Alpha Siege (Omega Mates #1) - Pearl Tate Page 0,5
that! I’d already looked all around this thing, and there was no way I would have figured out how to do it on my own. It must have something to do with an auto detection when the spacecraft completely stopped?
Peering over the edge to the ground only five feet or so below, I hesitate. First of all, I should be able to figure out how to get out of this complicated seatbelt—I think. I’ve seen nothing like this fascinating device. The harness appears to have multiple childproof aspects to it. I may have earned a bachelor’s degree in physics to become a seismologist, but I don’t have kids…
By the time I work out the releases shush, I’m sweating. The surrounding air is muggy, and there isn’t a breeze. I’m not sure if I feel so warm from panic or if it’s really that hot!
If the fact that I’m in a spacecraft didn’t convince me I’m not on Earth any longer, the clothing I’m dressed in would. Little tubes I hadn’t even noticed automatically detach from the silvery jumpsuit as I release the last of three restraints and lean forward to get a better look over the side of the craft. With the clear exterior, it’s easy to see there’s nothing else around. Huge trees surround me, and they’re covered with a deep purple bark.
When I peer over the edge, I see smaller bushes and plants, but nothing that looks familiar. There’s no way I recognize where I am. I’m still clinging to the hope I’m on Earth, but as I take my time and stare up at the sky between the massive branches, I realize there are actually two suns.
Is that my imagination? Sure enough, when I study the ground around me, I see the craft I’m in is throwing two shadows. Funky.
Sliding my hands over the smooth texture of the craft, I lean out, wondering if I should just stay here. It’s tempting. I mean… won’t someone come for me, eventually? Someone’s responsible for this situation, right?
Unless this planet isn’t inhabited? But that’s stupid too. Why would I have been sent here… with those other women, for no reason?
Even though I feel well rested, I can’t help the prickle of apprehension that skitters down my spine as I think of all the unknowns. Not only where I am… but also why? And why me?
Well, I can’t just sit here. I feel like getting out. I’m sick of sitting idle. It’s why my posh government job monitoring and analyzing controlled seismic waves from drilling explosions and truck vibrations wasn’t cutting it. I was attending the seismograph seminar to get involved in volunteer field studies. At thirty-five with no boyfriend or husband… or dog, I can do that.
I can do what I want. Maybe that’s why I never replaced Nick? I’ve been single for over a year now, and honestly, it’s been liberating. If it wasn’t for losing Baxter in the last month, I wouldn’t be thinking about Nick at all.
Sitting back down in the craft, I look around at what I could even take with me. There’s nothing except for the shiny jumpsuit I’m wearing. Where’s my bag of food or water or anything that’d help me survive? I have to look for at least water, right?
Well, there’s no time like the present. I don’t want to finally get the nerve to get out of this thing and then die of thirst—or starve. It is what it is. I faced death before and lived to talk about it. This isn’t even as scary as being locked inside a freezer box.
The only thing I have to worry about at this point is getting down. Looking over the side again, it looks really far. I’m just under five foot, and the distance looks about my height to the bottom of the craft and then another three feet maybe… up to the edge where I’m about to climb out.
Wiggling my toes in the boots that are the same shiny silver as my jumpsuit, I decide these are pretty utilitarian, and I should be fine. Just as I lift my leg over the edge, a net rolls out from a pocket in the craft about six inches below my boot, dropping from the side and down to the ground. That’s handy!
Deciding I won’t look this gift horse in the mouth, I swing both my legs over the side. Before I can overthink it, I take the plunge and scramble down the nylon to the