It had been a month since we crash-landed on the planet of Aquarion.  Repairs to our ship were not going so well.  In fact, progress was pretty much non-existent.  Thankfully, the inhabitants of this planet were kind and generous creatures who extended food and shelter to us.  They also offered their help in repairs to our ship, but their technology was completely different from ours.  Therefore, they were no help. 

     Even though it was certain that we would not be leaving the planet on our ship, I thanked the stars that we landed here.  We were very lucky that we landed on a planet that had the air, food and shelter we needed to survive.  And we were also lucky that the Aquarions were not the type of beings to shoot first and ask question later, unlike many other species we have come in contact with.  And after the first day of not understanding what they were saying we were able to finally understand them the following day.  You see our species is highly evolved at communication.  It usually takes us a day to pick up a new language and speak it fluently.

     “The King is ready to see you now,” his assistant said bringing me out of my daydream.  Vivek, Tyrock and I stood up and headed to his office.  It was not our first meeting with him.  In fact, we had many over the past month.  But this one would be a little different.

     “Your highness,” I began.  “We have a very important topic we need to discuss with you.”

     The King smiled, “I already know what it is.  You do not need to ask.  Yes, I will give you one our planets’ ships so you can return home.  I’ve talked to my engineers and they’ve told me that your ship will not fly.  So you may return home in one of our ships and return it to us when you are able to.

     Vivek, Tyrock and I looked at each other and grimaced.  “We cannot return home,” Tyrock stated sadly.  “You see the three of us get along just fine, but the rest of our planet does not.  Blue skins and green skins have been at war for generations.  It all started when the King of our Planet issued a decree that all people with blue skin must leave their homes, jobs and friends and settle on another planet in the galaxy due to overcrowding on the planet.  Now before this time blue and green skin beings for the most party got along just fine.  Of course there was a very small minority of people who believed green skins or blue skins were inferior to them.”

     “Anyone with a half a brain could see that the King was just a racist idiot who disapproved of his daughters relationship with blue skin,” Vivek interrupted.  “But that did not stop the government from taking everything and forcing us off the planet.  Husbands and wives were separated and children were taken away from their parents.  It was horrible.  We blue skins formed a resistance with the help of some green skinned friends like 981 here and fought to gain our land back.  But our efforts failed.  And we lost the war.”

     “So blue skins and green skins were forced to live on separate planets.  But the fighting never stopped,” I continued.  Those who were married to blue skins were allowed to live on the other planet.  I moved to the planet because I loved my wife.  And even though I wasn’t a racist green skin, I was still treated like one.  One day my wife and I were out taking a walk when someone shot us.  I survived but she did not.  I could not bear the thought of staying on either of the planets.  So I left with the help of my wife’s brother and sister and law, Vivek and Tyrock, and we vowed never again to return to that turbulent galaxy.

     “Wow,” the King stated looking shocked.   “I cannot believe a species with such superior scientific technologies could be so unintelligent about the color of someone’s skin.  I am sorry for all you’ve gone through.”

     “Thank you,” we replied in unison.

     “We have been traveling for 2 years,” Tyrock began, “We’d like to settle down and start a family on a planet.  We’ve talked it over and have decided, with your permission of course, that we’d like to settle on this planet.”

     The King looked stunned.  He sat back in his chair and took everything we had told him into consideration.  We waited for him to say anything for what seemed like hours, but was really a few short minutes. 

     The King stood up, reached out his hand and said, “I would be happy for you to settle in my kingdom.  Welcome to Aquarion.”

      Aiden and I sat on the floor and sighed.  We were both exhausted but excited.  Our home was finally built.  No more sleeping in cramped temporary housing or on the tiny space ship.  We were finally living in our home.

     We still had lots to do.  The plumbing needed to be installed and the house needed to be wired with electricity.  And of course we had to unpack. 

     “What are you thinking about?” Aiden asked bringing me out of my daydreams.

     “Just everything that needs to be done,” I answered truthfully.

     Aiden laughed and shook his head,” Kayla honey, you’re always worrying.  Do you know what i’m thinking about?”

     “I have no idea,” I answered chuckling.

     “Fishing, I can’t wait to go fishing in our pond.  And to have our farm be prosperous.  What are you looking forward to doing?” Aiden asked me.

    “Everything,” I said smiling.  “To working on the farm, cooking the fish you catch and the vegetables we grow and most improtantly playing with our children in our very own yard.  I’m looking forward to each and every day spent with you.”

