Chapter 1: Introduction
"Come on through, Thompson!" the voice boomed from through an open door. "Smith has been giving me a rundown on your qualifications. The long and short of it is, if half of what he said is true, our luck just changed."
Long strides carried Debbie to the door, and her eyes swept the face of the middle-aged woman before her, nodding respectfully. "You must be Commander Eastman," she said, and the crinkles around her eyes deepened as she smiled.
"I'm Debbie Thompson, and this here is Brian Smith."
"A pleasure to meet you both," replied Eastman. "You've certainly arrived in time to save our asses from getting booted off this project. Here's the situation in a nutshell: 48 hours back, we lost contact with one of our surveillance satellites that orbit this planet-that's how we discovered this new one in the first place."
She gestured to a wide holographic display screen, which flickered to reveal stunning images of an alien planet.
"We have reason to believe that the satellite has crashed somewhere in this river valley," she said, waving a hand vaguely at a meandering green line in an otherwise vast red landscape.
Commander Eastman continued, "This little beauty, codenamed Eden, has been a secret guarded from the pre-industrial civilization we've been observing, and the company's looking to keep it that way."
Debbie was already studying the hologram with keen interest, gesturing inquisitively at the lush river valley. "And what can you tell us of the aliens we're observing?"
"They're called the Longtons," Eastman replied. "A humanoid culture, but with clear distinctions in gender roles. Women play subservient, supportive positions, and men dominate in work and political spheres. We've also observed certain— *ahem* 'amorous' traditions that they seem to enjoy, but let's just say discretion is key." Commander Eastman winked at Debbie, who couldn't help but laugh.
"As two highly skilled and experienced engineers, it's your job to recover our satellite without causing any disruptions to the Longtons. Get to the crash site, secure it, transmit any data back to HQ, then use the vaporizer to remove any evidence of its existence."
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Just us? I'd be a lot more comfortable if we had a bigger team," Debbie interrogated, crossing her arms.
"Did I mention we're short on time and resources?" Commander Eastman sighed, leaning back in her chair. "It's just the two of you. There's no one else I can spare at the moment."
"Suppose we better suit up and head out before the natives get restless then," Brian weighed in, an easy smile on his face as he cracked his knuckles.
"You have everything you need on board the shuttle we've prepared. The rest of the mission's details are included in your digital mission packets. You should have plenty of time to read through it on your journey to the planet's surface."
Commander Eastman turned to the console on her right and tapped a sequence of buttons. An ominous hum fell over the room, the floor trembled slightly while a hatch on the opposite side of the room slid open, revealing the sleek, silver shuttlecraft waiting to take them to the alien world.
"It would seem that your transport is ready and waiting, Thompson. Smith. Good luck to you both."
Debbie followed Brian into the small cockpit. She'd trained for missions on other planets, but always found something wholly enchanting about diving into an entirely new ecosystem. The potential for discovery intoxicated her, and as they buckled in, Debbie opened their digital mission packet.
Debbie flipped open the digital mission packet, skimming the essential details before immersing herself in the wealth of knowledge presented on this recently discovered world, referred to by locals as Eden.
The Longtons, an almost old-fashioned humanoid civilization, dotted an enormous lush, verdant valley fed by crystal-clear rivers originating in the rocky, distant mountains.
Their documentary-style reports were presented in vivid detail in the packet. It appeared that these unique humans had mastered, and harnessed, the unyielding forces of the planet, constructing primitive but impressive floating mills that sat gracefully in the breezy currents.
With controlled fires, and expertly crafted tools, the Longtons planned their crops and tended to them with loving precision.
Their cultural practices seemed as if they were ripped straight from a fairytale— the women held captive in their own bodies, treated like second-class citizens, was a notion as foreign to Debbie as their handwoven linens and bright, homemade dyes.
As she moved into the next section - Sexual Practices - she noticed the entire section had been classified as "Confidential and Not for Dissemination." She glanced over at Brian, who looked deep in thought.
"That's odd," Debbie said, her brow furrowed. "It's not like the company to classify entire sections like this. Makes a person wonder why this particular information is sealed away."
Brian didn't reply at first, his eyes scanning the glimmering river valleys as they orbited in their shuttle. "Maybe it's just some extra-sensitive material. Either way, we've got a job to do. I suggest we focus on that and not get caught up in details that don't matter."
Debbie nodded reluctantly, but couldn't hide her curiosity.
The shuttle landed less than an hour later. They had chosen a hidden site in the red desert, several miles away from any trade routes. If they were to recover the satellite they would have to walk.
The vehicle hissed open and the exotic scents of the alien planet billowed in. With an air of eager anticipation, Debbie and Brian descended the ladder. The mix of floral and spicy aromas left them both feeling invigorated.
Before them stretched an unknown expanse, red sand beneath their boots and an alien sun high in the sky - traveling by foot would prove to be physically demanding.
Brian, ever the practical one, pulled out his scanner to analyze the terrain and search for easy terrain. "Looks like we've got a straight shot about four kilometers until we reach the valley," he announced. "All we have to do is navigate these dunes, and we're practically there."
