Page 5 of Solar Bound
Then he spotted her, a female with hair the color of flames, moving with a grace that belied her species' general clumsiness. She was performing some kind of ritual in an open space near the building, spinning objects that trailed fire through the air.
For the first time since landing on this primitive planet, Solar felt a flicker of genuine interest.
"Perhaps this mission won't be a complete waste after all," he murmured, watching as the fire-spinner executed a complex maneuver that sent spirals of flame dancing around her body.
Eclipse followed his gaze. "Solar, whatever you're thinking… Don't."
But Solar was already formulating a plan. She resonated with his energy signature in an unexpected way. If he had to find an Earth female to connect with, it might as well be one who understood the power and beauty of fire energy.
Solar smiled, his skin pulsing with renewed energy. Earth might be primitive, and this mission might be beneath him, but he was a warrior.
And warriors always found a way to triumph.
Chapter
Two
Crimson Rock Inn, Duskrock, Arizona
Solar hated Earth sleeping platforms. The soft, yielding material provided inadequate thermal contact for proper energy transfer. He'd spent the night cycle tossing on the lumpy surface, unable to achieve proper regenerative stillness. The constant hum of Earth devices didn't help, nor did Lunar's occasional shadow manipulations from his makeshift nest in the human bathing chamber. Thankfully, his roommate had disappeared into the night and had yet to return.
Nighttime was like being locked in a shadowland prison.
When Earth's sun finally appeared, Solar positioned himself by the window, absorbing what meager rays made it through the transparent barrier. The radiation here was weaker than on Zorveya, having been filtered through a thicker atmosphere and emanating from a less powerful star. Still, it was better than the oppressive darkness of space travel.
His skin tingled as it absorbed the sunlight, golden particles activating beneath the surface. Much better. Now, if only the primitive dwelling had proper nutrition. The continental breakfast mentioned on the information card had proven disappointing, consisting primarily of carbohydrate-rich substances with minimal energy content, called cinnamon rolls and bagels.
Eclipse had gone out in the night to make contact with the human female he'd shown interest in at the landing site. His energy stone indicated she controlled accommodations that were much better suited to their needs. Solar would have protested the exposure, but he needed out of the quarters shared with Lunar.
Eclipse had left them again to meet with the woman. He said her name was Rowan. Strange, but then anything was better than Bound. Solar had doubts about trusting a primitive species with matters of interplanetary diplomacy, but Eclipse seemed unusually invested in this particular human.
"Her biorhythms are calm," Eclipse had explained, as if that justified everything. “We can trust her.”
Solar understood the concept. Even he had felt an unexpected resonance with the fire-manipulating female he'd observed yesterday. But that didn't mean he was ready to form a meaningful connection with an underdeveloped species. He was a warrior of the Solarus Elite Guard, not some desperate lunar shadow crawler seeking companionship in dark corners.
Speaking of which, Lunar had vanished during the night and still hadn't returned. Probably skulking around, terrifying the locals with his creeping shadow routine. Or worse, making contact with potential mates without proper protocols.
Not that Solar cared. If the shadow dweller wanted to fail the mission by traumatizing Earth females, that was his problem.
Solar straightened, feeling his energy levels finally reaching acceptable parameters. Time to begin his own reconnaissance. If he were stuck on this planet for a month, he might as well gather useful intelligence. And perhaps locate that flame-haired female again.
For mission purposes, of course.
He examined the Earth garments Eclipse had purchased for them to blend in. Crude fabrics in drab colors, designed for functionality rather than status display. No sign of rank insignia or house markings. How did humans identify their social hierarchies without proper attire indicators?
Solar selected the least offensive garments—a dark covering for his lower extremities, known as jeans, and an upper body wrap in golden hues that complemented his coloration. The skin-suit went on first, dampening his natural luminescence to levels that wouldn't immediately reveal his extraterrestrial origins. He hated the sensation, like being wrapped in wet sand, but accepted the necessity.
The final look was tolerable, if undignified. He looked like a low-ranking maintenance worker rather than an Elite Guard, but at least the shirt mimicked some of his natural radiance that wasn't allowed to shine through.
Solar consulted the information device Eclipse had left. It contained primitive maps of the settlement and instructions for accessing the local currency system. According to the device, the area called "Uptown Duskrock" contained the highest concentration of social gathering places and commercial establishments. A logical place to begin his search.
The corridors of Crimson Rock Inn were quiet as Solar made his way toward the exit. Most humans were apparently still engaged in their sleep cycle, despite the sun having risen.
Inefficient creatures.
Outside, the morning air was cool but pleasant. The distinctive red rock formations glowed in the early sunlight, their mineral composition creating interesting energy patterns that Solar's enhanced perception could detect. At least this planet had interesting geology, if nothing else to recommend it.
He followed the information device's directions, moving with purpose toward the commercial district. Humans he passed gave him curious glances, but didn't seem alarmed by his presence. Perhaps Gary and Bob had been right about this settlement being accustomed to unusual visitors.