     Aiden beamed, “I love you Kayla Smith.  So very much.”

     “I love you Aiden Smith,” I replied.  And just as those words passed from my lips we heard a loud screeching noise coming from outside. 

     We ran outside to see what it was.  It sounded like a missile.  But that was impossible, the military hadn’t arrived yet.  When we finally saw what it was I let out a loud piercing scream.  It was a spaceship.  But it was a spaceship that I had never seen before.  It was a real live UFO.

     Suddenly the door from the ship began to open.  We stood their with our mouths gaping open as two blue beings and 1 green being walked out of the ship.  And that’s the last thing I remembered as darkness enveloped me.

     Congratulations!  Your family has been accepted into Aquarion’s Fair Housing Program.  You will be receiving a call from your housing Representative shortly to schedule a meeting with your family to discuss the terms of your housing agreement.

     Your family will receive a $20,000 loan to build a home and furnish it.  This loan will be repaid by your family joining the initial labor force on Aquarion.  This force will build the roads, schools and governmental buildings on the planet.  Your loan will also be repaid through elevated taxes.

     If you have any questions before your Representative calls please contact the Fair Housing Office.

     Sincerely,

     Jeffery Myer

     U.C.E.  Aquarion’s Fair Housing Program

     “Come in,” a voice called.

     I turned the door knob and sashayed into the the hotel suite.

     “Juliet,” Paul smiled filling up two glasses of champagne, “I’m so happy you could make it.  I’ve got great news.”

     “Really?” I asked beaming expecting to hear the news i’ve been anxiously awaiting since I heard about the U.C.E establishing a colony on Aquarion.”

     “My wife is visiting her parents in Japan for the weekend.  So we can be completely alone and uninterrupted for the entire weekend.  We can do whatever we want, ” Paul said as he raised his glass in a toast.  “Here’s to complete freedom.”

     “Cheers,” I replied forcing myself to smile as we clinked our glasses together.  I quickly downed my drink and took a seat on the couch.  Paul quickly followed me like a lost little puppy.  It was sweet but very unattractive.  I climbed on his lap while he began to kiss me and my mind wandered off.

     I always had a way of wrapping men around my little finger.  And as a successful professional companion it was a pre- requisite.  But the other part I always had trouble with. Pretending that I desired these men as much as they desired me.  I didn’t feel sorry for Paul.  He knew the drill.  My Gods we were both married.  He knew what this was, he just didn’t want to admit it to himself.

     I pulled away from him and whispered breathlessly, “I’m going to go make myself a little more comfortable, you do the same.  I quickly walked into the bathroom and changed.  As I walked out I grimaced at his horrible leopard underwear while his eyes bulged out at the sight of mine.

     Tired of waiting for him to supply me the answers I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands.  I climbed on top of him, kissed him and asked, “How’s my placement in the Fair Housing Program going?”  I then kissed him hard and intensely not letting him go. 

     After 10 minutes of making out we pulled away from each other desperate for air.  “It’s going pretty well actually,” he said taking in huge gulps of air.  “Plato Adama owes me a favor.  He said he’d make it happen.  Any day now you should be getting a letter saying your family has been chosen.”

     “That’s fantastic,” I cried rolling over on top and giving him an intense kiss.  As our bodies intertwined I didn’t think of why such a high ranking U.C.E. member would grant such a big favor to a low ranking U.C.E. member.  I didn’t think about the fact that they both could loose their U.C.E. memberships if they were discovered accepting a companion and her drug dealing criminal husband into the fair housing program.  I didn’t think about any of that.  I just thought about my future life on Aquarion.  The life where I would no longer be a companion.

     After Paul had fallen aleep I made my way into the bathroom taking the heavy wig off my head.  Paul liked blondes.  So as far as he knew I was one.

     I dialed Devon’s cell and told him the good news.  That our family was going to Aquarion.  Where we could begin a new life, a crime free life.  I knew I could do it, but I didn’t know about my husband.

     ”What am I going to do with the two of you?” my father said pacing back and fourth.  “I just don’t understand.  Arranged marriages are supposed to bring out the best in a couple, but this match has brought out the worst in the both of you.”

