Tales from Planet Sanos - Taken by the Alien Merking Excerpt
“Well, humanity f*cked around. And now, it’s time to find out.”
Brooke
raised her eyebrows at the mumbled comment from the back of the craft
as the landing capsule hummed with anticipation. Or perhaps it was just
the vibration of the engines straining against the unknowns of Planet
Sanos’ atmosphere. Brooke’s gaze was fixed on the hazy mostly-blue orb
growing larger on the viewscreen, her mind a whirlwind of calculations
and contingencies.
“All right, ladies,” Brooke announced, her voice
steady despite the flutter in her chest. “We’re programming the final
approach. Once we land, you know what to do. We’ve trained for this.
You’ll each meet with negotiators and leaders of the different species
on Sanos and secure a future for humans.”
“Captain, are we sure
that’s wise? We don’t know much about any of these species beyond what
they provided to command.” Brooke recognized the voice of another
captain on the mission and allowed herself a thin smile in return.
“It’s
a risk, but we need to show them we’re serious. One leader to another.
It’s why we’re all the same rank with the same training. It’s our only
hope for this mission. And our only hope as a species.”
The youngest
of their sevensome chimed in, her fingers dancing across the touchscreen
as the capsule continued its descent. “And if they’re not as…
diplomatic as we hope?”
“Then we adapt,” Brooke replied, the
certainty in her voice belying the knot in her stomach. “We’ve trained
for this. Our survival depends on it.”
The capsule shuddered slightly
as it pierced the upper atmosphere. The buffeting was a reminder of
their precarious situation. Brooke’s eyes remained locked on the horizon
of the alien world, her thoughts straying to the generations aboard the
USS Legacy hovering above Sanos. Their lives hung in the balance of
this mission.
The next to final member of their team leaned back in
her seat. “We’re making history either way. First human envoys to an
alien world.”
Brooke nodded, the weight of their mission pressing on her. “Let’s make sure it’s a history worth telling.”
The
capsule’s artificial intelligence, a soothing voice that had become a
constant companion, interrupted their exchange. “Atmospheric entry
successful. Preparing for landing sequence.”
Brooke’s heart rate
ticked up a notch. The time for theory and training was over. It was
time for action. She unstrapped from her seat, her movements fluid and
purposeful. “Once we’re on the ground, it’s showtime. Remember, we’re
here to secure a future, not just for us, but for every soul aboard the
Legacy.”
As the capsule descended, the blue of the sky gave way to a
landscape of verdant jungles and shimmering oceans. It was a world
untouched by the blight that had consumed Earth, a reminder of what they
were fighting for.
The landing was smooth, the capsule settling onto
the alien terrain with a gentle thud. Brooke took a deep breath,
steeling herself for the encounter ahead. She turned to her compatriots,
her eyes shining with determination. “This is it. We’ll make contact
and assess the situation and bring home a win for the humans of the
Legacy.”
With that, Brooke stepped towards the airlock, her hand
resting on the door controls. The future of humanity hinged on the next
few hours, on her ability to negotiate with a species they barely
understood. But as the door slid open and she took her first step onto
Planet Sanos, Brooke felt a surge of hope.
This was their chance,
their only hope, and she would seize it with every ounce of strength she
possessed. The fate of Earth was in her hands, and she would not
falter.
The first breath of Sanos’ air filled Brooke’s lungs with a
scent so pure, it felt like drinking in the essence of an untouched
world. Exquisite beaches stretched before her. The sand was a pristine
white that seemed to glow against the cerulean expanse of the ocean.
Lush jungles pressed at her back, a vibrant tapestry of emerald that
whispered secrets and stories untold.
But there was little time for
awe. Humanoid figures emerged from the foliage. Their scales shimmered
in the sunlight, a mosaic of blues and greens that confirmed their
identity—Quxoni. They approached with a regal bearing, gesturing for
Brooke to follow. She cast a final glance at the landing capsule, where
the other five human females tasked with liaising with the other species
of Sanos stood poised, their expressions a blend of worry and pride.
