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Deathworlders Should Not Be Allowed To Date! 46
🕑 Added 2024-08-09 01:59:38 +0000 UTCLuna VI query: Set the source to the leaked files of the first reconnaissance operation of Irisa.
Done!
Luna VI query: Why did Mia travel to Irisa?
***
As the fourth human to step foot on Irisa, Mia had anticipated a sense of pioneering spirit. The thrill of discovery, a moment etched into history—these were the emotions she had prepared for. But instead, a solitary Irisian stood to welcome her outside.
Inside the ship, the Irisian crew that had transported her to the planet's surface formed a tight-knit circle around their captain, their backs turned to her. Worse yet, they would glance at her constantly, as if her presence bothered them.
She was about to ask what she should do when a short order to disembark cured her indecisiveness. Were they always this aloof, or had she made a mistake? This question plagued her as she approached the ramp, her gaze landing on the female waiting for her on the ground.
This female was dressed appropriately for a human woman to wear. In jet black, matching her black spots, her top resembled a formal blazer. In a beige that stood out, her bottom was covered by comfortable-looking pants that screamed business casual. Her shoes lacked any sort of elevated heels, making her appear shorter than Mia as she got closer.
"Welcome to our planet, Mia." Her tail coiled around her leg, and she bowed slightly, hiding her claws behind her back. "You must be familiar with my name, but since it was a last-minute decision to have me here, I'll introduce myself. I'm Yelara, here on behalf of the Amara's mother to greet you."
Mia's eyes widened at the mention of the name. Yelara was one of the three who had made first contact at the space station, and though Mia had seen her many times through video, she failed to associate this image with the Yelara who had tried to mimic the colors of human skin in her memories.
"Oh, it's you, Yelara," Mia realized, studying the familiar contours of her face. "I'm so relieved you're okay. Zara stopped by the cafeteria a few times asking about you. We were all so worried, especially with the uncertainty about Nathan and the war."
"Your concern was justified," Yelara admitted, a hint of gray coloring her cheeks. "Many didn't survive. Kalor, Leera... I was only spared because of my wounds. They pulled me from the battle and hid me..." Her voice trailed off, heavy with grief.
"None of that was your fault, Yelara," Mia's voice was gentle. She’d heard whispers of Zara’s fragile state after being rescued, but the broader implications for the Irisians and how they dealt with grief were uncertain. Aware of the delicate situation, Mia carefully shifted the focus. "Nathan was deeply involved too, and we're concerned about his well-being."
"Apologies, I shouldn't be wasting your time. Nathan is the sole purpose of your visit, after all," Yelara said, her face returning to its usual blue amidst her dark spots. "I'll take you to the elevator. Nathan is still quite a distance away."
"An elevator? I don't see any buildings here." Mia felt bad for not addressing her grief, but unlike Nathan, she wouldn't break protocol in the first five minutes. As his handler, professionalism was paramount. Over eleven days had passed since the Irisians confirmed Nathan's rescue and her sole priority now was a face-to-face meeting with him—he had only connected the space station's crew once after being rescued, and then there was nothing besides radio silence.
A trace of yellow appeared on Yelara's skin. "You are looking in the wrong place; all the buildings are below the ground."
Mia had glanced at the flat, synthetic terrain upon landing. Yet, it was only when Yelara mentioned the underground construction that her gaze dropped to the ground beneath the ship. It was a smooth, reflective surface, tinged with blue, and disturbingly transparent.
Through this eerie glass, a busy city appeared to her eyes. It was a labyrinth of gleaming towers that stretched to unbelievable heights. A city of elevated tunnels and steel buildings, densely occupied by artificial constructions, yet separated from the outside world by a fragile barrier. Mia froze. The vertigo-inducing drop to this subterranean world was undeniably scary.
"Don't worry about it breaking; the structure is reinforced with multiple redundant layers," Yelara assured her. Her gaze was drawn to a cylindrical tower rising from the reflective ground, its side parting to reveal a doorway. "That's our elevator."
Mia trusted Yelara's assessment. If the ship's weight hadn't shattered the glass, hers certainly wouldn't. Yet, the fear persisted. With a hesitant step, she ventured onto the transparent ground, her movements cautious. Yelara, more accustomed to the environment, quickly reached the elevator, patiently awaiting her arrival.
Mia stepped onto the elevator, finding comfort in the solid metal beneath her feet. Yelara pressed a button on the control panel, and a curious detail caught Mia's eye—the buttons were not flat surfaces but rather hollowed-out spaces designed for claws.
"Not exactly human-friendly, is it?" Mia attempted a lighthearted remark.
