CHAPTER 3
Naraq
“Only seven percent of their population has blood type O negative, Naraq, and all of them aren’t willing to submit for testing. It’s estimated that half the percentage is female.”
I stared through the window of my ship at the strange but beautiful planet below, so different from my own. “Ask for donations from their hospitals and anyone who doesn’t meet our requirements.”
“And if the numbers aren’t sufficient?”
“Over eight billion people call this planet home. What is their reasoning?”
“Fear, Naraq. They are afraid of what they don’t know, and they’ve never encountered a dominant species.”
“We’ve harmed no one,” I murmured, not understanding humans.
“But our technology is advanced.”
“And we’ve shared what we can,” I snapped, glancing at my first in command.
“Yes, you’ve been more than accommodating, Naraq.”
My eyes narrowed as I turned to the window again, hating to take without consent, but these humans left me with no other choice. “Since they refuse to comply, remove the regenerators from our centers.”
“That will stop the depletion of turquoise. We are running dangerously low, so low we can’t return home without more; however, I fear removing them will damage our mission.”
I knew it would become a problem when I offered the use of our technology. They should reciprocate our generosity, but they hid in their homes, refused to cooperate, and demanded the location of our planet along with access to all our knowledge.
“Scour the planet for all turquoise deposits, Commander. If they won’t give it willingly, we’ll be forced to take what we need, but only as a last resort. Leave the regenerators for a few more days.”
“As you wish.”
“How many matches have we made?”
“Eight thousand two hundred and thirty-four females and males.”
“So close.”
“As you know, ten thousand is the target number.”
“I’m aware, Commander. Notify me once we meet the target numbers and we’ve replenished the turquoise supply.” I ordered, leaving the control center.
“Their leaders are demanding another audience with you, Naraq.”
I paused before entering the transporter. “Deny them and offer no reason. I’m suspending negotiations for now.”
Once inside the privacy of my room, I climbed straight into the Regeneration Pod and sighed when cool mist enveloped me, washing away the radioactive components of this planet’s sun while trying to control my agitation.
Of all these humans, I thought one might be for me, but so far, no one had even come close to a match.
Was I forever doomed to loneliness? A ruler supreme without a companion?
Returning home without more turquoise was impossible. This was a one-way trip. We couldn’t give away more knowledge, and the blood was useless if we couldn’t return to Sanctum.
With my eyes closed, I enjoyed the three-minute relief the pod allowed until my Commander’s voice interrupted my peaceful moment.
“Your match has been located, Naraq.”
“What?” I was so shocked I didn’t believe what I’d heard.
“A place called New Mexico. There’s something else you should know. Your match shows traces of Sanctarian blood.”
“How is that possible?”
“Earlier scientific missions are our best guess without further testing or questioning. Shall I prepare your private ship?”
“Are you sure, Commander?”
“Yes. The testing is infallible. Congratulations, my liege.”
“Upload her file to my desk, Commander, and prepare my ship.”
“As you wish.”
I processed the information in my mind as the pod completed its cycle before relaxing at my desk. The image of a young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes slid across the surface along with her blood test results.
“Pause,” I ordered when a close-up of her profile appeared again.
The bright blue of her eyes captivated me, luring me toward hope when I assumed I’d be alone throughout my lifecycle.
Dark eyelashes framed her eyes, and there was a hint of sadness emanating from them.
“Alexa,” I spoke, letting her name roll off my tongue slowly.
With one finger, I traced the angles of her jaw and the fullness of her lips, admiring a woman from a foreign planet, a half-human, who was meant for me, a companion to share my life with.
My eyes drifted to her test results, and the double helix strand, rotating with half-human and half-Sanctarian DNA, which was significantly more than a trace.
“Ruler Supreme, your ship is ready. Three guards are standing by.”
I frowned at my commander’s voice while staring at the image of Alexa. “I will go alone.”
“As your commander, I highly advise against a solo mission on Earth’s surface.”
My lips twitched as my finger trailed down her neck. “I’m going alone.”