Thanks to Fran for beta'ing chapter 9 … twice. Also to 2browneyes, Judyblue and Michele for their extra work.
EPOV
The energy of Alterna envelops us, beckoning us to explore the landscape further. Keeping her hand locked firmly in mine, I take careful steps, scanning the view before us. The images I have seen did not prepare me for the beauty that lies ahead nor the feel of inhaling fresh air into my lungs. It is exhilarating, better than I could have imagined.
Bella's excitement is vibrating through our connection and seeping into my skin, compelling me to lead her into the unknown world. With careful steps, we make our way toward the object in the distance. The closer we get, the more my mate presses forward, practically dragging me behind her.
I chuckle and stop in my spot, waylaying her advancement. "Bella," I call, my voice carrying on the breeze. She stops and turns to me, her head tilted, eyes intent upon me. "Easy. We are still in a foreign land."
Her responding smile is brilliant, excited. She is absolutely glimmering in the afternoon light from the dual suns. "Our foreign land," she responds, her gaze casting over the scenery that surrounds us, jumping in every direction.
My eyes follow her path, focusing on the magnificence that is our new home. Besides the brush and tree-like object before us, there is more. So much more. To the right, in the distance, are large mounds protruding from the ground, they are mountain-like in their structure with alternating patches of bright color spread over them. To the left, is a flat expanse of space with low lying bright yellow shrubbery and a pink shimmer far in the distance. I crane my head closer, hoping to understand what it is I am seeing.
"It is a body of water," my father speaks, causing me to jump; unaware he had followed us.
Bella turns in the direction he is motioning, her smile never faltering. "It is pink," she states, stepping closer to Captain.
"It is," he agrees readily. "It is part of the reason we chose to land in this particular location."
Bella's smile falls just slightly as her brows rise upon her head. "Because it is pink?"
He throws his head back and chuckles loudly. "Not because it is pink, rather because it is a large body of water."
I step closer, directly beside my mate and capture her attention. "We have been studying Alterna for many years. Captain had to use sound strategy when choosing a location to land."
Her eyes soften and her smile returns. "I suppose I never thought that deeply into the details. The preparations you must have made, what this means for us as a people." Her gaze lands on Captain, and a tint of pink touches her cheeks, the distant body of water pales in comparison.
"That is my responsibility to my people, Bella," Captain says, his voice soft. "I have spent my life preparing for this moment."
"We are here, safe and sound. I would say you have succeeded," she responds, yet I can see her mind whirring behind those deep brown eyes.
He sighs and agrees with a slight nod. "We are here, but the journey is only beginning." His eyes cast to mine. "Explore for a bit more, but return in time for my speech."
I watch as he walks back toward Tesla before returning my gaze to my mate. She is deep in thought, her brows pressed together in the middle of her forehead.
I trail my finger along her jaw. "What has you thinking so hard?"
She heaves a deep sigh. "I guess I have never considered beyond the excitement of landing here. What our next steps may be." She sucks in a deep breath of the fresh air that flows around us and expels it slowly. "We are a very lucky people to have Captain … and you to follow in his footsteps."
I move even closer, unable to keep my distance, the hum echoes between us. "I am very lucky in return."
Her tongue peeks out to wet her lips and my eyes automatically follow the action. By the time she opens them to respond, I have already closed the distance, brushing my own against them. Her quiet gasp escapes between us before I silence her completely.
The spark between us ignites with the first touch of skin, creating a heat so intense, I can only press harder, demand more. In mere moments, she snakes her tongue out to trail along my bottom lip. I pull back, startled, and completely breathless, my mind racing.
"Bella," I say in warning, my voice low and rough. Kissing her has become something I cannot live without, yet the feelings coursing through me right now are out of control, untamed and wild.
A quiet laugh escapes before she speaks. "I am … sorry?"
My lip quirks as I take her in, from the flush of her cheeks to the plump red of her lips. "Are you?"
She tilts her head down. "I am not sure."
I breathe deeply through my nose, bringing her face up to meet mine fully. "Do not hide from me. It was just … overwhelming."
"Good overwhelming?" she asks, the mirth returning to her gaze.
"More than you know," I reply and peck her lips, immediately separating us and taking her hand to lead her toward the tree-like object.
