Operation Earth

by Maria Hammarblad

  She didn’t mean to say the words out loud, and the sound of her own voice did nothing to reassure her. Odds were she’d start thinking about shooting stuff all the time, just because she shouldn’t.

  When she lifted it again, she once again felt the tingle in her fingers, and heard the voice. “Cerebral control activated.”

  Is there a physical control?

  A mechanical trigger popped out.

  That’s better. I should probably still ask Peter how this thing works.

  Chapter Five

  After investigating the gun, Rachael sat in the same spot for a long time, unable to motivate her body to move.

  Luckily, Peter returned sooner than she dared hope for. It was hard not to cling to him, but she forced her hands to stay by her sides and struggled to sound composed.

  “Thank you for rescuing me. You showed up just in time.”

  Maybe she could have gotten out of the pinch without him, but life was sure easier with a strong protector.

  Strange how much better everything was as soon as he showed up.

  I put too much faith in him, I know I do, but I can’t help it.

  He sighed.

  “I assumed you want to keep your neighbors, even though they tried to kill you. Let me know if I’m wrong, and I’ll do something about them.”

  “You were right.”

  The pile of weapons on her recliner had become routine, but this day when he put the last gun down, she bit her lip, and threw her arms around him.

  “I’m sorry, you guys might not do this, but I really need a hug. I don’t mean to intrude on your personal space, but...”

  Her words turned into a sob, and it took several long seconds to figure out the warm feeling spreading through her came from Peter holding her, running a hand over her back.

  Having him so close gave her butterflies, and he smelled so good.

  Wow, you are big. Firm, solid...

  The coarse material in his uniform was unlike anything else she had ever come into contact with, and felt strange against her cheek.

  “It’s okay. We’re not that different.”

  He sounded amused. She was reluctant to let him go, but needed to glance into his eyes.

  “How would I know? You’re from another world, and maybe you just look like us. You could be completely different.”

  Like the lizards on V. Oh God, I hope I don’t have mascara all over my face.

  Peter kept his arms around her waist and laughed.

  “I guess we could be, but we’re not. We’re basically the same species.”

  His touch was amazing, and his face close enough to make her skin tingle. For a moment she thought he’d pull her closer and kiss her. Hoped he’d kiss her, but he just led her to the sofa.

  “I’ll make you a... cup of tea.”

  The idea of him rummaging around in her kitchen, making tea of all things shook her out of the mood.

  I so want to see this, but if I follow him I show I don’t trust him. I guess he has watched me do it enough times.

  Having company soothed her. They cooked dinner together, and it made the day seem almost normal. He wasn’t good at helping, but he tried, and had learned a lot during the past few days. She wanted to curl up against him, bury her face against his chest, and ask him to take care of her, but one moment of weakness was more than enough.

  After dinner, Peter rose up, paced the room, and sat back down. He fidgeted with the game pieces they had spread out all over the table, found a pen, and clicked it until she wanted to take it away from him. Finally, he said, “I should probably go,” but it was hours earlier than usual.

  Did you just stop by to check up on me? Please don’t go. The house is so empty without you, and I’m scared.

  She couldn’t find the courage to object. Surely, he had secret alien matters to tend to.

  “Okay.”

  She followed him to the door, but he paused with his hand on the knob. He stared into her eyes for a long moment, trailed his fingers over her shoulder, and bent forward to brush his lips over her cheek. He usually didn’t touch her, and the light kiss burned on her skin.

  The magnetic pull of his eyes was stronger than ever, holding her captive. Then, he turned away to open the door, and she couldn’t stop herself. The words, “Is that all I get?” jumped out of her mouth before she knew she was saying it.

  A smile tugged at his mouth.

  “Well, what more would you want?”

  His reassurance that he was nearly human didn’t mean it was true.

  He came from another world, and might carry all sorts of viruses that could kill her instantly.

  Their anatomy might be completely different.

  She ignored the buzz of thoughts, stood on her toes, and pressed her lips against his. He hesitated for just a second and kissed her back, holding his rifle away from her with one hand and entwining the other in her hair.

  It was sweet and forbidden, and far better than she could have imagined.

  He pulled back much too soon, leaving her with a sensation of loss.

  “Are you sure you want this?”

  His eyes were serious, signaling there might be a long row of implications she didn’t understand. She still nodded, and he said, “I do too.”

  She had wondered and worried if aliens did these things in the same way as people on Earth. Maybe he wouldn’t even know how. She forgot all about it when he kissed her again, and she expected him to scoop her up and carry her to some suitable lovemaking piece of furniture, but he broke free.

  Damn his alien self-control.

  “I should put these... somewhere...”

  Only now did she realize he still held the rifle away from her. Maybe alien self-control wasn’t so bad after all. The rifle did have a trigger, and left to her own devices she’d probably manage to shoot herself, or at least make a much larger hole in the wall.

  He kept an arm around her waist, leading her back into the living room.

  When all his weapons rested on the recliner, he flashed a smile.