Debbie squinted in the distance, unable to discern any signs of civilization yet. "Let's hope these Longtons are a long way off if we're to make it there and back before anyone notices the satellite's missing."
Brian didn't answer but handed her a flask, the corners of his lips raised in a roguish smile. "Stay hydrated and stick close," he quipped, as they started across the compacted dunes of hard red dust.
The journey, despite the occasional steep climb, was fairly uneventful. Debbie and Brian worked well together, and, after months of difficult missions, they'd learned the importance of relying on each other.
It wasn't long before the ground shifted beneath their feet, transitioning from red desert to vibrant green valley amidst the rising mist.
"We must be here," Debbie observed, panting slightly and pointing to the river up ahead. "The report indicated it should be in that direction."
Debbie motioned toward shrubs lining the riverbank, her eyes narrowed with determination.
Brian glanced down at his wrist device, one of many tools supplied for the mission. "The last known coordinates for the satellite have it somewhere around there, buried deep in the foliage."
They stepped into the dense shrubs, greedy branches snatching at their suits. Being cautious was essential for two strangers wandering a planet where the native population had yet to welcome them.
Debbie's nerves intensified as she hacked away at the obstinate foliage that impeded their path. But she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease, despite being light years away from the judgmental gaze of her colleagues.
Brian, on the other hand, flashed her that characteristic, lighthearted smile, having somehow managed to keep the encroaching branches from snagging his equally restrictive suit.
They moved through the brush until Brian reached a clearing over a slight rise. Brian turned to help Debbie through the last of the heavy brush. As she was guided into the clearing, they both hesitated. Across the other side of the clearing, about 200 meters away, they could clearly observe a Longton couple in the midst of mating.
The couple was turned away from them, facing the river. They observed one Longton, quite presumably a male, driving himself into the his partner, who was buckled over on their hands and knees. The fervor in which they were mating was palpable, even from a distance. Moans and growls cut through the tranquil, alien air, punctuated by the slap of skin on skin echoing eerily against the background whispers of the rushing river.
"Well I didn't expect to get a free show," Brian whispered, turning to Debbie, who stared with mouth agape and cheeks flushed.
"Fuck, Brian, this isn't part of the job description—is it?" she stammered, averting her gaze, yet still unable to suppress the tempest brewing within.
He shook his head, attempting to stifle a chuckle.
"I suppose not, but we can't ignore the fact that it could offer us valuable insight into the Longtons' sexual dynamics. The company surely knew this would be a possibility—even if they didn't anticipate us witnessing it firsthand."
As they talked, Debbie's mind raced, her heartbeat thrumming in her ears as her eyes continuously wandered back towards the writhing couple. The Longton male had caused his partner to clearly orgasm, causing them to buckle at the knees and lay on the ground. The male continued rutting against them prone on the ground, growing in animalistic intensity.
Debbie couldn't help but watch in entranced curiosity. She found her breath hitching and heat flooding her core at the primal sight. Brian took notice of her growing arousal and smirked at her.
"Judging by the dilation of your pupils, Thompson, I'd say you're quite affected by this," he murmured with a lopsided grin, gently nudging her. Grabbing the flask, he quickly drank from it and passed it back to her.
Debbie chugged the water, noticing her parched lips, and the dry heat spreading from her chest to the depth of her long-forgotten femininity.
"I-I can't believe this," Debbie stuttered, handing the flask back to him. "What do we do now? Just stand here and observe like they're animals in a zoo?"
Brian glanced at her, attempting to hide a crooked smile, "Obviously we should continue on our mission, as soon as the mating ritual is over".
In a low, almost whisper he added, "But I have to admit, there's something sexy about seeing them so uninhibited."
Debbie couldn't help but agree, although she was hesitant to admit it. She felt the dampness accumulating between her thighs, and her heartbeat sped up. The more she watched, the more aware she became of the fire burning inside her.
Finally, after what felt like eons, the ritual ended. The Longton male lay panting, spent, atop his partner.
The pair remained tangled for a few beats longer before they pushed herself up. The couple, who had unknowingly granted Debbie and Brian quite the show, began slowly redressing.
They buttoned and adjusted their clothing with the ease borne of repetition, their affair just one of many. Once dressed, they turned to face the Earthlings, their previous ardor replaced by joyful smiles.
"Welcome, visitors!" the man said in unison, eyes alive with curiosity. "Please, come closer."
Both Debbie and Brian were taken aback, but their curiosity overshadowed their initial shock. It appeared these pre-industrial beings had no qualms about their sudden presence and, quite surprisingly, actually welcomed them.
The man gestured toward himself and his companion, beckoning with both hands. Despite Debbie's apprehension, the couple appeared genuinely friendly. She exchanged a glance with Brian, who shrugged in return, clearly sharing her sentiment—perhaps it was worth the risk. Mindful of the potential danger, the pair advanced, still maintaining a safe distance.