Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Within minutes of leaving her home, they were in Dani's vehicle, moving through the streets of Duskrock toward the retreat.
Solar kept his hood forward and his head down, minimizing exposure while maintaining awareness of their surroundings.
His combat instincts remained active, scanning for potential threats or surveillance.
The small restaurant where Dani stopped was crowded, forcing Solar to maintain careful control of his energy emissions as they waited for their food at a small window. He noticed several humans watching him with curiosity as they passed the vehicle, though none approached.
"People are staring," he noted quietly to Dani.
"Because you look suspicious as hell," she replied with a small smile. "But in Duskrock, that's practically normal. Nobody's calling the alien hunters yet."
He looked behind them and found a cowboy hat in the backseat. Taking it, he placed it on his head and pulled the brim down to shadow his face. People stopped staring as much. This disguise appeared to be functioning adequately, if not optimally.
Once they had acquired the food, which was wrapped in parcels containing egg, meat, and vegetable matter in a soft bread covering, they continued toward the retreat. Solar found the breakfast burrito surprisingly acceptable, converting the nutrients efficiently despite the unfamiliar composition.
As they drove, Dani glanced at him repeatedly, her expression growing increasingly thoughtful.
"So what are you going to do?" she finally asked. "About the extraction?"
Solar considered his response carefully. The tactical assessment was complex, with variables he had not anticipated when beginning this mission.
"I don't know," he admitted. "The logical course would be to follow extraction protocols and return to Zorveya. But..."
"But?" Dani prompted when he didn't continue.
"But my experience here has created unexpected value propositions," Solar said, struggling to articulate concepts he had never needed to consider before. "Your energy signature, specifically, represents a resource unavailable on Zorveya."
Dani smiled slightly. "I think you just said I'm special."
"Your interpretation is accurate," Solar confirmed.
Her smile widened, but her eyes remained serious. "Special enough to stay for?"
The question crystallized the decision Solar had been processing since Gary's communication.
Remaining on Earth meant abandoning his position in the Solarus Elite Guard, potentially cutting ties with his homeworld permanently.
Yet returning to Zorveya meant leaving behind the unique connection he had formed with Dani, a connection that had already altered his understanding of energy exchange and interpersonal dynamics.
"I must consider all tactical variables," he said finally. "Including the danger Milano represents and the unknown intentions of the council that sent us here."
"That's not really an answer," Dani pointed out.
"No," Solar agreed. "It is not."
They arrived at the Duskrock Yoga and Spa Meditation Center, pulling into a visitor space near the main building. Solar adjusted his disguise, ensuring maximum coverage before exiting the vehicle.
"Stay close," Dani advised. "Act like you belong here."
They moved through the entrance and toward the private areas, Dani confidently leading the way as if she had every right to be there. Solar maintained close proximity, his combat senses alert for any sign of threat or surveillance.
A human female approached them in the corridor, her expression curious. "Wait, stop! Can I help you?"
"We're heading to the Desert Suite," Dani replied smoothly. "Rowan's expecting us."
The female looked skeptical. "I'll need to check that. Visitors are supposed to sign in at reception."
Before Dani could respond, another female appeared from a side corridor. Solar recognized her as Stephanie, the loud one from their first day at the retreat.
"It's fine, Monica," Stephanie interjected. "They're with Rowan's private group. I just spoke to her. They're the VIPs in the Desert Suite."
Solar tensed, his hand instinctively moving toward a weapon he wasn't carrying. Energy built, ready to surge if he needed to fight. Did this human know his designation?
Monica hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But remember to use the sign-in system next time."
“Leave the VIPs alone, Monica. Celebrity stalking is how you get fired,” Stephanie said. “Now, help me figure out where these aliens might be hiding.”
“Not that again,” Monica muttered. "I thought you said the aliens were the VIPs."
"Like Rowan would hang out with aliens," Stephenie laughed. "I like to tease her, but I can barely get her to leave the house on a weekend. She'd never do anything that exciting."
"Well, I think you're wasting your time," Monica quipped. "There is no such thing as aliens."
"Honey, I was there when they crash-landed. Got it all on video." Stephanie tapped her phone and held it up to Monica. "Did you see it yet? It’s viral. Once I find them, I'm thinking book deal. Maybe a documentary series."
"Relax," Dani whispered.
Stephanie didn’t realize he was an alien. He kept his head down as Dani pulled him with her.
Solar remained cautious. He needed it to stay that way. That human's knowledge represented a potential security breach.
Dani led him through service corridors until they reached an exterior path that wound through gardens toward a separate structure built into the red rock. Solar maintained vigilance throughout the journey, aware that Milano could have operatives anywhere.
The Desert Suite was impressive by Earth standards, its design allowing it to blend with the natural landscape while providing strategic defensibility through limited access points.
After a moment, the door opened to reveal Eclipse, now wearing Earth clothing but with visible evidence of his true nature around his eyes and hands, where the twilight energy of his form leaked through.
"Eclipse," Solar acknowledged.
"Solar," he greeted with obvious relief. "Your disguise is effective."
"Yes. It is," Solar replied, moving past him into the suite. "I am a cowboy."
