Abalim: Alien Legacy Brotherhood, #1

Copyright © 2024 by Keri Kruspe

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Book Cover by Jacqueline Sweet

Edit by ELF

While various artificial intelligence language models have been a valuable tool in the crafting and editing of this narrative, the final content has been completed and approved by the author to ensure it meets the vision and standards of their work. Any interpretations, conclusions, or errors are the responsibility of the author.

Contents

Abalim

1.Chapter One

2.Chapter Two

3.Chapter Three

4.Chapter Four

5.Chapter Five

6.Chapter Six

7.Chapter Seven

8.Chapter Eight

9.Chapter Nine

10.Chapter Ten

11.Chapter Eleven

12.Chapter Twelve

13.Chapter Thirteen

14. Epilogue

A Small Ask...

About The Author

Also By Keri

Abalim

Alien Legacy Brotherhood Book 1

With enemies closing in, can their newfound love survive the life-threatening trial ahead?

In a future where Earth narrowly escaped alien domination, Abalim, a human-alien hybrid from our ancient past, wields extraordinary psychic abilities. Haunted by a world he barely recognizes; he plunges into a perilous quest across the cosmos. His mission? To rescue a human woman named Lisa, a spirited science fiction romance author, was snatched by ruthless space pirates from an interstellar exchange program and sold to an advanced species called the Xeltrians. In the depths of space, as Abalim nears her location, he's seduced by vivid, psychic dreams of Lisa, igniting an uncontrollable passion between them.

Lisa, awakening in an alien world, confronts a harrowing reality far from the romanticized extraterrestrial cultures she once wrote about. Her fate hinges on how she survives the Quandary of Existence, a high-stakes trial the Xeltrians forced her and Abalim to face together. The fate of the galaxy rests on the life and death choices they make.

Now, with their journey fraught with danger, a new, sinister force emerges. Beings from another dimension are hell-bent on capturing Lisa for their dark experiments. Abalim and Lisa find themselves thrust into a desperate fight against time as their formidable foes grow stronger by the minute. Even in this desperate chance of survival, they discover an escalating need for each other. As adversaries advance to tear them apart, their burgeoning bond becomes their greatest strength.

Chapter One

Outside Galaxy’s Pub at dusk

Abalim glanced at his handheld to make sure he was in the right place. Yep, Galaxy’s Pub in the village of Kijiji on the planetoid Hiigar. He looked up and down the deserted, dusty street, hoping to see someone, anyone, that could verify if this was the right place. He chuckled. Yeah, like anyone on this goddess-forsaken planetoid would know where he was supposed to be.

He eyed the disreputable building next to the two-story structure that was as run-down looking as this one. The only encouraging sign was the symbol of AoA prominently displayed in red and yellow across the archway.

JR15, are you sure this is the place someone claimed they saw one of the missing human women?

He glanced at the small droid resembling an Earth spider resting on his shoulder. That is, if the spider had a green-and-silver metallic body and four legs instead of eight. The little bot quivered as if afraid to voice an opinion.

JR15? Abalim gentled his voice as he addressed the fledging robot. He was careful not to startle the little guy since it’d only started operating a month ago. It’s okay. Just access the programming your father installed within you before we left.

It amazed him how two other bots created his companion. JR10 and his mate, JR11, made a small batch of these machines to help Abalim and his brothers as they scoured the galaxy to search for the missing women kidnapped from the Zerin spaceship, StarChance.

JR10 insisted these little bots call him Father and JR11 Mother.

How strange the universe had gotten when droids wanted to be parents.

Another shocking thing he discovered was that Earth was now recognized by the Federation Consortium, the ruling body of the galaxy.

While the planet was still in a protected status, the government admitted they’d offered human women in secret to hundreds of species in the galaxy that faced a severe shortage of females.

Why women were in such short supply was something Abalim wasn’t privy to, but then he doubted anyone else had any idea why that happened, either. His sister-in-law—Inanna, the Queen of Akurn, a brilliant geneticist and a biologist in her own right—offered to look into the problem facing so many humanoid species.

