Chapter 1
Zentra Portal Station, about 2 pm Tnari time...
Going from 9 am Earth time to about 2 pm Tnari time was not only a shock but a slightly welcomed one. Zentra Portal Station was located on the outskirts of the city and the current Lani Biome season was about late spring. It was winter back on Earth and if it was not for the fact the portal built was enclosed, she probably would have frozen to death while waiting for it to connect to Tnari.
Her thin, black business slacks, white shirt, and black short coat were not wintering material. Officer Betty Smith, Naval Space Union Lieutenant, Junior Grade, dressed to impress and dressed for milder weather. Even her black flats on her feet were something women wore for spring. She even opted out of wearing pantyhose. Her flats were also chosen because she was 6 feet tall without heels and didn’t want the King to feel like she was looking down on him. Like she did with almost all the men back on Earth.
Her jet-black hair was styled like she would wear it during military meetings on Earth, a severe bun. There was no jewelry on herself, but she did wear some light pink lip gloss. Her Commander even suggested it. He informed her to make sure to play to her strong points, and her plump, pouty lips were a draw for most men. The only other makeup she had on was some dark eyeliner done up with cat-eye wings and the effect accentuated her green-brown hazel eyes. Most men could not stop drooling over her hourglass figure and ample breasts. Not to mention, her Latina heritage provided her a permanent tan that made most women jealous.
The whole get-up she was wearing was to draw the King’s eye and hopefully distract him into agreeing to the proposition Earth was making. If that didn’t work, well Betty would have to exercise her wits. Which was fine with her. She would rather use her brain to get the King to agree than her body. She never would comprehend why her body should be the selling point. Her mind was sharp and she didn’t get where she was at on her back! The same would go for these negotiations with the King. However, she had to comply with orders, but that didn’t mean she had to keep complying while in meetings with the King.
Lightly brushing down the front of her suit, she clutched the handle to her roller suitcase and walked up to the Information Center of the station to ask where to go for transport. The King had arranged for pickup and was allowing her to stay at the castle while the meetings took place. She had three weeks to convince the King to allow other parts of Tnari to open before she had to go back to Earth.
The transport area was easy to find and the Flyer was already waiting for her. It was a sleek model that reminded Betty of a race car from Earth, but it was automated and a computer performed all the piloting. Which was fine with her. It would allow her time to look over Arlan’s file and arrange her thoughts together for the first meeting.
Stepping inside the Flyer, she sat down the plush, gray seats with relish. The seats almost conformed to her body shape and the support was amazing. She had to admit the King knew how to fly someone in comfort. Sighing gently, she opened his file on her datapad and began to read while she waited for the transport to arrive at the floating castle.
Imagine that, a castle that floated all around the planet like a big airship. Technology like that is what the scientists back on Earth were drooling over. Ever since some of the leaders from the planet finally got to see the behemoth structure, questions went off rapid-fire and everyone wanted to know how it worked. Part of the reason why Betty was over here was to see if she couldn’t gain access to such technology.
Sure, Tnari allowed the use of the Flyer technology, but it was nowhere near as sophisticated as the castle. It was both a defensive and offensive machine. Military leaders all over Earth were demanding to know how to recreate it. Yet, the King has been tight-lipped about it.
Betty would like to say she was selected because of her brains, but she knew the old farts that lead the military likely had chosen her because of her looks. It pissed her off sure, but at the same time, she was delighted she was selected to do this job. The lure of seeing other worlds, places, and even aliens thrilled her! It was that reason alone she said yes.
There was a ping on her datapad and she saw that there was a message from her friend Mary. She quickly swiped the alert to reveal the message and had to grin when she read what her friend wrote.
"I hope you are having fun Bet! I heard you finally got that promotion and a big secretive mission! I can’t believe you get to meet the King and I also can not believe those old military farts let you go alone! Must have been a condition between the King and Earth.
I know... I know... you can’t talk about your mission. I won’t even ask, but you will have to describe to me what King Arlan is like! I hope he is as hunky as everyone says he is! All those muscles, long snow-white hair... and those Tnarian eyes! I am so jelly! Anyway... love you and make sure you don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!
Hugs and Kisses, Mary"
Betty shook her head and swiped the message away. After all the years of having long-distance space calling and messaging, it still surprised her how quick it was. With a few quick swipes of her elegant fingers, she opened an image of Arlan. One of the only ones the military had on record. She couldn’t tell how tall he was, but he did look massive sitting on his throne. He bore no crown, but it was apparent he didn’t require one. The male had an alpha aura about him and a confidence that could scarcely be seen in an image.
The King was attractive, sure, but any face could be. The personality of the individual is what truly made them attractive or not. A handsome face with an obnoxious personality made the man less attractive. At least to Betty. No, she desired a man with wit, knew how to laugh, and had a silly romantic air about him.
The only thing written about Arlan was the general stuff and there was hardly any personal information. There was no personal information at all. There were mentions of him being an honorable King and was so far the longest ruler identified to date. That his father retired after serving what amounts to 50 earth years before retiring somewhere on the planet with his mate. It was frustrating not possessing more information about him, but that was okay. Betty relished a challenge and she was looking forward to the mental battles ahead.