Yelara took Mia's comment more seriously than intended. "That might change soon," she replied, her tone thoughtful. "Amara is constantly reminded of this issue whenever Nathan needs to open a door."
The elevator began its descent, but Mia's focus shifted to Yelara's earlier comment. "Doesn't your princess have others to handle these... menial tasks?"
Yelara's skin momentarily flushed purple, but she quickly regained composure. "There aren't many others Amara trusts within her private quarters."
Mia wasn't taken aback by what she learned. Nathan's reports had painted a vivid picture of Irisian mistrust, and his close bond with Amara was well-documented. The possibility of a romantic connection between them had crossed her mind, but there was no concrete evidence to support such speculation.
"Have they spent a lot of time together since the rescue?" She inquired.
Yelara's skin turned purple for just a moment. "I'm afraid I'm not authorized to share that information."
Mia frowned. Nathan's recent whereabouts were crucial for assessing his mental state. Her sole reason for being on Irisa was the message he'd relayed through the Irisians—his communication equipment was damaged, and he needed time alone to recover. Mission control had erupted in relief upon confirming his safety, but the subsequent radio silence had ignited genuine concern, culminating in her dispatch to the planet as soon as the dust of the war began to settle.
"How can you be unauthorized to share Nathan's activities? He might need our support after such a traumatic ordeal," Mia pressed. Her knowledge was limited to Nathan's rescue several days after his last contact, at a location miles away from his presumed position.
"If you're curious about his activities, you can ask him directly. You'll be seeing him soon enough," Yelara replied firmly.
When the elevator finally stopped and the doors slid open, Mia was mildly annoyed by the excessive care for information. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that there was more to this situation than she understood. As they walked into the subterranean city, this uneasy feeling was pushed to the back of her mind, the sight washing away her annoyance.
From the transparent conduit around Mia, this metropolis looked like the antithesis of Earth's urban landscape. While Earth's urban zenith occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries, the Irisians appeared to have maximized every square inch of their available space. Their city was a labyrinth of elevated tubes connecting towering structures, and it seemed plucked from a fantasy game. This busy metropolis stood in stark contrast to Earth's desolate streets, where the advent of nanotechnology had rendered health and aesthetic gains from outdoor activity obsolete, confining most people to their homes as they navigated countless virtual worlds.
"Perhaps Caladris doesn't seem extraordinary to you humans." Yelara sensed Mia's inquisitive look. "But the construction of this city marked the first time our species fully united behind a single purpose."
"It's impressive," Mia admitted. "Our large-scale projects only took off once building in space became cheaper and less bureaucratic than on Earth."
Yelara strode ahead, her tail swaying as Mia followed, shifting her gaze between the intriguing tail and the cityscape. "We might have taken a similar path if not the need to shelter from our mother star's flares," Yelara continued, her eyes growing somber. "With how little we knew about the fate of all big stars, hiding underground seemed like the safest option."
They walked along a narrow, elevated walkway toward a colossal tower that loomed ahead, its shiny surface resembling a monolith nearly touching the glass dome above.
"It must have been devastating to learn that your star would explode." Mia couldn't imagine the emotional strain on a civilization that had invested so much in underground safety, only to realize it was futile.
"There was a revolt, and we let go of a queen and several religious leaders." A hint of red colored Yelara's cheeks, making it clear what 'let go' meant. "Amara's grandmother replaced the old queen and avoided complete chaos by joining the Alliance, who promised to save our planet from destruction."
As they reached the tower, Mia found herself captivated by Yelara's account of her species' history. The Irisians were born in a harsh environment, yet early misrule had crippled them, leaving them now trapped in endless toil under the Alliance's banner. Her initial sympathy for their plight deepened. Saving Irisa was no longer just an idea she was sympathetic to; it was a goal she would passionately advocate for when she returned to the space station.
"Nathan is a few levels above us," Yelara explained, her tail indicating the stairs. "For security reasons, we'll have to walk."
Mia simply nodded, a gesture Yelara seemed to understand. "You seem familiar with our kind," she observed. "I know of your interactions with Ryo and Zara, but what about Nathan?"
As they reached the stairs, Yelara replied casually, "Ryo dislikes me, and Zara left before we could become close. Nathan is a friend, but we seldom find time to talk."
"Nathan already has another friend?" Mia asked, surprised. "After reading Nathan's reports, I thought your kind was difficult to befriend. He mentioned that even after helping your sister, you seemed distant and wary of him." Mia didn't hesitate to share Nathan's observations.
Yelara continued her ascent without responding, making Mia think she had overstepped. Yet, at the top of the next flight, Yelara paused and met Mia's gaze. "Things were different then," she said softly. "I feared Amara's misunderstanding if I got too close to him. But now, with both of them as friends, I have no such worries."
