Chapter 2…Flashing and Fighting the Locals pt.2
Minutes passed as Gary mulled about his choice of words. “You’re the first guy ever and you saved her sister’s life. Of course, she’d have feelings for you. You didn’t have to just trample on her feelings like that” he thought to himself. Guilt got the best of him and he stood up and walked to the fort. “Has anyone seen Meena? You know the girl that came with me?” he asked. Nobody knew until one spoke saying they saw her walking towards the river. Gary nodded in thanks and walked in that direction. He could cover that distance in two or three minutes but for Meena 15 minutes easily. He began to wonder why she would go there. She had already washed, she needed no food or water seeing how the fort had that. A sickening thought came to mind as to why. Gary picked up the pace and when he arrived, he found Meena floating lifeless in the water. “SHIT!” he yelled scooping her out like a goldfish. He placed her on the ground and got his medkit. He couldn’t do CPR with her small body so he began using his finger to force the water out of her lungs. After a few squirts came out of her mouth, he loaded a hypospray with an adrenaline shot, he tapered it down to the lowest setting and directly shot it into her heart. For a brief second he thought it was too late and then Meena gasped for air sitting up. Her breathing rapid as her blood oxygenated and her heart pounding. She then noticed Gary in the moonlight. “Why did you even bother?” she asked. Gary stared at her angrily. “You really think drowning yourself was the solution?” he asked. “You made it clear you have no love of me. Do you have any idea how it feels to be rejected by the only man in a thousand years?!” she yelled. Gary didn’t answer. “Even if I did, what will you do when I leave?” he asked. “Enjoy what I had when I had it” she muttered. “You make it sound so cut and dry” he hissed.
“It’s better to hope for that then sending me away like some dog that annoyed you!” she yelled at him. Gary picked her up. She could see the anger in his eyes. “Do it. Eat me. Fuckin eat me! At least I’ll be a part of you then…” she said crying. Gary relaxed his grip until she sat in his hand. “Three” he muttered. She stopped crying and looked at him. “That’s how many girlfriends…pairings I’ve had in the last few years. The first one died in a training accident. The second one died when her ship was destroyed in battle. And the third…the third died last month in the battle of Arkanis. She was my wingman. Her ship took heavy damage and began falling through the planet’s atmosphere out of control. I listened to her scream over the comm as her ship burnt up on reentry. No body to bury so I sent a box full of ashes from a bonfire to her family. That way they had something to mourn over. Daniella Norwood was her name. I called her Dani. I was the only one she allowed to call her that. It’s not just duty that keeps me from having a female. I’m tired of them dying before me” Gary said quietly. He carried her back to the fort and placed her on the ground before laying down. He said nothing else before going to sleep.
That morning…
Meena found Gary gone from where he slept and followed his footprints. There was a foul odor as she crossed a small, forested hill. There was Gary kicking dirt over a small mound. “Morning” she said. “You scared the shit out of me…or you would’ve if I hadn’t just taken one” he muttered. “That’s what that is?” she asked. “Yeah? I eat, drink, and shit just like you” he replied. Meena hadn’t considered that basic fact. “I thought you went off ahead” she said. “No just the basic needs. I caught some wildlife to eat along the way. As for you coming along…I’ll leave that to you” he said. “Thank you!” Meena said happily. “Don’t thank me. No telling what’s ahead. If anything, get in the way of my mission, I will destroy it. I suggest you prepare yourself for that possibility” he said. Meena figured that was code for “I’ll probably be killing and eating more people”. She shrugged and followed him back to the fort. As they made preparations to leave was underway, he made another log entry.
“Personal log. Solar date April 27, 2409. My third day here and as much as I tried I’m burning more calories than I’m taking in. At this rate my bioimplants will begin to glitch. Unless I find much larger animals to eat, I will have to begin eating the local population in larger numbers. The first real sign of resistance was easily defeated by me yesterday and they’ve accepted how inferior they are compared to me. As not to anger me further, they agreed to be my escorts to their main city. If possible, I need to negotiate safe passage. At least for their sake. Being the only male on the planet has already started some cultural as well as psychological impact. It’s clear they show me more respect and awe for my gender than my size. I’ve already had four…make that five locals wanting to breed with me. It’s an interesting offer to say the least. An Adam in a land full of Eve’s? Theoretically I can. Our genetics are compatible and biologically introducing my DNA into their gene pool would be hugely beneficial, but the cost would no doubt be a total cultural upheaval. The mystery of how their culture, their people even came to be like this begs solving. It would be irresponsible for me to agree before learning more. In the meantime I’ll be escorted to another town called Corinthia. Again, a city with a Greek like name. More mysteries. End of log” Gary said.
Within the hour, Gary and the entire detachment of soldiers stationed at the fort began their march to Corinthia. Gary would soon learn that being the only man in a land of tiny women wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
