Free Asteroid by Viola Grace Page B

gravity.
    The pod was still sealed and she watched the emergency team put it on a lift and move it toward medical.
    Sebena had to strip out of the EVA suit before she could follow her find and by the time she arrived in medical, they had the pod in isolation and there were staffers working on opening the unit.
    She asked the observing physician, “What is it?”
    He looked at her, “You are the one who found him?”
    “It’s a him?”
    “It is. We have contacted his planet. He was reported missing over one hundred years ago.”
    She blinked. “A hundred years? What species is he?”
    The doctor’s lips twitched. “It isn’t his birth planet that we are contacting. He is a planetary avatar. The mineral field must have broken the planet-mind connection. His world has had a reward for him that is astronomical.”
    The technicians opened the pod and worked on the inhabitant.
    A peculiar pulse under her feet came to her attention. “Why is the ship moving?”
    “With the Alliance demanding his immediate delivery to his planet, the fastest way to get there is to take him ourselves.”
    Sebena watched the male lifted from the pod and she had to hold her breath. He was lovely. His skin was pale gold and his hair a lovely auburn. His ears were pointed and he had the physique of a body builder. Whatever he had been before he became an avatar, it was a species she really wanted to meet.
    As if sensing her, his eyes opened and his gaze fixed on her. She blushed scarlet in a second but wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or arousal, because both were warring in her system. His gaze was pure gold and as she watched, a dark blue began to swirl throughout.
    Without a doubt, the planet had just regained contact with its avatar and they were staring right at her.

    Chapter Two
    The doctor spoke to his technicians. “There is no risk of infection. Biohazard protocols are not necessary. Gunner, you have done well, you are dismissed.”
    Sebena nodded and with a slight smile to the waking avatar, she left medical. Outside the closed doors, she leaned against the wall and took a deep, settling breath. She had rescued the avatar of a planet and he was alive and well…and gorgeous. The image of him was going to haunt her dreams tonight.
    Sighing happily at a job well done, she wandered over to the dining hall to get some dinner. If the ship were moving, she would have the following day off, so she had better check the duty roster to verify it. A day off on the ship meant she could enjoy a little hot-tub time herself, preferably without a companion.
    She was sitting at a table with some of the other gunners when a ripple of surprised voices got her attention. Sebena turned to see what was causing the fuss only to meet the amused gaze of the avatar.
    “May I join you?” His voice was low and rich. It gave Sebena the feeling of being drenched in warm chocolate.
    Her companions moved aside quickly and waved goodbyes as they took up a nearby table so they could watch.
    “Of course. Please.” She waved at the seat across from her.
    “Thank you.”
    She blinked. “For what? Bringing you in? It is the responsibility of every Alliance person to offer aid to rescue pods.”
    He smiled and the sharp curve of his elegant lips made her fingers itch to trace them. “And yet, they are not required to go hunting for a signal that was dismissed by their dispatcher. Thank you for following your heart to find me. My name is Issul and I am the Avatar of Zeering. He would like to speak to you if you would allow it.”
    She smiled helplessly. “Of course.”
    His eyes swirled from gold to navy. “Gunner Hadros, I would like to express my thanks in person, so to speak. This ship is bringing Issul back to me and I would like it very much if you would accompany him to the surface.”
    She swallowed. “I see. I will have to request authorization for leave to a planetary surface.”
    His smile was just as devastating when Zeering was the one speaking.