Hunted By The Alien General: An Alien Abduction Romance (The Hunt Book 5) Read online

  This building was one of many on the military base, but the only one that held the offices of the ranking officers as well as hers. She wasn’t on her way to her private offices though. She was taking time away from her busy schedule and the real work that was quickly piling up in order to meet with General Leisa of the Duru Nation.

  “This could’ve been handled remotely,” she grumbled under her breath.

  “Do you think it wise to hold this meeting on the military base?” Daame, one of her advisors asked.

  Out of her eleven advisors, Daame was her favorite. Adiya shouldn’t have a favorite, but she did. He’d been her mother’s advisor and also the one she’d spent most of her time with while learning her new role. She’d preferred his soft-spoken wisdom over being treated as a child like the others had treated her. When she was younger, she’d often pretended Daame was her father. But she would never know who her father was. Her mother had stricken his name and profile from all available records.

  “If we held it in the conference hall of your home it would seem more personable,” he continued.

  Even in his old age he kept pace with her. She didn’t walk fast because she was excited to get to the meeting. She kept her stride brisk because the quicker she arrived, the sooner the meeting would end and the sooner she could go back about her business. She had more important matters to address than an alliance through a mating bond.

  “There’s nothing personable about this meeting, Daame” she replied curtly.

  “Whether for the purposes of love or alliance, mating bonds are personable.”

  She gave him a sideways glance. The plain gray robe he wore hung off his frail form. Age had taken a toll on his spine and made it bend to the will of gravity, but he was still taller than her. Most people were. Daame’s stark white hair was in thick braids that had long ago dreaded. Today, he’d twisted his hair into a bun as big as a ceremonial head dressing.

  “You know as well as I, that mating bonds are strategic for someone in my position.”

  “If strategy was all you required in a bond, this one would be an optimal choice. Do you plan to accept General Leisa’s offer?”

  Out of the seven Generals, only two were mated. Two were widowed with no plans to re-mate. All, except Adiya and Bahiti, the two youngest Generals, had children. As a result, every General or high-ranking military personnel sought to bring forth a son or trusted family member for them to meet.

  “No.” Adiya snorted.

  Just because she practically tripped over suitors didn’t mean she had to make a choice any time soon. The only person who could force her to take a mate was the Commander-in-Chief herself, the only person who all Generals reported to. Why would Adiya take a mate when she didn’t have to? She was only twenty-six. Mates and children could wait. Her own mother had been well into her sixties before she’d had Siah.

  As they approached, the uniformed officer coming toward them from the opposite direction, stopped and saluted her. Adiya returned the salute that was second nature to her.

  “Then why take the meeting in the first place?” Daame asked as they passed the officer.

  “If I refused General Leisa’s meeting, she would surely cast her vote opposite of mine during next month’s General’s Session. I need her on my side. We should allow two of our scientists to travel off-world and study the emerging technology coming out of Ipakethe. I have General Gamila’s vote. I don’t know how General Bahiti will vote. The other three? I don’t think they’ll budge on the issue. They’re too old to change their isolationist views.”

  “General Leisa has been in her position for over forty years. One would say she’s too old to change her viewpoints as well.”

  Daame made a good point. But. “Her granddaughter has been lobbying for this for years. She’s also one of the top scientists in the Science Division of the military. As long as I show respect and meet Leisa’s candidate, I’m confident she’ll vote with me. But if I ignore her request, she’ll vote against me out of spite. It wouldn’t matter what her granddaughter’s wishes are.”

  They turned a corner and continued down a short hallway before veering right on a much longer hallway. It would’ve been easier and faster to use the personal transporter option through her R.I. to reach the meeting room, but this morning’s training workout had Adiya’s muscles tight and she needed to loosen them or else she would find it hard to walk in the morning.

  “I think you should re-consider. Aligning with the Duru Nation would be a boon for us. She has nothing to gain by forging this union while we would have the ears and votes of a well-respected and seasoned General.”

