Aliens Love Curves

Chapter 1- Casey

T he wind whips through my hair as I crouch low over my glider, the familiar thrum of the engine vibrating through my body. Adrenaline courses through my veins, my heart pounding in sync with the pulsing of the plasma core beneath me. I'm in my element, soaring through the lilac sky of Planet Ova, racing neck and neck with my best friends.

"Eat my stardust, losers!" I shout over the comms, a grin splitting my face as I pull ahead of the pack.

Zara, my Equanox bestie, laughs in response. "In your dreams, Earth girl!"

Her slender, pink form zips past me, her tail acting as a rudder as she navigates a tight turn around one of the floating islands that dot Ova's skyline. I grit my teeth, leaning into the turn to follow her. The G-forces press against my curvy frame, but I use my weight to my advantage, letting it carry me through the curve with precision.

"Nice try, Zara, but watch this!" I call out, engaging my glider's boost. The sudden acceleration plasters me to my seat, my thick thighs gripping the sides of the glider as I rocket forward.

The finish line looms ahead – a shimmering holographic banner stretched between two floating platforms. I can taste victory, my competitive spirit soaring as high as my glider. Just a few more seconds...

A flash of movement catches my eye. Another racer, Krix, is coming up fast on my right. His lithe Equanox body is practically one with his glider as he edges closer.

"Not today, Krix!" I yell, pushing my glider to its limits.

We cross the finish line in a blur of speed and colour. For a moment, I'm not sure who won. Then the holographic display flashes to life:

1. CASEY

2. KRIX

3. ZARA

"Yes!" I pump my fist in the air, letting out a whoop of joy that echoes across the sky. I guide my glider to the landing platform, my friends close behind.

As I dismount, my legs wobbling slightly from the adrenaline rush, Zara tackles me in a hug. "That was amazing, Casey! I thought for sure Krix had you at the end there."

I laugh, returning the hug. "Me too! But I guess these curves are good for something after all – aerodynamics!" I slap my left ass cheek and wink.

Krix joins us, his pink skin flushed a deeper rose from exertion. "Great race, Casey. Your piloting skills are really something else."

I'm about to reply when a familiar voice cuts through the celebratory atmosphere like a knife.

"Casey Onyx Peace!"

My blood runs cold. I turn slowly, already knowing who I'll see. My parents are standing at the edge of the platform, their navy enforcer uniforms edged with silver trim, crisp and imposing. Mom's face is a mask of disappointment, while Dad just looks tired.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice small.

Mom's eyes narrow. "We could ask you the same thing, young lady. You're supposed to be at home, studying for your entrance exams."

I feel my friends shift uncomfortably behind me. "I... I was just taking a break. Clearing my head."

Dad steps forward, his voice gentler but no less firm. "Casey, we need to talk. In private."

My stomach drops. I know that tone. Nothing good ever comes from it. I turn to my friends, forcing a smile. "Rain check on the victory celebration, guys?"

They nod, understanding in their eyes. As they take off on their gliders, I follow my parents to a quiet corner of the platform. The beautiful Ovan sunset paints the sky in shades of purple and gold, but I can't appreciate it now.

Mom speaks first, her words clipped. "We received a communication from the Enforcement Agency today."

I swallow hard. "Oh?"

Dad sighs. "They're aware you haven't submitted your application for training yet. They've given us an ultimatum, Casey."

My heart speeds up, and not in the good way it did during the race. "What... what kind of ultimatum?"

Mom's gaze is steely. "You have two choices. Either you start your enforcer training immediately, or..."

"Or what?" I whisper, though I already know the answer.

"Or you'll be deported back to Earth," Dad finishes, his voice heavy with regret.

The world spins around me. "What? No! You can't be serious!"

"We're dead serious, Casey," Mom snaps. "This isn't a game. You've been putting this off for too long. It's time to grow up and accept your responsibilities."

I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. "But I don't want to be an enforcer! I want to race, to fly freely! Why can't you understand that?"

Dad places a hand on my shoulder. "We do understand, sweetheart. But being an enforcer doesn't mean giving up flying. You'll have your own glider, your own—"

I shrug off his hand. "It's not the same! I don't want to chase criminals or enforce laws. I want to live ... I-I want to compete—to race for a living."

Mom's expression softens slightly. "And you think you'd be living if we sent you back to Earth? To Aunt Enid?"

The thought of my strict aunt and her regimented lifestyle sends a shudder through me. The overcrowded streets of Earth—skyscrapers everywhere—the lack of open skies... it would be a prison compared to Ova.

I slump in defeat. "When... when do I have to start?"

"Tomorrow morning," Dad says quietly. "0800 hours at the Academy."

I nod numbly, unable to speak. As my parents motion to my glider and then to their enforcer glider, expecting me to follow them for the ride home, I take one last look at the beautiful Ovan sky. My dreams of freedom seem to fade with the setting sun.

THE NEXT MORNING COMES too soon. I stand outside the imposing Enforcer Academy, its sleek, curved architecture a stark contrast to the natural beauty of Ova. My new cadet uniform feels stiff and confining, nothing like the comfortable flight suit I'm used to.

