Call Girl

Chapter 16

It is now one week later

Kate was still adapting to sleeping on a round bed. She got why it was round. His ship was round and there was even a shelf at the head of the bed that was round since it followed the shape of the ship. Rick had a few knickknacks on it that she liked.

Waking up, she found Rick in his natural form standing at the kitchen that was just a step away thanks to the size of this ship.

For the last week he had been showing his true form off and on which also meant he was naked and that had Kate grinning. She thought she was adapting to his true form. She still couldn't believe that she was in love with a true alien and out in space headed for a planet she had known nothing about and still didn't know a whole lot about. Her life was just so not what she'd planned for herself.

Kate got out of bed and checked to see if she had leaked. Thankfully she hadn't so the sheets and bed didn't have any bloody spots. Her Diva cup was doing its job. Her period was in full swing and unfortunately this time her cramps came with it.

Naked, Kate crawled out of bed since they both slept naked and wrapped her arms around him from behind. She pressed her face into his back and breathed him in. His scent was something she had grown to love about him.

"How did you sleep?" Rick asked her knowing she didn't much care for his round bed.

She shrugged. "Pretty good, I guess. Except for having cramps."

Rick cupped her cheek. "There are pain pills downstairs in storage somewhere, love. Get Lucile to show you which one." Then he leaned closer and kissed her.

"Thanks, babe." Kate gave his alien face another kiss and headed downstairs to find a pain pill. Thankfully all of his storage containers were actually drawers so all she needed to do was pull out the right drawer. Then go back upstairs to get water to wash it down with.

"Breakfast?" Kate inquired.

"Something a little heavier this morning. Sausage and scrambled eggs from your planet's chickens so you better enjoy them while you can. Toast and orange juice. Something else you better enjoy while it lasts." Alien planets all had alien food. To him Earth food was alien food but he had lived there long enough to learn what he did and didn't like. Kate was just going to have to do the same.

Kate let her head rest against his alien back. "No cows, no chickens, and no pigs." Rick had sworn that she wouldn't starve but she wasn't convinced yet.

"No pineapple, no oranges, and no to a long list of things. You'll find something else that you like," Rick assured her as he reached for a plate and turned to hand it to her.

From here she picked up her breakfast and crawled across carefully to the living room to sit down and eat it. She acknowledged her drink being set down behind her and was aware that Rick was sitting next to her to eat.

"Two more weeks, I think," Kate said with her mouth full. She liked his little ship, she did. She was just ready to be somewhere else. To get out and stretch her legs.

"How are you coming with your home design?" Rick was curious. He hadn't snooped even though he'd wanted to.

"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you. It's upstairs." It was where she had rolled up her pad and left it.

"Try me." Rick didn't really want to wait.

"Well Lucile showed me the closest town, which is amazing by the way." Kate had never seen anything like it.

It was located on either side of a large waterfall and was built mostly on one side of a mountain. There was one massive tree at the top and had a large building wrapped around it.

Next to it were a series of what she was calling huge flying saucers since they were flat on the bottom and round. There were also a few towers that had domed tops.

Then there was something that arced out around a smaller water fall that didn't appear to have any support save from being attached to the mountain side. In addition there was some kind of train system or road that ran around from place to place and up and down. It went over a much smaller river that had multiple water falls off to one side.

It was drop dead gorgeous in her eyes. The only thing that came close was something from one of the Star Wars movies but far more lovely.

"Okay, but don't get upset with me, it's just an idea," Kate asked him first and since he didn't say anything she told him about it. "I was thinking about either finding an island and changing it or find a way to build one maybe. Put a number of terraces on it to plant food. Fruit trees and other things. Lucile said that there are droids like in Star Wars that can monitor it and harvest it.

"Then we have a pond in the middle to swim in. Create a bay to have a beach and house the boat that we live in." Kate waited anxiously for his reaction.

"A boat?" Rick was actually shocked.