     Belle and I looked at each other and gulped.  It all had started innocently enough.  We heard about this new club opening and decided to check out their grand opening/happy hour.  So we headed over to Original Sin.  When we walked inside our jaws dropped in awe.  The club was designed to look like the futuristic Garden of Eden.  The club was housed in a bio-dome and on the first floor there was luscious green grass, plants, animals, a bar area and hot tubs.  The second floor looked like any other major club with a dance floor, dj and bar area except that it had glass flooring so you could see everything that was happening on the first floor.  And the staff even walked around wearing nothing but fig leaves.

     “This place is out of this world,” I said as I sat down next to Belle.  “I wish I could own a place like this someday instead of that awful toy shop my dad gave me to run.  I never realized how much I hated toys until I started running it.”

     “Oh Xander…maybe someday we’ll have a club like this,” she replied grabbing my hand.  Than all of a sudden she starts jumping up and down, waving her arms and yelling Raven at the top of her lungs.

     After a few minutes her friend Raven finally spotted her and made her way over to our table.  Belle got up and the two of them wandered off gabbing away.  I flagged down a waitress and ordered us drinks.  Just as the drinks arrived and the waitress was leaving Belle sauntered back over to the table.

     “Xander,” I have a surprise for you,” she giggled opening her palm to reveal a little orange pill. 

     “Are you crazy,” I cry snatching the pill from her and shoving it in my pocket.  “Do you want us to get arrested?  You know there are always undercover cops at clubs like this.”

     Belle just looked at me with huge glazed over eyes and giggled.  “She’s as high as a kite,” I thought.  “I’ve got to get her out of here before anyone notices.  If a cop sees her like this we’ll be done for.”

     I stood up and as I pulled her up she wraps her arms around me and pulls me in close for a kiss.  Her kisses were hard and intense and unlike anything I had experienced with her before.  In fact I was so distracted I didn’t notice her hand sliding into my pocket, pulling out the pill and dropping it into my drink.

     After a few minutes she released me from her kisses.  “Wow, I definitely need a drink,” she whispered grabbing her drink from across the table and chugging it down in one big gulp.”

    “Me too,” I replied taking a few sips from my glass.  And that was the last thing I remembered from that night.

     The next morning I awoke in jail.  I don’t remember what happened but the cops tell me Belle and I tried to fly off Original Sin’s roof.  Apparently we weren’t the only ones tripping out on the little orange pill.  There was a couple of U.C.E. members who also got into trouble.  They claimed their drinks had been spiked so the cops had to let everyone go, but not before I called my father to bail us out.

     And that brings us back to the present; with my father pacing back and forth at the police station.  “Do you know how lucky you two are that they didn’t press charges,” he yelled.

     “Yes,” we replied in unison.

     “You know, he stated.  “I’m really think this move to Aquarion will do the two of you some goo.  That being truly on your own and away from this club scene will help you grow up.”

     “What are you talking about?” I asked genuinely confused.

     “Well,” he began, “one of my friends who works for the U.C.E. saw the list of the colonists chosen to settle on Aquarion and your names were on them.  They should be calling you in a few days.”

     “Are you serious,” Belle questioned.

     “Yes I am,” he replied sternly.

     “We’re going to Aquarion,” I scream jumping up and grabbing Belle’s hands.

     “You two, try to control yourself,” he interrupted.

     But we didn’t listen to him.  We were too excited.

     “New world, here we come,” Belle shrieked happily.

     Most people believe a merchant’s life is boring.  And to tell you the truth, it is.  A merchant’s life is the definition of monotonous.

     As a wedding present, my father had given my husband and I one of his cafes.  So since the beginning of our life together we’ve been working constantly.  A typical day consists of us waking up, going to work, coming home, watching some TV to unwind, going to sleep and doing it all over again the next day.

     Even though we love what we do, it gets to be a little too predictable.  That’s why when the U.C.E. announced colonists were needed to establish the new planet of Aquarion we decided to put our names in the running.

     The U.C.E. sent out letters to all applicants saying that someone would be contacting us soon to let us know if we were accepted.  But after a week had gone by and still no word, we began to worry that we would not be picked.

     We went about our normal routine as much as possible, but not without incident.  I started a small fire in the cafe wile daydreaming about our exciting new life on Aquarion.  And my dear husband, Mason accidentally spilled a piping hot cup of coffee on a customer.

   Our hopes were growing smaller and smaller everyday that we would not be chosen.  After work one day we got home exhausted and little depressed when I noticed our voicemail flashing.  “Weird,” I thought, “No one ever calls the house.  They usually just call the cafe.” 

