"Xavier, you're up next."
I knew exactly what for. The portal was still present.
"We'll implant this device under your skin so it can't be stripped."
Six hours later, I was ready.
"Good luck!"
"Thank you, sir."
I took a running leap and landed in the heart of the energy field.
***
"Uhhhh...."
I shook my head as I slowly came awake.
"Welcome to Mejare."
I managed to focus my eyes, then looked up. A smiling woman, blue-haired and with an eyepiece, was standing over me.
"Thank you. You must be Meia Gisborn. Xavier Kenton, at your service."
Meia reached down a hand. "I am." I took her hand and she helped me to my feet.
Meia had to be in her early 30's. I had some catching up to do.
"Are you still battling the Harvesters?"
"We destroyed the last of them five years ago and `convinced' Earth not to try and send any more."
"Really?"
"Yes. BC is now the leader of Earth, and backed by about half the fleet, including Barnette, Dita and Jura. Anyone who gets out of line..."
"How's Hibiki?"
"You mean the Taraakian ambassador to Mejare? Doing quite well."
"What do you do?"
"Technically, guard Mejare with my Dread, but since there are no external threats, I often just cruise around or take a break here on the planetary surface. Now, tell me about yourself."
"An energy field appeared on my planet, and I was tasked to go through it. I fell unconscious in the process and ended up here."
"You lost your gear?"
I looked at myself. My gear was actually gone and my uniform was in shreds, although my undershirt and shorts were intact.
"I guess so." I gestured at the implanted device in my left arm. "Now I know why the bosses wanted this put under my skin."
"I don't see a sign of this energy field anywhere."
"Apparently passage through is one-way only."
"What do you intend to do now?"
I shrugged. "I guess I'd better find a way to be helpful out here. I am trained as an engineer."
"Can you maintain a Dread?"
"I can certainly try."
I picked up on things quickly, and by the next day, I was installed as Meia's assistant. I made a few minor repairs and Meia took us up for a test flight.
"This is awesome."
"You've never flown in a spaceship before?"
"I have not, no."
"So what did you used to do?"
"Maintain the engines of ground vehicles."
Meia's company was very pleasant, and I adjusted quickly to my new life. But there was one thing...
"It's been two months since I joined you, and my sexual tension is building up."