Page 1 of Kissed By the Alien
CHAPTERONE
LUTAN
As I walk down the dark street in the middle of a broken-down area ruled by thugs, the smells of dirt, blood, and piss assault me. While I did not expect Earth to smell sweet and clean like Zyan, I had hoped the Coalition had not left the planet in total ruin, as they have other worlds.
“This is your first time on Earth, Lutan. You will find beauty here as well,” Hunzu says, as if reading my mind. My childhood friend knows me too well.
“They’ve had time to repair their world,” I say, letting my distaste of this planet surface. I’ve only been here a week and I do not see what my fellow warriors admire here. Most of the people are fearful and rude, and have made little effort to improve their world.
“They are remarkably resilient, these humans. But they lack good leadership. And resources. I did not see what the Galactic Alliance’s appeal for this planet was either until I got to know the humans. Those willing to speak with an alien.”
That’s one thing I’ve always liked about Hunzu, his positive outlook. It explains why the ZDC, Zyanthan Defense Command, assigned him as First Lead of security at Zyan’s embassy in Los Angeles.
“Your patience exceeds my own.” My specialty is tracking down killers and escaped convicts. Or in this case, arms dealers. Either way, I can relieve my frustrations with a few well-placed punches when I finally catch my marks.
Hunzu’s hand lands on my bad shoulder, but I refuse to wince and show any weakness. Part of me cringes at how I’ve changed, at how I refuse to even allow my best friend to see the male I’ve become.
“Look, Lutan, I know you’d prefer to return home. We all would. But you’re needed here, especially with the information leaks plaguing the humans right now. GI7 caught the mole in the Department of Alien Affairs, but they suspect another leak in Earth’s Department of Defense. Nothing else explains how the og’dal ships have breached this planet’s defense shield.”
“They should assign us there. We’d find the traitors in days, hours even, and be done with this planet.”
“The humans won’t give us full access to their high security areas. They’re not very trusting of aliens. Just focus on stopping the influx of blasters to Earth. If we find any og’dals in the process, even better, but we need to remove every single blaster smuggled to Earth. Warrior Stenikov, assigned as a marshal to GI7, found a shipment at a warehouse in New York City. That’s on the eastern seaboard of this continent. Since then, the blasters have been showing up in Los Angeles. The og’dals appear to be changing locations frequently to avoid detection. We haven’t picked up any comm communications, but we’re sure they’re working with the Brotherhood on Earth.”
“We should be focusing on who’s stealing the weapons from Galactic Intelligence. And how. Let the humans track down the few blasters smuggled here.”
“Their military and local law enforcement have enough trouble maintaining order as their people rebuild their world. Allowing the Brotherhood to get hold of blasters, even a small number, puts too many humans’ law enforcement and our alliance at risk.”
“We don’t need this world.”
A hand cuffs my left horn, sending me back to my childhood, before I lost my mother and my father turned away from me. They would never lay a hand to me, but Hunzu never hesitated in chastising me, like I disciplined my younger brother.
I shove my memories of Narzan so deep where they can’t rise up to strangle me.
“Stop thinking like a sartog,” Hunzu scolds. “You have your orders, as do I. You have total say over my team and me, even for this mission. I’ll provide backup and lend you any resources you need while you’re on Earth.”
“Hopefully, that won’t be long.” I duck before he can cuff my horn again.
“At least you haven’t lost your reflexes.”
“Drekk you too, Hunzu.”
He points in the distance to the land vehicles spewing black exhaust. “We’re stronger with the humans as allies, even if they don’t have any technology to offer. They have spirit, and they’ve sworn themselves to the alliance, which makes us stronger against the Coalition.”
I rub my horn where he cuffed me and remind myself I have nowhere else to be. No family left on Zyan. None I care to associate with, that is. That doesn’t mean I wish to be on this pitiful planet, but I will do my job, especially if it helps prevent the Coalition from regaining power.
“Which is why we need to attend this function the humans are holding at the end of the week,” Hunzu continues. “They call it a ball. A gathering where they will celebrate Saint Valentine.”
“Will this saint attend as well?”
“I don’t know, but First Lead Povin’s cultural advisor, a human appointed by the DAA, says it’s a joyous holiday and an honor to be invited. The entire embassy staff, which now includes you, is expected to attend. I’ll be working security, but Povin plans to introduce you to several humans. I suspect he wishes to calm their fears over the illegal import of blasters.”
“I don’t do well with politicians.”
“You mean authority.”
I glare at him, which he ignores. Hunzu knows I’d never hurt him. He’s like a brother to me. The only one I have left.
“You must bring a female, Lutan.”