As they climbed higher, Mia's suspicions about Nathan and Amara deepened. She dismissed the possibility of a misunderstanding, convinced that Yelara was preparing her for something. Perhaps there was indeed something going on between the princess and the human. This thought raced through Mia's mind after Yelara's revelation.
They arrived at their destination, and Mia was met with a long corridor flanked by rows of guards, all with weapons strapped to their chests. Their orange eyes fixed on her as she stepped into the hall.
"Don't be alarmed," Yelara assured her before she could ask. "They're just here as a precaution against any remaining loyalists to the revolution."
Mia's discomfort grew, and she unconsciously moved closer to Yelara, their shoulders brushing. They walked side by side, and once out of the guards' range, Yelara said, "Never get this close to anyone but me. Some might just find you weird, but others might instinctively react with their claws."
"Sorry." Mia recoiled, realizing she'd made a serious social error.
Yelara, noticing her overreaction, added, "I'm accustomed to your kind, don't worry about me. You're the fourth human on this planet, and I've had extended interactions with all of you."
"That doesn't excuse my mistake," Mia insisted, still apologetic. Yelara didn't reply, and they continued walking until she stopped abruptly before a massive door, its window offering a clear view of the neighboring building.
Mia was about to inquire about Nathan's location when Yelara surprised her. "Amara's mother ordered me to bring you here without informing Amara or giving you any clues. I had no choice but to obey, but you should know this order comes from a woman grieving the loss of her son."
Yelara's claws hovered over the door's mechanism when Mia interrupted, "Why are you telling me this?"
"My loyalty lies with another queen," Yelara declared before her claws engaged the mechanism, and the colossal door swung open, revealing the room beyond.
Nathan's wide eyes, the only thing visible above the covers, met hers first. His bare chest was exposed, the rest of him hidden beneath the blanket. Amara appeared moments later, a blur as she scrambled away from Nathan. The bed sheets were tangled with her claws, revealing the nature of their situation.
An awkward silence filled the room as Amara crossed her arms defensively, and Nathan looked away in embarrassment. Yelara regarded them both, then bowed deeply, her tail coiling around her leg. Her usually neutral blue skin flushed a pale white.
"I should assume this was Mother's order," Amara broke the silence, her gaze fixed on Yelara.
"Precisely," Yelara confirmed.
"You wait outside," Amara instructed, her voice firm. "We will talk later."
Mia watched silently as Yelara retreated, her embarrassment conflicting with her goal of having a face-to-face meeting with Nathan. Part of her yearned to escape with Yelara, leaving the awkward situation behind.
Her eyes darted around the room, seeking a distraction from her unfortunate situation. The space was filled with unfamiliar furnishings and objects. A large central table held weird fruits, while Nathan's clothes were scattered on the floor.
The previous image replayed in her mind, refusing to be forgotten. She'd suspected something, but witnessing it firsthand was a different beast entirely. Mia was woefully unprepared for this. Her mission was to assess Nathan's mental state, not uncover forbidden romances. How was she supposed to proceed? Pretend she hadn't seen anything and continue with the evaluation? That seemed like the easiest path. She was leaning toward this option when Amara's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Mother might have thought I wanted to keep this a secret, but she is wrong," Amara said, her voice steady, devoid of shame or embarrassment. "It is exactly as you saw it. We are together now."
Mia was utterly unprepared for Amara's directness. She'd anticipated silence, excuses—anything but this blunt admission. Perhaps Nathan would claim it was an anatomy class, or Amara would cite security concerns for sharing a bed. Hell, she'd even pretend to believe the anatomy class excuse. But Amara's unwavering declaration left Mia stunned. Why wasn't she afraid of this uncomfortable conversation?
Mustering her courage, she looked at them again, finding Nathan equally stunned, his eyes wide with surprise. The princess draped her tail over Nathan's shoulder, and he, after sighing, wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. "Yeah, we're together."
Mia needed a moment to process the brazen display of affection. Words failed her initially. "Is this..." she began, taking a deep breath before unleashing her pent-up frustration. "Is this what you've been doing for the past ten days, Nathan? Back on the station, we were all worried sick, and you're here... enjoying yourself? And what do you mean by 'together'? Do you plan on bringing her back to Earth? Staying here? Or have you simply decided to abandon the mission and spend the year... cuddling?"
Her angry words pierced the tension, making it less awkward to be there. Nathan and Amara exchanged a glance before he pulled her aside. "I know it looks bad, but you have no idea what's happened since I lost contact. Amara and I... we're still figuring things out, but I'll finish the mission, no worries there."
