Page 2 of Sworn to the Alien

My hands fidgeted, taking turns in forming fists, before I massaged them smooth again.

How had I ever come tothis?

Engaged to a female too young for me, and my having invested so much of my happiness in her that I was nowdevastatedshe was gone.

I growled at the thought of them laughing at me behind my back, taking me for a fool.

Oh yes, I bet they had agreat time.

I spun around, my fist clenched, and raised it to bring it down on my desk.

At the last second, I managed to twist my body to one side and let my fist swing harmlessly through the air.

I have to get out of here!

I need to leave my officeimmediately!

I marched toward the door, threw it open, and proceeded down the thick corridor that separated the large office.

I made it five yards before an assistant hurried up to me, her arms laden with paperwork. “Governor, I need your signature for the—”

“Not now,” I said, waving a hand vaguely at her.

I made it another four yards before a second worker accosted me. “Governor?” he said, wringing his hands. “I wondered if I could have a moment to discuss the dueling pit with you—”

“Not now,” I repeated, not stopping for a moment.

A large, thickly-set female third worker blocked my path, her hands perched on her wide hips, a beaming smile on her lips. “Good afternoon, Govern—”

“Not now!” I snapped before I could hear she had no inquiry.

But I was too angry to apologize or deal with the situation now.

I had to leave!

I got outside and my staff, ever-vigilant, had my shuttle ready and prepared.

I moved to the cockpit and waved for the pilot to get out.

He looked surprised as I hadnevergotten behind the controls before.

I had nowhere in particular to go, nothing I wished to see…

I just wanted to get away from there!

Alone!

I stabbed at the controls and it took a moment for me to remember exactly how to fly this damn contraption!

Finally, with a shudder, I got the shuttle into the air, turned it around, and raced across Irctaw.

The holo-monitor beeped and brought up the various offenses I was committing.

I snapped it off and focused on flying.

I could get the penalties overturned easily enough.

First, I just need to get out of the city…

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