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Here is one of the most exciting contests on the Hive blockchain. It is a challenge to write about 50,000 words in a month.

You can decide what you wish to do with the 50,000 words. Do you want it to evolve into a novel or just some exciting story series or something that you like? You decide.

So, a words/day rate of 1,700 should take you over the 50,000 words mark in thirty days. There are rewards too.

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Prompt

*** Today's Maynia Prompt: false teeth***

*** Today's Daily Freewrite Prompt: mud wrestling***

Writers can choose to use one of the prompts, both the prompts or not use the prompt at all. It is all up to you!

I wish to make this into a sci-fi novel. Let's see how it progresses! 😊

The Galactic Interceptors - Day 13

Continued from Day 12. You can read it here.

Intelligence Bureau, Delhi

The late-night stale kachoris notwithstanding, Radhika and Akash were early in office the next morning. The onset of monsoon ensured a cloud cover which kept the sunlight at bay. However, that also meant that the day was darker even at 7:00 a.m.

"I could do with a hot cup of tea," Akash sat on the cushioned sofa in Radhika's cabin.

"Hmm. Madan won't start serving before 8:00. Tough luck," Radhika took a flask out of her bag, "unless, you don't mind a coffee."

"Yes, please, anything to spike my energy."

"So, what do we do now?" Radhika poured the steamy coffee, and the aroma hit Akash even before Radhika's words. Or maybe, he just chose to ignore the question for which he did not have any answers.

"Good flask."

"Huh, what?"

"I mean, your coffee seems so hot, as if it was just taken out of a heater," Akash pointed to the flask.

"Why don't you do another coffee round?"

"Where is the question of another? Akash was puzzled, "I haven't even started the first one."

Radhika smiled and handed him the cup. Akash took the first sip, and realization hit him like the caffeine from the coffee. "Oh damn, you don't mean coffee with that alien chic, right?"

"That's what I meant, exactly," Radhika said, "and you admit, she's chic."

"That thing has five to ten layers of protection around her, I just can't get to her heart," Akash took another sip and instinctively closed his eyes in satisfaction, "I don't even know if she has a heart. Besides, she doesn't enjoy coffee."

"Who told you that?"

"She didn't want to sit for coffee the last time."

"That's because she was prepped for interrogation, not for a cosy-doodling session over a cup of coffee."

"Hahh," Akash was hoping the coffee could raise his spirits as well handle the stress of managing rogue aliens, "I'll give it a try. Not going to make up stories like an interrogation and things."

"In fact, that's what I want you to do," Radhika filled her cup, "be on your charm offence."

"Like I said, too many layers," Akash took his last sip and was reluctant to place the cup down.

"Have one more," Radhika held out the flask.

"I wouldn't say, no," Akash held out the cup, "I will give it a shot, but we both know that she would be ready for this. If she is hiding something, then that's gonna stay hidden."

"Focus on knowing more about this Zarqui-Olyint equation," Radhika watched Akash gulping down the coffee and wondered if the coffee had gone cold, "that should do for now. I will see what I can get out from Olyint."

"Okay, change of plans," Akash said, "what if instead of coffee in a coffee shop, I invite her to my place for star gazing at night? That should get her talking about stars. I get to know of her world, and she gets to know mine, hopefully."

"Oh, you should start drinking coffee more than tea. It turns on your brain cells."

"Brain cells are turned on twenty-four-seven, baby. It's about when I choose to let it shine."

"False-teeth," Radhika smiled, "coffee is the champion."

"Whatever suits you," Akash took the last sip and stood up to leave, "maybe you should also try something new. Why don't you call Olyint for a mud-wrestling match instead of just a talk," Akash's spirits were high, and Radhika just let the moment pass with a smile.

Akash's Residence, Delhi

Sarvi accepted Akash's invitation. He remained curious of the aliens accepting invitation so soon, especially, when there was catastrophe right around the corner. He surmised that they too would be keen to let their hair down and have fun, once in a while. In that sense, they wouldn't be too far from humans.

Akash heard the bell ring. Considering the lockdown, it could be no one but Sarvi. Akash felt that Radhika was quite courageous to invite Olyint home. She only had her seven-year-old daughter, as her husband was stuck in Italy following the lockdown there. Akash realized that a seven-year-old would take the news of an alien at home a lot better than Radhika's husband. He would have hardly anything to talk to Olyint.

"Wow, what am I looking at it," Akash gazed at Sarvi in a black gown with high heels and probably Chanel perfume, "is that a costume that was recommended to blend with the humans?"

