Page 5 of Craving Stardust

“Computer.” My voice barely rose above a whisper. “Secure the craft.”

“Emergency procedures in effect. Hull is not secure. Repeat. Hull is not Secure.”

“Can I breathe the air and survive here?”

“Air analysis complete: breathable.”

At least that was good. “Status report.”

The dash flared before dying down; the computer saying nothing.

Wonderful.

Something moved close to the ship, the footsteps crackling as they shuffled across the planet’s surface.

Fear spiraled through me. I grappled at my waist but I never traveled with a weapon. There was always time to grab one from the cabinet in the back of the small bridge. Could I get there before who- or whatever this was reached me?

Fuck, I’d have to.

I struggled to rise, pain arching up my leg like a blade gouged down through it.

A humanoid being poked its head over the side of my craft, its long golden hair cascading over its shoulders.

Such beautiful features. The creature had high cheeks, eyes the color of the lushest trees on Sathoria, and a chin with a tiny dimple. Its lack of horns and claws made me wonder how it defended itself during battle.

Despite standing on the stairs that must’ve projected to aid in my evacuation, the being’s head barely jutted above the side of the ship. What kind of tiny creature populated this planet?

“Kan ick halpa honom?” it asked, its words a melodic jumble I ached to understand.

My brain implant churned, snapping into action, trying to translate the language.

“Please,” I whispered, thought I didn’t know what I asked for. Help? The creature could be planning to eat me.

I reached toward it, and it did the same.

Our fingers made contact. As if I’d touched a live wire, a jolt roared up my arm.

Fated one?

This wasn’t possible; I was imagining things.

“Whoa, an alien. You gave me a shock.” Female, my implant said. She shook her head. “Calm down, Iris. It’s a badly wounded alien. Green skin. Horns. But as wounded as a stray cat you might find scurrying through the ditch on the side of the road.”

I suspected she wouldn’t harm me, but I wasn’t sure why I felt I could trust my instincts in this.

“I'm going to help you,” she said. She clambered up over the side of the ship and jumped into the small bridge.

Despite my dire wounds, I gaped at what she was wearing—a bright red garment that hugged her generous curves and stopped mid-thigh.

“I’m Iris.” Her gaze traveled up and down my body. “You’re huge. Please tell me you’re not going to kill me if I touch you.”

“I will not kill you if you touch me,” I rasped.

Her brow scrunched together. “At least we can communicate. I should get you out of the spaceship and… Well, I’m not sure what else. Your leg looks pretty bad.” Her swallow went down hard.

I started to slide sideways. I would’ve smacked onto the floor again if she hadn’t slipped her arm around me, holding me upright. “Hold on there, big guy. Don’t do any further damage to your body.”

“Lordek,” I croaked.

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