The closer we get, the more her excitement vibrates between us. A quiet chuckle escapes me, causing her to glance in my direction. "I can feel your exuberance."
A gorgeous smile lights her face, and she giggles, tugging me to follow her faster. "We are on land, Edward. To feel the ground beneath my feet is exhilarating in a way I never dreamed possible."
"I, too, am exhilarated," I mumble to myself as she brings us to a stop before the majestic structure.
The object rises from the ground and expands upward, leading to a large bushy top with long, wispy tendrils that hang to the ground, the colors unlike any I have ever laid eyes upon. The trunk itself is impressive; varying shades of blue, in differing widths, run skyward and appear almost fluid, surging over the bumpy surface.
It is my brave mate who tentatively reaches forth, her face lighting up when her fingers brush the periphery. "It is smooth," she announces, her wide, excited eyes jumping to mine.
I reach forward and skim my thumb over the object; it is the complete opposite of its appearance. The sleek surface glides beneath my palm as if I am touching glass. It is a contradiction between my sense of sight and touch.
Bella, never satisfied, has already moved on. She is already farther away than I am comfortable with while exploring the brush around us.
With one last, puzzling look at the object, I quickly stand and go to her, retaking her hand in mine, content when the hum pulses between us. "Are you ready to return?"
She glances around us before sighing wistfully. "I suppose we should."
"We will explore again, I promise. But first we must redistribute Tesla to form a community," I say in an attempt to occupy her mind with other things.
"That sounds daunting," she replies, cutting her eyes in my direction as we start wandering back toward Tesla's landing spot.
I brush my shoulder against hers and smirk. "Maybe for someone from the Education Pod."
She barks out an unexpected laugh and nudges me back with a little more force than necessary. "Ah, yes, future leader, you must not allow me to forget my place."
I stop walking and step in front of her, my free hand capturing her cheek. "Your place is by my side," I say, my voice no longer playful.
Her quick inhale of breath does not go unnoticed, nor does the darkening of her eyes. "I would rather be nowhere else."
I stare at her, completely entranced. Strange sensations bubble deep within me, begging to be released, yet I have no idea what they are or how to express them. I am struck completely mute by a pull coming directly from my core.
A gentle tug on my hand causes me to break eye contact and allow the moment to pass, but the feeling does not fade completely. It settles within me, a slight nudge, almost comforting in its essence.
Turning, I begin leading her back to where our people have gathered outside of Tesla, awaiting word from our leader. Although this is an anxious time for us, most seem content to breathe in the fresh air and take in the striking landscape.
As soon as Bella and I are noticed, the crowd parts so that we may pass; a mix of emotions are scattered among the faces that peer back at me. Some seem curious while others—mostly elders—seem disapproving, yet a small portion appear captivated at the sight of us walking hand in hand to take our place at the front of the crowd.
As we reach our spot, I notice Mother watching us with a furrowed brow from her position to the right of my father. However, upon closer look, I realize all her attention is focused on our clasped hands. When her gaze rises, she is quick to look away as soon as she meets my questioning eyes.
Captain is positioned midway up the stairs, a podium already in place. With a simple clearing of his throat, the mass of people before him fall silent. "This is a huge day for us. Our mission to reach Alterna is complete, but it is only now that our true journey begins."
Bella's hand tightens against mine, and I meet her eyes. The barely restrained excitement from earlier still bubbles in her dark gaze, eliciting a shiver to run across my skin. Her zest for the experience before us only increases my desire to share my future with her.
With an appreciative smile, I tilt my head in Captain's direction so that we may hear the rest of his speech. "We are a technologically advanced people, but that only exists within the confines of Tesla. Take a look at the vista around you"—he pauses for us to follow his directive—"what you see before you is all we have. Outside of Tesla, we start from the beginning. We have reached a location that allows us fresh air to breathe and land to roam, but now, we must make this our home. It is our duty to settle this planet and make a life, for not only ourselves but for the generations to come; for if we fail, there is no future."
His words move through me, and their true meaning takes root deep inside. I have always known, yet it is not until this very second that I realize the enormity of our task here on Alterna. We are now faced with a freedom unlike never before, but with that freedom comes greater responsibility. Everything we have done previously was meant to prepare us for this moment. The very future of our race hangs in the balance, because if we do not thrive here, our race will die.
