure she had ever experienced being looked at in such a way by a man.

  “I’ve always considered you that, that and so much more,” he confided.

  Before Michelle could reply the blue man was back.

  “I have some fresh izanf mixture for you,” he said as he placed two glasses on the table. There was a dark colored liquid and several floating bits that Michelle thought could be fruit. It reminded Michelle of sangria. She had never had it before but she remembered when she was a child her mom used to make it when her dad would cook Italian food. She remembered the way it smelled and how giddy they would get, never drunk but just a little tipsy.

  “Ladies have first drink,” Serik smiled.

  “Ah, OK,” Michelle said taking the cool glass into her hand and hesitantly bringing it to her lips. To her surprise it tasted like a mixture of light beer and a tart flavor that was reminiscent of lemonade. She took another sip, and maybe a cough drop somewhere in the mix too, she added. It wasn’t the best thing she had ever had but it was interesting, most of all it was bearable and she didn’t want to offend anyone on their planet.

  “Do you like it?” the blue man smiled and held his hands together.

  Michelle nodded and smiled. “Yes, it’s great.”

  “Oh, excellent!” he squealed in delight.

  Michelle watched as he darted back into the kitchen. She decided it was best she didn’t know what she was eating or drinking.

  “He’s really excited,” Michelle whispered with wide eyes.

  Serik chuckled. “I know.”

  He took a sip of his drink. “Does it taste OK for you?”

  Michelle nodded. “I think so.”

  “What do you think of Kano so far?” he asked.

  “It reminds me of New Shanghai. It was a place I used to live on Earth,” she replied.

  “With your sister and her mate,” Serik grinned.

  Michelle nodded and smiled.

  “And here we are,” Their blue host beamed as he presented what looked like a roast.

  With a tong-like contraption he placed some morsels on both Michelle and Serik’s plates.

  Michelle picked up her chopsticks and bravely took a bite. The flavors hit her tongue. The taste was decadent and rich. She had never experienced anything like it before.

  “It’s amazing,” Michelle said to their blue host whose eyes hadn’t left her since placing the food on her plate. She wondered if he was going to stare at her the entire time she ate. Thankfully, he watched her take a few more bites and then went to check on his other customers.

  “Who would have ever thought?” Michelle mused.

  “Thought what?” he asked.

  “I’d be on another planet sampling their delicacies.”

  “I’m glad you are. I’m glad you’re here with me,” Serik smiled.

  They finished their leisurely meal and Serik paid the bill despite the blue man’s protests. He came ba
ck to the table and gathered Michelle and they made their way back out into the city. Michelle looked at the street corner. There was a young male that had to be the same species as their restaurant host. His blue skin shimmered in the fading sunlight. He stood at small stand with a sign that read, download your galaxy knowledge now!

  “Serik, is that a newspaper stand?”