Vall's Will by Linda Mooney Read Free Book Online

aback, Will
froze in place to stare up at the changed young man.
    “By the
stars, Vall! What a difference!”
    The man smiled.
A bit of color pinked his face, but he appeared very pleased.
    “Commander
Oglet is waiting for us,” Gayt informed her.
    “Good.
Lower the walkway, Felderen.”
    They watched the
sloped ladder lower onto the bay floor, and Will led the way, with Vall
directly behind her. Commander Oglet and a large gathering of other people were
waiting a short distance away. Will felt the ceremonial smile slide off her
face as she approached the group. Oglet’s grim expression triggered a
protective response within her, warning her that this meeting would not bode
well.
    The commander
gave her a curt nod as she approached and stopped before them. Will, as well as
the rest of her accompanying crew, nodded in reply. She watched as he and the
others eyed the Anglites, as well as the man standing beside her.
    “Captain
Tayte.”
    “Commander
Oglet.”
    “I wish I
could say welcome to the Blaise Temporum system.”
    The remark
puzzled her. “Sir?”
    Oglet gave a
little gesture with his hand. Instantly, four soldiers emerged from the group,
including two Anglites, who hurried toward their rescued members. Like typical
humanoids, they hugged and squeaked, and bounded up and down in joyous
greeting. After their enthusiastic meeting, the older Anglite detached himself
and walked over to Will. This time, when he lifted a hand to her, it was to
place them palm to palm.
    Translate, she
mentally ordered herself, and she felt something shift beneath her skin.
    “You are
our savior,” the creature said with earnest. He lifted her hand over his head
and made a circle. His eyestalks leaned in her direction. “You will always
be our friend.”
    She couldn’t
help the color from rising in her cheeks as she smiled. “Your safety is
all the thanks we need. Have a happy trip back to your home and family.”
    The Anglite
bowed to her and released her hand. Will signaled for Killjorn.
    “Our
physician will help you to your vessel, and relay all the information about
your release to your people.”
    The Anglites
gave her one final bow, then turned to leave for the docking area where their
ship was waiting. Will watched as the aliens left the bay. Before they were out
of sight, Oglet spoke again.
    “Come with
me.”
    Will pressed her
lips together and followed the commander and his men. She was quick to notice
she and the others weren’t being phalanxed. The observation filled her with a
sense of relief. Having a small platoon follow the commander wasn’t standard
operational procedure, and normally meant someone was about to be escorted to a
holding pen. The group of approximately eight men continued to flank the space
station’s overseer. The Nion warriors brought up the rear.
    They went to the
uppermost level where the offices and bridge were located. A crew of four
manned the main consoles, keeping the space station anchored to this section of
the universe. Somewhere at the opposite end of the giant rotating structure lay
the engines and machines which regulated all life support.
    The commander’s
office was adjacent to the bridge. Will found herself standing inside an
immense room, of which one side was a huge, semi-circular transparent wall
looking out into the vastness of space. Staring at the array of distant stars
and planets, she caught sight of a flicker of light in the distance that
signaled an incoming ship.
    “Captain
Tayte.”
    Her name sounded
like a sharp command. Will pivoted around to find Oglet waiting for her from
behind his desk. The rest of his entourage stood around the room at various
points, almost encircling her and her crew. Again, she got the impression they
were about to face charges of some kind, but her instincts told her
differently. Frowning slightly, she went to stand before him.
    The commander
eyed the person who continued to keep in close contact behind her. “He’s
not wearing a