Marked For The Alien Prince - Trilogy

By Diana Flame

Follow Milena's adventures as she discovers truths about her past, maneuvers the obstacles of the present and prepares to face the future.

An epic space adventure filled with action, suspense and romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yorkside Press
• Release date: Jan 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393457800

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE PLANET VIUTERA

The turbulence in Dhahn’s brain had increased exponentially since the disappearance of his parents. Everything was jumbled. Voices, hammering, the whisper of the closing hatches, the sound of the ürdonium whip meeting human flesh and their resulting screams, generated one enormous clamor.

The first instance occurred the day his father’s ship disappeared while on a mission to the Galactic Federation. Dhahn’s eyes glossed over for a second as he attempted to assimilate and assemble the clutter inside his head. He knew that his superior intelligence would soon sort and compartmentalize them in order for them to make sense. For now, he absorbed their resonance.

Someone entered the vestibule outside his chambers. He sensed them, smelled them, felt their heartbeat... their heat. Kulzton was his childhood companion and most trusted confidant. No one inside his dominion was more trustworthy and there was no one he considered more reliable.

Lifting his hand, he tested one of his new abilities – one that had unexpectedly materialized upon the departure of his parents. With a wave of the hand, he expected the hatch to slide to the left. That did not happen. Since the last few diurnal cycles he had been unable to reproduce what he’d done before. No matter how much he tried to concentrate, nothing happened.

Pushing his frustration aside he spoke to the electronic system, Open hatch.

The door slid open to reveal his best friend and confident. Kulzton’s paler skin, compared to Dhahn’s deep azure, had an iridescence which was indicative of his highly developed derma-sensors. It was believed that his gift was from the gods. A gift that others feared and Dhahn revered. Kulzton was the only one on Viutera with the ability to absorb another’s emotions, not just sense it. He could feel exactly what the other was feeling and to some extent what they were thinking.

Dhahn particularly was impressed with his friend’s ability to detect the truth through his skin. However, those who feared him wore the masking device that prevented him from knowing their truth. This was troubling to Dhahn as they were able to act against his command to meet their own ruinous needs.

I see you have mastered this new gift, Kulzton remarked, bringing his attention back to the room.

Be quiet, Dhahn replied, dismissing his friend’s sarcasm. The clutter inside distracts me that I am unable to completely focus. What brings you to my chambers at this hour?

While the captain is away, the prince shall play.

Dispel with your Earthly nonsensical rhymes and tell me what brings you here.

The prince shall witness what has become of his kingdom.

Dhahn already knew. The sounds in his head already told him of the atrocities committed by the captain of the guard – the highest ranked soldier in his domain. Quietly, he followed his advisor, leaving the confines of his inner sanctum. When they departed the secret exit at the rear of the palatial building, Kulzton handed him a commoner’s robe and covering for his distinctive silver hair.

Viutera’s day orb had turned its dark side, spreading a blanket of vantablack over the realm. Easily their eyes adjusted, penetrating the darkness like laser beams. The prince hurried after Kulzton, their feet almost silent. The further they tread, the louder the echoes in Dhahn’s head. His ears twitched as the noise intensified.

The ürdonium whip meeting flesh was the most prominent. A subdued scream echoed not far behind. The soft groan of a woman caught his ears and he halted his steps. Closing his eyes, he paused all other thoughts, all internal bodily functions, including his heartbeat. Dhahn stood still as his brain processes took control.

This was the defining moment... a moment he’d awaited for seventeen cycles of the day orb. Like a computer array, the noises separated, sorting themselves. Finally, he could regulate the ones which caught his attention while blocking the others. He zoomed in on a soft whimper, creating a mental simulation of one crouching in a corner. Her body was losing temperature.

A human female is dying, he grated through clenched teeth. I must save her.

There is no human female here, my prince, Kulzton replied. I would have sensed her.

I just heard her, he replied. I felt her depleting life force.

Kulzton beckoned with the head. Come see with your own eyes, there is no human female on Viutera.

They continued on the path away from the palace. The military community was several kilometers from the main palace. They passed the Captain’s dwelling, the central command post where Dhahn spent most of his time, then made a detour into the mining site. Inside the dark rocks of Viutera hid a most precious element needed for the development of the Ysark, a sword with special abilities only meant for the princes of Galaxy NXPR. The Oracles from that galaxy paid handsomely for mining this material, and only they were privy to the formula for producing such a weapon.

No one knew exactly what that element was and how to extract it. Even with their superior intelligence, no species had been able to determine what element the rock contained that was so valuable. Dhahn returned his attention to the situation facing his planet and what his Captain had done.

What about those who Helux wishes to conceal from me?

I have confirmed it, there are no human females as of this day. Perhaps you are sensing the future. I foresee a new batch of Earth beings on its way.

