Alpha Siege (Omega Mates #1) - Pearl Tate Page 0,6

ground. It’s easy to do with the way the netting is set up, and I drop the last couple feet, stirring up a dust cloud on the powdery dirt as I land.

Unfortunately, the entire spacecraft seems to be on some kind of autopilot because no sooner do I release the net from my hands, slapping them together slightly, then the netting retracts. This time I can see it rolling right into the side of the craft, which appears to be a nice shade of silver and not see-through from the outside. The finish almost appears reflective—yes—more than you’d think normally. There’s almost a camouflage aspect to the glossy surface.

At the same time the netting retracts, another hatch in the bottom materializes. One moment, it’s a shiny smooth surface, and the next, it’s opening and a large bag falls to the ground next to me. I freeze, staring at the brown lump with distrust until I hear a hum ramp up in pitch. Glancing up, I realize that the top hatch has settled on the spacecraft, enclosing the cabin again. The sleek bullet shaped craft slowly rises straight up into the air.

Damnit! My heart races as I comprehend that the mode of transportation that brought me here is now leaving. Without me.

I can’t imagine that this is a good thing. Turning in a slow circle, I try to get my bearings, but I’ve already somewhat forgotten the way I came in.

No. Shit… I think I know which way to go. I’m going to have to trust my intuition, and I instinctively feel drawn in one direction.

The one thing I did notice was water. There’s definitely liquid here, just like on Earth, and my safest bet is to head toward it. I just hope what I saw was water. I can’t help but wonder if this is some kind of strange social experiment that someone has tossed me into with those other women? I was registered for the Federation Seismic Convention, though. Would they do something like this?

But that’s stupid! They wouldn’t do something like this to me. I mean, come on!

Reaching my hand up to the back of my head, I run my fingers underneath the heavy loose hair. Automatically, I reach on my wrist for a hair tie. Nothing. Now that’s going to drive me crazy.

Glancing back at the bag, I’m wondering what “they” figured I’d need for provisions. The brown canvas material isn’t a huge bag, but as I lower myself beside it, I realize that it does have straps like a backpack.

So… I guess I’m hiking. I did want to get out and be more hands-on, but what I had in mind was not quite this. I wanted to be doing hands-on monitoring in a remote location. Well… check.

Untying the top flap on the bag, I flip it open to see what looks like a bunch of pre-packaged granola bars and two old-style canteens. At least they left me with water. But this is so stupid because I’ve no idea what they even expect me to accomplish… or who “they” or “what” is. Talk about frustrating!

There’s a rustling behind one of the bushes a couple of trees over, which in this case, is about forty feet away. The trees are spaced out with about the same distance between them as the size of the trunks. On most of them, that looks to be between fifteen to twenty feet in diameter.

The noise gets louder, and I stay hovered on the ground, waiting to see what reveals itself. I jump when springing up from the forest floor, a bird flies up onto one of the lower branches of the tree. It’s a beautiful teal blue, and as the feet grip onto the branch, its feathers ruffle, shaking all over before dark eyes peer down at me.

“Well, hello there.” I can’t help saying. This bird is the first real living creature I’ve seen since I arrived.

Pulling out the canteen, I unscrew the lid and give the bottle a sniff. Nothing. Hopefully, I pour a little into my hand, noting how clear it appears. Excellent.

“What are you doing out here?” I say to the bird as it continues to stare at me. Tilting my head back, I take a few good swallows of the water. Screwing the cap back on, I figure I better save what’s left considering I don’t know how far I have to go or how long it’ll take me.

Moving toward where the bird flew out of the bush,