Aliens Love Curves

Chapter 4 - Stryker

T he morning after graduation dawns bright and early, but I've been awake for hours. Sleep eluded me, my mind racing with thoughts of the mission ahead - and of Casey. I shake my head, trying to focus. This is no time for distractions.

I arrive at the briefing room fifteen minutes early, only to find Casey already there, poring over a stack of detailed blueprints and a tech tablet loaded with what looks like legal documents—I'm impressed. She looks up as I enter, a smile lighting up her face.

"Morning, partner," she says, and I feel a warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with the Ovan sun streaming through the windows.

"Morning, Cop," I reply, falling back on the familiar nickname. "Ready to dive in?"

She nods eagerly, and I can't help but admire her enthusiasm. "I've already started on the layout of Quickening Gliders and its history. Did you know they were founded over a century ago by an Equanox-Human partnership? Talk about life imitating art."

I raise an eyebrow, impressed despite myself. "Good work. What else have you found?"

For the next few hours, we immerse ourselves in the world of Quickening Gliders. We study their product lines, from sleek racing gliders to family models. We memorize key personnel and company policies. And we learn about Harlan Mertok, the supposedly charismatic CEO who's turned the company into a galactic powerhouse.

"Mertok's interesting," Casey muses, scrolling through his biography. "Ex-glider champion, took over the company ten years ago. Since then, their profits have quadrupled." She almost looks in awe, and my brows pull together showing my concern. I wonder if I should be worried...she is a rookie after all.

Casey looks over at me and I lose the frown and nod, turning to look over her shoulder at the screen of the tech tablet. Her proximity sends a shiver down my spine, and I have to force myself to focus on the information, and not the curve of her neck or the scent of her hair.

"Impressive," I manage. "But Chief Zara wouldn't have assigned us this mission if everything was above board. We need to find out what's really going on behind those profit margins."

Casey turns to face me, and suddenly we're nose to nose. For a moment, I forget to breathe.

"So, partner ," she says, a mischievous glint in her eye, "how do you want to play this?"

I clear my throat, taking a step back to regain my composure. "Right. Our cover stories. We’d better keep our real names to avoid any slip ups. I'll be your Equanox manager. You'll be... well, you'll be you, Casey. A hotshot human pilot looking to make it big in the glider world."

"Not much of a stretch," she grins while shimmering her eyebrows, and I can't help but chuckle.

"True. But remember, we're not just colleagues. For this to work, we need to be... close."

Casey's eyes widen slightly, and I see a flush creep up her cheeks. "How close are we talking?"

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "Close enough that it's believable I'd leave my job to manage your career. We don't need to be overtly...romantic, but there should be...an intimacy. A connection."

"Romance?! Oh erm...I-I didn’t realise we’d be romantically involved in our undercover guises. Okay." Casey nods, her voice a little husky. "We should probably practice, then. You know, to make it convincing."

My heart rate picks up at her suggestion. "Good idea. Let's, uh, let's try some typical couple behaviours."

She licks her lips as she nods, and my cock instantly swells. I shuffle awkwardly and turn away to hide how much the small innocent gesture just aroused me.

For the next hour, we work on our non-verbal communication. Standing close together, casual touches, finishing each other's sentences. Each point of contact sends electricity through my body, and I can see from Casey's reactions that she feels it too.

"Okay," I say, my voice rougher than I'd like, "let's try a scenario. We're at a company event, mingling with other employees."

Casey nods, slipping seamlessly into character. She steps closer to me, her hand resting lightly on my arm. "Darling," she says, her voice pitched just for my ears, "have you met the new head of R&D? I hear he's developed some fascinating stabilizer technology."

I lean in, my lips close to her ear, playing along. "Not yet, sweetheart. Why don't you introduce us?"

Casey’s hair is swept up and I see the hairs prick on the back of her neck, followed by a shiver running through her body. I gasp, and for a moment, I forget this is just an act. I want to pull her closer, to—

She clears her throat, stepping back. "That was...convincing," she’s a little breathless.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. This mission is going to be more challenging than I thought, and not because of any danger we might face.

As the day wears on, we continue our preparations. Casey's excitement about returning to gliders is palpable, and I find myself having to remind her - and myself - of our true purpose.