  Adiya had thought about that as well. General Leisa, at eighty-four-years old, had a lot of years learning how to manipulate the other Generals and Nations like a well-honed game. Nine of her twelve sons were bonded through marriage to every Nation on Sigi. During Elutil’s time as General, Leisa had two of her sons mated to top ranking Asase military members.

  Since Leisa was vying for yet another family member to join the Asase Nation via Adiya, it was a wonder to decipher the end game in all this. Because there had to be one. Through the strategic alliances she’d made, Leisa now wielded a lot of power.

  “Open a secure channel to Lieutenant Fatima and block all other incoming and outgoing transmissions from the conference room on my voice authorization,” Adiya said, accessing her R.I link. What she didn’t need was for anyone to try to eavesdrop in on the upcoming conversation.

  A blinking red light appeared in her peripheral vision, indicating the connection between her R.I. and Lieutenant Fatima’s interface was established.

  Adiya’s retinal and cochlear implants had been installed at birth. Not every Sket infant was fitted with implants that early. Some parents waited until their child was five. They argued they’d wanted their child to see the world with naked eyes and ears first without the stimuli of the implants.

  While there was some form of retinal implants used off-world by other species, they were rudimentary and not as advanced in comparison to what the Sket had. Most other species tended to use the holographic wrist communication links that were available widely throughout the galaxy as a form of communication. The Sket didn’t have a general need to communicate with other species or anyone not on Sigi.

  Other species thought the Sket were solitary and unfriendly. That wasn’t the case at all. The Sket, because of the Pharaohsites, beings that had brought a number of select humans from Earth over six thousand years ago, were more advanced than all of their neighbors. The technological advancements they’d made over the years, if shared, would surely be used for greed or war. That was the way of many unadvanced species and because of that it was decided long ago that Sket technology would remain on Sket.

  As Adiya approached the door to the conference room, she gave a nod to the guard stationed there. He opened the door and she stepped through without breaking her stride. She made her way to the seat designated for her at the head of the table, acknowledging the other members of her Council of Advisors. Daame took one of the open available seats.

  General Leisa was seated at the other end of the table. The older woman preferred to dress in brightly colored patterns. Her pantsuit matched a headdress that seemed too heavy for such a frail neck. She was slight, which at first glance made her appear as gentle and meek. Anyone thinking that would be corrected quickly. Leisa’s tongue was sharper than a viper.

  There was a man sitting next to her who Adiya assumed was Leisa’s grandson, the potential mate candidate. Adiya’s footing faltered when her gaze landed on the final person sitting on the other side of General Leisa.

  “Siah?”

  It had been five years since she’d laid eyes on her sister in the flesh. Since that time Siah’s skinny arms, legs, and narrow body, had grown into one built of hard muscles. She was dressed in the military brown that everyone under a General wore. The only splash of color on her was the red lipstick painted on her full lips and the dark green sash
of her rank draped over her shoulder and chest.

  Since the last holo-pic that was provided in the intelligence report Adiya had received, Siah had cut her hair. She’d been addressing some of the Lieutenants under her command at the Space Force division of the military located in the Duru Nation. She’d worn her hair as thick as their mother’s, in finger-sized braids that hung to the small of her back. Now her hair was sheared short and natural big, loopy curls covered her head.

  Although still beautiful, Siah had gone from feminine to all hard lines. Adiya wondered if there’d ever been a time when Siah had been soft or if it had all been in her head.

  It was a jolt seeing her. Siah hadn’t been in the Asase Nation territory since she’d left two weeks after being passed over as General. There one day and the next Adiya had awakened to find Siah and her belongings gone. The only thing she’d left behind was a petition to leave primary school a year early to join the Space Force division.

  For years afterward, Adiya’s attempts at reconciliation had gone unanswered. The only time she’d seen her sister in the flesh after then and now, had been during Siah’s promotion ceremony to Major.

  Adiya remembered that day vividly. She’d been both nervous about seeing Siah again and also proud because Siah had worked hard and earned the position, of one of five Majors the Asase Nation was allotted to promote in the Sigi Military, on her own merit and not because of who she was.

