Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 31: Her Majesty, The Slut

Captain's Log: Daily Report.
January 13, 2198

We have arrived at the planet Petros. Though it is under Nevran protection, the inhabitants are a different species, called the Voski. Interestingly, Prill said the whole species is ruled by a single monarch. Today will be an interesting experience, as we have only encountered Dedalians, the P'Shari, Valmirians, Nevrans, and Kotarins.

* * *

The Voskian princess scanned the crowds from her balcony with binoculars. She zoomed in, spotting several new aliens in the streets below, ones that she had never seen before. Her large mint eyes sparkled as her pale hands brushed aside her long pomegranate hair. She smiled as she fixated on one suitable for her tastes: a young man, no older than herself, with curly mocha hair to match his eyes, contrasting his pale, alabaster skin.

She turned to her royal guard, the three morning suns reflecting on his armor. "Him," she pointed, "I want him."

* * *

Holloway snapped a picture of the vast lake, the still, serene waters reflecting the mountain range and swaying cotton candy forests of blossomming trees. Two tangerine suns peaked over the mountain range, while the third stood shyly behind a distant mountain, its hue still tangelo.

He focused his aim and snapped a picture of an island, not far off from the elevated sandy shore where he stood. He fixated on an ancient tuscan stone monastery, hidden among the cherry blossom trees that dotted the island like the mountain range behind it. The restored ruins reminded him of his orthodox Georgian heritage, the style also similar to Armenian and Pontic churches he used to visit when studying abroad. The temple structure featured a conical roof, the top adorned with a golden circle with two parallel vertical lines, a religious symbol in their culture no doubt. He sighed as he snapped another photo, taking in the scenery, wishing Polla could be here to admire the breathe-taking beauty with him.

Harris turned, hearing footsteps approaching him. A group of pale, thin Voskian guards slowly made their way towards him, their stratos armor contrasting greatly with the vanilla sand. They halted a few paces from him, with one stepping forward, removing his mask to reveal a chiseled, noseless human-like face with two separate slanting slits replacing a nose in an upside-down V, making his face look rather flat and barren. The guard had long, straight candy apple hair, his two cornsilk pointed ears sticking out like rockets emerging from the clouds. The guard's carnelian cape fluttered in the gentle breeze as he walked fowards, the wavering clothe matching his tall poppy boots that dented the wet sand with his tall and muscular stature.

Holloway took a step back from the elf-like Voskian who now towered over him at nearly two and a half meters.

The guard's olive irises focused on him. "Do not be afraid, Terran. I am Gadar, and I mean you no harm."

"I'm Harris. What do you want?"

"You will come with us to the palace."

Holloway glanced at the towering marble castle behind them, its snow drift stone walls colored an atomic tangerine from the sunrise.

"Why me?"

"The princess would like to speak to you."

Harris knitted his eyebrows, his face a crumpled soda can laced with confusion. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Her majesty has requested your presence, and yours alone. We will need to escort you."

"But. . . why me?"

"We do not question her orders, Harris. We only obey them."

Holloway glanced at the guards behind Gadar. They were all heavily armed, their hands tense, gripping plasma rifles, their eyes piercing his gaze with intimidation behind their dark masks. The corporal had no choice. He did not stand a chance against them, let alone one. He had to go with him.