Page 4 of Alien's Eternal Mate

“How far back have you dated the ruins?”

I would not allow him the satisfaction of knowing he was right.

“Our best estimates say the ruins predate the moon as a celestial body orbiting the Earth.”

I shook my head, though I had been thinking much the same thing.

“It seems impossible. The facility would have had to survive the collision with a still-nearly molten Earth. What manner of technology could conceivably protect a facility this large?”

“That sounds like a dilemma for you and the science team, Doctor. I’m just a soldier.”

“Do your ‘science boys’ know if this is of Precursor origin?”

“Most likely, but that hasn’t been determined yet. You are Earth’s foremost expert on Xeno-technology, which is rather ironic considering your proclivities.”

“More like, I am able to discern the logical functionality because I dispense with any cultural or sentimental attachments to the technology.”

Dowron tapped his claw like a nail on the metal desktop.

“Whatever the wellspring for your genius, Doctor, your expertise is needed.”

I shrugged.

“Sign me up, General. When do I leave?”

“Immediately.”

TWO

CARTER

Igathered my meager belongings, which amounted to a single case, and then my guards escorted me to the hangar bay. A multitude of ships stood ready for deployment. Small, sleek Dart starfighters, larger Destroyers, and one half-refurbished skeletal Cruiser.

I wondered which one we would be traveling in. I didn’t have to wonder long. Riel grunted and pointed his clawed hand at a disc-shaped cruiser of Alzhon design. I sneered at the highly detailed engravings on the hull. For once, the Vakutan shared my sentiments.

“It is much too pretty to be a battleship.”

“Agreed. The Alzhon would long ago have fallen prey to the Coalition if not for Vakutan might.”

I snickered, drawing glares from both of them.

“That’s rich, considering the Alzhon fleet had to bail the Vakutan out at Horus IV. A slaughter, I believe it was called…”

Riel snorted.

“What do you know of war and battle? Can you even pick up a rifle with those tinder twigs you call arms?”

I chose to let that pass, because he’d insulted himself more than I ever could have hoped to. His affection for brains over brawn was one of the many reasons I held Vakutans in such contempt.

The Alzhon cruiser sent down a gangplank, which appeared as a metal rectangle until it suddenly morphed into high, shallow steps. I had to struggle to take the steps, which were intended for use by those much taller than I was.

I wondered if Dowron had requisitioned an alien ship just to irk me. I doubted it. Dowron wasn’t as petty as that. I would have, in his position, however.

The guards escorted me up the gangplank inside the ship proper. They ushered me through the airlock and into the ship’s corridors. After a brief trip up several decks, I was shown through a set of sliding translucent doors into the technical lab.

Several pairs of eyes turned my way. A gray-skinned Alzhon, metal cybernetics gleaming on his temple, gave me a simple but polite nod. Beside him, a droopy-skinned elder Kiphian gave me a stern frown. The lone other human perked up and held his hand out toward me.

“Hello, welcome to the team! I’m Doctor Caraway, this is doctor Buzos and Professor Kight. It’s so nice to meet you, Doctor…?”

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