Romancing the Stars: 8 Short Stories of Galactic Romance and Adventure

by Sabine Priestley

  Romancing the Stars

  8 Short Stories of Galactic Romance and Adventure

  Sabine Priestley

  Carysa Locke

  Aurora Springer

  Melisse Aires

  Veronica Scott

  Lyn Brittain

  Kyndra Hatch

  Lea Kirk

  Contents

  About Romancing the Stars

  Copyright

  Star Cruise Rescue

  Maricar’s Gamble

  Hunter Bond

  Gifts of Jangalore

  Cyborg Security

  All of Me

  Aliens in the Barn

  Alien Bond

  About Romancing the Stars

  Welcome to Romancing the Stars! Eight Science Fiction Romance short stories that promise love among the stars. This was an open submission among a group of Science Fiction Romance writers, the SFR Brigade, with a diverse group of authors. The heat levels range from mild to steaming, so take it as far as you like. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!

  If you're looking for more Sci-Fi Romance, check out the brigade here:

  http://sfrcontests.blogspot.com/

  Copyright

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Author.

  “Star Cruise Rescue” Copyright © 2016 by Jean D. Walker.

  “Maricar’s Gamble” Copyright 2015 © Lyn Brittan.

  "Hunter Bond" Copyright © 2016 by Carysa Locke.

  "Gifts of Jangalore" Copyright © 2014 Aurora Springer.

  "Cyborg Security" Copyright © 2016 Melisse Aires.

  "All of Me" Copyright © 2016 by Lea Kirk.

  "Aliens in the Barn" Copyright © 2016 Kyndra Hatch

  "Alien Bond" Copyright 2015 © Sabine Priestley

  Star Cruise Rescue

  By Veronica Scott

  About Star Cruise Rescue

  Heat Level: Mild

  When a shore leave excursion goes terribly wrong for Mira Gage, a member of the Nebula Zephyr’s crew, Security Officer Clint Miltan races the clock to find her before the ship leaves orbit and abandons Mira to her fate. Clint’s got more than a professional interest in Mira, but will he be able to save her from the aliens holding her prisoner?

  Star Cruise Rescue

  What was taking him so long to bring those drinks? Mira twisted in her chair, looking across the crowded club, hoping to see Clint on his way back to their group’s table.

  “Care to dance?”

  She waved the unknown guy off with a quick smile. She was saving this dance for Clint. It was her favorite song, a fact of which he was well aware, and he’d promised her that he wouldn’t dance to it with anyone else. Granted it had been a casual, flirtatious comment but after their two dates on board the Nebula Zephyr, she’d believed things were promising between them. She definitely had high hopes for this twenty four hour shore leave - she liked him a lot, thought he was pretty special. Mira stood on tiptoe beside her chair and looked again. With a shock of adrenaline, she saw Clint standing at the edge of the dance floor with a curvaceous redhead. As she watched, the girl looped one arm around his neck, hips swaying close to his, and snagged what had to be Mira’s drink with the other hand. Tossing her head, she chugged the feelgood and then moved in to kiss Clint, who didn’t appear to Mira’s shocked gaze to be putting up any resistance.

  “Who is that?” Mira asked Sella, as the other stewardess came to grab her tiny purse from the pile of belongings on the table.

  “Oh, with Clint just now? Becca. They used to be a couple when she was on the Zephyr. I guess her new ship must be in port tonight too. Maybe he invited her to join us.” Head tilted, Sella studied Mira for a moment from slightly bloodshot eyes. “What’s it to you?”

  “Nothing. I was curious, that’s all.” Dropping into her chair, Mira fiddled with her AI, wishing someone else would ask her to dance now.