Brooke’s
escort led her to a massive tent, its fabric billowing in the gentle
sea breeze. As she crossed the threshold, her eyes fell upon a figure
that commanded the space and attention. This must be their chief
negotiator, though nothing in the dossier about the Quxoni could have
prepared her for the reality of his presence. Towering and muscular,
with long, flowing blue hair and bright green eyes, he was a vision of
otherworldly allure. A sensation, undeniably primal, stirred within her,
a pull that was both disconcerting and exhilarating.
“Welcome to
Sanos,” the male’s voice rumbled, a melody of bass notes that resonated
in her chest. “I am Zetron Kallithar. You will negotiate with me.”
Brooke met his gaze, her own voice steady. “Thank you for receiving me. I am Captain Brooke Harris.”
His
lips quirked into a half-smile that seemed both a challenge and an
invitation. “Curious, that you came alone. Only seven females to
negotiate for the future of your people. Is this a display of trust… or
desperation?”
She returned the smile, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Perhaps it’s a bit of both. But I assure you, we’re not as helpless as
we seem.”
“Our scientists tell us that your planet is dying,” he
retorted. “Your people are hungry. And your government has allocated a
portion of the last of your people’s resources to sending you to
negotiate with the species of Sanos. Ostensibly to beg for assistance.
That seems pretty helpless to me.”
“Your scientists may be right,”
Brooke repeated, keeping her composure as she walked towards him. Zetron
cocked his head and moved slightly, taking a step as he gestured to her
to follow him. “But we humans have a saying.”
“Which is?”
“We may be down, but that doesn’t mean we’re out.” Brooke’s lips twitched.
“Interesting,”
Zetron murmured as he padded along next to Brooke. “Even with the
extreme difficulties of your people, you remain hopeful.”
“What other option do we have?” Brooke glanced at him with a brow quirked.
Before
Zetron could respond, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A
cacophony of explosions filled the air, followed by the staccato zing of
phaser fire. The tent walls shuddered but held firm against the
onslaught, protecting them fully despite their gauzy appearance. Handy.
Brooke’s heart thundered, instincts screaming for action.
Her hands
itched for a weapon and she glanced around the space searching for one,
but the tent was sparse save for a few ornate cushions and a low table.
Zetron’s eyes met hers, a flash of concern crossing his features.
“Seems we have unwelcome guests,” he remarked, his tone betraying no panic, only a calm readiness.
Brooke’s mind raced. “Who are they?”
Zetron’s gaze darkened. “The anti-alien faction, most likely.”
“The anti-alien what?”
Another explosion rocked the tent, closer this time.
“Now is not the time,” Zetron yelled, betraying a hint of the worry in his voice.
Brooke’s
survival training kicked in and she dropped to her knees, sweeping the
ground with her hands, searching for anything buried within the sand
that she could use as a makeshift weapon.
But she came up empty-handed. Dammit.
As
phaser fire continued to rain down, Brooke knew their initial meeting
had taken an unexpected turn. The fate of her people and the potential
alliance with the Quxoni now hinged on their ability to survive the
onslaught together. She locked eyes with Zetron.
Zetron’s voice
sliced through the chaos, a command rather than a request. “We must
move, now!” Before Brooke could fully process his words, he bolted to
her.
“Wait!” she yelled, but it was no use. Within seconds, she found
herself cradled against his chest, his powerful arms securing her
against him. In another few seconds, Zetron hoisted her over his
shoulder effortlessly and ran from the explosions.
The world blurred as he bolted toward the rear of the tent, the fabric parting before them.
Brooke’s
heart pounded in time with Zetron’s strides, the erratic rhythm of
phaser fire echoing in her ears. She caught glimpses of the battle
raging around them—the seven species that had come to meet them clashing
with unseen assailants.
