Page 29 of Stranded with the Alien

No-one knew the Vraxians had technology like this.Earthdidn’t have technology like this.

Did that mean Vraxians could listen in to their military communications? Could the microbes be used to decipher coded messages? This was highly sensitive information. The SDF had to be told.

Except they were light years away.

She tilted her chin to meet the alien’s gaze.

“What’s your name?”

He hesitated.

“Vraxian names are long. They denote family heritage and status.”

“Give me the short version.”

“You can call me Vahn.”

“I’m Kara.”

The Vraxian nodded gravely.

“Kara.”

The word rumbled from his lips and somehow resonated in her bones. Just like the word he’d used when he’d… her mind shied away but it lingered like a whisper.

Kalehsha.

The memory brought warmth to her cheeks and she turned away abruptly to hide her confusion.

“So, Vahn, we need to make some decisions. I think it best if you stay here, since your ship is right outside. I’ll go find another part of the planet to live on.”

“You are suggesting we split up?”

“We can’t stay in the same place, can we? We’re at war.”

“Interesting. You believe we can’t put aside hostilities and yet you treated my wounds.”

Kara shrugged.

“Only because you saved me from those dog creatures. On Earth we repay our debts. So now we’re even and we can go our separate ways.”

“This is a desolate planet. Our chances of survival would increase if we stuck together.”

“We can’t,” she snapped. “You’re an enemy of my people. It’s treason to help each other.”

“And yet we already have,” he said mildly.

She had no answer to that. Suddenly exhausted, Kara sank down onto a boulder. Her head was still throbbing and the back of her neck ached. It was hard to think.

A canister of water appeared in her vision.

“Drink,” said Vahn. “You are dehydrated.”

“We need to ration these.”

“I require far less fluid than you. Drink.”

Kara raised the canister to her mouth and took a gulp. It was only half full.

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