  “Sure you’re sure? If you tell me to leave I will.”

  If you leave, I’ll be so mad.

  She gazed into his eyes and nodded, and this time he did lift her up, with his hands around her waist. Suddenly, the world was far down, and she giggled and held on to him with arms and legs like a little girl.

  He laughed too.

  “You’re such a tiny little thing.”

  Pretending to be offended wasn’t easy, but she did her best.

  “No I’m not, I’m five feet nine, that’s tall for a girl on Earth.”

  “If you say so.”

  She wanted to protest more, but his mouth seeking hers put a stop to the banter. A moment later, he put her down on the bed.

  Ooooh, I guess I was silly to worry. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

  *****

  Early the next morning, so early it was almost still night, Rachael woke from Peter caressing her hair.

  When her eyelids fluttered open, he whispered, “Hello there, Gorgeous.”

  She snuggled closer. “Hi, Handsome.”

  “It’s a shame to wake you up, but I have to go. You need to lock the door behind me. Okay?”

  Trying to pout wouldn’t do her any good, she knew that, but there wasn’t anything wrong with trying.

  “I wish you could stay.”

  “I wish I could stay too, but I have to go to work.” He added in a serious voice, “I’ll be back. I promise.”

  Thank you for reassuring me I’m not just a one-night stand. I didn’t really think I was, but it’s still nice to hear.

  She sat up on the edge of the bed and pulled the sheet around her, ogling him as he dressed. Those were muscles to die for. If Ryan got his way, maybe she would.

  When Peter was done and strapped the weapons in place, he looked like a stranger. The impression passed when he pressed a soft kiss on her lips.

  “I wish I didn’t have to go.”

>   “I’m not getting you in trouble, am I?”

  He shrugged.

  “Even if you were, you’d be worth it. I’ll come back as soon as I can, probably tonight.”

  She wrapped the sheet tighter around her and plodded after him to the door.

  It’s still dark, should people really be up at this hour?

  Peter fixed his hypnotic eyes on her.

  “Be careful. I don’t think they’ll bother you today, but bring your gun if you go anywhere.”

  “I will.”

  She wanted to tell him to be careful too, surely lots of scary things could happen to an alien invader, but the words sounded silly. He could take care of himself.

  He brushed his lips against hers and was gone.

  Is there even a remote possibility for a happily ever after for us?

  *****

  Every minute seemed long as an hour, and the day lasted for a year.

  Maybe Peter wouldn’t come back. A part of Rachael said, “Stop doubting him,” while another part claimed she was just a pastime for the man from the stars.

  Glancing over at Melissa’s house gave her a grim pleasure. They probably knew he spent the night. Maybe they had waited up to see when and if he would leave.

  I guess I owe you guys one. We wouldn’t have gotten around to doing anything but play board games if you hadn’t made me vulnerable.

  It was Saturday and she had no reason to go anywhere, but she needed to keep occupied. Mowing the lawn might not be too bad an idea. There were crazy people outside, of course, so she kept the weapon he gave her in a pocket.

  Odds were they’d leave her alone, but one never knew...

  On a normal weekend she would have been proud of the neat yard, but now all the work was redundant. The planet might be bombed to a pulp within days, and then who would care about her grass?

  She still paused to admire her work and muttered, “Doesn’t look half bad.”

  “Everything’s still calm around here, I hope.”

  Peter’s voice sounded quite formal, and made her jump. How could she not have heard him approach? She glanced back and smiled.

  “Calm, it is.”

  “Good.”

  “Commander!” A young man jogged across the grass, holding out a data pad. Peter looked at it, pressed something and nodded.

  Say something, give him an excuse to stay.

  “I... I found this weird thing in the backyard when I mowed there. I wonder if it’s something of You Guys.”

  She paused and frowned. The sentence sounded coherent in her head, but made very little sense when spoken. It was clearly his fault. No one would be able to talk properly with him watching.

  Peter’s mouth twitched.

  “Let’s go take a look, shall we?”

  Rachael led the way to the house, struggling to look unfazed. As soon as the door closed behind them, he pulled her into his arms and sought out her lips. These were hungry kisses, making her body heavy and tingly.

  He broke free after much too short a time and murmured, “I can’t stay.”

  “Not even for a quickie?”

  The words jumped out before she could stop them. Way to sound needy...

  He laughed, “No, not even for a quickie. But I’ll be back tonight, so hold that thought.”

  When the door closed behind him, she leaned her back against it and sank down on the floor.

  I’m so screwed. I need to break this off before someone kills me, but how?

  The sensible thought lasted for hours, until she heard his knock on the door. The mere thought of him being there chased all reason away.

  She ran to open and jumped into his arms.

  “I held the thought.”

  “The what? Oh, good for me.”

  He grinned, looking honestly happy, and being carried to bed by a tall and handsome alien wouldn’t get old during her lifetime.

  I shouldn’t want this, I really shouldn’t, but I do. I don’t care if they never leave, I’ll eat wholegrain rye bread forever if it means I can keep him.