I am brought from my thoughts by a gentle tug on my hand. Shaking my head to clear it, I meet Bella's eyes. "Future leader," she whispers. "It would be frowned upon to be caught daydreaming during the most important speech Captain has ever delivered." My brows rise high, my ears heating. I glance around, hoping others have not noticed.
Bella snickers quietly and leans up to speak lowly in my ear. "Do not worry. I do not think anyone else is as aware of you as I." Her breath against my skin causes goosebumps to rise and that familiar tug low in my stomach to tighten.
I swallow the feeling and move my arm to encase her shoulders, drawing her directly to my side. "Thank you," I whisper in return, hoping I affect her as deeply.
She shivers but remains focused forward as we both listen intently to Captain. "It is our quest to not only settle Alterna but to make sure we do it in a way that preserves it for the future humans who will inhabit it. It is not our intent to abuse the landscape around you but enhance it. For if we fail at this mission, Alterna will suffer the same fate as Earth."
A quiet rumble runs through the crowd with that proclamation, and Captain pauses to allow his words time to be absorbed. One of the first things we are taught about are the ramifications of our ancestor's actions concerning Earth. Their constant abuse resulted in the complete and utter destruction of their planet.
When the mutterings lessen, Captain clears his throat once more. "It is our duty to not only settle this planet, but to nurture it, to give as much as we take. To set a precedent for future generations, teaching them how to preserve the beauty you see before you." He spreads his arms wide, gesturing around him. "This is our new home, and it is time to put everything we have ever learned to use. Our society structure was built for this task, and it is a task at which we must succeed."
The fervor in his voice sends ripples over my skin and makes me prouder than ever to be a part of the commanding family. This is what I was destined for, and I intend to embrace my mission by doing my part to ensure the survival of my race.
I begin clapping, a slow movement that erupts through the crowd and becomes a deafening roar. Every being in our society recognizes the duty before us and celebrates our Captain's words alongside me. It is a undertaking we are prepared for and a mission we intend to fulfill.
He holds his hands up asking for silence once more. "We will begin the process of transforming Tesla immediately. Those involved know their job, and all others are ordered to remain in the common areas of the ship for the rest of this evening and tonight. It is expected that by tomorrow night, all living quarters will be in their permanent positions."
.
.
Assisting Captain oversee the transformation turns out to be a trying experience. I am in awe of Tesla's ability to make the transition, yet I also expect everything to work according to design, and it does not always happen. Some systems have glitches to be worked out, and others need manual dislodging. By the end of the night, I am irritable and have a burning need to lay eyes on my mate.
Taking a guess as to her whereabouts, I find myself entering the Education common rooms. There are people milling about in every direction I turn, but it is as if I do not need to see her to know where she is. My legs take me forth by mere instinct alone.
Her laughter fills my ears before I even see her. Just that simple sound helps calm the irritation flowing through my veins. It melts considerably when I see her, and it is as if she feels my presence because she is already scanning the room.
Standing still, I wait for her to notice me, which only takes seconds. She is up, excusing herself from Rosalie and Emmett almost immediately. A vague thought of why they are here floats through my mind, but I cannot focus on it further as my mate is striding toward me, and my attention is entirely on her.
I admire her form as she crosses the space separating us, my eyes unable to resist roaming across her form, encased in the skin-tight spacesuit. Before she even is within reach, my arms are open, welcoming her to my embrace. The hum swells as soon as she steps close, and I encase my arms around her. Serenity. A deep, peaceful feeling settles within me with her mere presence. A balm to my weary body.
All too soon, she is pulling back, her bottom lip secured between her teeth as she scrutinizes my face. "You seem out of sorts," she notes, worry lines forming between her brows.
I take a deep breath and release it slowly. "Not any longer." I attempt a small smile and think it must be successful since her lip quirks up slightly.
"Ah, the pleasures of only being in the Education pod." Her quirk rises even higher, and that sparkle of mirth appears in her stare.
Unable to stop myself, I throw my head back and laugh loudly, every inch of tension dissipating instantly. Leave it to my quick-witted mate to remind me of our earlier conversation and poke fun at me for my words.
With every last vestige of stress completely erased, I pull her tighter to me and sigh. "Bella, you have no idea how much I needed to see you."
"Well I have endured nothing taxing at all, and my need to see you has been very great," she replies, her voice is soft as her words race across my skin.
