Page 4 of Bad Beehavior

From birth, I’ve spent a detached life. I wasn’t assigned a paternal and maternal unit. I was brought up by the Colony, designed solely for this mission. There’s no one at home holding me back. No living being in the universe holds greater weight in my heart than this mission.

“Ready?” Captain Barban’s voice bellowing from my implant snaps me back to reality.

I steel my voice. “Yes, sir.”

In a flash, I morph from my tall, muscular state to my round and minuscule form. My antennas, face, and wings shrink. My legs transform from the two long appendages into six black legs. I tap my temple, and a black helmet emerges from my air through my implant, swallowing my entire head in a black and shiny helmet.

These helmets were designed to look similar to the faces of the species on Blue Planet that we resemble, but helmets are always a must when flying at high speeds. Although I look nothing likemy larger form, I feel completely the same. Maybe even more confident—the mission becoming more real.

I fly to the ship, the glass top opens as soon as I approach, and I rest inside. Just seconds ago, this ship could fit in one of my fists. Now I’ve got plenty of room.

Hundreds of flashing lights blink around me. I know what each button does. Confidence surges through me as my training over the year takes over my previous nerves.

“All systems ready to go,” Bailiff’s voice sounds through my communication implant. He’s at the control center, overseeing my take-off. He’s the only crew member who didn’t send me off—something I think we’re both thankful for. I’ve got nothing against the guy, but jealousy runs deep in his veins, making being around me difficult. Even his five words through my implant are coated with a layer of distaste. I understand. If we were in opposite positions, I’d probably feel the same.

“Clear for take off,” I sound back, touching the spot on my temple.

“Deportation in ten, nine…” The glass window in front of the ship slides open. The engines buzz to life, and I’m lifted from the ground.

“Two, one. Ready for take-off?”

It seems odd to ask this after the countdown. His voice sounds like he hopes one last question will get me to back out as if he could shut down the system and switch places with me.

“Ready to go,” I say.

There’s a pause before he sighs and speaks again. “Don’t mess this up.” And then I’m jolted forward, my ship zooming through space.

The light of the faraway sun zips past my windows as my body adjusts to the speed. The Blue Planet rushes toward me.

It only takes seconds for the atmosphere to swallow me up–my ship jerking as we make our way through. Blue sky andwhite clouds surround me. It doesn’t take long for the land to come into view. The planet looks so much like our own, and as I get closer, I can make out the tall buildings peeking from the ground.

I don’t have time to register everything around me, and before I know it, my ship drops into a body of water and floats to the surface.

The top opens, and although I know the air is safe to breathe, a shiver runs down my spine as I take the first breath. Sure enough, my lungs inhale the oxygen easily.

I fly out of the ship, thankful that Bailiff landed me close to the shore and not many miles away. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled something like that.

Our research of this planet's layout and atmosphere seems accurate, but as I look at the city before me, I realize we’ve made a grave mistake. We expected mud huts and rickety structures in trees. This is not that.

Tall buildings, motorized vehicles, and screens displaying pictures and videos make up the city I approach. I fly through the streets, paved in some uniform material, marveling at how similar this planet is to our own. Sure, they’re still hundreds of years behind, but I’m blown away by everything I see.

I touch the implant at the side of my head. “Captain, I’ve made it to the Blue Planet.”

Cheers come from the other end before he speaks. “That’s great news. How does it look?”

An aircraft flies over the tops of the building.

“I think our researchers made some errors.”

“Is everything okay?” His voice sounds concerned.

“Yes, everything’s fine. It’s just that this species is far more civilized than we thought. It shouldn’t be a problem, but the mission might have got a little more complicated if the females on this planet are more evolved.”

“We don’t know that yet. Just focus on tracking a perfect female specimen and observe. Let us know if we need to send down reinforcement.”

Of course, I knew I’d be fertilizing a female without much consent. I figured she’d not fully understand what was happening. But now, the thought of her being a more evolved species sends shivers down my spine. Different species on different planets have various mating rituals and customs, unlike the Colony, which views mating as a strictly biological duty. I just hope these females don’t require much for willing fertilization. Our worlds depend on it.

“Yes, sir. I will update you as soon as I find my target.”

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