  Adiya had watched Siah’s career from a distance, keeping up with every stat. Siah had aced lessons from intelligence gathering to marksmanship to hand-to-hand combat. Their mother’s praise had been hard to come by, but Adiya knew Elutil would’ve been proud of Siah just as Adiya was. When she’d put the sash on Siah, delineating her rank as Major and told Siah as much, Siah had turned her back on Adiya and walked away, erasing any hope that time would’ve healed the divide between them.

  If the way Siah’s cold eyes bore into Adiya’s were anything to go by, Adiya knew time hadn’t healed her sister’s wounds at being passed over. That stare reminded Adiya of their mother. Cold and unbending.

  Feelings of unworthiness bubbled within her core. Adiya wanted to shrink away from that look. She wanted to beg for forgiveness for whatever slight, real or not, Siah accused with that look. Inherently she wanted to make whatever was wrong, right.

  One side of Siah’s mouth ticked up. Heat flashed across Adiya’s face before she pushed forward with her shoulders pressed back and chin raised. She didn’t cower to Elutil or to Siah anymore.

  “Little sister,” Siah drawled with a satisfied grin stretching across her face.

  Adiya had once longed for the comfort of her sister’s soothing voice. She’d wanted nothing more than for Siah to tell her everything would work out. She’d wanted Siah to help talk her through the new demands made on her. But most of all, she’d wanted to hear her sister tell her that she loved her despite their mother’s decision.

  Now there was so much jealousy in Siah’s voice that it prickled Adiya’s skin.

  Adiya slid easily into her chair and crossed one leg over the other. She mentally erected a stone wall within herself. Something she’d learned to do over the years when dealing with people who’d thought she was the wrong sister in the General’s position. When that wall was up and firmly in place, Adiya settled a bland gaze on Siah. “You weren’t on the visitor’s list.”

  “This is still my home.” Siah placed her hands on the table and laced her fingers together. She smirked and added, “That is, unless you intend to exile me from my Nation.”

  Although it was well within Adiya’s right to exile Siah with or without reason, her sister knew Adiya would never do that. Even after not residing in the Asase Nation territory sinch she was a child and years of Siah trying to rally the advisors and other ranked military personnel against her, Adiya couldn’t bring herself to strip Siah’s home from her.

  Adiya had to hope, even if it were just a glimmer, that there was sisterly love buried deep within Siah and it would one day reveal itself again.

  But while her heart held onto hope, she had outward appearances to maintain. She was General of the Asase Nation. Adiya narrowed her eyes. “The bonds of sisterhood are frail, Siah. Do not tempt me.”

  Anger flashed across Siah’s face. She curled her hands and leaned forward. A sound on her lips.

  General Leisa cleared her throat. “I didn’t think you would mind if Major Siah travelled with me. I did include that I would be traveling with a Major in my itinerary. On a last thought, I decided bringing a familiar face would help my case.” She glanced away from Adiya and addressed the advisors, “You can understand that I wanted to use any advantage at my disposal.”

  When she laughed, three of Adiya’s advisors chuckled with her. Adiya slid them a look that showed her displeasure and the advisors cleared their faces. The rift between Adiya and Siah was common knowledge. It was written within the files that Adiya, the youngest named General in history, was appointed over the oldest daughter and presumed heir. That action had almost split the Asase Nation between those who accepted Adiya and those who had already became loyal to Siah.

  General Leisa knew how contentious this meeting would be. Which meant there was a point to consider. If she really wanted Adiya to accept her offer, she would’ve kept Siah as far away as possible.

  Since Siah was sitting across from Adiya with a hateful sneer on her face, it was a clear indication that Leisa had another plan. Adiya just had to push emotions that were clouding her thoughts from her head and piece together what it was.

  General Leisa continued, “I wanted you to know that with this mating and the joining of our families, you and Siah could be a family again. I would ensure it.”

