The Man from Marvessa

By Lee Wonnacott

The story starts off with the developing long-distance relationship between a young woman and the alien male. A diplomatic exchange of greetings suddenly reveals foresight and clairvoyance awakening possibilities. He extends an invitation to meet. She accepts.

She begins a journey across nine sectors and seven light years, drawn towards what might be her future. Passenger shuttles, cargo haulers, a prison barge, and a freighter owned by the competition to her employer.

Lesslee Mao worked as the sassy, curious business contracts manager aboard space-faring cargo and fright haulers for the Yellow Knife Intermodal Company based in Anchorage, Alaska on Earth. With her clairvoyance and foresight, Lesslee has helped Yellow Knife acquire lucrative contracts and customers and also avoid pitfalls and those intent on mayhem and destruction. It boiled down to acceptance of the risk of the journey and what she may find at the end or the acceptance of not know what might have been.

Besides, she had a month of vacation time to use up and brand new set of luggage to break in. Plus, it is a new adventure, chance to meet new people, and perhaps do a little business out in the middle of nowhere. But, anywhere off the rim of the solar system is the middle to nowhere for her.
Relxan Roharh is the man who makes things get done or removes the problems for the Roharh Group in the Marvessa Sector. As a commander in the main military group, he has ships and crews at his disposal to accomplish any repugnant task that nobody else can do. And he has the pronounced body and facial scars and dozens of medals to prove it.

Relxan is the classic, strong silent type that feels if you are not on his immediate team or his crew, you are just in the way and expendable. His life has been to work, rest, eat, and work some more. He has ranged out over twenty expanses into the unknown inky darkness and brought back new territory for Roharh expansion.

It was a diplomatic event between the Roharh Group and the United Nations that brought the Roharh envoys aboard the Yellow Knife Intermodal Freighter Tarragon. His strong grasp of Lesslee's hand showed him an acceptance of him as-is. His clairvoyance flooded over her like a piece of iron to a magnet. It was as if he had been hit by lightning when he saw her happiness and contentment tinged with a bitter sorrow.

Privately, Relxan had dropped the contemplation of a mate due to his violent work and physical disfigurement and wounds. But in that moment, he saw the possibility of affection, happiness, and pleasure and not a life of loneliness and solitude. 

Relxan had contracted last year for one last mission before he retired back to Marvessa. Secretly, he had accepted that he would be killed in combat and this life would be over. He proposed a rendezvous, a meeting or renew the acquaintance with Lesslee. Would she make a treacherous journey to see him again?

These are two people as normal as any of us, struggling with work, managing a home life, and trying to find some sanity along to the way. Little did they know about the bigger stakes around them and the chain of events that cascade affecting life across that cold darkness.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Anne Wonnacott
• Release date: Apr 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201321314

Lee Wonnacott

On any given day you can find her speeding on the Five, harassing the clerks in Wal-Mart or sitting in her car with a DoubleDouble. Her religion is the National Football League and an Oakland Raider fan since 1967. She prefers a Sheriff over a city cop, a pickup over a coupe and a Colt.45 over a 9 mm. She’s a sucker for children under three and anyone in their 90’s. She will happily put you on hold until next week. Every book she writes feels like her first one.

Book preview

The Man from Marvessa

Lee Anne Wonnacott Weltsch

Published by Lee Anne Wonnacott, 2021.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE MAN FROM MARVESSA

First edition. April 12, 2021.

Copyright © 2021 Lee Anne Wonnacott Weltsch.

ISBN: 979-8201321314

Written by Lee Anne Wonnacott Weltsch.

Acknowledgments

No, I won’t shut up, and you can’t make me.

CHAPTER 1

SHE COULD FEEL THE smooth warmth wash over her from the open French doors. The famous Texas heat rolled in, fluttered the sheer sage-colored drapes, slid over her long bare legs, and then dragged bits of dust out onto the porch.

Lesslee had read the message three times now. Gradually, the realization grew that he was trying to see her once again. The large tablet she held suddenly felt heavier, and she laid it down onto her lap.

She leaned her head back and rested against the back of the overstuffed chair. Closing her eyes, the thousands of words from his messages flew across her mind. For eleven months, his words had been her constant companion. They had sent messages to each other about general life, places they had been, things they had seen, and always about his growing desire to see her again.

At twenty-four, Lesslee Mao had experienced sensual togetherness, jagged jealousy, grief, and denial from past relationships. Not wishing to repeat a failure, Lesslee had avoided relationships and the problems that came with them. Recently, the little twinge in the back of her mind had considered the possibility that someday, she might meet Relxan again.