"Well, maybe a yacht like on Earth. A few bedrooms and lots of space. I have an idea for one, thanks to Lucile." Kate looked at him to judge his reaction. It was just that with his alien face and alien body she couldn't tell. Maybe he was making a face of disgust but she couldn't tell.

"You don't want a space similar to the city only smaller and a smaller boat? We could build into the side of the mountain if there is one that will work." He hadn't seen the plans for what he was willing to buy for over two years. He didn't even know if it was still available for purchase. He had put a deposit down to hold it but you never knew.

"And does this massive boat of yours require a crew to man it?" Rick queried.

"No, Lucile assures me that she can pilot it and that there are these cleaning bots that are small and discreet so that you hardly notice them. We simply may need something to come and repair it if it ever breaks down but that's it.

"This way we can go anywhere we want. Did you know that if we get the right one it's actually not just a sailing ship but also a space ship? Something about force fields to hold the atmosphere in." Kate had been totally shocked about that.

"So I was right! You don't like my little ship." Rick just knew it.

"I do too! It's just small." Kate fired back at him. "Bigger is better."

"I'll let you show it to me before I shoot it down," he told her and ignored the evil glare she sent his way.

o- [:] -o

They had one more week to go and Kate was dressed and sitting upstairs and watched as Rick as a human joined her and sat across from her since she had her pad in her lap.

"About your yacht." Rick hated to break it to her but he needed to.

Kate stopped looking at her design idea and looked at him. "You don't like it."

"No, it's not that. It's just I'm spending my money to buy a section of a planet." Then Rick broke it to her. "I don't have the money to buy us a yacht to sail either on water or in space. I'm sorry, Kate."

"Oh." Kate hadn't really thought about that much. Money was suddenly a subject. Between his place in New York City and Miami she hadn't given much thought to about money.

"So no yacht." Kate got it. Now she needed another plan. "All right. We really need a house. Can it be anything?" She wasn't used to doing this. She was used to using a Real Estate Agent or at least some listing of available places.

"Pretty much but just be flexible. Until we arrive and I find out if this place is still available for purchase and no one hasn't bought it out from under me, it can be just about anything your heart desires.

"Inside a mountain. On a mountain like the city. On a beach or even part beach and part ocean. Just use your imagination," Rick urged.

"Okay." Problem was that took her back to square one.

o- [:] -o

Kate liked to think she was getting used to seeing Rick in his natural form. She had already given up going naked from time to time. Even for her it was just too much, though she was wearing as little as possible. Either one of his shirts, shorts, and t-shirt or even just staying in one of her sleep shirts.

However, the one thing that hadn't much changed was the two places on his little ship that she liked a lot. They were the hot tub and the viewing room upstairs which was where she was now.

Lucile had warned her that they would be arriving at the edge of the system in a short time. Rick was going to land and deliver his research report by the end of the day.

"So why just outside the edge of the system?" Kate had questioned. Couldn't they just arrive at the planet and land? They always did that in Star Wars.

"To keep from getting shot and killed. The client is, after all, a conquering race. If we just show up without clearance they will attack us and kill us before we can even say one word, let alone explain."

So Kate had her pad rolled up since she was still stuck on just what she wanted and what would be best for them. She was waiting and watching just as Rick showed up looking human, sat down next to her, and pulled her close to him.

Kate went willingly. She knew she was clearly in the honeymoon phase of their marriage. She was still so deeply in love with him.

Then Lucile took shape. "Ten seconds," she announced then vanished.

Just like that all those sparkles vanished to be replaced with darkness till Lucile spun them and now she saw white dots in the distance.

A moment later Lucile was back. "I am arranging for clearance into the system and clearance to the planet so we can land. We will need to pay a docking fee. I am also sending a message that once we land Richard will be delivering his research."

Kate looked at him. "You don't need to do any of this?" After all it was his ship.

"No, Lucile's more than capable of handing all of it." Rick finally told her what she had to do next. "Once we land you're going to need to stay with the ship."

"Why?" She wasn't really thinking about what this race looked like. She wanted to go where he went.

