Chapter 1 #2
"Blend in?" Solar hissed, gesturing to his skin, which glowed visibly even through the uniform. "How, exactly, am I supposed to do that?"
"Just act natural," Gary suggested, unhelpfully. "Take the local currency in the bag Harris is providing. Get settled, while Bob and I will sort out the ship situation. Harris, give them the communicator, then secure the ship before we get there.”
Harris handed the comm to Eclipse and waddled off. Solar exchanged a glance with Eclipse, who merely shrugged. Even Lunar seemed at a loss.
"I will not forget this humiliation," Solar promised as they slipped away from the crash site, ducking along the fiery structure labeled "Pete's Crystal Emporium."
A human female organizing the chaotic crowd called out to them.
Eclipse stepped forward, turning toward her with an expression Solar had never seen on the diplomat's face before.
Perhaps Eclipse wasn't as immune to primitive attractions as he claimed.
Now was not the time for this. Then again, the skin suit made it hard to decipher expressions.
Before they could interact, another human female pulled the first one away, and Solar urgently herded them in the opposite direction.
"Crimson Rock Inn is forward toward the blue tower," Gary’s voice insisted.
"And where exactly are you and Bob?" Lunar asked suspiciously.
"Managing the crisis from a strategic location," Gary answered.
"Hiding," Solar translated.
"Strategic location," Gary corrected. "Not to worry. Harris is onworld with you. Now, a reminder about your Earth names. You'll need to use them at all times in public."
"We discussed this already," Solar growled. "I refuse to be called Solar Bound."
"But it's perfect," Gary protested. "Solar is a common Earth name, and Bound suggests you're strong and powerful like a, uh, rivet. Plus, it's memorable."
Solar didn't bother explaining that on Zorveya, "bound" was slang for someone caught pleasuring themselves while trapped in a vine patch. His new designation was both humiliating and inaccurate. He had never been bound in his life and had no intention of starting now.
“I vote we throw him and find our own way,” Lunar suggested.
Eclipse pulled the comm closer and shook his head.
Gary gave them directions and guided them through the streets.
Solar couldn't help noticing how bright everything was.
The sun here was weaker than on Zorveya, but it bathed the landscape in a pleasant golden glow that reminded him of home.
Anything was better than the ship hull. The humans barely glanced at them, too busy with their own activities to notice three aliens in maintenance uniforms.
“What kind of creature is that?” Lunar asked, gesturing to a figure in a silver suit with a lizard head.
Eclipse frowned. “Biosignature says Earth human.”
“He has an unfortunate face,” Solar observed.
“It is a biological female,” Eclipse corrected.
"Here we are," Gary announced, stopping them in front of a two-story building with a sign depicting a large red rock. "Your temporary home until we can arrange more suitable accommodations."
The prestigious Crimson Rock Inn turned out to be a basic shelter with primitive amenities. Eclipse made them hide as he went to procure keys. He then led them to a room with two beds, which Solar would apparently be sharing with Eclipse and Lunar.
"One room?" he demanded, sparks flying from his fingertips. "For all three of us? This is worse than the ship."
"We’re lucky to have it. They were at capacity until Bob destroyed the transport of a gigolo from California," Gary explained with a nervous laugh. "But look at the bright side, you'll have plenty of opportunity to practice peaceful coexistence. Won’t that be exciting?"
“Gigolo is a better name than bound. It sounds regal. I will be Solar Gigolo.”
“Stop grumbling,” Eclipse snapped. “Our Earth papers say Bound. Do not make things more difficult.”
Solar's skin flared so brightly that Lunar had to shield his eyes.
"Bob and I will check in tomorrow with more details about your mission.
There's currency in the bag for necessities, and a pamphlet reminder about local customs. Remember, your objective is to blend in, observe humans, and identify potential compatible mates.
Exciting, right?" the alien matchmaker said. “I'll let you get settled.”
"A good mating would probably help that one's temper, he's what the humans call a pain in the…" Bob's voice sounded far away, and Solar was sure that it wasn't meant for their ears.
“Wait,” Eclipse tried to stop Gary from signing off, but the comm went dead.
Solar frowned, surveying the cramped room with disgust. “You should have let me incinerate him when we had the chance. This is intolerable. I refuse to share sleeping quarters with a shadow-dweller."
"The feeling is mutual, light-leaker," Lunar replied coolly from the darkest corner.
Eclipse positioned himself between them, as usual. "We need to make the best of this situation. The sooner we complete our mission objectives, the sooner we can return home."
"And how exactly are we supposed to find compatible mates in this primitive settlement?" Solar demanded. “The lizard head might be Lunar’s type, but?—”
“I will snuff you and leave your pile of ash in the desert for them to autopsy,” Lunar warned. “Then you won’t have to worry about a ride home.”
"Mates are not our immediate concern," Eclipse replied. "First, we need to adapt to Earth customs and establish our cover identities. The mating aspect can wait."
Solar snorted. "Easy for you to say. You've already found your biorhythm match."
Eclipse's expression remained neutral, but Solar didn't miss the slight change in his energy pattern. "I don't know what you mean."
"The female at the crash site," Solar pressed. "The one organizing the humans.”
“Your energy signature fluctuated when she spoke,” Lunar added. “I felt it."
"That's irrelevant," Eclipse said firmly. "Our mission?—"
"Is a farce," Solar interrupted, "but if we must participate in this charade, I intend to excel at it. I will find the most compatible, most impressive Earth female and form a connection so meaningful it will make the council regret ever doubting me."
"This isn't a competition," Eclipse sighed.
Wrong. To Solar, everything was a competition. And he never, ever lost.
He moved to the window, pulling aside the flimsy fabric covering to let more sunlight in. Lunar immediately hissed in discomfort, retreating further into his corner.
"Turn that down," the shadow-dweller commanded.
"Make me," Solar challenged, absorbing the sunlight with deliberate showiness. His skin brightened, and the room's electronic devices began to flicker in response to his energy output.
"Both of you, stop," Eclipse ordered. "This behavior is exactly why we're here."
Solar ignored him, focusing instead on the view outside. Humans moved about their business, oblivious to the three extraterrestrials observing them. They seemed so fragile, so unaware. How could any of them possibly be a match for him, Solarestabinian of the Elite Guard?
Then he spotted her, a female with hair the color of flames, moving with a grace that belied her species' general clumsiness. She was performing some kind of ritual in an open space near the building, spinning objects that trailed fire through the air.
For the first time since landing on this primitive planet, Solar felt a flicker of genuine interest.
"Perhaps this mission won't be a complete waste after all," he murmured, watching as the fire-spinner executed a complex maneuver that sent spirals of flame dancing around her body.
Eclipse followed his gaze. "Solar, whatever you're thinking… Don't."
But Solar was already formulating a plan. She resonated with his energy signature in an unexpected way. If he had to find an Earth female to connect with, it might as well be one who understood the power and beauty of fire energy.
Solar smiled, his skin pulsing with renewed energy. Earth might be primitive, and this mission might be beneath him, but he was a warrior.
And warriors always found a way to triumph.