  Lighting a narcotic stick, Sella drifted away to join a man waiting nearby, and Mira was alone again. Her previously happy mood had fled and the pounding music was giving her a headache. She wondered if Shane, the shuttle pilot, would let her nap on board till it was time for all of them to return to the Zephyr after shore leave. The outing held no appeal for her any more. She wished she hadn’t joined the excursion now, but the idea of spending time with Clint had been enticing. The ex-Special Forces soldier- turned-ship’s-security-officer, was as good-looking as he was congenial, and his interest in her had been flattering. And fleeting. A wave of disappointment further dampened her once-festive mood.

  “Here’s an empty table!” The triumphant shout startled her and she protested weakly as five Socialite passengers she recognized from the cruise liner descended, shoving her friends’ possessions aside as they claimed the chairs.

  “I’m sorry, we were here first.” How polite am I required to be when off duty? These ‘Lites were rich, Level One passengers. “This table is taken.”

  “Looked available to me,” said one of the men with a harsh laugh. “It’s taken now for sure.”

  The girl sitting crowded next to Mira leaned over. “Don’t worry,” she said, her breath redolent of prime feelgoods. “We won’t be here long. We’re waiting for our conductor.” She took a drink sitting unattended on the table and downed it, frowning and licking her lips. “Cheap stuff. Ugh.” She squinted, examining Mira as if she was a scientific specimen. “Hey, aren’t you crew? Didn’t I see you in our suite the other day?”

  “Yes, I was helping the senior stew out on Level One.”

  “Even you mice get to play occasionally, I guess.” She stuck out her hand, wobbling a bit in the chair. “I’m Lindy.”

  Steadying the woman so she wouldn’t fall, Mira introduced herself in turn, then asked, “What did you mean about waiting for a conductor?”

  “Oh, honey, if you think this lowbrow club is fun, you don’t know what a good time is.” Lindy giggled. “I wouldn’t set foot in here if the conductor hadn’t said this was our meeting place. We’re going to a designed experience, private, you know? Maybe we’ll party in an abandoned warehouse nobody’s using tonight or hear a special set from a top band. Once we snuck into a museum closed for the weekend and played with the artifacts.”

  “Wouldn’t any or all of that be illegal?”

  The ‘Lite snorted. “Of course. The risk is part of the fun. On the last planet we went to a bash in an empty mansion on the beach, almost got caught when the neighbors complained to the planetary cops. Got out in the nick of time. Took a few souvenirs too.” She closed her eyes sighed with pleasure. “Creating new experiences for my kind is big business in the Sectors. We pay when we’re satisfied. Titillated. Amused.” Fixing Mira with a frowning glare, Lindy waggled one finger as she said, “Not bored. Never bore a ‘Lite.”

  “Lindy, shut up. She’s not one of us.” The man who sat across the table frowned.

  Raising her chin, the girl linked her arm in Mira’s and pulled the stewardess close. “She is tonight. I’ll pay her freight. Mice deserve fun too. Isn’t that an Old Terra fairy tale?”

  Mira glanced at the man, who looked less than pleased. She got the hint her presence wasn’t wanted. Mingling with the passengers wasn’t encouraged by her employer either, even off duty. “Thanks for the invitation, but no thanks. I’m here with friends.”

  “Friends like the hand
some guy with the amazing ass you keep watching on the dance floor?” Lindy said. “The one who can’t see you for the red-head wrapped around him? Come with us. It’ll be fun.” Her tone was cajoling. “No one refuses my invitations.”

  Mira couldn’t help herself. She knew exactly where Clint and his ex-girlfriend were on the dance floor and she tracked them for a moment, swaying to the music. Swallowing hard, she wavered. “Maybe it would be okay if I tagged along. If you’re sure.”

  “Course I’m sure.” Lindy took a cosmetic fresher from her purse and renewed the vivid pinks and greens highlighting her facial contours. “Here’s the conductor now.”

  The rest of the ‘Lites flocked from the dance floor as a newcomer joined them. Mira saw he was of alien descent, facial features vaguely reptilian, accented by jagged protrusions along his high cheekbones. He was dressed in the expensive height of fashion, like the ‘Lites. His iridescent pink suit glistened in the club’s lights and his flowing black wig was styled with elaborate care. “Are you ready?” he said, tongue flicking in and out.