     I pressed play and a voice boomed from the speaker.  “This is Kane Blair, head of the Colonist selection committee for the UCE.  I’m happy to inform you that your family has been chosen to be one of the select colonists on the planet of Aquarion.”

     We looked at each other and began screaming and jumping up and down like children and drowning out the rest of the message.

     “Can you believe this Eden?”  Mason asked.  “They picked us.  We’re really going to Aquarion.”

     “We really are,” I replied beaming.  “We’re going to Aquarion, where a new adventure awaits.”

     I was standing in the hallway pacing back and forth when my husband, Plato came storming in.  One look at his face and I could see that he had heard the news.  “Wonderful,” I thought.  “This is going to be a long night.”

     I plastered a big smile on my face and greeted him.  “So I take it by your sunny disposition, that you’ve heard the news?” I asked.

     Plato grunted and stumped his way up the stairs to our bedroom.  I let out an exasperated sigh as I followed him.  Sometimes I felt like I was married to a sullen little boy.  He tended to act like this whenever he didn’t get his way.  Fortunately for me, that didn’t happen to often.

     When we got to the room he angrily opened and closed dresser doors, took off his suit and put on his workout clothes.  This wasn’t a good sign.

     “Before you beat the poor punching bag silly,” I began, “Why don’t we talk first about what happened?”

     “What’s to talk about?” he snapped.  “The U.C.E. didn’t want me to be their new King.  I’ll get over it, after I go a few rounds against the punching bag.”

     “Oh honey, why don’t you look on the bright side?  Athena called me up today and told me that Zeus asked you to be his head of defense.  That’s a huge and powerful position,” I said warmly.  “You should be very proud.”

     “Proud!” Plato yelled.  “Proud. I should be proud to serve Zeus.  A man who knows nothing about ruling and isn’t related to any of the royal families.  I’m a direct descendant of the King of France and you’re a direct descendant of the King of South Africa.  We’re one of the few U.C.E. members who don’t have any kids.  Why we even put off having kids because we were assured we’d be chosen King and Queen of Aquarion.  So you should understand why I’m a little upset.”

     “A little upset,” I thought.  “Yeah right!”

     “So,” I squeaked, “does this mean you’re not going to take the Defense position.”

     He started laughing, an evil maniacal laugh that sounded like it came from a bad horror movie.  “Of course not,” he replied grinning wickedly.  “You remember that really old saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”

     I nodded yes, but was still confused about the situation.

     “Well, that’s how I’m going to take King Zeus down,” he declared.  “Now if you’ll excuse me my dear Demetria, I’m going to go work out.”

     Plato walked out of the room and began wailing at the punching bag in the next room, as I stood there frozen in shock.  “Oh Dear,” I muttered to myself. “This will not end well.”

     “Lunch is lovely,” I told Olympia looking up from my plate.  “What is this dish again?  I don’t think I’ve ever had it before.”

     “It’s Lasagna,” she replied not looking up from her plate. ”But don’t thank me, thank the Cook.

     “I’ll have to do that.  And while I’m at it I’ll tell her to make it more often, it’s really quite good.  Don’t you think?” I asked her.

     “Um hum,” she nodded looking up quickly at me and then back down at her food.

     I let out a deep sigh.  Our first year of marriage was supposed to be magical.  My married friends described wonderful getting to know each other talks, the perfect first kiss, the rush of making out and unbridled sexual passion.  But I’ve yet to experience any of these with my wife.

     Our conversations mostly revolve around the weather and our kisses are empty.  We only have sex once a month, when she is at her most fertile.  Why, I’ve been married to this woman for almost a year and I barely know anything about her.

     Olympia’s been this way since the beginning and I don’t know why.  I’ve never done anything that I know of, to hurt her.  She’s probably in love with someone else and is upset that she can’t be with him.  But most people will just keep that person as a mistress and I’ve never seen or heard about any man coming to the house for her.

     But Hopefully my plan will work.  When Zeus asked me to join his staff and be his Chief Adviser on Aquarion I gladly accepted the position.  I figured the change of scenery and lack of people would make us close and we would become a real couple and a true husband and wife.  But Olympia did not take the news well.  She was outraged that I had made this decision without her.  And now she was being even more icy than usual.  But I had faith this move would put our marriage on track.

     “Kalel,” Olympia called breaking the silence.  “Can you please pass me the apples?”

     “This had better work,” I thought as I passed the bowl to her.  “Otherwise I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

     I was cuddled up next to Roberto soundly sleeping when a voice awakened me from my peaceful sleep.     