"Not really," Sarvi said as she walked inside.

Akash smiled to himself knowing that with that knee-high slit gown and the red carpet look, Sarvi wouldn't have fit in during regular times either. Thank God for the lockdown. "So, who gave you the idea for this dress?"

"I got it from things you call magazines and television." Sarvi did not even look at Akash once since she entered. She was looking around the house with military precision. It took her about two minutes until she turned to Akash. "I like this place."

"Well, thank you. My humble abode," Akash gestured Sarvi to make herself comfortable on the sofa, while he went to the kitchen to get some drinks. Sarvi followed him.

"I would like to take a look," Sarvi walked into the eight-bedroom, humble abode. "Why do you need so many chambers?"

"Chambers? Oh, you mean rooms. Well, that is just in case for guests and family."

"Hmm. Hm." Sarvi continued her walk through the rooms. Akash felt that Sarvi was doing a recce than a casual walk. He guessed that it would have to do with her military inclinations.

As Akash came out of the kitchen with a glass of Mazaa and wine for himself, he saw Sarvi coming towards the hall from one of the rooms. She was looking gorgeous and a lot taller than Akash. Akash was a six-footer, and Sarvi was certainly two-to-three inches taller than him. He noticed that the footwear was Christian Louboutin. Chanel perfume, Louboutin shoes, and by the looks of it the gown could be from a big fashion house, Akash was growing curious about the arrangements.

"Your shoes…"

"You like it?"

"Sure, so long as you do not use it to kick me," Akash quipped, "where did you get all that your wearing?"

"Oh, that's a long story. Maybe, we will get to that some other time," Sarvi said.

"You mean, there is something more important to discuss?" Akash looked at Sarvi, who seemed surprised. There was a silence which both did not know how to surpass, but Akash did, "because, I am done discussing the weapon, your planet, Zarqui and all."

"Then, why are we here?"

"Just to relax and get to know each other. Don't they do that on your planet?"

"They," Sarvi turned and looked around again, "do."

"You seem uncomfortable. Is everything, alright?" Akash noticed that Sarvi was still distracted, "go ahead, you can see around." He wondered if she suspected him of recording them conversing.

"No, I am worried about Zarqui," Sarvi said.

Akash felt that it was an opportune moment to start the discussion around Zarqui and the other planetary stuff. "What about Zarqui? I thought you believed him the other day."

"I believed him, yes, but now with the weapon gone, I no longer know what to believe."

"Who is Zarqui to you, and why did he train you? And who is Olyint?"

"Olyint is my acting commander and Zarqui was my training commander."

"I won't mind a bit more explanation on that," Akash handed the glass of Mazaa to Sarvi.

"Before I was in my current role, I had to undergo training. The elders train soldiers of our stature. We…"

"What do you mean soldiers of your stature?"

"We form the elite structure of soldiers who are trained to maintain peace around the Arlenian dominion. The rest are those who manage the Arlenian population in their place of inhabitation," Sarvi smelled the drink but did not sip, "the elite soldiers train under the elders, and the future elder will be picked from us."

"So, you have a chance to become an elder. That must be cool."

"No, not me. It is rarely possible that a female elite becomes an elder. It happens in the unlikely scenario of two or more elders pass on, leaving a void."

"Pass on? You mean, die? No, ah.. desynthesized?"

"No, pass on means they could be desynthesized, left on their own accord or chose to hand over the reins to another," Sarvi said.

"Oh, but you said one elder was desynthesized, and that makes a void, right?"

"No, it is two or more that creates a void. In such a case, a new elder is chosen from the most deserving. But a female has not become an elder for more than ten thousand Earth years," Sarvi, finally took a sip, "that was the last time."

"Hmm," Akash thought that the proverbial glass-ceiling was not just an Earth thing, "So, I presume you are one of the most deserving."

"Yes, I am, but there would be no need to look for alternates. A new elder would have replaced Arkan by now, and we should have Olyint and Zarqui back to our planet soon."

"And what's the story between Zarqui and Olyint?"

"You already know the story," Sarvi gulped down the beverage. Akash got up to refill her glass. It was odd for him to be refilling a lady's glass with Mazaa instead of wine, champagne or vodka.

"I want to know your opinion. You know them far better and for a longer time than us," Akash stirred the wine in his glass, keeping eye contact with Sarvi.

"Zarqui and Olyint are both law-upholders and driven by honour. I can never imagine either one of them to be on the erroneous side of the law. Ever since Arkan was desynthesized, I do not know what to make out of things."

… To Be Continued.

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