Page 2 of Taken By the Storm King

“Two...” the others joined in.

“Three.”

The hatch opened with a hiss of equalizing pressure. Warm, salty air rushed in, carrying the scent of the ocean and something faintly floral. I inhaled deeply, the air so pure it almost hurt, a stark contrast to the stale, metallic tang of the air onboard the Legacy.

The ocean lapped gently at the capsule’s sides, the water so clear I could see straight to the sandy bottom. Brooke checked the depth readings.

“Shallow water,” she observed. “We can wade to shore.”

I took point, easing myself down the short ladder into the crystal-clear water. It came up to my thighs, pleasantly warm even through the suit. A strange, metallic tang, similar to ozone after a lightning strike, hung faintly in the air beneath the floralscent. The sandy bottom was firm beneath my boots, and faint ripples spread out with every step.

Something flickered at the periphery of my vision---a flash of scales beneath the surface? I spun quickly, but saw only the shifting light patterns on the water. Adrenaline surged through me as I caught the flicker of movement again.

“You okay?” Emme asked as she splashed down beside me.

“Fine,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “Just jumpy.”

Force of habit from years of preparation for this mission. Before launch, I’d trained extensively in hostile environments, learning to adapt to whatever challenges an alien world might throw at us. We were selected for our scientific expertise and ability to survive the unknown.

We formed a tight group as we waded toward the shore about fifty meters away. White sand gleamed ahead, leading up to dense vegetation in shades of deep blue-green. The sight of it stirred something in me---a sense of hope I hadn’t dared to feel in years.

A glint caught my eye---something half-buried in the sand near my feet. I reached down and retrieved an object resembling a shell, though unlike any I’d seen before. It had an odd weight to it, and the subtle patterns on its surface seemed to shift and change as I turned it.

“What is that?” Imogen asked, her helmet tilting slightly as she peered at it.

“Not sure,” I replied, slipping it into my belt pouch. “Might be useful for the scientists to study.”

The hairs on my neck prickled. That feeling of being observed intensified, the weight of unseen eyes pressing against my skin. I scanned the water around us, but saw nothing except the gentle waves and our own ripples.

“Let’s get to shore,” Brooke said, her voice calm but firm. “Stay alert, everyone.”

As we trudged through the shallows, the feeling didn’t fade. If anything, it grew stronger, sinking deep into my bones. Somewhere out there, hidden beneath these alien waves, someone---or something---was watching us. And as we neared the shore, I noticed movement in the distance.

Figures emerged from the foliage, humanoid but not human. Their scales glistened in the sunlight, a mosaic of blues and greens that shifted with each step. I watched in amazement as they approached, their movements fluid and graceful. Brooke stepped forward to meet them, her posture steady, every inch the leader.

The figures stopped a few paces from us, their black eyes studying us with an intensity that made my chest tight. One of them raised a hand, gesturing for us to follow.

“Let’s go,” Brooke said quietly, throwing a glance over her shoulder at the rest of us. “This is it.”

As we followed them toward the jungle, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our arrival hadn’t just been noticed---it had been anticipated. And somewhere, deep beneath the surface, something far larger than us was already in motion.

THALASSAR

Iglided beneath the translucent waters, my scales shifting through shades of deep blue and gray to match the ocean depths. The human vessel had splashed down exactly where predicted, its strange energy signature still resonating faintly, a beacon in the depths—likely drawing unwanted attention. Now seven figures waded through the shallows toward shore, their strange garments glowing with lines of artificial light.

My muscles rippled as I moved closer, staying deep enough to avoid detection. Months of intercepted transmissions had taught me their language, their desperate situation. Yet seeing them in the flesh sparked something else entirely---curiosity warred with my natural suspicion.

One of them bent down, reaching for something in the sand. The shell-marker I’d placed there earlier. Bold of her, to pick up an unknown object on an alien world. Either foolish or admirably curious. The sunlight caught her features as she straightened---determination etched in the set of her jaw, intelligence bright in her eyes.

My attention snagged on her, refusing to drift away to her companions. The way she moved spoke of training and capability, yet there was a grace to her motions that drewmy attention. She was fragile, her frame small compared to mine, yet she carried herself with a quiet strength that felt... captivating. I couldn’t look away.

“What is that?” One of her companions asked.

“Not sure,” she replied, tucking the shell into a pouch at her waist. My lips curved. She’d taken the bait without knowing it. Now I could track her movements, listen to their plans through the shell’s subtle resonance.

The negotiations awaited them on shore. Representatives from most of the major kingdoms had gathered---except mine. Let them debate and argue. I preferred to watch, to learn.

The humans splashed closer to shore. Their leader---the one who’d taken my shell---kept glancing around, as if sensing my presence. Sharp instincts. Dangerous, potentially. Or useful.

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