"Because your race isn't recognized as being a part of their empire. Even if they don't immediately kill you they will lock you up, love. Possibly in a place where even Lucile and I can't find you. It's just safer for you here. Lucile will darken the windows so no one can see you. Please promise me you'll stay onboard the ship." Rick looked at her worriedly.

"I suppose." She still didn't like it but she would do it.

o- [:] -o

"What is that!?" They were getting really close to the planet now and Kate saw a number of things. "There's one over there, too." Kate pointed at the other one she saw.

"They have three space stations and that one's getting a complete remodel. It's old and needs to be updated. The third one is likely on the far side of the planet. One's civilian and the other is all military," Rick explained. "This one I don't know. I've never inquired what the plan is for it."

As they got closer Kate was beginning to see a lot of things. "That's a heck of lot of ships." More than a few were huge. But she didn't have a real idea of just how big. Nothing to compare it to in order to comprehend how big they were.

"They're mostly part of the home fleet. They're always ready for an invasion from someone," Rick said. "Someone they haven't yet encountered. Or reserve if they're needed somewhere."

"So this is what would show up at Earth if they decide to attack us?" Kate realized that Earth stood no chance at all. They were as good as dead.

"You would never even see them unless they sent a signal. They use a combination of unmanned drones and ground troops that are embedded inside units. Think climbing into a large machine, all of which have smaller unmanned drones for smaller spaces.

"First would be a bombardment from space. This is why I do my job. Why, for a price, I offer to help them determine if a planet can be added to their empire instead of committing genocide. Alternately they may simply decide that you'll kill yourselves long before you become a threat to them.

"I don't really know. I'm sorry. All I know is if I didn't do what it is I do they may decide to attack and take the planet," Rick tried to clarify as they got closer and closer and even began passing some space ships.

"How many of these have you done for them?" Kate asked.

"Earth is number five. Each one takes nine of your months. After the first one they attacked and wiped them out. The next two had them absorbed into the Empire. Being added to their Empire comes with benefits and a few restrictions. But it's better than being wiped out." Rick knew what they were but didn't think it was all that bad. The alternative was so much worse.

"That's just three. What about the fourth?" Kate was curious.

Rick shook his head. "I don't know. I turned in my research and was assigned to your planet next. I spent time getting there followed by nine months of research. So I really don't know what they decided. I may get to find out if they've even made a decision when I turn in my research and see if they have another planet for me."

"Oh." Kate watched as the space station that was being gutted came closer into view as they slowly went past it and headed for the planet. She could see all of the superstructure that was exposed to space. There were bots or people floating all over the thing.

While she observed, material came off a ship close by and was moved over to the station. She assumed a barge holding construction material.

Then Lucile blinked into view. "We have been granted clearance to land. I have already paid the docking fee. We will need supplies while you are gone as well, Richard. Three weeks with one person is easy. Three weeks with two people requires more supplies. Not that I am not happy you are here, Katherine. I want Richard to be happy and you make him happy. Forty-five minutes to landing." Lucile vanished again.

Kate leaned in close and whispered into his ear. "You're sure she likes me?"

Rick burst out laughing. "Yes, I'm sure. It's just been the two of us for so long. You have nothing to worry about." Rick kissed her just to reinforce his point.

o- [:] -o

They had landed and Kate was still upstairs looking down at all the aliens. "They're sooo ugly! And what's with the tentacles?" It didn't help that they were all silver or ghostly in color.

Then she watched as a hatch of the ship rose up, a ramp extended, and out walked Rick. Her husband was willingly walking into this. "They kill him and I'm going to lose it." Kate mostly talked to herself but was betting Lucile could hear her.

Two of them dressed in armor and obviously carrying weapons came up to him. Rick handed over something and she was thinking they were talking but couldn't hear a word. Then they handed it back and left, allowing Rick to keep walking.

"And he's going in there." Kate covered her mouth with her hands. This was so bad. She could just see her husband never coming back. "Lucile!"

Lucile appeared before her. "Yes, Katherine?"

"Please tell me he'll be coming back and that they won't kill him." Kate watched him go through a doorway and disappear from sight.