Dhahn did not comprehend. How could he foresee the future? He’d originally believed his new abilities were that of enhanced hearing and psychokinesis only. Now, Kulzton was speaking about him discerning things to come. The images in his mind were clear as though he was now seeing her. Long brown waves, soft hazel eyes and sun kissed skin.

We have arrived, Kulzton said, standing at the entrance of a small structure.

CHAPTER 2

MEANWHILE, ON EARTH...

Milena panted, her feet dragging along the dusty pavement. Glancing behind her, she distinguished three uniformed officers advancing, their gait sluggish. One officer came to a halt. Bending over, he placed his palms on his knees while gasping for air. The other two wore grimaces, wiping the sweat that drained into their eyes.

With a few gulps of air, she sprinted ahead. A siren echoed in the distance, causing her to hasten her steps. The thought of what she left behind gave her new strength in her feet. After some meters, the distance between her and the police officers expanded enough for her to breathe easily.

Trying to calm her breathing and her racing heart, she closed her eyes while slowing her steps. She continued jogging for about a kilometer when she heard the sirens again and this time the distance between her and the patrol vehicle severely narrowed.

Feet now trembling from exertion, heart rate through the roof, tongue dry and her chest burning, she stumbled ahead. Relief washed over her at the sight of a group of people in the local playground, about a mile from home. This was the ideal opportunity to conceal herself – mingle with the crowd. Chancing a look behind her, Milena observed the patrol car blazing down the street.

As quickly as she could, Milena joined the throng. The police was certain to inspect the gathering for her presence, but they if she took care, she might be able to elude them. This was all the fault of her mother. Had she controlled the situation earlier, none of the events that unfolded in the last hour would have occurred.

I hate you, mother, she muttered, as a bright light blinded her.

Lifting her forearm, she shielded her face. Squinting her eyes, she tried to see through the light. It was futile. Her heart drummed erratically as the hairs on her nape stood erect. Heat washed over her, contradicting the icy feeling in her spine.

Did the police get her? Straining to see, Milena’s hazel eyes slowly adjusted to the glare. They traveled upwards, following the path of the beam. With a gasp, her eyes widened as they settled on a spacecraft hovering about thirty feet off the ground.

In the year 3055, the planet Earth was mostly destroyed. Alien nations now occupied many of the major cities and even complete countries. The United States stood as the most formidable of the nations. And even so, they were unable to feed the few million people who remained.

The National Space Exploration and Immigration Association (TNSEIA) had occupied Mars some one hundred years before. However, that planet proved to be infertile and many of Earth’s immigrants returned, while those determined to remain there perished. Not only were those who had emigrated returning, they brought along those born on the planet, thus increasing earth’s population.

More mouths to feed meant less to eat per individual. With the famine on earth and lack of employment, the United Galaxy Federation opened channels of employment in several galaxies.

Many medical doctors now worked as manual laborers. Teachers were now babysitters. Politicians now worked as farmers and those who did not graduate high school were rejected from entering the employment scheme.

Milena was one of the few who refused to leave her planet. She scrounged for food whenever she could. She’d graduated high school, but found it difficult to obtain work. Mars was no longer an option as well as the Space City built on Pluto. Mars’ water supply was limited and crop took five times as long to grow there compared to Earth.

The blood ran cold in her veins thinking about the last hour. Closing her eyes against the slicing pain in her chest, she fought against the memories. A shudder ran through her and she tried to push them from her mind. What was happening before her now demanded her attention and she shifted her focus from the past.

Adjoining the group, she concealed herself betwixt two burly men. The crowd being dense, the officers would not interrupt the proceedings unless they wished to infuriate the alien officers in charge. Milena looked for an opportunity to exit without detection, but could find none. Her best option was to hope that the officers would give up.

She relaxed her shoulders, trying to remain inconspicuous. Someone bumped her from behind and she found herself reeling deeper into the crowd. Now squished between bodies, it became difficult to breathe. Yet she was grateful for the opportunity to further conceal herself from the lawmen.

The sound of the police siren echoed through the atmosphere once again. This time it was quite close. From where she stood, she peered through the bodies, noticing that a squad car came to a halt at the entrance of the park. Keeping with the movement of the group, she relaxed, hoping that for a way out. Her chance of escape was now almost non-existent, as three azure complexion alien soldier’s cordoned the group with metal barriers.

Oh no, she muttered, staring at the soldiers.

Many alien soldiers occupied Earth and she’d seen them in numerous attire. Some she could easily recognize. The ones now tending to the crowd wore figure-hugging suits of black, the standard issued federation clothing with their crests on the left breast.

This will be all, one of the blue men said, his voice a deep guttural sound. We cannot take anymore today.

The two police officers who had alighted from the patrol car stood a few feet away, trying to scan the crowd. She knew they were looking for her, but she would not surrender to them.