  Late that night, she rested in Peter’s arms, lazy and content.

  “I guess this is better than the ship, since you keep coming back?”

  “You could say that.”

  He sounded amused. Lifting her head seemed like a disproportionate amount of work, but she did anyway.

  “Is it always like this?”

  “Always like what?”

  She ran a finger over his chest.

  “You travel around from planet to planet, conquering both them and the women, and then you move on?”

  To her relief Peter didn’t seem offended. He laughed.

  “No, it’s not like that. Well, the planet part I suppose. The re-assimilation plan was laid out by the Ancients long ago. You’re my first alien woman.”

  The words made her want to purr.

  “Good, because you’re my first alien man.”

  A new thorn snuck its way into her mind.

  Maybe he has a wife and seven children back home, wherever home might be. Oh well, at least they’re far away.

  “So, who was your latest...”

  Her lover laughed again.

  “Don’t push it.”

  *****

  When Peter finally returned to the ship, June waited for him with a frown distorting her beautiful forehead.

  He was used to her and her manners, but this time her cold stare made even him uncomfortable. She stood close. Too close.

  “Is there a problem, Ground Commander?”

  Damn. Don’t you have something better to do than keep your eyes on me?

  “No. Should there be?”

  “You tell me. Information says you haven’t been here for a couple of days.”

  He gave a slight shrug.

  “I called in.”

  “That you did.”

  She still stood in his way, and he crossed his arms over his chest. Now when he was used to Rachael, June seemed uncomfortably tall.

  “Is there something else I can do for you?”

  “Yes.” She paused and he lifted an eyebrow, refusing to release her gaze. She sighed. “If there was something I should know, you’d make sure to tell me?”

  “Naturally.” He bent forward a little, staring down into her eyes. “I don’t think my time off duty should be of much interest to you anymore, but I can assure you it’s not affecting your operation.”

  Yet.

  This time, she moved to the side and let him pass, but she called out behind him.

  “You wouldn’t let emotions interfere with duty, would you?”

  Perish the thought.

  “Of course not. I never did before, did I?”

  He could almost hear her fume.

  His room was far away, and he did his best to keep his eyes off the surroundings as he walked. Parts of him always found the ship strange, but all the years residing on it made him somewhat immune. Now, after spending all this time with Rachael, after loving her and waking up with her, as bad a judgment as that might be, the sight of people connected to the ship to the point where they were physically engulfed by the walls sent a chill down his spine.

  Don’t think about it. You can’t afford to grow soft. These women chose their life willingly.

  Were they happy? Would they even know if they weren’t?

  He had thought he was happy because it was the only life he knew. Now, he wasn’t so sure.

  The door to his room opened and closed without a sound. He had lived in this stark little chamber for longer than he could keep track of, but neither liked nor disliked it. It contained everything he required to survive and do his job.

  “I need a clean uniform.”

  The clothes were pretty much self-cleaning and self-mending, but nothing wrong with changing every now and then.

  He frowned when a portion of the wall opened up to reveal exactly what he asked for. Rachael had a small room filled with clothes, and she called it a closet. She had so many colo
rs; red, pink, blue...

  Had he worn colors once upon a time? As a little boy?

  Every doorway on the ship contained ionized fields, cleaning people as they moved around. Rachael had a shower, with water. What might that feel like? Would she agree to let him try it together with her?

  An intriguing idea that triggered mental images of breasts with glistening water drops. It would probably be wise to think of something else.

  When he stepped into the corridor again, his stomach growled. He had time for breakfast, and by now, the level’s dining hall would be filled with people. Going there, showing himself, might be a good idea.

  There was a queue, which was to be expected.

  I wonder if they make us wait in line to hone our patience?

  If so, it worked. He was patient.

  The man ahead of him in line nodded to acknowledge his presence.

  “Ground Commander. What is your name on this world?”

  “Peter. You?”

  “I’m Torsten, I have a city called Sundsvall.”

  Maintaining friendships was complicated since everyone got a new name every time they reached a new world. What had Torsten’s name been on the last planet? He couldn’t remember. He couldn’t even remember his own.

  “You like it?”

  “It’s okay. Cold and lots of snow.”

  The queue moved forward. One step, two steps, almost there.

  “What are the people like?”

  Torsten gave a shrug.

  “No trouble, really. They’re pleasant, industrious... They have their combustion engines up and running, communications, you name it.” He chuckled. “They’ve made it clear they’ll be fair to us as long as we’re fair to them.”

  Lucky you, mine seem to be turning on each other if they can’t find anything else to shoot. Funny how people living on the same planet can be so different.

  Torsten’s voice rocked him out of his thoughts.

  “I think I pulled a winning ticket on this one. I hear some places around the equator like to blow things up.”

  A voice behind Peter joined the discussion.

  “We’re in a jungle. When we first landed, they thought we were Gods returning. Not bad, I could get used to that.”