She and her consort, Abalim’s brother Adapa, agreed to become part of the groundbreaking research team with the galactic body, but before they did, they insisted the human women missing from the Exchange had to be found first. Only then would the queen put her considerable talents into finding out what caused the dwindling female problem.

To help her work on it with a clear conscience, Abalim and his brothers volunteered to search the known galaxy for the missing women.

It’s not like he had anything better to do. Having time traveled over seven thousand years left him and his three other brothers at loose ends. Since Akurn and Earth had become allies, the threat of a battle between them, and of destroying Earth, was long gone. Which left the siblings with nothing to do.

The four of them were new to the modern world and totally useless for the worldwide cleanup efforts after the close brush with an alien invasion. With their newfound freedom, they needed a goal to help focus on who they were deep inside. And the best way to do that was to give them a purpose. Something they’d never experienced before.

It was strange to have control over his own future. Even so, Abalim was more than happy they’d agreed to split up to look for those missing women. He might love his brothers, but they’d grown up together, never alone except at night since they were small children. The freedom to choose his next step without having to consult their small group would be liberating. He’d finally discover who he truly was without worrying about being judged and teased if anything he did was considered lacking. Not that he didn’t retaliate. Usually when they least expected it.

Yes, Mister Abalim, sir. The last known whereabouts of the human known as Althea MacGregor was here at the Galaxy’s Pub.

Abalim tilted his head, straining to hear what the bot said in his soft tones. Damn, he wished for the umpteenth time he could psychically read the bot. But JR15 wasn’t organic, so he couldn’t. Skipping the whole talking process would make working together easier.

He grunted and didn’t correct the bot when he called him mister. No matter how many times he encouraged the robot to call him by his given name, the little guy just shuddered, agreed, and then reverted to formal address in the next sentence.

Thank you, JR15. Appreciate it. Abalim put his handheld computer tablet into his jacket pocket. Why don’t you hide before I go in?

JR15 squeaked and scrambled to his favorite place under Abalim’s dreadlocks at the nape of his neck. It was a perfect place for the droid to settle so no one could see him.

His pointy little legs were light enough when he moved, it was like a whisper across Abalim’s skin.

Abalim passed through the entrance's light force field, and he was greeted by a humongous humanoid male with wide flat feet that tapered up to thick thighs. His gaze traveled up the giant’s body that thinned at the shoulders and held a head with a triangle shape.

A single large yellow eye surrounded by downy feathers for lashes dominated the being’s features. A row of bright canary-yellow feathers formed a mohawk down his skull.

Are you Flygir? Goddess, he hoped so. Princess Aimee of Zerin was quite insistent he ask this giant for help once he reached Hiigar.

Who’s yous?

My name is Abalim. Princess Aimee said you’d be able to help me.

"Pretty! Is where my Pretty?"

This high-pitched squeal came from one of the strangest looking females Abalim’d ever seen. At first glance, he’d swear the petite little female was barely out of pubescence.

She wore a simple loose black tie and a white blouse tucked haphazardly into a short pleated skirt. On her feet were small-heeled black shoes paired with white thigh-high stockings. Her light-pink skin matched her neon-bright-pink-and-black hair that floated around her as if it had a mind of its own.

The sight of her two sets of arms took him aback. But it was her wide-set pink eyes with shimmering highlights in their black pupils that gave him pause.

Since landing on Hiigar, he’d kept his psychic abilities under a tight leash. But standing in front of these two, he opened his senses a crack to get a feel for who he dealt with. The male was a creature called an Orisha, while the female was a Merkaba. Waves of intelligence and a personality of iron from them both told him all he needed to know. These were the people he was supposed to find.

With a hand over his heart, he gave a slight bow and pretended he didn’t know who they were. I am Abalim from planet Earth here to see Flygir or Hayami. Are they here?

Why’s yous want’s ‘em? The large Orisha male crossed his arms over his thin, wide chest.

JR15, please come out and display the video for our hosts.

The bot’s tiny pointed feet scuttled from behind his head and rested on his shoulder, shivering all the way.