  Rising, the ‘Lite who seemed to be the leader of the flock said, “The credits have been transferred.”

  “I’m adding one guest.” Lindy gestured at Mira. “I’ll pay for her at the door.”

  “No need. We can accommodate one more as a favor to you, honored one.” Eyelids flickering, the alien stared at Mira before giving her a slight bow.

  His gaze made her uneasy but Lindy had grabbed her purse and Mira’s, and tugged her away from the table. The other ‘Lites crowded close and it was easier to go with them than to make a scene. Maybe this would be a fun adventure, something to boast of later, in the stew lounge. She wished she’d had time to tell Sella or one of the others where she was going. But the ‘Lites had to be back on board the Zephyr at the same time she did or miss the ship leaving orbit, so she’d be fine.

  He’d been trying to extricate himself politely from Becca’s company for an hour, but she kept chatting as they danced, asking about mutual acquaintances, talking about her family, gossiping about old shipmates, and he didn’t have the heart to be rude. Clint kept checking on Mira, determined to have at least one dance. The shy little stewardess appealed to him, the few times she’d met him on board the Zephyr in the course of her duties. She was interesting to talk with and he’d hoped to get to know her better tonight. Still time left – this club stayed open till dawn and the shuttle was scheduled to lift soon thereafter. Clint glanced at the table where Mira’d been sitting with the Nebula Zephyr crew, astounded to see her walking out with a gaggle of ‘Lites. Doing a doubletake, he recognized the spoiled rich kids from the ship. Troublemakers he’d had to deal with politely more than once this cruise.

  “Excuse me,” he said to Becca, leaving her in midsentence as he worked his way across the club, trying to catch up to the ‘Lites. Spending an evening with them wasn’t a smart thing for anyone to do. ‘Lites had their dubious reputation for a reason. He got to the front door in time to see the people he was chasing drive off in a groundcar limousine. “Did anyone say where they were going?” he asked the nearest bouncer.

  “Sorry, man, not a word.” The man shrugged. “Could be anywhere.”

  Turning, Clint re-entered the club. He wasn’t going to relax until he saw Mira safe on the Zephyr’s shuttle in a few hours. This planet was known in the cruise industry for trouble, due to loose law enforcement and the ‘Lites wouldn’t be any use in a dangerous situation. Next time he had the chance to connect with Mira, he wasn’t going to let anyone or anything stand in his way. Taking his personal AI from his pocket, he debated calling her on the ship channel, to make sure she was okay, but then he paused. She was an adult, he’d been in the wrong to stand her up on the dance he’d promised tonight, so who was he to monitor her choice of activities? Maybe she wasn’t as shy and reserved as he’d thought. Tucking the AI away, he snagged a drink from a passing server and searched for Becca.

  Mira imagined she heard Clint calling her name as the ‘Lites bundled her into the huge groundcar, but the door slid shut before she could make an effort to exit. She settled against the luxurious upholstery and chided herself. Clint was occupied with that sexy ex-girlfriend. He probably wouldn’t even notice Mira had left the club, much less chase after her.

  The conductor was passing a gleaming silver tray heaped with feelgoods - powders, injects and consumables. “Best in the Sectors, ladies and gents, on the house. Prepare yourselves for the exciting experience ahead.”

  Mira shook her head, coughing a bit as the ‘Lites partook of various offerings and the air filled with dizzying, multicolored smoke. “Where are we going?”

  Lindy smacked her arm. “Don’t ask. The surprise is part of what we pay for.”

  Unease fraying her nerves, Mira sank into the deep cushions. The windows were blacked out, so she couldn’t even see where the driver was going, but the drive was longer than she expected. Had the groundcar left the safe zone encircling the spaceport? The Zephyr’s security chief had warned the crew never to go outside the zone on this planet.

