Page 14 of King from the Sky

“They aren’t following us,” Alex said.

“What? How do you know?”

“Because I dismantled their car before I went into the building. I knew they would do that to you, so I figured that I didn’t want them following us in my truck.”

“Good thinking. I’m surprised that they didn’t see you. Or were they just so laser focused on me and my innocent coworker that they didn’t want to waste time with the actual alien they are after?”

“I’ve had a bit of experience hiding from the authorities. On several planets,” Alex said.

“How many planets have you been to? How is it possible that your technology is so much more advanced than ours?” Emily asked.

“We are a much older race than you,” Alex replied.

“How is that possible?”

“Because our planet formed millions of years before yours did. You live in an infantile solar system. It is a baby in the grand scheme of the cosmos.”

“I’m just trying to figure this out. It really is making me a bit dizzy. You are basically challenging everything that I’ve ever believed about anything scientific right now. As a woman of science it is freaking me out,” Emily said.

“Sorry; that isn’t my intention. But you asked,” Alex said with a smile.

Emily dropped her gaze and caught a solid glance at his crotch. She instantly felt embarrassed and looked away trying to pretend that she had not seen it. But she had. It was perfect looking. She would probably have that image burned in her mind for days.

The skin on her face was feeling hot and flushed as she felt the blush coming on. She tried to hold it back and not give it away, but it was determined to betray her true feelings.

“It’s ok; you can look,” Alex said smiling at her.

“I’m not looking. That was an accident. I’m sorry,” Emily said. She now felt more embarrassed and a bit stupid. What were you supposed to say in this situation?

“Don’t be. It’s just a naked body. Everyone looks fairly much the same without their clothes on, except for minor differences. There is nothing to be ashamed about.”

“Well, here on this planet we do get ashamed about that sort of thing.”

“Only in this country,” Alex added. “In many European countries they are much more open about nudity and sexuality.”

“How the hell do you know that? Have you been all over my planet?”

“A good bit of it, yes.”

“Why? Just curious? Are you doing some research for a book you are writing?”

“You know, a thanks might do the trick,” Alex said.

“A what?”

“A thanks—for saving your life back there.”

“Oh, well thanks. I do appreciate that, but I saved yours last night. So we are even, right?”

“I suppose we are,” Alex said.

“So, where are we going?”

“Well, we need to get off the radar so I thought we would go to a hotel for the night. We can’t go anywhere that the government might locate us.”

“Well, shit. I have to make a phone call,” Emily said.

“Who are you calling?”