Abalim wished he could send the small thing a psychic sense of calm. All he could do was encourage the small droid. It’s alright. Go ahead.

Okay, Mister Abalim, sir. If you say so.

The bot folded his legs under him and opened his top eye until it glowed and transmitted a holographic, full-length, 3-D image of Princess Aimee.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the female might have once been a human. But looking at her now, you wouldn’t know it.

From her sleek brown hair with the wide white stripe on one side, now tucked into a loose braid behind her, to her tanned skin that had a slight iridescent sheen to it. Like a human, she had single-colored eyes, but instead of one solid color, hers had an unusual combination of vibrant green with hints of golden-brown flecks. Nestled at her left temple was an intricate tattoo with a clear crystal in the middle. And she had four fingers instead of the three that a normal Zerin had.

Hi Hayami and Flygir! I hope you guys are doing okay. I sure miss you. The image clapped. Baby Ryox is doing fine and demands to see Auntie Hayami all the time. She clasped her hands together as a serious look came over her face. Listen, there were more human women kidnapped from the Exchange than we knew. This is Abalim, and we’ve sent him to find one of them, a woman by the name of Althea MacGregor. We’d gotten a thin lead that she ended up at the Galaxy’s Pub like I did. Huh, who’d have thunk that’d happen? Anyway, please help him as much as you can, so he can find her. Thanks, and let me know when you can visit again. Love you both to the universe and back! The image of the Princess gave a cheery wave before it dissolved.

Miss happy is she Pretty! The girlish Merkaba clasped her upper hands together while her lower ones wrapped around her slim waist.

It took a moment before Abalim realized Hayami had called Princess Aimee Pretty instead of using her name.

All’s right. You’s can come in. Flygir gestured with his beefy hand for Abalim to enter the smoky pub. Sit’s there. He pointed to a small vacant table by the stage. Hayami bring’s you’s somethin’ to drink. Flygir’s head whipped around when a loud squeal caught his attention. You’s! He wagged a thick finger at an escalating argument between two small aliens on the other side of the room. He lumbered off in their direction.

Yes! Hayami clapped both sets of hands. There sit you. Bring I drink like humans do. She skipped away, but whirled around and looked at the stage behind him. Oh! Sweets, here human you see! She gave a negligent wave to the female on the stage who’d been drumming on a six-stringed musical instrument.

Abalim glanced at the female, who looked like a typical Zerin.

Iridescent light skin, and a purple tattoo on her left temple with a clear crystal in the middle. Her rich sable-brown hair rested over her shoulders in a sleek cascade of curls.

He sat back on the comfortable chair and watched the woman put her instrument down. It wasn’t until she tucked some hair behind it that he realized her ear didn’t swoop up to a point. Nor did she have just three fingers. She had four.

Her sable eyebrows rose. Oh? She looked at him.

He was so close to the stage it wasn’t hard to hear her.

You’re here to see me? She pointed to herself.

Abalim scratched the side of his scruffy jaw. Well, I’m looking for a human woman by the name of Althea MacGregor. You wouldn’t know where she is, do you?

Her joyful laugh made him smile.

She stood and looked at someone behind him. This guy is looking for a human woman named Althea. Her mouth lifted into a wide smirk. Know where she is? She walked off the stage, holding out her hands.

Abalim watched as a tall Zerin male walked past him and took the woman’s hands.

His long, midnight-black hair, pulled into a braid to his ankles, exposed his pointed ears. No question he was a true Zerin. Each hand boasted three fingers of equal length instead of the four humans had.

The male bent and kissed the female’s knuckles with a low chuckle before turning to face Abalim. Hello, stranger. My name is Lok. May I ask who you are?

Abalim stood and clasped his hands in front of him. Taking a chance, he opened his psychic senses just enough to get a feel for the couple in front of him. With a small bow of his head, he introduced himself. I am Abalim from the planet Earth. And this is my AI companion, JR15. He gestured to the bot sitting on his shoulder. The current chancellor and Earth’s government have asked us to help search for women taken from the Exchange. From what I understand, this illegal trafficking only became known after they removed the old chancellor from office.