Mia replied angrily, "And how do you intend to finish the mission from her bed, Nathan?"
He said, "Look, if it were someone else, I would make excuses or pretend we crossed some lines under distress and this was a temporary coping mechanism, but I think you'll understand if I explain from the beginning. Are you willing to listen?"
Nathan's eyes held a flicker of worry as he awaited her response. Amara, on the other hand, remained an enigma, save for the gentle caress of her tail tip against his fingers. Mia had little to base a judgment on, yet their connection seemed to run deeper than mere physical attraction—an extraordinary concept considering the differences in physiology that went beyond claws and tails.
"Don't hold back any details," Mia warned, adopting a stern tone. "It won't look good if your lies are exposed during the synchronization." Despite her tough exterior, her initial awkwardness had mostly subsided, and her mind was surprisingly open to the idea of their unusual relationship.
Nathan relaxed, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. Amara shifted into a cross-legged position, assuming a posture that suggested she was about to tell a long story. Her tail pointed toward a chair, and Mia gratefully accepted. The couple exchanged a look before beginning their story of how their friendship had blossomed into something more.
Mia was met with a heartfelt narrative. Both Nathan and Amara recounted the repressed feelings they'd shared around the bonfire, at the time they still hadn’t traveled to the mountain. Nathan then detailed his subsequent frustration over Amara ignoring him for a few days, which eventually escalated into a night where she overwhelmed him with a declaration of her feelings.
Amara started hesitantly, her skin a constant of blue. Yet, as the story unfolded, Mia noticed a shift. The narrative became secondary as the couple lost themselves in a shared world of memories. Amara displayed a spectrum of colors Mia hadn't seen in any Irisian footage. At one point, Mia felt like an extraneous observer as Nathan's laughter echoed through the room, accompanied by Amara's playful shifts in hue.
The narrative shifted tone as they recounted their final day in the valleys. Amara’s voice became the sole focus, detailing the events that led to a desperate battle for survival. They narrowly escaped death before working together to defeat her brother. A subtle implication in her words suggested that Nathan had dealt with the threat permanently.
Their tale concluded with Amara showing her still-healing arms while Nathan gently ruffled her hair. Mia didn’t cry, but her heart raced. There was no doubt about the depth of their connection. Though unspoken, Nathan and Amara had gained a new ally.
Mia promised to do her best to explain the situation to her superiors, framing it in a way that wouldn't look terrible for Nathan—no easy task given the circumstances. When she finally emerged from the room, she found Yelara still waiting patiently.
"What do you think of them together?" Yelara asked bluntly as soon as the door closed, her voice a whisper.
"Interspecies? Too much for me," Mia replied honestly. "But if it works for those two, more power to them. Just remind me not to ask for details again. That conversation was way too sweet for my taste."
"True," Yelara agreed. "But what do you think the other humans will say?"
"They’re adults, and it’s no one’s business who they date," Mia began, but then a troubling thought occurred to her. "Your actions at the mission's start will make things harder for them. Why did you try to seduce Ryo? Now no one will believe Amara hasn’t done the same."
Yelara's skin turned purple, but she quickly regained her composure. "I was following orders," she replied defensively. "I already explained everything to your people during the interview about my sister's condition."
Only when she recalled Yelara’s sister did Mia realize the sheer volume of information she would have to report. In the whirlwind of their romantic tale, she'd completely forgotten the original purpose of her visit: to assess Nathan's psychological condition.
Mia attempted to organize her thoughts. She would need to speak with Nathan again later; she'd failed to assess his mental state because of her attention to their tale. Then, a chilling realization struck her—Nathan had possibly killed Zandrid to protect Amara. Yelara's earlier mention of a grieving mother now made perfect sense.
"I'd like to request a meeting with the queen," Mia stated firmly, realizing the work on Irisa was vaster than she had imagined. She needed to identify any potential threats to Nathan's safety before speaking with him again. Only then could she return to the space station and report back.
"You might have just talked to her," Yelara replied, her tone cutting through Mia's resolve. "After Zandrid's generals requested to surrender to Amara personally, there's growing uncertainty about who the elders will listen to if she and her mother disagree."
With wide eyes and a growing headache, Mia realized her stay on Irisa might need to be extended beyond a single day. The political intrigue, coupled with Nathan and Amara’s not-so-secret relationship, painted a picture of a world far more complex than she and mission control had anticipated.
***
This was an account based on Mia's reason for going to Irisa. The previous narrative is based on the events of the forty-second day of the exploratory mission of Irisa. According to your current settings, no queries will be suggested.
Comments
Aured
Wonderful! It's nice to see them back home and not trying to hide their relationship.
