Page 15 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)
Chapter 1
A Day at I.R.M.A. Headquarters
Have you ever walked into a place where the future feels tangible; where reality feels like a dream? The morning sun streamed through the panoramic windows of I.R.M.A.’s headquarters, the Interstellar Relocation and Mating Agency, casting a warm, golden glow over the atrium. I could feel the energy humming in the air—a blend of bustling voices in dozens of languages, each adding a note to the symphony of the place, and the constant hum of machinery and technology whirring away. It was almost surreal, yet this was my daily backdrop. As I navigated the corridors, the cool, polished marble under my feet echoed every step, grounding me.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted in from the central café, blending with hints of cinnamon and something spicy from the nearby food stalls. I inhaled, savoring the richness. My communicator rested snugly in my pocket, a familiar, slightly bulky weight, keeping me anchored to my role here. Larger than a phone but smaller than a tablet, it was the lifeline to everything I needed, and it gave me a sense of purpose just having it close.
My desk was the familiar chaos I loved: stacks of reports I was midway through, alien artifacts with strange designs from recent missions, and a small holographic projector that looped through my favorite photos. A picture of me with Mom and Dad from their thirty-fifth anniversary just popped up and drew my attention. My fingers drifted to the smooth surface of a miniature model of Xeno Prime, the very planet I was due to visit soon. Its surface was covered in delicate, swirling patterns that made me wonder what secrets the real planet held.
“Good morning, Maisie!” Lara’s voice rang out, bright and cheerful. I turned to see her approaching with a tray of pastries. She had that easy smile of hers, the kind that instantly made any morning better.
“Morning, Lara! You’ve got your hands full today,” I said, grinning as I accepted a flaky chocolate croissant from the tray.
She chuckled. “You know me—I come bearing bribes. Can’t have the department running on empty stomachs, can we?”
I took a bite, savoring the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. “If you keep bringing pastries like these, you might just become everyone’s favorite person here.”
Lara laughed, a sound big and boisterous, and waved as she continued on, leaving me with a smile. I was just settling back into my chair when I noticed Director Nguyen approaching. He was a striking figure with his steady gaze and calm demeanor. He radiated authority without ever needing to raise his voice.
“Maisie, do you have a moment?” he asked, his tone warm yet purposeful.
I felt a flicker of nerves. “Of course, Director. What’s going on?”
He extended a sealed envelope, its crisp edges cool against my fingertips. “You’re being assigned to lead the Xeno Prime mission. This is an important milestone for I.R.M.A., and I couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the job.”
A thrill surged through me, and I tried to keep my excitement in check. “Thank you, sir. I really appreciate your confidence in me. I won’t let you down.”
Director Nguyen gave a small, approving nod before turning to leave, and I watched him go, my mind spinning with the gravity of the assignment. I took a deep breath, letting the buzz of the atrium wash over me. The familiar sounds of colleagues huddled in conversation, the flashes of alien species moving gracefully across the floor, and the anticipation of all that lay ahead set my senses alight.
I ran my thumb over the surface of the Xeno Prime model once more, a determined smile forming on my lips. There was so much unknown, so much waiting to be discovered. And I was ready.