They quickly reached the ocean’s edge, the
waves lapping at the shore. Zetron didn’t break stride, his gaze fixed
on the horizon as he entered the water. Brooke’s breath hitched as the
cool liquid enveloped them, a stark contrast to the heat of battle.
“Hold
your breath,” Zetron instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
She complied, filling her lungs with air just as they submerged.
Underwater,
the world transformed. The sounds of battle muted to a distant hum,
replaced by the serene gurgle of the ocean. Schools of iridescent fish
darted past, their colors a vibrant testament to the life thriving
beneath the waves. Brooke’s eyes stung from the saltwater, but she
refused to let go of the awe that beheld her.
Zetron’s pace never
faltered, transforming from a rapid gate to a racing swim as his legs
transformed into a glittering tail. His arm muscles and tail worked in
harmony to propel them forward. Brooke’s lungs began to burn, the
initial lungful of air rapidly depleting.
This is it, Brooke thought to herself. The grand plans of humanity to resurrect itself are about to be blown.
Just
as she teetered on the edge of panic, Zetron halted, his lips meeting
hers in a kiss that was as startling as it was lifesaving.
Air
flooded her mouth, a precious gift that eased the ache in her chest. The
kiss was clinical, devoid of passion, yet Brooke couldn’t ignore the
undeniable spark that ignited within her. Zetron’s eyes held hers, a
silent promise that they would survive this ordeal.
Beneath the
surface, the world was a shimmering dance of light and shadow. Zetron’s
arms and tail, powerful and sure, continued to propel them through the
water with an ease that spoke of his aquatic nature. Brooke clung to
him, her heart racing from the adrenaline and the unexpected intimacy of
their escape. Each time her lungs screamed for air, Zetron’s lips found
hers, offering sustenance in a kiss that was more a lifeline than a
lover’s caress.
The kisses were quick, efficient—but not without
effect. With each shared breath, Brooke felt a connection grow, a
realization that they were in this together. She couldn’t deny the
thrill that coursed through her, a heady mix of fear and excitement, as
they moved as one through the alien ocean.
Finally, the water around
them lightened, the deep blues giving way to the vibrant turquoise of
shallower waters. Zetron angled them towards a sliver of sand that cut
through the ocean. The island was small, fringed with palm-like foliage
that swayed gently in the breeze, a deserted paradise that seemed
untouched by the chaos they had left behind.
As they neared the
shore, Zetron’s hold on Brooke shifted. He waded in the shallow water as
he guided her onto the shore. She stumbled, her legs unsteady after
their underwater journey, but his grip was firm, supporting her until
she found her balance.
“Almost there,” he assured her, his voice a low rumble.
Brooke
nodded, her gaze locked on the beach ahead. She took a step, her booted
feet sinking into the soft sand beneath the water. Another step, and
another, until her knees buckled and she fell forward, crawling the last
few feet onto dry land.
Brooke collapsed onto the sand, her breaths
coming in ragged gasps as she recovered from their ordeal. But as her
breathing steadied, a sudden sense of urgency compelled her to turn
back, to see the man—or rather, the Quxoni—who had saved her life.
What
she witnessed took her breath away once more. Zetron waded in the
shallows, the water lapping around him, as his form underwent a stunning
transformation. The iridescent scales that had covered his body during
their swim receded, leaving only a sporadic few across his form. His
physique shifted slowly, the streamlined elegance of his aquatic tail
melting away to reveal the powerful, muscular form of a man in his
prime.
His bright green eyes, always alert and intense, seemed to glow even brighter against the backdrop of his now-humanoid features.
Brooke
watched, transfixed, as his transformation completed leaving behind a
man who was both awe-inspiring and strangely familiar. She realized,
with a jolt, that she had held her breath, and she let it out in a rush.
“Holy shit,” she murmured to herself. “Who knew our would-be allies were so fucking hot?”
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