Someone gave her a hard shove. Move along, one of the soldiers instructed.

Her head whipped around and her eyes widened in horror as she realized she was stepping into the beam of light. The people before her were disappearing as they were transported up into the craft. Her attempts at retreating were futile as the ones behind her were pushing forward.

The pull of the beam was irresistible. When the light enveloped her, she was unable to move. With eyes still wide, tongued tied and gaping mouth, her body succumbed to the current of the transporter beam. Within a few seconds, she was standing in the confines of a large windowless room with no visible doors. Those preceding her were obviously confused as they looked around in a stupor.

Another set of people appeared through light rays. At first, a faint light appeared and then what seemed like holograms. The bodies then materialized by the zapping of the light. It only lasted a few seconds.

Where is this? A man asked. This is like a box.

Milena glanced around. The space was large, but there was nothing in the room except a cordless sphere of light hovering overhead. Moving to one of the walls, she ran her fingers along the surface. The chill of it cramped her fingertips and she quickly removed her hand.

Stand away from the wall! A voice commanded.

Milena’s head whipped around, her eyes scanning the crowd. She knew immediately that the voice was not human, but none of the alien species was inside the compartment. There didn’t seem to be speakers in the room, but nothing surprised her anymore.

Hello! She called to the voice, but nothing returned to her. I don’t belong here. I wasn’t supposed to be in the group.

Be quiet, human! The voice now returned.

I tell you, I was evading the cops. I wasn’t supposed to be here. It was an accident that I got thrown into the crowd. Please let me out.

What is your name?

Milena Scott, I don’t belong here.

It is unfortunate, Milena. The ship has already left earth. We are millions of miles away.

Please, I must return.

Be quiet, you cannot go back until we return for our next batch.

Heaviness settled in her stomach. When will that be? Don’t panic Milena, you’re stronger than that.

Silence! The voice commanded.

She cringed as she strained to see if there was any communication devices on the walls, or speakers through which the voice came. There was nothing. Even the ceiling was the same as the walls. The floor was the same dark gray metallic color with a matte finish.

Humans had discovered many moons ago that they were inferior beings to their alien neighbors. Their technology, medical science and education were hundreds of years in advance of Earth’s. Therefore, it was possible that no vents and speakers were needed in the room.

Some of the others began sliding to the floor, which looked just as cold as the wall. She kept herself erect, not wanting to relax too much since she had no clue where she was going or what they were planning to do with them.

Eluding the police had been her purpose. Mission accomplished Milena, she mumbled sourly.

All she wanted was to get away from the police and maybe hide out for a while. This was not on her agenda. Still, it may not be such a bad idea going to another planet to hide. In any event, she needed to be careful as the Intergalactic Commission had an agreement to extradite criminals between planets, Earth included.

Within another minute, the room went black and the voice that had spoken earlier, now returned.

You will reach your destination soon. Take rest.

That’s all it said and there was silence. The fear from her companions was palpable as they must have been wondering what was happening. As for Milena, this was a prison. The thought crossed her mind that she should have let the police get her.

There was a slight shuffling as people found positions on the floor. She tried adjusting her eyes to the dark, but it was no use. A feeling of trepidation took hold of her as she began to picture them being taken to a lab somewhere and probed with machines. The idea of some cold metal shoved up her vagina or ass was not an appealing thought. Yet, she was not as repulsed by it as she was by her memories.

As exhaustion seeped into her bones she slumped to the floor. Surprisingly, the floor was not as cold as the wall had been. As she sat, her toes brushed someone and she quickly withdrew. Pulling up her knees, she rested her chin, hugging her legs. Eventually her weariness won and slumber took hold.

.

CHAPTER 3

STARTLED BY WHAT SOUNDED like a gong, Milena jumped to her feet. With eyes wide and heart thudding heavily, she scanned the room. One of the walls was now completely gone, to be replaced by a bright yellow light. Nothing was visible to her beyond that.

A figure emerged from the beam, looking almost ethereal with his flowing waist length hair. His tall stature dauntingly approached, coming to a halt in front of the group. The eyes of the soldier cruised the assembly as though reading each expression, each thought.

I am Zezukx. We have reached Viutera, he said, a deep guttural sound, almost incomprehensible. Now you follow me.

We were told we would be going to Lethea, one man ahead of the pack remarked.

Zezukx made a step, coming close to the one who spoke. The man craned his neck to peer up as the alien soldier towered him by no less than two feet. Milena was amazed at how tall this species was. She’d seen many species on Earth and most of them much taller that the tallest human. However, these were the most strapping she’d ever seen.

Their physique was not unlike the males she’s seen in what was supposed to be ancient reading entertainment made of paper, labelled as sports magazines.  Muscles ripped and toned were defined through the soldiers’ figure hugging suits. Not an inch less than eight feet, maybe more - she concluded. Almond shaped titanium eyes glinted as he perused the man who had spoken.

