Stranded with A Space Marine (Space Marine Brides Book 1) by Sierra Storm

Author:Sierra Storm [Storm, Sierra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction Romance, Colonization science fiction, Science fiction first contact, Science fiction genetic engineering, Science fiction colonization
Publisher: Sierra Storm
Published: 2021-10-08T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Keslid

I'd heard of Cho'tov before, and not in a good way. It was centrally located and had access to every civilization imaginable, but its people preferred to live isolated and alone, willfully distant from the rest of society. The Cho'tov natives were especially suspicious and distrustful of anyone who didn't resemble them, and our chances of leaving this place had just dropped from likely to almost impossible. I wouldn't betray any of my concerns to Rhea, though. She had enough on her plate already, and despite everything, I felt a strong tenderness for her and a drive to make her safe and happy.

The Cho'tov were a primitive people. They didn't have technology from the current era, and they actively preferred to live without it, but they possessed a singular wonder that put them on par with the rest of us. The Starstones, as they called them, were portals that flashed on command to any destination a person visualized. They could use them to travel places around their own world, but it also worked for other stars, planets, and even ships. Unfortunately, the natives guarded their treasure with their lives. Any chance we had of getting it or being allowed to use it relied on Rhea's ability to play along with their customs. Considering how much Rhea argued with me and everyone else in the past, I anticipated trouble.

Tyce showed us no signs of animosity as we maneuvered around the first of the mud huts. "We have a spare home for you to stay in as long as you need," he said. "You and your wife will be expected to join us with meals and when the rains fall. Do you have a means to contact your ship?"

"I will, but I'll have to repair it first," I said.

"You can stay as long as you please." I began to think that Tyce only said these words in a ceremonial fashion, like a king saying someone can request a portion of his dominion.

Beside me, Rhea whispered odd sentiments to Tyce's prime wife, Jada. "I love the dress you're wearing! Is the rain always so pink?"

I tuned her out, but was relieved that she appeared to be observing everything she could and not panicking in our current situation.

In my head, I'd already begun to think of a strategy. We could stay the night. I would go out of my way to smooth things over with the Cho'tov so that they wouldn't turn on us—or on Rhea, in particular—when I got to work fixing the ship. Repair was the best hope we had right now. I was confident that the ship's systems could repair themselves over time, but I also knew a thing or two about engine and shield mechanics, and I could get the communications online soon enough to relay to the Mercy about everything that happened to us.

I realized as Tyce spoke that this place had few rules and customs that it absolutely demanded us, but that we needed to follow them if we wanted to avoid execution.

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