Jalen’s Challenge – A Sci-Fi Alien Romance

Vinker and I stare out over the churning water, watching as the occasional morna pops above the surface. This inlet of the Great Lake borders the Salty Sea, and it's home to many of the giant morna. Just like every animal on Alta right now, they're entering their breeding season. Over the next twenty-five days, we can expect to see hundreds more join their numbers.

"Are they still talking?" Vinker's facing the couple, but I have my back to them. They wandered down the shoreline together when we told them they were free to go. I smile at Vinker when his eyes widen.

I didn't tell Salu why I was bringing him as my right-hand Beta for this trip. Normally, I'd bring Damar. Despite the encampments' casual atmosphere, we do maintain a strict hierarchical society.

Vinker shifts slightly to the right, easily peering over my shoulder at the couple. "They look like they're doing a little more than just talking now." Knowing they're busy, I turn to stare at them too.

Last year at our gathering, Salu and Tana had almost been a sure thing—until Salu tripped during one of the challenges, losing his claim on Tana. And I'm pretty sure he was tripped on purpose. This year, I'm sure he'll be more ruthless and cunning than ever before.

Salu has already pulled Tana into his embrace, lowering her slowly to the ground. Just before he hides them both from view behind some large rocks, he looks up, locks eyes with me, and smirks.

That's fine… That wasn't anything I needed to see, anyway. It's been a long time since I've even wanted a female that much. For the occasional sex, sure. But not with the dedicated and focused fervor that Salu has expressed for Tana. Isn't it abnormal to want only one female? I certainly think so.

With both of them occupied, Vinker and I shake off the formality we always pretend in the presence of others. We clasp forearms, and I pull him in for a hug. "It's good to see you, old friend. How have things been in your part of the territory?"

Sure enough, I catch sight of it far off to the left. Setting my Hub com to the side, I scan the area of the sky slowly, shading my eyes. "Did you see that?"

It's a spacecraft. And it's not very big, but it's still intact. For whatever reason, it hasn't been shot down. Does that mean it's one of ours? An experimental flying craft that the Low Dwellers have told no one about? Is that even possible?

As we watch, it circles around before moving out over the water in front of us. Now that it's lower, I can see that my original assumption was incorrect. They have shot it.

Vinker spins to face me. Raising both arms into the air, I know what he's going to say before he does. "Challenge!"

He doesn't wait for me to respond, instead diving into the water in front of me at the same time the small craft crashes into the water further out. Fuck! Vinker's already swimming, although the craft has yet to surface...

And there it is. Damn. I know we have salvage rights, but will this thing even float to get it to shore? I'm a much quicker swimmer than he is. Letting him have a head start, I drop my covering before diving in after him.

Challenge accepted!

The cool water is perfect. Jumping in, the waves crash over me as I lengthen my body on the surface to pick up speed. The bottom drops off quickly, and I glance up, noticing that Vinker is floundering not far ahead.

As I pull up next to him, I slow, studying his swimming technique. We need to spend some time discussing it. Especially here, where the Salty Sea meets the Great Lake. You can depend on the water to give you a little extra floatation. He just doesn't look relaxed enough.

The waves from the impact of the spacecraft driving into the water finally hits us, pushing us back toward the shore. Vinker sputters next to me, and I flip to my back, pausing next to him. "Are you still good?"

He totally stops behind me, treading water in place. "What the fuck? Did you see that?" He's already looking behind me. As his eyes widen, I instinctively follow his gaze.

Fuck!

We aren't the only ones that have noticed this thing. As the waves settle before building again, I can see a large morna heading toward us. Clearly, he's as interested as we are.

When I reach the spacecraft, I study the pockmarks and burns on the side facing me. Running my fingers lightly over the charred surface, I notice that even though some of it comes off on my fingers, the material the spacecraft is made of appears alright. There aren't any holes that would compromise the integrity of its contents.

"Yeah, but what the fuck is it?" It could be space trash for all we know. Sure, that's stretching it a bit because it's clear it was kind of flying. And the shape—definitely manufactured… it's too perfect to be natural.

Bang!

Water surges up and we're tossed back. The space pod crashes into the water right in front of us, narrowly missing our heads. The water splashes around us, rippling out with another wave that throws us high in the air.

I have no idea anything is wrong until I hear Vinker yell, "Watch out!"

The pod shakes under my arms as his body slams against the side of the spacecraft. A shadow blocks out the sun as a shiver slides down my spine. Looking up, I'm flabbergasted to see one of the huge morna behind me. Mouth wide, it's only a short distance away.

Everything goes grey as I slide across its tongue, slamming into the silver craft as it bounces in its throat. As I fight to stay conscious, I glance back at the weak light by its mouth, floundering in the suddenly shallow water. But the tongue is slick under my bare feet, and I can't get my bearings.

Water continues to pour into its maw before total darkness descends. Heaving under my feet throws me off balance, and I slam against the roof of the creature's mouth, swallowing foul water that I immediately sputter out. My stomach drops as I feel the animal pitch sharply, and I'm tossed to the side, hitting the familiar surface of the spacecraft.

Fuck! Now what?