the pursuit had ended—I’m not sure which. I am doing well, but transportation back to Earth is exceptionally expensive. Earth is far from any trade paths, so it will take me years to earn enough money to purchase a ticket home.
“Since I cannot return to provide a report, I hope this message reaches the correct authorities. The universe is well-established with space-faring species. Most come from roughly Earth-sized planets, and most engage in regulated trade through neutral planets. The government authorities who took me from Earth released me at one of these trade ports, and the alien equivalent of a social worker taught me how to use their technology to secure employment.
“I work for a computer programmer, providing security for him, his three offspring, and his ship. Much of my information comes from this individual, who I refer to as ‘Rick.’ His name does not translate, and neither does the name of his species, which he simply refers to as the people.
“However, I can say that his species is unpopular because they are asymmetrical, and they find the more popular races boring because Rick’s people dislike symmetry. So the universe judges on appearance. Humans are not unique in that. However, we are biologically rare. The vast majority of all these species have tentacles. I’ve worked with a computer translation program to differentiate limb, but I’ve have questionable results. The aliens perceive an arm as little more than a tentacle with a motion-limiting internal skeleton.
“I hope someone will contact my parents, Richard and Velma Davis, and my brother Peter Davis and tell them that I am safe and gainfully employed. Every day I improve the computer language interface and learn about the universe.
“Right now I can only say that the universe is interesting. They have criminals, so it’s not a utopia out here. However, these people are technologically advanced and generally friendly, although some aliens are on the condescending side.
“The ship I am on is close enough to Earth that we are broadcasting this message toward the planet. I have asked Rick to repeat my message as long as we are in this sector of space, but we are heading toward populated areas, so I don’t know how many repetitions Rick will broadcast.
“This is Captain Maxwell Davis signing off. Take care of each other, Earth.”
Lyn Gala
Lyn Gala started writing in the back of her science notebook in third grade and hasn't stopped since. Westerns starring men with shady pasts gave way to science fiction with questionable protagonists, which eventually became any story with a morally ambiguous character. Even the purest heroes have pain and loss and darkness in their hearts, and that’s where she likes to find her stories. Her characters seek to better themselves and find the happy (or happier) ending.
When she isn't writing, Lyn Gala teaches history in a small town in New Mexico. Her favorite spot to write is a flat rock under a wide tree on the edge of the open desert where her dog can terrorize local wildlife. Writing in a wide range of genres, she often gravitates back to adventure and BDSM, stories about men in search of true love and a way to bring some criminal to justice...unless they happen to be the criminals.
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Did you love Earth Fathers Are Weird? Then you should read Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts by Lyn Gala!
Liam loves his life as a linguist and trader on the Rownt homeworld, but he has ignored his heart and sexual needs for years. After escaping the horrors of war, he wants a boring life. He won't risk letting anyone come too close because he won't risk letting anyone see his deeply submissive nature. For him, submission comes with pain. Life burned that lesson into his soul from a young age.This fear keeps him from noticing that the Rownt trader Ondry cares for him. Ondry may not understand humans, but he recognizes a wounded soul, and his need to protect Liam is quickly outpacing his common sense. They may have laws, culture, and incompatible genitalia in their way, but Ondry knows that he can find a way to overcome all that if he can just overcome the ghosts of Liam's past. Only then can he take possession of a man he has grown to respect.
Also by Lyn Gala
Aberrant Magic
Deductions
Derivation
Divergence
Echoes of Deviance
Mafia and Magics
Texas Charm
Claimings
Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts
Assimilation, Love, and Other Human Oddities
Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits
Expedition, Estimation, and Other Dangerous Pastimes
Turbulence
Turbulence
Drift
Standalone
Bitter Blood
Blowback
Two Steps Back
Clockwork Pirate
Earth Fathers Are Weird