  Every time she looked his way, the conductor’s gaze was fixed on her. She lifted her chin and focused on the trideo screen opposite her seat, where a music trid was playing, not that she could hear it over the excited conversation between the ‘Lites, speculating on what treat the coming hours held.

  Eventually the car stopped, gliding smoothly to a halt, the doors opening.

  Mira was the last one out and joined the others standing in a line, staring at an unlit nondescript three story building. Rubbing her arms, she checked out the street, finding only other deserted industrial structures. She took comfort from the endless stream of groundcars pulling up, their excited passengers spilling out to join Mira’s group.

  The conductor stepped onto a platform and leaned close to the crowd. “Inside these doors, we’ve arranged a special concert, by a band who swore they’d never reunite. Who do you suppose we’ve assembled for your pleasure tonight?”

  People called out names until finally he stabbed his finger at a girl and said, “Yes, the Hyperdrive Hive! We’ve assembled them just for you, one night only, no recordings or trids allowed. All AI’s will be automatically disabled inside to ensure the unique nature of the event. You have to be here in the venue to feel the experience.”

  The doors swept open as if his words had been a signal. Light and sound assaulted Mira’s senses and she was swept with the crowd into the warehouse, moving in a half stampede toward a stage where musicians waited. Holograms and other visual stimuli flashed overhead and across the bare metal walls of the room as the first notes of raucous music blared. Mira had heard of the band, a legendary assemblage of humans and aliens who’d been famous in the Sectors when she was a kid. The songs were familiar. Jostled by the crowd, she found herself separated from Lindy and the others, so she worked her way through the writhing bodies to the edge of the main floor. Tables and chairs had been arranged on a raised platform, so she climbed the stairs and sat. The music was excellent, relaxing her a bit, as she tapped her fingers to the beat and swayed in her chair. She refused drinks and other amenities. Attending a private concert by this group would be something to brag about for the rest of her life.

  She jumped as someone touched her shoulder. “Ah, here you are,” said the conductor, sitting on the edge of the chair next to her. “Your friends asked me to find you.”

  “Really? Where are they?” Relief that she wouldn’t have to worry about getting a ride to the spaceport flooded her mind. She sat straighter, craning her head to search the crowd below, still dancing and caught in the magic of the reunited superstar band.

  “You’ve all been invited to a special, exclusive afterparty with the musicians,” he said, taking her hand. “To avoid the crush, let me escort you to the party room now before the band finishes their last set and the crowd grows more unruly.”

  Mira tugged, trying to free her fingers from his tight grip. For a panicked moment she feare
d he was going to refuse to let her go, then immediately felt foolish as he released her. “I-I need to get to my shuttle on time in the morning.”

  “Lindy said you’d be worried. I promise, we’ll ensure the party breaks up before any of you misses the shuttle.” He was holding out his hand. “Coming? I have a few more guests to invite after I’ve made you comfortable in the party room.”

  Reassured to know Lindy was concerned about her, Mira clasped his cold fingers and let herself be drawn along the line of tables. The conductor took her through a door into a long passageway which appeared to lead deep into the building, saying, “Naturally we don’t make the party room easy to wander into. Only the most privileged guests get to mingle with the band to complete their experience.”

  “Seems like a long walk.” Increasingly uneasy, she stopped. “Maybe I should go back to the concert. I can come to the party with Lindy, if you’ll help me find her.”

  He gave her a funny little bow, holding out his hand in a graceful gesture to guide her. “Of course. Whatever you wish.”

  As she pivoted to retrace her steps, she felt a burning sting in her arm and her knees wobbled. Grabbing at the wall, she slid to the floor, unable to stop herself from falling in a heap. The conductor rolled her over with his toe. As she watched through blurring vision, he retracted a stinger into his palm still dripping with venom. He squatted next to her. “I don’t appreciate having to carry you to the storage facility, human. I’ll ensure you’re sold to the bidder who promises to make you suffer the most before you die.”