Page 42 of Alien Prince

The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted in from the central café, blending with hints of cinnamon and something spicy from the nearby food stalls. I inhaled, savoring the richness. My communicator rested snugly in my pocket, a familiar, slightly bulky weight, keeping me anchored to my role here. Larger than a phone but smaller than a tablet, it was the lifeline to everything I needed, and it gave me a sense of purpose just having it close.

My desk was the familiar chaos I loved: stacks of reports I was midway through, alien artifacts with strange designs from recent missions, and a small holographic projector that looped through my favorite photos. A picture of me with Mom and Dad from their thirty-fifth anniversary just popped up and drew my attention. My fingers drifted to the smooth surface of a miniature model of Xeno Prime, the very planet I was due to visitsoon. Its surface was covered in delicate, swirling patterns that made me wonder what secrets the real planet held.

“Good morning, Maisie!” Lara’s voice rang out, bright and cheerful. I turned to see her approaching with a tray of pastries. She had that easy smile of hers, the kind that instantly made any morning better.

“Morning, Lara! You’ve got your hands full today,” I said, grinning as I accepted a flaky chocolate croissant from the tray.

She chuckled. “You know me—I come bearing bribes. Can’t have the department running on empty stomachs, can we?”

I took a bite, savoring the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. “If you keep bringing pastries like these, you might just become everyone’s favorite person here.”

Lara laughed, a sound big and boisterous, and waved as she continued on, leaving me with a smile. I was just settling back into my chair when I noticed Director Nguyen approaching. He was a striking figure with his steady gaze and calm demeanor. He radiated authority without ever needing to raise his voice.

“Maisie, do you have a moment?” he asked, his tone warm yet purposeful.

I felt a flicker of nerves. “Of course, Director. What’s going on?”

He extended a sealed envelope, its crisp edges cool against my fingertips. “You’re being assigned to lead the Xeno Prime mission. This is an important milestone for I.R.M.A., and I couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the job.”

A thrill surged through me, and I tried to keep my excitement in check. “Thank you, sir. I really appreciate your confidence in me. I won’t let you down.”

Director Nguyen gave a small, approving nod before turning to leave, and I watched him go, my mind spinning with the gravity of the assignment. I took a deep breath, letting the buzz of the atrium wash over me. The familiar sounds of colleagueshuddled in conversation, the flashes of alien species moving gracefully across the floor, and the anticipation of all that lay ahead set my senses alight.

I ran my thumb over the surface of the Xeno Prime model once more, a determined smile forming on my lips. There was so much unknown, so much waiting to be discovered. And I was ready.

Chapter 2

Anticipation and Farewells

The steady hum of I.R.M.A.’s bustling headquarters vibrated through the floors beneath my feet as I made my way to the briefing room. Everywhere I looked, holographic maps and digital displays lit up, flickering like miniature galaxies. The scent of stale coffee wafted through the halls, mixing with the faint aroma of metallic circuitry—a sharp, cool smell that had become synonymous with my days here.

I took a deep breath, letting the anticipation settle in. Today was the day.

“Maisie!” A familiar voice broke my focus, and I turned to see Lara hurrying down the hall, balancing a stack of reports in one arm while waving a muffin in the other.

“Morning, Lara.” I smiled, waving back as she neared.

“More like farewell morning! It’s not every day one of us gets assigned as a lead ambassador to another planet!” Lara’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she handed me the muffin. “You have to eat. Nerves can’t survive on an empty stomach.”

I chuckled, breaking off a piece of the streusel from the top of the blueberry muffin. “Trust me, I’m eating. It just doesn’t feel real yet, you know?” The muffin was soft, sweet, with just the right hint of blueberries. Comfort food for a very un-comforting moment.

“You’re ready, Maisie,” Lara said, her voice softening. “You’re one of the best here. They chose you for a reason.”

I let her words sink in, appreciating her encouragement even though my nerves still fluttered like tiny meteors in my stomach. “Thanks, Lara. It helps hearing that.”

She squeezed my arm gently, her touch grounding me. “You’ll represent us all well. And besides, you get to meet actual royalty! Think of the stories you’ll bring back.”

I laughed, feeling my tension ease. “You just want gossip on alien royals.”

She winked. “I live for it! Now go, they’re probably waiting for you in the mission room.”

The mission briefing room was quieter than the rest of the headquarters. As I stepped inside, the door whispered shut behind me, leaving just the low hum of the holo-screen in the dimly lit room. My mentor, Director Nguyen, stood by the display, hands clasped in front of him, his expression as steady and composed as always.

“Good morning, Maisie,” he said, his voice smooth and unwavering. “How are you feeling?”

“Nervous, but excited,” I admitted, my pulse quickening as I approached him. “This is… well, everything I’ve trained for.”

He smiled, nodding in understanding. “That’s exactly why you’re the right person for this assignment. Come, let’s go over the final details.”

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