"He will be fine. Did you fail to notice that he was in his true form and did not look like a human?" Lucile asked her and then vanished.

Kate looked at where he had gone again and just now realized that Lucile was right. That made her grin. She was getting used to seeing him in his true form. Her grin got even bigger. "My husband is an alien. Mom and Dad would never in a million years believe this."

However, she was still trapped in their little space ship and this time she had to make her own meals. Thankfully Rick had shown her how to use their tiny kitchen. Cooking went really fast, too. What she thought should take about two hours only took half that or even less.

It was getting late and Kate was getting really worried. Yes, there was the space downstairs but she had glued herself to the bubble room upstairs, waiting and watching and hoping and praying. She didn't dare fall asleep.

"HE'S ALIVE!" She saw him and once again he was in his true form and once again these aliens with weapons stopped him for a moment then let him pass.

She raced and stumbled down the stairs to greet him. She watched the hatch lift up that was located between the bedroom and living room and opened directly onto the hot tub.

He had barely made it inside when Kate launched herself at him and hugged him tight. "You're alive! They didn't kill you!"

Rick looked bewildered. "Why would they? Besides I have a pass that allows me access."

That had Kate hitting his arm. "You could have told me that! I've been sitting here thinking they would just kill you and turn me into their slave or something."

"Never, but I have news. We are the proud owners of land on a planet within their empire. I even brought the deed and pictures for you to see." Rick held up what to her looked like a large diamond. "I just need to plug it into Lucile."

Kate followed him downstairs and watched him insert it. "You had enough money for it?"

"I did," he answered proudly, "and they even lowered the price so we have money to hire a designer and contractor for the house. I also have a contract to do another planet. Six to nine months of research. When that's done we should have the money to finish construction."

"Great! I think." It meant they couldn't even really move in for another nine months and she didn't know where they would be living but at least he was still making money.

"So where are we going?" Kate questioned him.

"They're called Zorgons. I have very little on them except it's believed that they do not yet have FTL. However, they do appear to have space ships so this will be more of a challenge.

"Okay, Lucile, show her the space," Rick asked her and instantly they both saw a 3D projection of the place.

They saw one large island that had at least a few trees. There were another eighteen smaller islands in a long chain of islands. Half of them looked like nothing but rock while at least six of them were covered in trees.

The largest of them looked to have an enclosed pond area or bay she wasn't sure which. "All of these? Where does the house go?" No sooner had she asked when she was guessing the largest island.

Rick had a few ideas. "I was thinking the main house goes right in the middle. A walkway down to a dock on one side and other down to the bay. A landing pad for the ship can go on one of them. A series of power cores out here on one of the rocks. Maybe a park on one of the islands with trees. An observation tower on one or more. I don't know. We have nineteen islands to do something with."

"It looks like a lot of walking to me." Eighteen other islands in a long line meant a lot of walking to her way of thinking.

"Nope. I have an idea about that. It's like the monorail at Disney only instead of a train they're pods hanging from a rail. It trails all the way out to the farthest island.

"Oh, and we could have a city transit system come from the city out to a station on one of the islands for us to reach the city. We'd be able to easily do some shopping. Lucile, show us the city again, please," Rick asked her and the islands vanished and the city came into 3D view.

"These lines here are the transit system. We just get one to expand out to us or we take ours into the city and simply walk to a station to get around. It should work," Rick assured her.

"Sounds expensive," Kate mentioned since they had nineteen islands to use.

"That's why we need this next research project and probably keep doing that roughly every two years. However, we still need to get you to someone I know. We need to see if he can make you as immortal as I am. It should work but we won't know till we find him." Rick was hopeful, though.

"You make it sound as though just finding him will be difficult." Kate looked at him and the city vanished and was replaced with Lucile.

"It will be. It will be a real challenge for us." Mostly she meant herself but included Rick and Kate into helping to find him.

"OH, and I got you this." Rick held up a tiny thin disk for her to see.

Now Kate was really worried.