PART 1
Orion scanned the bush for a specific plant in the Southern Californian garden which appeared on his scanner a few nights ago. Using his natural ability to see at night, Orion's brown eyes flashed traffic light green as his night vision confirmed it was the wrong location. He was a mile away from the location. Even though he no longer lived on Earth, the planet was rich in natural resources. A sudden noise in the bushes prevented Orion from teleporting to the correct location. He then used his extraterrestrial powers to transform himself invisible.
Aria was scared shitless. The restraining order supposed to keep her ex-boyfriend away. Not only did he break into her new house but he also wanted to kill her. She escaped his stronghold with a sharp bite to his thumb and by kneeing him in his crotch. Aria ran barefoot clothed only in a nightshirt into her backyard. She hid behind a row of bushes which lead to her neighbor's home. It was a poor way to introduce herself to them, but there was no other option. Aria used her heightened senses and waited with bated breath as she crouched behind a bush hoping not to make a sound. Crunching leaves caused fear to override her thinking. If Aria sprinted away, she may find a helpful neighbor. Aria's start was blocked by a solid figure she couldn't see.
A striking man a shade of light caramel and a bald head suddenly appeared crouched before her. His concerned dark brown eyes locked with hers as he grabbed her shoulders and they disappeared.
As soon as Aria saw her surroundings she didn't have a chance to ask questions. She immediately collapsed gasping for oxygen. The tall stranger dashed behind his large desk and retrieved a tiny object. He then placed the tiny silver object on her right nostril. Aria's coughed when the reentry of oxygen racked her respiratory system. Aria soon gained her footing and stood. Aria gazed out the expansive floor to ceiling windows. Surrounded by the stars...in space?
"Where am I?" Aria asked. "Am I dead...?" The handsome stranger with chiseled features and a goatee surrounding his full lips may be the decider of her eternal fate.
"You are on a spaceship in another galaxy away from Earth." Orion answered.
Aria looked confused. She squinted her dark brown eyes as she tried to figure out how they traveled across galaxies.
"I am Orion and this is one of the defender ships in our galaxy. My leader and father Zonar governs over our clan." Orion noticed the attractive stranger stared at him as if he was crazy. "You are not losing your mind. I teleported you here because you are in great danger." Aria took a seat on a nearby couch. None of this made sense. She didn't believe in extraterrestrial life or even consider she will meet this ...alien. The man who stood before her looked human. Aria inhaled and felt air fill her lungs. Alive-for now.
"Why were you being chased?"
Aria gathered her thoughts before answering. She was on a spaceship... a humanoid teleported her here. Aria tried to convince herself this was a dream. Maybe her ex-boyfriend, Dante ended her life?
"Are you okay?" Orion continued. His baritone offered a calm and caring edge.
Aria soon answered. "He is my crazy ex- boyfriend. I ended our relationship because of the physical abuse. He started stalking me a few months ago. At work and now my new home. I was granted a restraining order but a piece of paper didn't stop him."
Orion didn't respond. Aria realized he may not understand what abusive ex-boyfriend and restraining order meant in his galaxy.
"I'm sorry I can go into more detail..."
"I understood everything you told me. My mother is human and I lived on Earth for a while before I returned here to lead my clan."
"...and your father?" May as well ask now what the hell he is before it's too late.
"What you earthlings call alien. He is another being but he doesn't have human facial features but he has human characteristics. My father can morph into a human. I cannot morph into alien form. My intentions were to save you from imminent danger. You can stay here as until you feel safe. We can also time travel."
"I will go home." Aria stood ignoring Orion's offer.
"You can but you will have to deal with your ex-boyfriend."
Aria fell on the couch. Dante will always be a problem.
"I can teach you to defend yourself from him. You are weak and need to be able to protect yourself." Orion suggested. It was a way to make the attractive woman stay with him without raising suspicions.
Aria looked at him. Really? He brought me here just to insult me?
"I am not weak."
Orion moved closer. "You need to learn to fight. I can train you to wipe out your ex-boyfriend."
"Why? I can use the authorities to restrain him."
"He is too far gone to obey the laws applied to him. He will try to hurt you again. What is your name?"
Aria dropped her head into her hands. "Aria. Why do you want to help me?"
"Because you need me." Orion responded.
Aria sat on the low circle shaped bed and gazed out the expansive windows of her large cabin. The satin sheets were the softest her body ever touched. The lights in the dimly lit room operated by voice command. Orion gave her a night shirt and a bag of toiletries. He forewarned her, she will encounter different species and humans aboard the ship. She couldn't believe she agreed to Orion's offer. She hoped it was a dream and she will wake up in the morning. Aria changed into her shirt and laid on the bed. She rested her hands on her abdomen as her torso rose and fell as she inhaled the strange air. After a short while, Aria drifted into sleep.