Rowan shared a look with Dani before turning to him. "I'm glad you're all right."
"We need to discuss Milano and the extraction timeline," Solar said, removing the concealing glasses now that they were in secure quarters. "Where is Lunar?"
"Unknown," Eclipse admitted. "He did not return last night."
"Hopefully still with Poppy," Rowan suggested. "I just texted her again to let her know Milano is at the retreat. I told them to be careful."
Solar frowned. Lunar's absence complicated tactical planning. "We must locate him immediately. Milano is actively tracking us, and Galaxy Brides has set extraction for forty-eight hours from now."
"They contacted you?" Rowan asked, her expression concerned.
"A Milano representative approached us at dinner last night," Eclipse said. "James Petersen. He mentioned unusual atmospheric disturbances and electromagnetic anomalies."
"They're using satellite technology and ground teams with specialized equipment," Solar added, relaying Gary's information.
"That tracks with what I uncovered before they shut down my investigation," Rowan nodded. "The Milano Foundation has been funding unusual research for years, supposedly for medical applications, but the security around their facilities was military-grade."
"So what's the plan?" Dani asked, looking between them. "Are you guys leaving?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. She was not satisfied with the answers he'd given her. Then again, neither was he. Solar glanced at Eclipse, noting the subtle change in his energy pattern at the mention of departure.
"That decision has not been finalized," Eclipse said carefully. "We must discuss all options once Lunar is located."
"I can call Poppy," Dani offered, already pulling out her phone. "They're probably at her place. It's out near Boynton Canyon."
Rowan nodded. "Yeah, do that. I texted her, but maybe you'll have better luck."
As Dani made the call, Solar moved to the window, scanning the exterior for any sign of surveillance or unusual activity. The sunlight filtering through the glass energized his system, causing his golden light to brighten beneath the concealing clothing.
"Any sign of Galaxy Brides since their communication?" Eclipse asked quietly, joining him at the window.
"None," Solar confirmed. "Their sudden reappearance after abandoning us does not inspire confidence. As is the accelerated extraction timeline."
"My assessment as well," Eclipse agreed. "Their concern seems less for our welfare and more for avoiding complications with authorities."
"Or perhaps the council instructed them to retrieve us before we could form connections that might cause this mission to be deemed a success," Solar suggested. His gaze shifted briefly to Dani, who was engaged in conversation with Rowan across the room.
Eclipse followed his line of sight. "You have formed such a connection."
It wasn't a question, but Solar answered anyway. "Her energy signature creates resonance patterns unlike any I have encountered on Zorveya. The compatibility is significant."
"As is Rowan's with mine," Eclipse said. "I admit I did not think these developments were possible."
"Because the mission was never meant to succeed," Solar concluded, voicing the suspicion that had been growing since their arrival. "We were meant to be removed from Zorveya, not to prove coexistence is possible. They want this mission to fail."
"The evidence supports that hypothesis," Eclipse agreed solemnly. "What happened to your skin suit?"
"All but dissolved. Dani hid the remnants in her home."
Dani’s voice interrupted their conversation. "Good news and bad news. I reached Poppy, and Lunar is with her. That's the good news."
"And the bad?" Rowan asked.
"They spotted men in black SUVs near her place this morning. Professional types with equipment. They're hiding out in some cave system Poppy knows."
Solar and Eclipse exchanged glances, the tactical implications immediately clear to both.
"Milano has begun active pursuit," Solar stated.
"Poppy says she can bring Lunar here tonight after dark," Dani continued. "But they're staying put until then. Something about him being more mobile at night?"
"His shadow-walking abilities are enhanced in darkness," Eclipse explained. "A wise precaution."
"So what do we do until then?" Dani asked, the practical question cutting through the tension.
Solar considered their options. "We prepare defenses, gather intelligence on Milano's activities, and develop contingency plans for multiple scenarios."
"I can help with the intelligence part," Rowan offered. "I still have contacts who might know what Milano is up to locally."
Solar nodded. These Earth females were proving to be valuable allies, adapting quickly to the situation despite its unprecedented nature.
"We should also prepare for the possibility that Galaxy Brides' extraction may be compromised," he added. "If Milano has tracking capability for alien technology, they may detect any attempt to remove us from Earth."
"So we're talking about a potential showdown," Dani summarized. "Aliens versus shadowy government contractors."
"A scenario I had hoped to avoid," Eclipse admitted. "Our mission was supposed to be peaceful cultural exchange."
"Sometimes peace isn't an option," Solar replied, the warrior in him recognizing the approaching conflict. "Sometimes you must fight to protect what matters."
His gaze met Dani's, and in that moment, Solar knew his decision was already made, regardless of tactical assessments or mission parameters.
He had found something on Earth worth protecting, worth fighting for.
If Milano or Galaxy Brides threatened that connection, they would discover firsthand why the warriors of the Solarus Elite Guard were feared across multiple star systems.
The sun continued its arc across the Earth sky, its light strengthening Solar's resolve along with his energy reserves. Whatever came next, he would face it with the full radiance of his true nature, no longer constrained by diplomatic caution or concealing membranes.
Let them come. Solar was ready.