"I can't wait to get my hands on one of their racing models," she literally gushes as she pours over the specs of Quickening Gliders' latest design. "The manoeuvrability on this thing must be insane!"

I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as I gently redirect her. "Remember, Cop, we're not there to race. We need to keep our focus on the mission."

She sighs, and her shoulders visibly drop, but she nods. "I know, I know. But surely a little enthusiasm for the gliders will help sell our cover, right?"

"True," I concede. "Just don't get too caught up in the thrill of it all. We can't afford to lose sight of why we're really there."

Casey's expression sobers. "You're right. I won't let you down, Stryker. I mean, partner." The wink she does makes my stomach flutter.

THE NEXT DAY PASSES in a blur of preparation, practice, and growing tension. Each hour, our acts as a couple become more natural, more convincing, and come the afternoon, it becomes harder for me to remember that it's just an act.

Finally, three days later, our departure arrives. We board a shuttle to Quickening Gliders' campus, our new identities firmly in place. As we approach, I can't help but be awed by the sight.

The Quickening Gliders complex is a marvel of engineering and beauty. Floating platforms connected by shimmering energy bridges span the Ovan sky. Gleaming buildings rise from each platform, their architecture a blend of form and function. Gliders of all shapes and sizes flit between the structures, their pilots executing manoeuvres that make even my experienced heart race.

Beside me, Casey gasps. "It's magnificent," she breathes, her eyes wide with wonder.

I nod, equally impressed despite myself. "Remember, we're professionals. Don't let the glamour distract you from our purpose."

She shoots me a look that's part exasperation, part fondness. "Yes, dear," she says, emphasizing our cover. "I'll try to contain my excitement."

As our shuttle docks at the main platform, I feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension. This is it. From this moment on, we're no longer officially Enforcers—no longer trainee Stryker and Cadet Peace. We're undercover operatives, a manager-pilot duo looking to make their mark in the world of professional gliding.

We step off the shuttle, and I place a protective hand on the small of Casey's back. The gesture feels natural, even though my heart races at the contact. Casey leans into me slightly, playing her part perfectly.

A tall, elegantly dressed Equanox female approaches us, a warm smile on her face. "Welcome to Quickening Gliders," she says. "I'm Lyra, head of new recruit orientation. You must be Casey and Stryker."

Casey steps forward, extending her hand with a confident smile. "That's us! We're so excited to be here. I've dreamed of flying for Quickening Gliders since I was a kid."

Lyra's smile widens. "Well, we're thrilled to have you. Especially you, Casey. It's not often we get human pilots of your calibre interested in joining us."

I step in, playing my part. "Casey's not just any human pilot," I say, allowing a note of pride to enter my voice. "She's the best I've ever seen. Quickening Gliders would be lucky to have her."

Casey shoots me a grateful look, and for a moment, I forget it's all an act. The pride in my voice, the admiration in my eyes - it's all real.

Lyra nods approvingly. "Well, you'll certainly have a chance to prove that. But first, let me show you to your quarters. You must be tired after your journey."

As we follow Lyra across the complex, I can't help but marvel at the operation around us. Everything is sleek, efficient, and screams of credits - lots of them. Whatever Quickening Gliders is into, legal or otherwise, it's clearly very profitable.

We're led to a luxurious apartment with a breathtaking view of the Ovan sky. Lyra leaves us with instructions for tomorrow's orientation and a promise of exciting times ahead.

As the door closes behind her, Casey and I share a look at each other. The reality of our situation sinks in. We're here, alone, undercover in the heart of our mission. The tension between us, which has been simmering for days, threatens to boil over.

"Well, darling," Casey says, her voice a mix of teasing and something deeper, "looks like we're home."

I nod, my mouth suddenly dry. "So it does...sweetheart." She shoots me a smile, but it doesn’t hide the nervous glance as she looks from me to the king-size bed we’re supposed to share. I feel a need to address the sleeping arrangements. "Don’t worry, I’ll take the couch."

Her large breasts rise and fall as a sigh escapes her parted full lips. "Are you sure? I don’t mind taking the couch, I’m much smaller than you."

I shake my head. "No, it’s fine."

As we begin to unpack, I can't shake the feeling that this mission is going to change everything. Not just for Quickening Gliders, but for Casey and me as well. Whatever happens, one thing is certain - it's going to be one hell of a ride.