The strong attraction to Aria told Orion to transport her to his ship. Orion inherited this instinct from his father. His father once told him he will tell him when he meets his kindred spirit. A striking woman with glowing skin a shade of chestnut brown, succulent bee stung lips and short straight black hair cut into a face framing bob. If Orion told Aria who she was to him she will freak out and demand to return home. Orion joked it will never happen. He enjoyed most females, humans and extraterrestrials. Humans were fun and the most compatible sexually because their bodies offered him the most pleasure. Orion and his second in command, Xukan enjoyed Earth women during their sexual encounters. Xukan had a reptile appearance but he always shapeshifted into human form whenever he visited Earth.
Aria opened her eyes the following day to a pair of thick legs clothed in a black form fitting armor. Her eyes traveled up the masculine form to large claws extending from a pair of hands with reptile skin. Aria dreaded to look at his face but her eyes traveled upward.
Aria jumped off the bed screaming at the huge humanoid reptile creature.
Then it spoke as his scaly skin transformed into a striking mahogany skinned man with sharp dark eyes which didn't conceal he wanted to covet the captivating woman.
"Don't worry, Orion and I share our women from time to time." The now- human spoke as he moved toward Aria.
"Xukan leave now!" Orion ordered. He was a much-needed presence at the moment.
They both turned to Orion who appeared without entering the room using the cabin's automatic doors.
"Who is this human to you?" Xukan snarled, irritated he had to obey his commander.
"A new trainee, she needs my help. I offered to train her in combat before she returns to Earth." Xukan must have heard rumors about an attractive woman from other passengers who saw Aria. Orion felt Aria's fear and teleported to her room.
Xukan grunted as he reluctantly obeyed his commander and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry. Xukan is my second in command. He will never approach you like that again."
Aria looked at Orion as she tried to relax, realizing she was still on the ship.
"I hope we never cross paths again." Aria replied as she tried to calm her nerves. What time is it? I can't tell because there is no sunlight." Aria wanted to change the subject. Xukan's appearance and demeanor will take some adjustment.
"It is 6:30 in the morning Earth time and time for your first combat lesson. Your uniform is in the closet. I will send my sister, Oni to meet you in 20 minutes."
After Orion left, she used the adjoining bathroom to brush her teeth and shower. She hoped a warm shower will wash away what she encountered with Xukan. Aria didn't expect the large room to be half the size of her bedroom with a stand-alone bath tub and walk in shower. Aria didn't need much, except clean underwear and toiletries. After she dressed and returned to her room, a tall female woman with lavender luminescent skin and matching color locks extending from her head was waiting in the room. She had slanted violet eyes, a small nose and full lips. She wore a black uniform as everyone else on the ship. This female was different, but beautiful.
"Good morning Aria. If my natural form is too much, I can switch into my human form." Oni offered.
"No, no please do not change. I think you are the most beautiful person I lay eyes on since I arrived."
Oni smiled. "Thank you. Follow me. Orion awaits your presence in the training room."
Aria took in the ships design and flow of passengers as she followed Oni. Some were interesting or downright scary. Humans also occupied the ship's population. At least they allowed her kind among their clan. They went about their daily errands as Oni led them to the room. Aria had no clue what to expect from Orion.
Oni lead her inside a room where Orion waited in the center of the large space. He nodded and Oni left. Aria approached Orion. Orion circled Aria as he spoke to her.
"I will not lie to you. I will not take it easy on you because you are a woman. This will be a nightmare for you but once I train you, you will be strong and fearless. I will make you a weapon."
Aria stood in place as she wondered if she should nod or ask questions. Before her next thought Orion pushed her into her back so hard, she stumbled into the pads on the floor. Aria turned around to face her teacher.
"First lesson, always know your enemy will attack when you least expect it." Orion instructed as he circled Aria.
After Aria stood, Orion did a series of swift hand maneuvers and knocked her to the floor. Aria clutched her waist as she struggled to stand.
"Exactly what I expected, you are easy prey." Orion said as he stood over his student.
Aria stood in front of the mirror as she peeled off her uniform after a few grueling hours with Orion. Bruises formed on her breast, arms and legs. She barely made it back into her room without assistance from Oni. Oni winced at the sight of the cut on the corner of her mouth. Oni promised to take her to the treatment room after lunch. She will have Aria take a special bath which will reduce the swelling and heal the bruises within hours.