As Abalim spoke, he reached out with his mind and tried to connect with theirs. How interesting. It was harder to do than usual. They both had very distinct personalities, making it difficult to get a good read on their minds. But with gentle probing, he uncovered she was the woman he looked for.

At the mention of the disgraced chancellor, a mental image flickered in the mind of the Zerin male of lighting the burial pyre of the dead leader. Hmm, this guy had to be the twin brother of that man. When Abalim reported back to Earth, he’d reassure the new chancellor that the old one was dead and gone.

I know I don’t look like I used to— She looped her arm through the male’s. —but I’m Althea MacGregor.

You are TrueBonds? That would explain the change in her appearance. Congratulations.

Thanks! I couldn’t be happier. She hugged her man and gave him a look of unconditional love.

Which made the male’s stern expression soften when he did the same back to her.

I take it you don’t want to go back to Earth? He didn’t have to be a psychic to know the answer to that, but still, best to ask. He had to take proof back to his brother, so he’d instructed JR15 to record everything that happened the minute he stepped foot into the Galaxy’s Pub.

Oh, hell no! Althea caressed Lok’s jaw, still gazing into his eyes. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Abalim cleared his throat. He hated to break the spell between the couple, but there were other things he had to ask. You wouldn’t happen to know where any of the other women are, would you?

Why don’t you sit with this male and see if you can help him? It’ll give me a chance to get ready for that surprise I promised you. Lok gave Althea a quick kiss. The nervous excitement rolling off him was easy to sense.

She beamed. You won’t be gone long, will you? She was like a child excited for the Christmas holiday, something a lot of people on Earth celebrated at the end of the year.

"No, my bateia, my everlasting love. The male’s voice lowered. I will never be far from your side."

Oh, by the God An. The last thing he wanted to see was this overt display of new love. It was bad enough he had to endure it whenever he was around his brother Adapa and Queen Inanna. Not to mention how all five of their sons were in the same situation. It was enough to make him want to tear his eyes out.

Abalim was about to close his psychic senses when an unusual probe tried to worm its way into him. He blocked it, but the impression made his skin crawl. He glanced around the room, but couldn’t sense where it came from.

Oh good, Hayami has brought us some drinks.

Althea’s voice jerked him out of his concentration.

Well, I’ll tell you as much as I can about the women who were in the same slaver cell with me on FiPan.

Abalim barely heard what the woman said next. She and Hayami gushed about something, but the only thing he focused on was a sudden thin thread of a disturbing malevolence hidden from sight. There, hovering behind Althea. In the dim light, a fractured glow tapered in and out of sight. Like tiny mirrors catching whatever light it could to claim its reality. But it was the blazing intensity of foul purpose coming off it in waves that gave him pause.

Abalim sent a quick glance in JR15’s direction to ensure the little bot recorded the dialogue between him and Althea. Satisfied the droid had everything under control, he allowed his primary consciousness to float free, but left a small part of himself behind to answer when necessary. He focused on the obscure shape and cast a psychic web around it.

Show yourself. Abalim demanded. The creature's intelligence was easy to read. No doubt the damn thing heard him.

You are an interesting creature. A definitely male voice answered.

Abalim frowned. He got the impression the alien wasn’t talking about him.

The thing wisped around Althea and ignored everything else. I wonder if there are more like you. Yes, yes, there must be.

Get away from her. Abalim made sure he growled the words.

Look how you were once a different species. The strange being continued to ignore Abalim. And now you’ve taken on the traits of your mate. Ah, mate. Is that how you turned from one species into another?

When Abalim felt the alien seeping into Althea’s consciousness, he blasted a psychic wave and shoved the creature away. No! I said stay away from her!

Now he had the asshole’s attention. You dare to interfere with me? The surprise in the male’s voice was easy to hear. How odd.

What? You’re not smart enough to recognize a threat when it hits you? A wave of blinding, arrogant anger saturated Abalim psychically. The only way to avoid being sucked into a whirling abyss around the creature was to dig deep inside and stop it