Feeling the proximity of the people gathered in the room, I take her hand and move to find us a more private section in which to celebrate our reunion. A place just to be together, because spending time with her, touching her, is simply enough.
I lead us to the far corner where a lone sofa sits, unoccupied, and guide my mate into the seat, readily taking the spot beside her. Here, with her, is where I belong. The rightness of it cannot be ignored nor can the hum that radiates between our skin.
Turning to her, I place my hand on my chest and put on my most sincere expression. "I must admit my failure earlier when I teased you over your lack of knowledge concerning Tesla. It seems even I have much to learn."
She mock gasps. "You mean my future leader is not all-knowing?"
I narrow my eyes playfully. "I would not go that far."
She giggles and the sound is light and airy, a testament to exactly how I feel at this moment, unencumbered. "No, we should never go that far, future leader. My apologies."
Moving closer, I push a strand of hair that has escaped her bun behind her ear. "I am sure there is another way you could make atonement." My eyes glance to her lips that are mere inches from mine.
They part and a gust of air escapes. "Is there?" The words are breathless as she is already moving closer.
Closing my eyes, I lick my lips in anticipation of the first touch of skin, only it does not come. Instead, a throat clearing brings me from my Bella-induced-trance. I take a deep breath before I turn to see who has intruded on our moment.
My eyes widen. A young boy is standing just a foot away and is studying me curiously. It does not take a genius to realize who he is. His face is very similar to the one I am becoming more dependent on with each day that passes.
"Were you going to kiss her?" the boys asks, his nose crinkled as if he smells something bad.
Bella attempts to hold her snicker in beside me, but I ignore her and focus on this small being who has interrupted us. "And you would be?" I ask instead, changing the subject.
He puffs his chest out as much as he can, crossing his arms. "I am Samuel Swan, and you are?" He lifts an inquiring brow.
Bella loses all humor at this question. "Samuel, you know who he is. Do not be disrespectful."
"It is fine." I give her a soothing look before turning back to Samuel. "I am Edward Cullen, future leader of our race."
The boy studies me intently, and I hold his gaze, allowing his eyes to stare deep into my own. He finally smiles. "Well, were you going to kiss her?"
"Well I, uh, I was hop—"
"Samuel, that is enough," Bella scolds him, almost unable to keep a stern tone due her humor at my bumbling. "Is it not too late for you to be up?"
He only looks mildly chagrined at her reprimand. "I asked if I could come say goodnight."
She softens slightly and reaches over to hug him. "Goodnight, brother. Now go back to Mother and Father."
He gives me another hard look before turning and disappearing back across the room. I stare at the spot he vacated for a good minute after he is gone. It is Bella's chuckle which snaps me out of the strange encounter.
"That was interesting," I muse, as I don't have much experience with the younger children of our people.
Bella snorts. "That was Samuel."
"Your younger brother," I state the obvious.
She nods and fights back a yawn before speaking. "He can be a handful at times."
I reach out and draw her under my arm so that her head rests against my shoulder. "I would expect nothing less from your sibling."
She tries to lift her head, but I hold her in place. "It was a compliment, Bella," I say my voice low and soothing. "I would find it unusual if he were merely ordinary."
"Um, thank you, I think," she responds, another yawn escaping.
"Extraordinary would be more appropriate," I say quietly, almost to myself.
"Perhaps," she whispers, the word barely reaching my ears.
I mentally snort at her assessment. "Perhaps."
Deciding exactly what to say here is a bit of a challenge, so here's my best attempt. From this point forward, I (Fyre) am writing the rest of the story. Vamp and I got to a point where we couldn't agree on the direction certain aspects of the story would go. Since our original collaboration was the oneshot, I chose to start writing from that point forward alone, instead of continuing to post other chapters we had collabed on and then finishing alone. Vamp owns this oneshot the same as I do and is free to continue her version of how this plays out if she so chooses. I'm not looking for opinions on this matter, I just thought I owed you some explanation of why it's taken so long to get back to posting. My readers know that infrequent posting is not my style.
That being said, I am rewriting some chapters so I can't promise weekly updates until I get a good cushion. But I will promise they will be no further apart than every other week and as soon as I'm ahead enough, I will return to weekly.
I'm sorry for the wait and hope you enjoy it just as much :)
Fyre
