Page 72 of The Alien I Fell in Love with on Walpurgis Night

Axl

I receive an urgent VM. It’s from Fox on Alliance Force. He’s speaking in the men’s language.

“Axl, the goddesses have made their demands known. At your request, we have kept an eye on Madame Georgiana. It has come to our attention that she is pregnant. She has not been with any other man since leaving you and as she has no memory of what happened between the two of you, she has become mentally unstable. She has checked herself into a hospital for her mental health. We are preparing to remove her from Earth. As by Alliance law you are legally married. Congratulations. Your wife will remain with the Alliance Force until you arrive, at which time you can make other arrangements for your future. Walk in the goddesses’ light.”

A wave of emotions pass through me but most of all relief. These last months have been agony without Georgiana. I set in course for Earth. Then VM Fox, “Fox, the goddesses shine their light on me. I’ll arrive at Alliance Force in three days. I will collect Madame Georgiana myself from Earth. I would also ask for a transfer to the Alliance Force. It would humble me to be under your command. I am coming out of the darkness.”

I strap in and prepare myself for three days of nonstop jumps across half of the galaxy. It will be exhausting, but it doesn’t matter. The goddesses want Georgiana and I to be together. And I will do my best for Georgiana by taking a position with the Alliance Force, so that she can live near her home.

It’s obvious to me now that the Alliance Force doctor on his own, or under the recommendation of Fox, allowed Georgiana to return to Earth, knowing she was pregnant, allowing her to make a choice about her own future. It angers me that the Alliance Force would put the fate of an unborn child in the hands of Georgiana without her memory of who the father was, but I remind myself of their faith in the goddesses. They are true believers and protectors of the Lost People and believe by doing this they were asking the goddesses to guide us as they believed we could not guide ourselves.

My mother will be furious when she discovers she has a grandchild but one that will never carry the House Zu name as I will have signed myself over to the Alliance Force, if Fox will have me that is.

I arrive on Alliance Force and Fox greets me in the docking bay.

“The goddesses be blessed,” I say. “Thank you for contacting me.”

“You walk in their light Axl. I don’t want you to waste any time. Of course, we would be lucky to have you here, but are you sure? It’s a tremendous step down and you’d be giving up your imperial status by joining our House.”

I grasp Fox’s shoulder. “It’s the goddesses’ will. It’s the only place I can go and keep Georgiana close to Earth. And protecting the Lost People was good enough reason for you to give up your imperial status,” I say but wonder if it’s the Empress’s wrath he’s concerned about. “The High Priestess has given me permission to leave the Empire permanently. She says that I’ve served more than what could be expected of any man.”

“You won’t mind sharing the High Priestess’s official release? After I was hoodwinked by you last time, I’m not taking any chances.”

I realize this is the price I have to pay if he’s going to give me Georgiana’s whereabouts. I get out my IC and transfer the formal proclamation from the High Priestess. I wait while he verifies its authenticity and reads it.

“I’m content,” he says. “You know I blame myself for this. Had I stopped you or made you take the binding tattoos...”

“She is my true other half,” I say. “I should have never left her side and you’re right; we should have taken the binding tattoos. I’m sorry I lied.”

Fox shows me his IC. It’s a contract for the Alliance Force. It’s renouncing my position in House Zu for the humbler House of the High Priestess and a demotion in rank. “This is a generational mission. You will never live in the Empire. You will never retire. You will die here on this base or on Earth. Your children will also serve the Empire here. Are you prepared to make this commitment Imperial Fleet Reserve Commander Axl of Imperial House Zu?”

All the men working in the docking bay have stopped to watch us now. I feel their eyes on me. I read through the contract and then agree with my fingerprint and my GC number. I take off the ID necklaces around my neck, one being the Empress’s personal seal, and hand them to Fox. “I renounce my position in the Empire. I am no longer a member of Imperial House Zu.” I feel both sad and as if a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I bow and use Fox’s title to show his superiority over me now. “Commander Fox, I would be honored to serve the Alliance Force.”

Commander Fox takes my necklace and then hands me a new one. It reads, ‘Officer Axl Alliance Force.’ I put it on. Then he hands me one more. It says, ‘Georgiana Smith, Alliance Force.’ I grasp it tightly.

“Caroline already has your quarters ready. I want to remind you; you are no longer imperial. They are standard family quarters near her family’s.”

“We will be grateful to have them. Thank you. Please have some clothing made for her. I’m assuming there is a budget for that?”

Commander Fox nods. “I’m transferring you her location. Take an Alliance Force transport, it has a holo to look like a human land vehicle and do your best not to make a scene.”

“Thank you, Commander Fox. After everything you didn’t have to.”

“No, I didn’t have to but what’s the point of life if people aren’t allowed to make mistakes?”

“I only hope Georgiana will be as forgiving.”

“Let the goddesses guide you, Axl.”

I make sure my human holo is activated and I fly down to Earth. The Alliance Force transport takes the form of an SUV as I begin driving towards Georgiana’s coordinates. I park and then walk in the entrance to the stress center. I see Officer Sem there too. Before I walk over to the receptionist, I greet him.

Officer Sem gives me a formal piece of paper. “You need this.”

I look down at the heavy paper. It’s a marriage certificate. It’s dated April 30, 2024, Walpurgisnacht.

“Thank you.”

Officer Sem touches my shoulder and then leaves without another word.

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