Free Atlas: Infinity Verge Trilogy: Book II by DJ Morand Page A

their own backward language, few had learned English to better communicate with the humans. Abel stared for a moment dumbfounded.
    The Quintarran took it as a sign that Abel did not understand him and repeated the question, “Abel … you … Abel Abe-Abel?”” the Quintarran language often put the last name before the first, many Quintarrans simply went by a sound or a single letter for their name, a surname was a foreign concept. This Quintarran though seemed to be attempting to say his name properly, first and then last.
    Abel stared for a moment more then tried to remember his grasp of the Quintarran language. Zee had learned English faster than he had learned Quintarran and so they always conversed in English.
    “E ma Abel Cain, uoy era tcerroc.” Abel replied, I am Abel Cain, you are correct . He hoped he had said it right.
    The Quintarran’s eyes lit up, “Uoy kaeps Narratniuq?” the large blue alien asked in astonishment. You speak Quintarran?
    Is that what he said? Abel thought.
    “Sey E kaeps Narratniuq. Uoy wonk ym eman, tahw si sruoy?” Abel said, Yes, I speak Quintarran. You know my name what is yours?
    He still was not sure if he was speaking it right, but the alien seemed to understand him. The Quintarran smiled broadly again, his dark blue skin in stark contrast to his bright white teeth. He grabbed Abel’s right arm and lifted it high in the air. He did it with such enthusiasm that he nearly lifted Abel off the floor.
    Still smiling the Quintarran announced to the entire pub, “Cain Abel!!!” to Abel’s surprise the entire room filled with clapping and laughter, and then a cheer rose up.
    Abel was astonished to hear his name being chanted, albeit in reverse, Cain Abel, Cain Abel. The Quintarrans clapped their hands and pounded their fists on the tables. The large Quintarran dragged Abel to a table and motioned to the serving girl. She brought a large mug of some sort of green-black liquid.
    “Uoy knird Cain Abel.” The Quintarran said, doing his best to emphasize Abel’s name in English.
    “Despite your notoriety among humans, the Quintarran people still herald you as a hero.” A voice said behind Abel. It was soft and very definitely feminine.
    Abel turned around and caught a full view of a gorgeous human woman. She was not too thin and not too thick, and had a soft light color to her skin. He eyed her up and down, noting her subtle, but noticeable curves. She wore a sleeveless flak jacket beneath a hooded overcoat. The coat was a bright yellow, indicating she was part of some flight or deck crew.
    Belted at her waist was a single plasma pistol, a Browning Lite P-50. Abel noted it was a newer model, but lacking in sustainability. He preferred the two Canik Shark Ps at his waist. The Browning had a faster rate of fire, but as the designation suggested it only lasted for fifty seconds, before it had to cool.
    Abel’s Caniks had a slightly slower rate of fire, but would last almost indefinitely. The cooling power of the Canik was just superior.
    To each his, or her, own , he thought.
    She must have noted his frown regarding her pistol, because she pulled her coat around her to cover the weapon.
    She must have thought I was offended, he concluded.
    Abel followed the outline of her face, it was roundish, but angle slightly at her jaw line. Her features were soft and reminiscent of ancient Irish ancestry.
    So she is, or was rather, from one of the orbital stations in the Sol system, he thought.
    Abel met her eyes. He stared, they were white, iris, pupils, all of them. Despite the color of her eyes he could see the proper outlines of where the pupil and iris should be, nanite modification, he realized and then immediately wondered what gift it gave to her sight.
    “Abel Cain and who might you be beautiful?” Abel laid on the charm. The mysterious woman laughed, but she did not giggle. The laugh was more of incredulity than it was of one who had been flattered.
    “Aurora Rigel,” she said