Lethea is our sister planet and they will not be accepting any more labor force at the moment. Will that be a problem?

The man met his gaze before quickly looking away. Something about Zezukx made Milena shudder. She wasn’t certain if it was his eyes or voice, or maybe both. However, his aura sent a chill through the room that she was certain they all felt.

The soldier turned, giving one command, Follow me.

With cold invisible fingers gripping her neck, she joined the throng without hesitation. They stepped into the flood of light, not privy to their destination. A few steps further her feet made contact with hard surface, but not the smooth surface of the room from which she came. They moved along, with their vision still hampered by the glare of the light, their feet making crunching noises.

Zezukx stopped.

"Blentonia! He commanded them to halt. This is your place of employ. Instructions will be given you by Captain Helux."

The light faded and their eyes slowly adjusted to a bleakness never before seen on Earth. Milena lifted her eyes to the elements, seeing nothing in the vastness. There was no blue sky, no clouds, no stars or sun. Nothing was there to indicate whether it was day or night.

What time is it? She asked the man beside her.

He lifted his wrist with a digital watch. The screen was blank. He tapped the face, but nothing happened.

That’s strange. It was working when I boarded the ship, he said, shaking his wrist.

I don’t like this place, she mumbled, looking around.

All that was visible to her human eyes were rocks. As far as the eyes could see, she could see nothing but dark, glistening dirty rocks. A scream echoed from inside her head, but she dared not verbalize it. Viuterans were not known for their compassion, therefore a scream would be energy wasted. Energy she would need to survive this devastation.

A crunching sound alerted them to the approach of others. They all turned to see a troop of more azure Viuterans. This group was different, attired in golden tunics. Zezukx was leading the posse and he came to a stop in front of the group.

This is Captain Helux, you will follow his orders, he said, bowing to one of the newly arrived.

The one who nodded stepped forward, his eyes were pools of pale icy blue. He beckoned to a young soldier who stepped forward with what appeared to be a transparent rectangular instrument. When he touched the surface, symbols she recognized as the Viuteran language appeared on the surface. He began a roll call.

Each time he called a name, the person stepped forward. An armband with a number and symbols Milena did not understand was placed on the upper arm.

Milena Scott!

It was her turn and she hesitated. He called her name once more and she moved wooden legs forward, her heart thumping rapidly.

I—I—I’m supposed to return to earth, she stuttered. That’s what the voice said.

Hold out your arm, the young soldier instructed.

I’m not supposed to be here.

Helux moved up beside them. What is the matter? He asked, his icy eyes sending coldness through her.

Absently, she brushed a wisp of her dark brown hair from her eyes. He continued his scrutiny, his eyes penetrating her in a way that made her inwardly recoil.

The one who’d called her name answered, This one says she is to return. She does not wish to wear the tag, Sir.

Helux stepped closer to her, his tall stature leaning slightly forward. His penetrating gaze locked with hers. She fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling self-conscious at his scrutiny.

"Take her to my yokuhlala," he instructed.

The alien soldier grabbed her by the arm and dragged her along a path. You come with me.

She struggled against his grip on her arm. Where are you taking me?

"The captain wants you to be his personal slave. We are headed to his yokuhlala (dwelling)."

Slave? The word seeped into her mind like hot lava oozing through the mouth of a volcano. This couldn’t be. The agreement with the galactic council was that those transported to any planet would be employees, paid for their tasks and return to their home planets within six earth months. But a slave was never returned and never paid, and this was abolished when all the galaxies formed an alliance.

No! She yanked her arm from his grasp and skidded to a stop. Human slavery was abolished fifty years ago. I am no slave.

The alien youth chuckled, grabbing her again and continuing on the way. All human immigrants are slaves on Viutera, he answered in a low tone. "It would be wise to adjust quickly. Inkosi (master) Helux can be brutal when crossed."

They came to a stop where he pointed to a group of soldiers similarly dressed as he. They were carrying someone on a stretcher. Her mouth gaped as she watched them dump the body into a ditch.

That one must have perished through disobedience, he said, in a casual tone. Now, come along. Time is wasting.

Reluctantly she followed, her eyes trying discern any kind of home that could be the dwelling of Helux. A humongous structure emerged, appearing to be constructed of similar material as the box in which they’d arrived. Surrounding it were many soldiers armed with Lasik Molecular Diffusers. The LMDs she’d seen on Earth were similar to pistols. These were comparative to rifles and machine guns.

The one leading her veered onto a different path leading away from the structure. At the end of the path was a shuttle into which he guided her. The vehicle moved much more slowly than she expected as it glided on air just a few feet above the ground.

Milena absorbed her surroundings while her