Page 8 of Alien Barbarian's Little Human

“Other than being trapped on an uncontacted planet with no way of contacting anyone or getting home? Not much, except that I’m used to chairs that have backs. I don’t know how you’re able to just sit there so easily.”

I shrug.

“I suppose I’ve had a lot of practice. Would you like to brace your back against me?”

“Would I like to what, now?”

“Here.” I pat my shoulder. If you sit facing that way, then you’ll be able to use me to recline against.”

“‘That won’t, um, bother you?”

“Not at all.”

She scoots over and rests her back against me. Micah’s soft, silken mane tickles against my skin. Her scent fills my senses. Having her so close affects me on a deeper level than expected. It feels right to have her so near.

“What’s your village like?” she asks, her voice sounding drowsy to my ears.

“Redcliffe? I suppose it is much like any other Drokan village.”

“Yeah, great, except I’ve never seen one of those, so can you be a little less vague?”

She stiffens, and then slides around on her seat until she can look me in the eyes.

“You don't like talking about it, do you?”

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to.” she stares intently at my face. “It’s in your eyes every time I bring it up. Did something happen?”

“Yes.” I drop my gaze to the stream. “But I’d rather not discuss it right now, if you don’t mind.”

“All right, we don’t have to talk about it.” she turns around again, bracing her back against me. “You’re a kind man, Gog. I don’t know what happened at your village, but whatever it was, it can’t have been your fault.”

That is where she is wrong. It was very much my fault.

She slowly drifts off to sleep. Micah slouches as she reaches deeper slumber, and I gently lower her head onto my lap. I can’t resist stroking my fingers through her hair. This woman is most intriguing. Despite her many complaints and fears, she does not give up. Even now I sense she’s more worried about her companions than herself.

I don’t want to sleep in Skuyr territory, so I Drokan-nap instead. It’s something between meditation and true sleep, but you remain aware of your surroundings and can come out of it in an instant, without the usual lethargic freeze to your limbs.

I don’t know what the future might hold, but right now, I enjoy being with Micah in the cool shade of the oasis. If I should die tomorrow, at least I will have had this moment of bliss.

CHAPTER 4

MICAH

Sparks in the software, the message flashes, something’s out there. Computer consoles erupting in a shower of flame, suppression systems malfunctioning, it’s as if the ship is tearing itself apart on a fundamental level.

I race for the escape pods, along with a half dozen survivors from the commissary. A flash of heat behind, and screams. I look over my shoulder and see the charred remains of my fellow survivors. I’m the only one who makes it to the pods.

The artificial gravity goes haywire, suddenly launching me to the ceiling. I cling to the open door of the pod, desperately clawing my way in. Please, please, please let me make it in time. I don’t want to die like this. Not alone, so far away from home…

At last I make it inside, and jam my palm on the huge launch button. It’s designed to be used in a panic, and this qualifies. The door spins shut, and I feel a lurch as the pod ejects from the dying ship.

The pod scorches through the atmosphere of the strange planet, glowing so bright I can’t bear to look out of the viewport. Is it going to hold? What if this planet has especially high gravity, or dangerous storms in the atmosphere? I might not make it to the ground at all--

I come awake with a gasp, and find myself staring up at a golden red sky, dotted with a few impatient stars. Where the fuck am I?

Oh, I remember now. The crash, being chased by those things, then saved by Gro. Gro, I wonder where he found this pillow? It’s kind of hard, but not that uncomfortable.

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