Page 26 of When Eden Falls

I glanced at Rooke who was staring at him, just as surprised as I was. Our silence seemed to confuse him, and he reverted to his own, strange language to speak with the blue caped guard.

He stepped forward, down one step, and said coherently, “I did not think my dialect was so poor. Do you not understand me?”

My breath hitched, completely baffled at how this new species of human knew our language. Was he an evolved version of what we had been three thousand years ago, here on Earth?

Aware the awkward spate of silence was concerning the regal being before us, Rooke’s voice suddenly echoed around the room. “Yes, your words are perfectly coherent. I apologise. I…we did not expect to hear our own language spoken here.”

Again, the Akquarian looked confused. His eyebrows drawn together, studying Rooke for a matter of seconds. “Where are you from, stranger?”

“We…we come from a place called Allura,” Rooke said.

“I have not heard of such a place.”

“It’s unlikely you have. It is not of this world, but ofanother, in a neighbouring solar system.”

The Akquarian raised his eyebrows and snorted. “Not of this world? Is that why you arrived in that loud, flying monstrosity?”

Rooke’s face froze. They knew we had arrived days ago but chose to spy on us rather than help us? Had they done the same with the scouting ship? And left them to die at the clutches of those ravenous beasts?

Eventually Rooke replied, despondently, “Yes.”

“Hmm.” The Akquarian turned, walked up the step, and seated himself regally on his throne. “So, who are you and why are you here?” His tone was cold and challenging.

Rooke raised his head a touch higher. “I am Commander Maddox.” He pointed to me with his bound hands. “This is Lieutenant Commander Riley…and my crew. We are here simply because one of our scouting ships went missing from the edges of our solar system, and it was our mission to find it. Its tracking beacon brought us here, but the crew were dead by the time we arrived.”

The Akquarian nodded his head in understanding. “And what are you intending on doing now that you have found Earth?”

Rooke fell silent. He was looking at the king-like humanoid lounging on his throne, wondering where the motives for his questions were coming from. Was it possible they were worried we had come back to conquer their home after all these years?

“We wish you no harm,” Rooke said.

“You wish us no harm, however, you come laden with weapons!”

“They were purely for our defence. We…were unsure of how welcoming you would be. We risked coming here in hope you’d help heal our fallen crewmen.”

The Akquarian eyed Oz’s unconscious body laying behind Rooke. “I see you have encountered the Igknamai?”

“Pardon?”

“The Igknamai. The beasts.”

“Is that what you call them?”

“It translates in the ancient tongue todemon of paradise. Rather fitting if you ask me.” He sighed before landing his gaze solidly on me. “If I am not mistaken, you appear to have females among your crew. Are they not of use to heal him?” Even though his eyes raked over my slouched body, his question was aimed at Rooke.

Rooke glanced at me. “Our medicines do not seem to be working. And the women of my crew are skilled in many things. They are highly regarded.”

“Skilled? In what way? What is their purpose? Are they soldiers? Do you give them the same rights as the males?”

Rooke paused while I met the Akquarians gaze. I didn’t warm to the prejudice in his tone, and the look of disgust he was giving me stripped away any sense or reason I had.

“Yes,” I said gallantly, “I am a soldier.” The irritation laced in my voice caused him to wince. He seemed shocked I’d spoken. “And, yes, I am treated with the same dignity and respect as any male, if not more so. I am the second in command aboard my commander’s ship.”

His gaze hardened. “You don’t look as strong as your male counterparts, young female.”

“I’m strong enough to pull my weight among men, and I’m intelligent enough to fly a ship across the expanse of space, defying the laws of physics.” I doubted he could even comprehend that.

He scowled at me, his gaze suddenly far colder than before. It would appear he’d never been spoken to in such a way by a female. Somehow, it didn’t surprise me.