“What kind of deal? You’re not making any sense. Safe from what?”
“Being reassigned to another job. A bad one. Leave it at that, Becky. Okay?”
Her sister opened her mouth, ready to protest. Before she could, another woman spoke.
“Who let that animal on this transport?”
Darla lifted her head, staring at the opening where passengers boarded. Shock hit hard and fast at the sight of the huge alien man who’d entered the shuttle.
She’d seen plenty of news feeds; she could guess what he was.
Her sister grabbed her arm.
The big alien glanced their way, and Darla felt her sister press against her side tighter, probably attempting to hide from the alien’s intense bluish-green stare.
His eyes were brilliant in color. He had everything a human did, as far as two eyes, two arms, and two legs went…but he wasn’t one. The pointed ears proved that. He was also bigger and scarier looking than any guy she’d ever seen in person.
He tore his gaze away from them to glare at the woman who’d called him an animal. She wore a light gray fleet uniform, her blonde hair pulled back in a severe bun, and had an angry look on her face.
He handed his bags to the shuttle officer who handled luggage.
“You need to get off this shuttle right now,” the blonde ordered. She stood from her seat and pointed toward the open door. “This is only for the crew of Defcon Red.”
“I’m aware.”
Darla felt a chill run down her spine when the alien snarled those words. He sounded equally angry. Not that she could blame him. The blonde woman was being rude.
“Then get off!” The woman pointed again.
“I live on Defcon Red.”
The woman made a huffing noise and took a step forward.
A man in a dark gray uniform got up and stepped into her path. “Stand down, Barbara. Now. A whole team of Veslors are assigned to our ship. He’s probably returning after getting a few days of leave, too.”
“I don’t care, Adam. I don’t want that thing near me!”
“Goddamn it,” Adam loudly hissed. “Shut your mouth and stand down. That’s an order. Put your ass in the seat and seal your lips.”
Barbara opened her mouth.
“Commander Bills personally asked for the Veslors to be assigned to Defcon Red,” Adam whispered, but his voice carried easily. “United Earth signed a trade treaty with them. We’re under orders to make them feel welcome. Anyone who doesn’t will be written up—or worse. Remember that tactical team everyone was gossiping about?” He motioned his head toward the big alien. “They messed with the Veslors.”
Barbara paled before finally retaking her seat. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked anything but happy. Adam turned, staring at the Veslor. He gave the alien a brisk nod before sitting back down, too.
Darla felt bad for the alien when she noticed the other humans suddenly refused to look at him, putting items on the empty seats as if they were saving them for someone who hadn’t arrived yet.
She knew only too well what it was like to be treated so poorly. Greenhouse workers lived apart from the city dwellers and were often treated as lower class.
Making a decision, she cleared her throat. “There’s an empty seat over here.”
The alien glanced at her. Fear surged but she pushed it down. Her sister gripped her arm in a painful hold but luckily, Becky said nothing. Their parents had taught them to be polite.
He hesitated briefly then walked right toward them. Becky released her and scooted over. Darla forced a smile, making sure she kept eye contact with the big Veslor. She’d heard things about them on the news…including how they’d helped save a lot of lives on the Gorison Traveler. It had to mean they weren’t a threat to humans. At least, she hoped not.
He took the seat next to her, encroaching into her space a little. It wasn’t really his fault. He had to be close to seven feet tall and was massive in body size.
“Thank you.” He had a deeply gruff voice.
She swallowed. “I’m Darla, and this is my younger sister, Becky.”
“Hello,” Becky squeaked.
Darla was proud of her sister for remembering her manners in the face of obvious fear. She reached over and lightly patted her sister’s leg. Becky relaxed in her seat a little.
Six more people entered the shuttle over the next few minutes, and then the door closed. The engines came online seconds later. The seats under them rumbled and the noise inside muted other people’s soft talking. Everyone began to put on their belts.
Darla glanced at her sister, who appeared wary. Darla understood. She belted into her seat. “It’s going to be fine.”
Becky didn’t look convinced as she also strapped in.
“Is there a problem?”
That deep voice had her turning her head to peer up at the Veslor. “It’s our first time leaving the planet. We’ve never been on a shuttle before.”
His eyes really were striking. They were a bright blue with lots of vivid green streaks. Everything on Radison was kind of dull. It was a dust planet. The only vegetation grown inside greenhouses, and even those plants were all dingy shades of browns, dull yellows, and very pale greens.
“I’m Gnaw,” he said, introducing himself. “And shuttle travel is very safe.”
He had a weird name, but she appreciated him talking to her. It was a great distraction. “Then why the belts?”
“It can become bumpy when we transition into space.