     “Hera honey, I’m home,” the voice boomed.

     My groggy body startled by the loudness shot up from the soft bed. “Oh crap my husbands home,” I thought as I shook Roberto awake.  We locked eyes both knowing what was going on and what to do.  Roberto grabbed his jeans and shirt off the floor and quickly hid in the closet, while I slipped into my robe.  Just as I tied the belt together the door swung open and my husband, Bion came bounding in.

     I stared at his face not knowing what to expect.  Now that arranged marriages were so commonplace husbands and wives were usually allowed mistresses.  But my husband had forbid it when I brought up the subject a few months into our marriage. Bion told me that he never expected to really fall in love with me, but that he had.  And the mere thought of another man touching me, kissing me, making love to me caused a deep and powerful rage to flow throughout his body.

     But as I stared at his face, I saw his eyes twinkling and a huge smile forming on his lips.  I began to breathe a big sigh of relief.

     “Hera darling, I have exciting news,” Bion exclaimed picking me up and swinging me around.

     “What is it?” I asked chuckling as he put me back down.

     “We’ve been accepted.  We’re moving to Aquarion,” he cried.

     “Oh my gosh,” I yelled throwing my arms around him.  “That’s fantastic news.”

     When the U.C.E announced that they were accepting colonists we jointly decided to put our names in the running.  It was an incredible opportunity to explore and develop a new world.  And as a bonus it would increase our families wealth and status.

     But I had my own reasons for wanting to go.  I figured a new planet would be the perfect place to start over.  It would give me a chance to become a faithful and devoted wife.  Of course I could always leave my husband, get a divorce and stay on Earth.  And if I had been born in the early 21st century I probably would have done that.  But that’s something that simply doesn’t happen if you want to keep your status and wealth.  So here I am married to a very dear man who I love on some level but  not enough to keep me from straying.

     “So when do we leave?” I asked.

     “Not for a while,” he replied.  “They’ll be sending workers soon to construct the roads, homes and businesses.  But it shouldn’t take too long.”

     “Great,” I said as I suddenly realized that Roberto was still hiding in the closet.  “Hey, why don’t we go out to lunch and celebrate? I suggested.

     “That’s a great idea.  Let’s go,” Bion said.

     I quickly changed into my clothes that were lying on a chair and we made our way down the stairs and out the door.  I vowed not to stray again, but when I looked in the rear-view mirror as our car drove down the street and saw Roberto’s handsome body fleeing from the house I changed my mind.  “On second thought,” I said to myself, “Why don’t I just wait until we get to Aquarion.”

 

“Honey they want you to be king,” Athena shrieked throwing her arms around me.  “That’s fantastic!  I have to go call my Mom.  She won’t believe it.  You know we all thought the U.C.E would pick someone directly related to royalty.  Like the second son of a king…”

“Athena, before you call your mother don’t you think we should sit down and talk about this?” I asked her sighing. 

“About what?” she said scrunching up her face looking confused.  “Are you not happy about this?  Do you not want to be King?”

“Of course I want to be King.  This is an incredible opportunity.  I would actually be ruling a whole new world and our children and their children…”

“So what do we need to talk about then?” she asked following me down the stairs to the living room and sitting down next to me.

“About the sacrifices we’re going to have to make.”

“What sacrifices are there to being King and Queen,” she said gazing off into space with stars dancing in her eyes.  “We’ll be even richer and have untold power and be famous throughout the world.  Life is going to be fabulous for us.”

“But you’re forgetting one thing Athena.  This fabulous life won’t be on Earth it will be on Aquarion.  On a newly, barely developed planet away from our family and friends.

“Oh yeah, that,” she said her excitement cooling.  “We can always make short trips back to Earth though, can’t we?”

“It’s a months trip away by the fastest spaceship,” I replied.  “With my new job I won’t have time to travel for that long of a time.  You won’t either.  Being a Queen is a big responsibly.   It’s not just parties and mingling with celebs.   It’s going to be a lot of work for the both of us.  Are you sure you can handle that?” I asked getting up from the couch.

Of course I can.  Athena replied standing up and giving me a quick peck on the cheek.  Don’t worry about me.

But I couldn’t help but worry.  Athena was a great choice for a wife when I wasn’t going to be King.  But now that she and I were going to be the first royal family of Aquarion I couldn’t help but wonder if she and even I could really handle this job.