Taking a deep breath, I push through the doors into the main atrium. It's bustling with activity – cadets of all species hurrying to and fro, the click of boots on polished floors, the low hum of conversation.

I make my way to the registration desk, where a bored-looking Equanox woman eyes me with disinterest. "Name?"

"Casey Onyx Peace," I reply, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

She taps at her holoscreen. "Ah yes, the late enrollee. You're in Group C. Training Room 12, down the hall to your left. Don't be late."

I mumble a thank you and follow her directions. As I approach Training Room 12, I hear a deep, authoritative voice from inside. My hand hesitates on the door handle. This is it. Once I step through, there's no going back.

Squaring my shoulders, which forces my large breasts to stick out even further, I push open the door.

The room falls silent as I enter and a dozen pairs of eyes turn to stare at me – mostly Equanox, with a few other alien species mixed in. But my attention is immediately drawn to the figure at the front of the room.

He's Equanox, but unlike any I've seen before. Tall and powerfully built, with muscles that strain against his trainer's uniform. His skin is a deep shimmering shiny cerise pink colour which has such depth compared to the younger Equanox males sitting at desks before him, that it seems to glow under the lights. But it's his eyes that capture me – a startling silver that seems to pierce right through me.

For a moment, our gazes lock, and I feel a jolt of... something. Attraction? Intimidation? Both emotions?

Then his expression hardens, and he barks out, "You're late, cadet. Name?"

I snap to attention, my cheeks burning, turning the exact same colour as his. "Casey Onyx Peace, sir."

A flicker of something—maybe recognition, passes over his face, but it's gone in an instant. "Well, Cadet Peace, since you seem to think your time is more valuable than ours, you can stay after class to clean the training equipment."

Anger flares in my chest. "But I—"

"That's 'But I, sir, '" he cuts me off. "And unless you want to add a lap around the Academy to your punishment, I suggest you take your seat. Now."

Fuming, I slide into the nearest empty chair. As I do, I hear him mutter under his breath, "Cop."

I look up sharply. "Excuse me?"

A smirk plays at the corner of his mouth. "Casey Onyx Peace. Cop. Fitting for a human enforcer-in-training, don't you think?"

Snickers ripple through the room. I feel my face flame even hotter, a mixture of embarrassment and anger coursing through me. This is not how I imagined my first day going.

"Now then," the instructor continues, his voice commanding attention, "for those of you who were here on time ," his silver eyes fleet in my direction and my gut tightens. "I'm Trainer Stryker. For the next six months, I'll be moulding you into the elite peacekeepers Ova needs. It won't be easy. Many of you won't make it." He looks directly at me this time and my hands clench into fists, turning my knuckles white. "But those who do will have the honour of joining the ranks of the Equanox Enforcers."

As Stryker launches into his welcome speech, I find my attention divided. Part of me is taking in the information – the rigorous training schedule, the expectations, the challenges ahead. But another part, a part I'm not entirely comfortable with, is noticing the way Stryker moves as he paces in front of the class. The fluid grace of his tail, the flex of his muscles beneath his uniform, the commanding presence he exudes.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. What am I doing? This man— this trainer— has already singled me out, embarrassed me in front of everyone. I was made to come here—I had no choice. He's the enemy, the embodiment of everything I don't want for my life.

So why can't I stop stealing glances at him?

As the introductory lecture continues, I try to focus on the material. But every so often, I catch Stryker's gaze flickering towards me. Each time, there's that same unreadable expression – part curiosity, part... something else.

By the time class ends, my head is spinning with information and conflicting emotions. As the other cadets file out, chatting excitedly about the training to come, I remain in my seat. I don’t want to be here. I feel alienated—heck, I am an alien. Stryker approaches, his expression stern.

"Alright, Cop," he says, and I wince at the nickname. "Training equipment is in the storage room. I want every piece cleaned and put back in its proper place. Think you can handle that?"

I stand, drawing myself up to my full height – which, admittedly, isn't much compared to him. "Yes, sir ," I reply, injecting as much sarcasm into the word as I dare.

For a moment, I swear I see a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. But then it's gone, replaced by that maddeningly neutral expression. "Good. I'll be back to inspect your work in an hour."

As he turns to leave, I blurt out, "Why do you hate me?"

Stryker pauses, looking back over his shoulder. "Hate you? I don't even know you, Cadet Peace."

"Then why single me out? Why embarrass me in front of everyone?"

He turns to face me fully, his silver eyes intense. "Because life as an enforcer isn't fair. It isn't easy. And if you can't handle a little embarrassment on your first day, you'll never survive what's to come."

With that, he strides out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a room full of what looks like dirty knee, shin and chest plates to clean.

As I get to work, my mind races. This isn't the life I want, nor is this the future I’ve dreamed of. But as I think about the alternative – a dreary existence on Earth, never to fly freely again – I realize I have no choice but to make the best of it.

And as for Trainer Stryker... well, I have a feeling my complicated relationship with him is only just beginning.