The Gorison Traveler Incident (Veslor Mates #1) Read online

  “I wasn’t allowed near the Ke’ters or asked for any input from Commander Alderson. Have you met him?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Then you know how he is. He didn’t give me this job. Big M raved me up to one of the admirals he knows, probably asked a favor to get me assigned to the Gorison Traveler to keep our family together. I just recently got assigned here. The commander was pissed. He had some old buddy handpicked for this job, but when I asked Professor Regal about him, she’d never heard of him before.”

  “Professor Regal?”

  “She’s basically in charge of all information collected on alien races. She sends cultural specialists updates to keep us current. This guy wasn’t even on her radar, which means―”

  “He doesn’t actually know much about aliens,” Abby cut in. “Got it. Met the type. Set in his ways and doesn’t care to learn anything new.” She paused. “It’s a thirty-two digit bypass code. You better be for real, Vivian Goss. I’m risking my ass by trusting you. Keep me updated. That’s all I ask.”

  “You got it.” Vivian turned in the chair, facing external coms, and put her hand on the digital pad. “I’m ready.”

  She followed Abby’s directions, carefully punching in each number. The long-range transmission station came fully online, giving her access. “I’m in. Now what?”

  A hail beeped loudly. Vivian jumped, startled.

  “Answer it,” Abby urged.

  She did. “This is the Gorison Traveler.”

  “Earthling, this is Brassi Korack. I’m from the Veslor home world. My ship is the Brar. We received your automated distress signal and have tried numerous times to hail you. We’re four hours from your location. What is your emergency?”

  She was shocked. The Veslors were aliens from an unincorporated world. Little was known about them, but she’d read up on what information they had. The voice was male, very guttural sounding, and held a slight growl.

  “Who?” Abby whispered, reminding her that they hadn’t disconnected.

  Vivian swallowed and muted the hail to talk to Abby. “They’re a shifter race who trade with one of the space stations out in the ninth quadrant. From what I’ve read, they live by an honor system. You know, their word is their bond. They have a great reputation for being honest. They’re four hours away. Maybe they can help us.”

  “The guy sounds dangerous. Are we allied with them?”

  “No.”

  “Damn.”

  The Veslor began to speak again. “Hello, Earthling? Are you there?” The male paused. “Have we lost them? I thought they were receiving finally.”

  Someone snarled words the translator didn’t pick up.

  “I’m going to talk to them to feel them out,” Vivian decided. “I’ll call you back.” She ended the call with Abby, muted the incoming ship call buzzer, and activated her mic once more to exterior coms.

  “This is Brassi Korack,” that guttural voice repeated. “Are you having communications issues? What is your emergency? Are your systems failing?”

  She leaned forward, putting her elbows on the station in front of her. “My name is Vivian Goss. I’m on the Gorison Traveler. I just gained access to external communications and am still figuring them out. I apologize for the delay. I’m also surprised to be speaking to Veslors. I was told you mainly stay in the ninth quadrant.”

  “That’s true, but we had business in this section of space and heard your distress beacon. We ran long-range scans, only to find no other vessels are nearby. I debated on hailing you. Earthlings normally snub us, but it would be heartless to not offer help if it’s needed. We have compassion.”

  “You’re traders, right? What would you ask in exchange for assistance?”

  He hesitated. “Gratitude would be nice, but not necessary,” he said dryly. We’re seeking alliances. We’d like to expand business to other quadrants. Earthlings have expanded considerably. Doing a kind deed might open doors for us.”

  “I’m not a person of influence who could help you in that way. I’m sorry. All I can do is promise that I’ll try my best to talk to someone about it in fleet.”

  “Understood. We’d still like to help you. Some of my males are good with repairs. Your position hasn’t moved. Have your engines gone down? We have some spare parts aboard if needed. No payment necessary.”

  “I took the engines offline.” She debated briefly before continuing. “Twenty-two Ke’ters boarded our ship, but ten days into our journey with them, they attacked and took control of the bridge. Cutting engines was the only way I could stop them from flying us to wherever they want to take the ship.”

  He snarled viciously. “Ke’ters?”

  He spat the word as if it were vile, and his anger was clear. They had something in common, if the Veslors didn’t like the lizard race. “Yes.”

  “They eat other races. Why would you trust them?” He paused. “They’ll fly you to one of their outposts, enslave your people, and use them as a food source.”

  She flinched. “We’re aware of that now. I didn’t make the decision to let them onboard. I’m dealing with the fallout.”

  “Fallout? I don’t know that word.”

  “Um, the consequences. Your English is pretty good.”

  “I downloaded your language from the distress call. It was simple to decipher.”

  “Wow. Your computers are amazing, then. I thought I was speaking directly to you.”

  “You are, Vivian Goss. We have implants. I learned your language in seconds with an instant download to my mind.”

  That surprised her; it was something she didn’t know their race was capable of. It implied some of their technology was better than what United Earth had access to.

  That part wasn’t a surprise.

  “Our laser rifles were useless against them.”

  “Their skin is tough.”

  She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her. “Do you mind if we do a visual? I’d like to see who I’m talking to.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  She tapped on the panel, located the camera and waited. In seconds, he accepted the transmission, and his live image came on the monitor in front of her.

  The sight of him took her breath away. She may have read about Veslors, but had never seen what they looked like.

  Brassi Korack had a very manly face. It wasn’t quite human, though he had similar features—two eyes, one nose, and a mouth. But he had slightly animalistic traits. His golden eyes were like nothing she’d ever seen. He had thick black eyelashes to match the long mane of hair she could see. The sides of his head were either shaved or he didn’t grow hair there. His ears were pointed, his skin dark. The brightest, lightest thing about him were his eyes.

  He studied her back intently. “Hello, Vivian.”

  It reminded her that she probably looked like crap. She had slept upright in the chair for maybe an hour or two, and hadn’t even brushed her hair afterward. She glanced down, realizing she was in the comfy jumpsuit she wore in her quarters. It was pale blue in color, shapelessly covering her from her neck to wrist to ankle, and was about as unsexy as an outfit could be. “Hello, Brassi. It’s nice to see you.” She smiled briefly.

  He leaned in closer. “Your teeth.”

  She ran her tongue over them, hoping something wasn’t stuck. “What about them?”

  “They’re small, and not sharp. Apologizes. I was just surprised. You’re the first Earthling female I’ve ever seen.” His gaze roamed her face. “You appear fragile and tiny.”

  “Thank you?” She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Was he insulting her or just making a general assessment of her appearance? She recalled what her professors frequently cautioned about first contact with alien races. Misunderstandings were bound to happen and to never take offense. All ego should be set aside to properly learn their customs.

  Veslors were normally far away in the ninth quadrant. It wasn’t surprising he hadn’t seen any human women out there. Human fleet ships