Resumed by Orrin Jason Bradford

Author:Orrin Jason Bradford [Bradford, Orrin Jason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: UFO, Alien Attack, Alien First Contact, Contact, shapeshifters, First Contact, Artificial Intelligence, Alien Contact, female protagonist
ISBN: 9781930328846
Publisher: Porpoise Publishing
Published: 2018-03-20T04:00:00+00:00

Making Arrangements

Two days after the Eddie incident, Val received a letter in the mail from Professor Dinwiddle. It was a neatly typed recommendation letter on the professor's college letterhead with his signature in bold, black ink. On top was a written message on a yellow sticky note: "Let me know if you need anything else."

That same afternoon he received a text from Melissa:

Arrangements made for the boring ball. Expect invitation in mail any day. BTW, I’ll be wearing a lavender gown.

Why in hell should I care what color dress she’s wearing, Val muttered as he put away his phone and resumed washing the few dishes left over from lunch. A minute or two later Aeo replied, I believe she’s informing you of that information so you will provide her with a corsage that matches her dress.

A corsage? What’s that?

Flowers, Aeo replied. Don’t worry. I’ll contact a florist and order one. You can pick it up on the night of the ball.

For several days leading up to the ball, Aeo worked with Val to bring him up to speed regarding the customs and mores that were so important around such festive occasions as the Oil Baron’s Ball. It all seemed silly and a waste of time to Val, but Aeo insisted. The Arabian cultures are unique and set in their ways. If you're not aware of them, it could jeopardize the success of our mission. That will never do. So, once again, who are you to meet while at the ball?

“Sheik Muhammad al-Sinai.”

Or...

Or, his daughter, Zillah.

Good. Aeo said. It is critical that you win them over. Zillah is to become your wife.

This was the first Val had heard of such an idea, and he caught himself groaning. Why would I want to marry the daughter of a camel breeder?

It took a couple of extra seconds before Aeo replied. I see you’ve been doing your own research on the internet.

Val shrugged. There wasn’t anything else to do the other night while I was in the library.

Well, if you'd spent just a little more time you would have found out that there are very few families of camel breeders in the area any longer. The Sheik and his brothers are some of the wealthiest and therefore the most influential people in the world. Not only do they breed camels, but they also own many oil fields. Marrying into that family will provide you with a great deal of security and privacy, both important to the fulfillment of our prime mission.

Okay, I got it. I suppose this Zillah woman will turn out to be some camel herself, right?

Not at all. I believe most humans would find her a quite respectable choice for a mate. As Aeo spoke, he flashed an image of the woman across Val’s mind. Besides which, in their culture, it's quite acceptable to have more than one woman available to you. It's called a harem. It's not even uncommon for the primary wife to oversee the maintenance of the harem.

Val shook his head.

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