She put the device onto the table and stood up. As she leaned against the door jamb, her eyes gazed out over the simmering heat rising off the land. Lesslee Mao had purchased a prime ranch of two hundred acres of timber and valley grazing along with an orchard of apples and peach trees.

She had looked long and hard for acreage able to sustain the Longhorn beef cattle and the feisty quarter horses she wanted to raise, plenty of water from either a lake or river, and a big enough house where she could raise a family.

On the eastern side of the ranch, the gradual slope was thick with heavy stands of blue Cedar, Spanish Oaks, and ash. Near the river, there were dozens of older, gnarled willow trees and elm. Sandstone cliffs led up to a flat mesa, and then the desert began about five miles beyond.

‘I didn’t want to let this opportunity pass without asking you if you would like to see me again. You have given me a lot of enjoyment and a level of contentment I thought I would never have. I know it is asking a lot, but I would like to see you again. The closest I’ll be able to get to you is nine sectors away.’

Her hands lifted the long, black hair up into a quick knot on top of her head. She took in a deep breath when Bo, her dog, rubbed against her leg. Long, manicured fingers scratched the top of his head, and he wagged happily.

Relxan Roharh stood several inches over seven feet. She remembered him being lean, muscular, but not weight-lifter bulky. Straight, white hair worn long down his back, it matched her own, aside from hers was jet black. A tall woman, at five feet eleven, Lesslee had to lift her gaze when he had addressed her.

From the Marvessa sector, the Roharhs’ reputation for business was known throughout dozens of sectors and hundreds of systems. Each faster-than-light vessel was custom built inside secretive shipyards. Their construction conglomerates had built massive stations in months where it would have taken years for other companies.

‘I can clear passage for you on three of our ships that will be traveling through the area, but the rest will be private transports, small shuttles, and maybe a big freighter. Think this over because it will be a rigorous journey. Even at FTL, the distance is close to three weeks of traveling. It might be pretty rough on you, honey, but I will guarantee, it will be worth it.’

Lesslee watched a trio of squawking birds darting in and out of the grass beyond the fence. A simple life with simple needs. Perhaps this was something that she would go enjoy, knowing that she could never have. If she was being honest with herself, she would confess that she needed to feel that simmering magnetism once again.

‘After that I’ll be out of range for two, maybe three years. The universe is vast, and I must honor a contract I made many months ago. There will be a delay in getting any messages to you, but they will get there eventually. I don’t want you to think I forgot about you.’

Should she decline the invitation and continue to live her simple life? Or should she pack and trek across a dozen sectors and millions of kilometers to see him? She needed advice and counsel from those with greater wisdom than her limited years. She retrieved the tablet, made four swipes, and called her mom.

CHAPTER 2

THE PRESSED, WHITE TABLECLOTH was perfectly smooth. The candelabra in the centerpiece looked like it belonged in a magazine.

Her mother’s eyes gleamed. Kyloahn Mao Re lived in comfortable retirement from a two-decade career as a diplomat, attaché, and ambassador. They sat in the apartment dining room. It was filled with gold elephant figurines, crystal vases, and curios from around the world. It had not changed from the last time Lesslee was in their home in Hong Kong.

The view from the thirtieth floor was spectacular. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed the millions of lights shining from the city. Rich green and blue damask draperies hung from recessed fixtures.

What is it? I know you have something bothering you. Just tell me.

Lesslee took in a deep breath and let it out. Yes, well I’ve struck up this sort of friendship with someone from outside the system. I’m to the point where either I need to drop the friendship, or I should cultivate it.

Her father, Jiangzhen Zhao Re grunted. Ah. Time to fish or cut bait, eh? At fifty-five, Re sat as chairman of the Jiangzhen Zhao Companies, a business enterprise that spanned the nearest five sectors of space. He had guided the education of his only daughter and trained her to have a quick, analytical mind.

Lesslee twirled her fork in the mashed potatoes. She looked to her left at her father.

In July of last year, Lesslee Mao had been aboard the Yellow Knife Intermodal Freighter Tarragon when the company received a call from Earth. FTL to the Silver Array and wait for an envoy. Relxan had been one of three Roharh envoys who had stepped aboard that day.

Tarragon had been fabricated and assembled at the Roharh Group Marvessa shipyards.

