Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
For now, I need to focus on surviving until they can come. This ship is sinking and I need to get out of it. I look towards the shore about two hundred feet away. Not a long distance with how fast I swim, but I’ve always been taught to respect water. Not just what it provides and gives, but what it takes and the dangers of and in it. I have no idea what animals are in this planet’s waters, or even what awaits me on shore. But I am sure that if I stay here, this ship will become my tomb.
When I open the door, water rushes in. I wade into it, and immediately gasp at how cold it is. It’s never this cold at home. I imagine it’d be even colder without my suit on. Tightening my grip on the bag, I take a deep breath and plunge myself under the icy water. I swim towards where I saw the shore, using my legs to propel me forward, hoping I don’t encounter anything before I reach the shore, and that I don’t encounter anyone when I do reach the shore.
As I rise from the water, though, I immediately realize that my hope was misplaced. A line of males, all with what are clearly weapons pointed at me, are there. They all wear the same black garb that I saw on the screen, and they are all head and shoulders shorter than me.
“Not another step!” one of them shouts.
I pretend not to know what he’s said. It’s clear they don’t plan on leaving me be, so better that they don’t know I can understand them. That strategy has kept my people from being harmed many times. Others thinking you don’t know what they’re saying means they’re ignorant enough to say anything around you. Even things about you.
“In the name of The New Order, place your hands in the air!”
I stand still, chest rising and falling with my heavy breaths, looking over each man, deciding how best I could kill each one. And how easy it would be. Not what I planned to do when I got here, but I will defend myself should I need to.
“Perhaps, gentlemen, we can try another approach.”
I suspect this male is someone of authority from the way all the males come to attention at the sound of his voice. Then, he steps forward, the males easily parting for him, and his outfit confirms it. Still black, but with a red collar, and red buttons going down his jacket, his chest and shoulders are littered with pinned metals and patches. His outfit makes his already pale skin look even more so. Does he never go into the sun? It beams unbearably hot down on me as I stand here, so surely this planet does not have a deficit of sunlight as some others do.
“General Lockett. I was not aware you were with us,” one of the males says.
He gives him a smile that I can’t help but feel is dripping with condemnation. Already, I don’t like this male.
“I was sent to try diplomacy with our …” He turns and looks at me now. “Visitor.”
“That thing doesn’t understand us.”
“He understood well enough to stay still when you had your guns trained on him, so I think he understands some.” He spread his hands out wide. “Welcome to Earth. I am General Lockett. And you are?”
I’m Bothaki, but I won’t be telling him that. I only tilt my head and he gives me another of those smiles.
“Where did you come from?”
He points to the sky, but I keep my eyes on him instead of looking up.
“We are called humans. What are you?”
Yes, humans, on planet Earth. But are they good or bad? Friend or foe? I’ve been greeted with both weapons and a welcome. Which is true?
“I see.” The male sighs at my lack of response.
“We should kill him right here and now,” one of the males closest to him advises. “We have no idea what his intentions are, but he shot down our missiles. Clearly, he is a danger, and we don’t know if there are more.”
“And since when,” the general starts, turning his intense eyes to the other male, “did The New Order begin asking for the opinions of soldiers regarding how things are run?”
The male nervously swallows and bows his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t … I meant no—”
The general waves him off and the male scuttles away.
“We have other plans for this … specimen.”
I fight not to arch my brow. In my head, the translation for specimen shows me something very undesirable in my language. I fight the urge to smirk even harder. He has plans for me? Well, whatever they are, they won’t matter the moment I know my people have come for me.