Page 30 of Alien's Eternal Mate

Hate can’t grow in the soil of my soul? But I hate aliens. And justifiably so. I hate them so much. My soul is, in fact, quite fertile ground for the sowing of hatred.

I grow more confused by the minute. The sooner I am back in my own body and away from this wretched alien world, the better.

SEVEN

CARTER

Dawn found me still awake before the dying embers of the fire. Sleep had not been able to claim me.

Arael came downstairs shortly after the sun shone through the curtain. She looked at me for a time, but I continued to stare into the ashes in the fireplace.

Eventually, she went into the kitchen and prepared a strong, bitter tea. I sipped it and felt the familiar touch of a stimulant. Not exactly coffee, but close enough.

I noticed her adding the juice of a purple, lemon-like citrus fruit and a scoop of whipped green cream to her tea. I did the same, which prompted her to give me a long, apprising look.

“What’s wrong?”

“Gro never takes phuna cream or juice with his glava.”

“As I said before, I’m not Gro.”

She sat down opposite me and sipped her tea, eyes laser focused on me. Then she set the cup down and spoke.

“If you’re not Gro, then what is your name?”

“Doctor Carter Reed.”

She laughed, though anxiety tinged her mirth.

“That’s just some funny words strung together.”

I supposed from her point of view, that’s what it seemed like. I shrugged.

“I realize how ludicrous it sounds…and on that subject, I would appreciate it if you did not mention this to anyone else in the village.”

She chuckled ruefully.

“No one would believe me anyway. How did your mind get into Gro’s body?”

“I’m not entirely certain. It involves Precursor technology.”

Her eyes widened.

“Precursors? That’s who the Sages say built the ancient vessel upon which our village is founded.”

I blinked for several seconds before responding, my mind reeling.

“Wait, you know this is an ancient starship?”

She nodded.

“The Sages say that the Precursors came to our world long ago. Our people were not as we are now. We were primitive, savage, and walked on our hands as well as our feet. The Precursors blessed us, and we changed, evolving into the People.”

I nodded. It made sense. The Precursors figured prominently in many creation myths throughout the Galaxy.

As a scientist, I had a complex view of the Precursors. That they existed was not a matter of debate. Their artifacts and culture had been scattered all over the galaxy.

The exact nature of the Precursors, however, was definitely up for debate. Just because they existed didn’t mean they were quasi-gods, or benevolent superior beings who helped speed the evolution of intelligent life in the galaxy.

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