stretched and sat up to stare at the world she considered home; now that she was awake, Herman jumped from the floor where he had apparently been waiting into her lap. Amelia stroked the rapidly growing beast’s sleeking fur.
“It’s a rich world; there are forests of trees and oceans of water. The planet was nearly decimated, by human arrogance, and while it has taken many, many years – hundreds – it is finally healthy again. There is population control in that certain industries are more focused on an interplanetary front so population density has been adjusted as have building standards.” Amelia pointed at a familiar continental shape, “That whole space is known as the American superplex. It is comprised of seven giant cities now, though there was a time when there were thousands of separate, independent communities. But as the metropolises expanded the Forestry Rejuvenation Commission mandated the maintenance and even installation of massive wooded zones and undeveloped plains. Much of the planet has become a giant well-planned park.”
“You live on the main planet?” Galtan asked, “Not one of the outposts?”
“Correct.” Amelia stared at Galtan as he surveyed the planet of her birth and considered a possibility. “You could stay,” she suggested softly. Apparently the suggestion was shocking to Galtan; he met her gaze, his mouth agape.
“Stay?”
“You can’t go back.” Amelia pleaded. She had known that Galtan would pay dearly for protecting her, when the prince had been forced to declare his identity to keep the rushing squadron of warriors, at the spaceport, at bay.
“Amelia, Alahi¸ my spirit. I don’t want to be a constant memory of a bad time in your life. I care about you and your happiness. As much as that is against my rearing and society I was raised in, I care.” Before he could go on, Amelia interrupted.
“A few weeks, during which you relentlessly protected me. I don’t care about how we have come to know one another, I only care that you stay. I love you; I have fallen in love with you. With your strength; with your honor; with your commitment; I have fallen in love with you. Please don’t make me face my day and nights without you.” Amelia took a breath, completely unaware that she now stood before him – Herman stared at the both of them from the chair she had been occupying, “I think you want me too, but have been consumed by a world that tells you, you can’t. Take the chance, stay with me. Stay with me, Galtan…please. ”
*
Before Galtan could respond, a buzzing crackle echoed through the communications system.
“Your ship is not cleared for intersystem travel – identify.” At the demand, Galtan hit the button to open responding transmission and stood. He wrapped his arms around Amiilya, cuddled her against his chest, and then answered the Earthling communication.
“Yes, this is Galtan of Aruthga’ly, aboard an Amirak-Renian personal transporter. My mate and I are the only sentients on the ship. My mate is Amiilya Glass of Earth.” He smiled gently down at the shocked look on the beautiful face, belonging to the woman he had just claimed, officially.
“Glass? Did you just say Amiilya Glass of Earth?”
*
Amelia set her fingertips over Galtan’s lips and answered the space official herself.
“Yes, this is Amelia Glass – linguist for the Galactic Exploration Federation. I was kidnapped on my way to Umbriel.”
“Ms. Glass, do you need lodging form the GEF in Soho?” The