  Adiya paused a beat to ensure her voice was stern, but measured. “I’ve learned to live without my sister for many years now, General. Her presence is not a swaying factor.”

  “And here I was, hoping this would be a happy reunion.” Leisa sighed and placed a hand over her chest, trying her best to look remorseful. Adiya had seen her manipulate other General’s with that same oops, I made a mistake that I regret, please forgive me act. “Very well then, let me get on with it. My oldest grandson, Rahul, will make an excellent General Consort.”

  Adiya let her gaze roam to Rahul. He was easy on the eyes. He was slender like his grandmother. His hair was long and full, instead of braided as was the latest fashion, his tight curls were free to frame his darkly complexioned face and helped to accentuate his strong features. When he caught her eyes on him, he smiled and puffed his chest.

  Rahul was handsome, but he wasn’t for her. There wasn’t a need to ask him about his political stance regarding mining on Sigi’s protected lands or how he felt about an off-world educational exchange program. Siah on their side of the table made this entire meeting a waste of time.

  Adiya turned from Rahul to address Leisa. “I cannot give you an answer now.”

  Rahul startled, opening his eyes wide to look from Adiya to his grandmother.

  General Leisa silenced any attempts of rebuttal that was on his lips with a hard glare. Rahul’s teeth snapped together. Leisa turned back to Adiya. All the pretense of niceties dropped. “Why are you rejecting him?”

  Adiya refused to quake under Leisa’s glare. “My apologies. I’m not rejecting him, but I’m also not accepting your offer. At the moment.” Adiya added the last sentence as a second thought. “I have a meeting with General Enzie later this week. She also has a candidate to present. I have to at least hear her out.”

  That seemed to appease General Leisa. The muscles in her jaws unclenched. “Yes, meet with General Enzie first. If you announce your intent to mate with my grandson now, she’ll get upset and you can count on her voting against you for the next two years.”

  Adiya nodded at Leisa. “I must remain diplomatic. Thank you for understanding.”

  Leisa returned the gesture. “Of course.”

  Leisa stood, signifying the end of the meeting. As
a show of respect, everyone in the room did the same.

  “I look forward to hearing from you soon, General Adiya. I hope you understand my offer for an alliance does have an expiration date. General Carro has asked for Rahul to mate with her fifth daughter.”

  Adiya bit the inside of her cheek. It would be more advantageous for Rahul to mate with a General than a General’s fifth daughter. How naïve did Leisa take her for? Instead of remarking on either thought, Adiya smiled as Leisa turned to leave. Siah gave one last look around the room as if calculating the decorating changes she would soon make, then left as well.

  After the door closed behind Leisa and her party, Adiya returned to her seat as did her advisors. “Thoughts?”

  “You should take the offer,” Piesie said.

  Adiya had expected his answer. Adiya had only recently gleaned Piesie was a Siah loyalist. When it became evident information that only an advisor would be privy of was being leaked to the general masses without her permission, Adiya had her intelligence officers surveil every advisor.

  The R.I.s for Piesie and Abena, two of her newest additions, had come back with chunks of data missing. Without their knowledge, the intelligence officers had bypassed the malware and found the secret communication and downloads they’d sent to Siah.

  Thanks to Siah’s constant attempts to usurp Adiya, the Asase Nation was in constant turmoil. No matter how hard Adiya tried, she couldn’t fully heal the rift their mother had created. She’d come to the conclusion that in order to do that, she would need Siah’s help, but she’d long given up on that wish. Siah had no desire to heal their Nation. Instead, she focused on sowing seeds of discord by reaching deep within to corrupt, malign and conspire.

  Siah used the information received to exploit any of Adiya’s perceived weaknesses, casting doubt on Adiya’s ability to lead.

  When Piesie and Abena’s deception was found, Adiya should have confronted and exiled them from the Nation, but on Daame’s advice, she’d kept them in their positions, letting them think she was none the wiser. Their R.I.s and movements were monitored continuously in order to stay on top of Siah’s deceit.