Arrival on Earth

As she appeared on top of a thick mango tree, Mounika tried to calm herself. She had now arrived on an alien planet with no hope of ever being able to go back. She was now supposed to be a human among humans. She stayed in the branches hidden by the thick foliage of the mango tree. When she was certain that no one was around, she dropped silently onto the ground.

She had to find a place to live. She was too vulnerable out in the open; especially without her royal guard to protect her. Tears threatened to flow out of her eyes as she thought of her dear parents, her fiancé and her friends. All that had changed for no fault of hers.

She had trusted the Captain of the Western Towers. Yet he had been the first to betray her. She didn't mind being away from the throne. She didn't want it. But what hurt her the most was the way she had been cast away from her country. She would have gladly taken the option to leave the country if they didn't want her on the throne. But no. they had to be too cruel and close the gates to her world forever.

She was now stranded on an alien planet with no means of communication or to feed herself. Her first priority was to find a place to live. And work that could help her survive honorably. She started walking out of the mangrove trying to find a way out and to civilization. As she neared the entrance of the mangrove forest, she was suddenly surrounded by twenty uniformed soldiers with automatic weapons in their hands.

"Must be the local law enforcement!" she said to herself as she raised her hands in surrender. Two of the soldiers quickly handcuffed her and loaded her into the waiting vehicle that had "POLICE" written in big bold letters. She was silent throughout the journey to the local police station. Neither did the police force try to question her. It was as if they were sizing each other up mentally. It seemed to be a battle of wills as they locked gazes on each other in silent contemplation.

The vehicle was heavily armed with bullet proof and mine proof body and puncture resistant tires. The shields could withstand the impact of up to ten super advanced missile and canon strikes. It could also survive five hits by EMP and nuclear weapons. There was an eight-barrel gun mounted on top that could allow the men to fire in all directions simultaneously. It came to a stop in front of the police station.

It looked more like a luxury hotel rather than a police station. The gates slid open as the vehicle passed through the gate and slid shut once it was inside the compound. The policemen escorted the princess into the station and locked her up in a cell.

The cell was a spacious room with a foam bed and a foam pillow. Beside the bed was a clay pot that was skillfully painted with beautiful designs. The lid was done equally artistically. The mud glass tumbler had charming patterns painted on it. In the middle of the room was a dining table with a complete set of chairs and cutlery. Towards the left end of the room was a kitchen with a rack of shelves to hold plates and dishes. On the right side of the room was a door with "Wash Area" written in English, Telugu and Sanskrit. The princess was confused. Was this a hotel they had brought her to? Did the police here treat prisoners like royal guests? Or were they treating her like this since she was wearing royal clothes?

Though she had been taken to trial in chains, she had been allowed to wear clothes fit for a princess who was the heir apparent to the throne. She looked up as an eight feet tall, handsome man entered the cell. Was he the ruler of some unknown planet? Or was he a god out to survey his creation?

She sized him up as she looked at his beautifully sculpted body. His broad shoulders, charming chest, adorable face, and those legs! He appeared to be obsessed with his fitness. The officer sat in the chair looked royal with its golden legs and maroon cushion seat. The national flag of saffron, white and green with the dharma chakra in the middle, could be seen on the head of the chair. He crossed his legs causing an inward groan in the lady. She was suddenly nervous in front of him, something that had never happened before.

He looked at the beautiful lady in front of him. Who was this angel? And why was she dressed in rags? She had a grace that was divine and royal. Yet those clothes! Why did beautiful women have to be so poor? His heart ached at the thought. He shook his head and looked at her again.

She appeared to be a teenager; 18-20 years at the most. A lovely face: captivating eyes that were too deep to fathom; Rosy cheeks that looked healthy. Lips that were full and red inviting him to capture them. And a body that was mesmerizing with all its womanly curves and graceful beauty that stirred something in his 25 years of manliness. She was a rare beauty who should be in a palace, not in a lowly cell in a police station.

He shook his head at his thoughts and crossed his legs again feeling uncomfortable at the sudden desire that was kindled in him. He felt fiercely protective of this woman. There was something fragile in that brave exterior. There was a sadness in her that he wanted to dispel, a sense of hopelessness and resignation in the slump of her shoulders. This woman had gone through a lot.

"Who are you?" he asked taking out his note pad.

"Xxx aabcn keiols saamveer busa busa dorman doo sam saar." Mounika replied in her mother tongue.

"Sorry, what language is that? I cannot understand you. Please speak in Telugu."

"aaa mnoees swaaee. Ooor laamsi furr." She still spoke her language that sounded like mumbo-jumbo to the officer.

He looked at the policeman standing behind him and said, "Get me a translation device."

"Yes, sir." He saluted and marched out smartly returning almost immediately with a small, sleek looking black device the size of a pocket calculator.

"Alright let's start again. Who are you?"

The device translated his words into the native tongue of the princess. It sounded like stones being rolled in a thin tin can vigorously. Though the sound was harsh, when it was converted into Telugu, it sounded sweet and musical to the ears. The princess spoke with a ring of authority in her voice.

"I am Princess Mounika of the Shakti Clan, of the Great Galactic Empire of Amba Puram, in the Garuda System of the Athreya Galaxy."

"If you are a princess as you claim, why are you dressed in rags?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. Mounika's nostrils flared in anger at the question. How dare a common police officer insult her dress and her culture! She gave him what she thought was a withering look that made the man burst into laughter.

"We have a case for rehabilitation here." He said getting up from his seat.

Mounika was confused. He dares to insult her and then leaves just like that! Who did he think he was? She got up in anger and took two steps towards him intending to stop him. She felt two prongs come out of nowhere and hit her with a bolt of electricity stunning her unconscious.