Asteroid Read Online Free

gun today, she should have time to work it through. The captain’s species had similar requirements to her own, but there was a density to the foods offered that wasn’t going to sit well.
    “I see. When was I going to find this out, Captain?”
    “We received the notice this morning. Too bad, you are our best gunner. No one has an accuracy and yield rating like you do, Hadros.”
    Sebena sipped at the water again. “That is very true. My accuracy was the reason I made it into the Volunteer program. It is my defining characteristic.”
    Issul seemed curious. “Is it? How so?”
    “Targeting and precision was determined during the interview process. They tested me afterward and it was confirmed that my reflexes were above normal. I was offered the position in the Volunteers just before the launch day. I waved goodbye to my family and was on the first wave out to the stars before I knew what was happening.”
    The captain sat back. “I never knew that.”
    She blushed. “I don’t really have much interaction with anyone here aside from the gunners and they don’t ask questions.”
    The captain had a serious expression, but when she looked at Issul, he had something different on his features.
    “Do you miss it?”
    She swallowed. “I really do. Knowing that I have a world where my family is that I cannot return to is hard. I mean, I know I agreed to it, but it doesn’t make it easier.”
    Issul nodded. “I understand that better than you could ever know.”
    Clearing her throat, she asked, “Captain, how close were we to Zeering?”
    “Two days away. We are entering his system now.”
    She swallowed. “I see. When will we be within distance for planet fall?”
    “Six hours from now.”
    “So, six hours from now…”
    “You will pilot the Avatar to the planet Zeering and remain there with him as he adjusts to the changes that have occurred in the society. You will not only be there as the possible mate to this avatar, but also as his bodyguard.”
    Her resentment fell away. “What?” She looked between the captain and Issul and cocked her head. “Why would he need a bodyguard?”
    Issul leaned back in his chair and a slight smile curved his lips. “Because someone has already attempted to kill me.”
    Sebena listened with a bit of shock as Issul explained that his ship did not strike the asteroids by chance. A blast had taken out his starboard propulsion and it had sent his ship spinning into the field.
    They had chosen that moment to strike because the mineral-rich field was well known for blocking any signals.
    “Do you know who did it?” She was already devising a plan to keep Issul safe, which was ridiculous as there was little chance of anyone causing him physical harm on the surface. The planet would keep him safe.
    Zeering took control of the body. “There is a religious order on my world who has been attempting to gain a foothold with me by putting up one of their own as avatar. I have been refusing them on the grounds that Issul was still alive, but they claimed that there was no chance that he would return. They requested that they be allowed to submit candidates to me for the last one hundred years and I have rejected each one. They will be submitting another candidate in two days and with Issul’s return, there is bound to be a large fuss.”
    She looked at the face and read the expression of the planet in the man’s body. Zeering was quiet and didn’t want any trouble. He was shy and just wanted the folk on his surface to get along.
    “Zeering, how long have the people on your surface been there?” She wanted to bite her nails, but it was inappropriate for the captain’s table.
    “One thousand forty-two years. They arrived one hundred years before Issul did, but I could not take them as Avatars. They burn out too quickly.”
    “What species are they?”
    “Reeban. They are not close enough to what I need to use as a vessel, but they do not like Issul. They were offended when I