Maria started walking but noticed Zepharos wasn’t moving.
“It’s okay. Go on without me. You’re safe here, and I’m sure you have a lot to talk about with your fellow humans. I’ll catch up with you shortly.”
“Okay. And, Zeph, thank you.”
“It has been my privilege and pleasure. Now, go see your new friends.”
Maria didn’t need to be told twice. She hurried out with her guide and followed close, weaving between structures until they arrived at an open area laid out in a circle. Whether it was a dining area or a meeting space was inconsequential. What mattered was there were two women waiting for her in the center. Twohumanwomen.
“Oh my God! We heard there was another survivor, one of the women blurted. “I’m Darla, and this is Shalia. It’s so good to meet you!”
The two women rushed over and hugged the new arrival. No formalities, not getting to know you talk. This was another of the very few humans ever to set foot on this world, and that made her family.
“I’m Maria. It’s amazing meeting you two.”
Darla nodded. “Feels good seeing other humans, right?”
“You know, I was actually traveling with another survivor for a long time.”
“The Raxxian ship was a miserable experience,” Shalia said.
Maria shook her head. “No, not like that. I mean here, on this planet.”
The two women lookedveryinterested in that tidbit.
“Hang on. There’s another out there?” Darla asked. “Where? What happened?”
Maria shook her head. “That’s a long story. But the short of it is we were captured by some roving trader types and stuck in a transport vehicle while they roamed the countryside slowly gathering up other unfortunates like us. No more humans though. We were the only two. Just me and Ziana. Did either of you know her from the Raxxian ship?”
The two women shook their heads.
“Ah, figures. I guess they had us spread out all over the place.”
Shalia leaned closer. “But what happened? How did you wind up here?”
“Ah, that. I was stuck in some alien wannabeHunger Gamescompetition but got disqualified early on. That meant I’d essentially become a slave as a result. But then, when all hope was lost, the most wonderful man rescued me.”
Darla seemed very pleased to hear that. “Someone broke you out? Excellent. Good for him. Did you bring him with you?”
“He’s from here, actually. Maybe you know him. Zepharos is his name.”
Darla and Shalia stiffened slightly, sharing a quick look. It was Darla who broke the moment.
“You sayZepharosrescued you.”
“Yep.”
“And he put himself in jeopardy doing so?”
“Big time. It’s been days and days of non-stop trekking to get us to safety.”
“And he behaved?”
“Yes. Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
Darla and Shalia chuckled. “Let’s just say he has a bit of a history with women, human or otherwise.”
“He said. But he’s been nothing but good to me. But tell me, how did you two wind up here?”