"Mother, it was during the handover of the Marines, on the Tarragon. That is when I met him; well, I met the envoy and the assistants, I guess. His name is Relxan Roharh, and it was a bit overwhelming to say the least. You know, I’ve met many races and seen enough aliens, but nothing like this. Well over seven feet tall, platinum-white long hair down the backs, all of them dressed in Johnny Cash black." Lesslee took a sip of her water and then continued.

We made all the generally accepted diplomatic overtures. When I offered to escort them up for the coffee and cookies thing in the mess, all three of the envoys took a step towards me. Lesslee nodded with a grin. It turns out it was like offering water to a man crawling in the Sahara.

Jiangzhen laughed. I’ve been in the Sahara. You don’t want to crawl around there. Lesslee chuckled. He gestured towards Lesslee, Back to the story.

Not big cookie fans either. I just wanted to know what their vice was, what was their food weakness. Pie? Cake? Tiramisu? Lesslee laughed out loud. "So, I tapped the small white sugar jar and explained that it was sugar, and it is made from a plant grown on Earth. I picked up the honey bottle and squeezed out a drop onto a spoon and put it in my mouth to show them how to taste it.’

Kyloahn sipped the coffee. So, did they dabble in the sugar?

Lesslee shook her head. Nope. Tarkin and Degens politely declined. You know, you can tell when someone doesn’t even want to try. But the other man, Relxan, he was game.

Jiangzhen raised his eyebrows. Really? A risk taker? Hmm.

"He had moved over closer to me by this time. Within arms’ reach, so to speak, and he leaned over to smell the honey bottle. Maybe it is my imagination, but it seemed like he was older than the other two. Wiser, smarter?

"He poured out several drops of honey onto the spoon and put it into his mouth, and then he spoke one word, ‘honey’.

I nodded and smiled and said ‘honey’ back to him. That was the first time he called me ‘honey,’ and he’s been using that as my name ever since. Lesslee nodded with a smug smile.

 Kyloahn’s mouth dropped open slightly. You sensed him, didn’t you?! You saw into him, right?

Lesslee nodded and smiled. When Relxan approached the chair next to me and leaned his arms onto it, Mother, it felt like pressure in my head. I saw a visual shimmer come through my eyes.

Jiangzhen looked concerned. Did it hurt?

Lesslee shook her head. "He told me that he would most likely never see me again. Because of the work he did and the places where he would go, there would be no mate for him. I tell you; it was like he was confiding in me somehow. Felt so strange.

He took off his glove and put his hand on mine. One of his fingers had been injured, leaving it twisted and bent. Another finger was missing the tip. Another had no nail. It was like a laborer whose hands showed the damage from years of toil.

Jiangzhen stiffened. And you say his face was scarred and disfigured?

Lesslee nodded. Both sides of his face and down the side of his neck. Even with that tight scaled skin, I could see that he had been injured somehow. Have you seen one like that before?

Jiangzhen wiped his mouth and furrowed his brow. Only once. Many years ago. During a negotiation. The Roharh negotiator had two bodyguards who never left him alone. They were both horribly scarred on their faces. One of the human aides said the bodyguards were from the Enforcer sect of the Roharhs. Like hired guns.

Lesslee was quiet for a moment as she watched her father. Relxan’s message from long ago came into her thoughts.

‘I cannot tell you the close details of my work. But I want you to understand that I am precise and efficient at what I do. When I am assigned work, it gets done, no matter what. I enjoy the work. It is productive and I am an important part of the process.’

Kyloahn gently patted Lesslee’s hand and brought her back to the present. What did he say to you, dear?

At first, I didn’t understand what he meant. He said that, just as I would see him, he will see a little of me. He would capture a little of me to take away with him. He said it wouldn’t hurt, and I wouldn’t feel a thing. Lesslee looked at the far wall, remembering.

Lesslee smiled quickly. He brought my hand up and held it against his chest. You know when you are out on a brilliant day and something reflects the full sunlight right into your eyes and blinds you? That’s what it was like.

Jiangzhen asked, What did you see?

She had tensed up as the memories flashed by her eyes once again. Ice-covered planets, beautiful green valleys. I felt heavy agony, heard deep shrieks and sad music. Thousands of stars streaked past. I could hear garbled voices. I felt bone-numbing coldness. Through it all, I could smell that bitter, stinging smell of iron.

Lesslee could see that her mother had been holding her breath. Lesslee held out her left hand towards her mother. Three small, black dots in a line ran from the thumb to the first finger.

She continued as her mother ran her fingers over the dots. His eyes had changed from hazel-green over to an amber-goldish color. He showed me his hand and he had the same three dots across his palm. That is how I got these three dots.

Kyloahn and Jiangzhen stared at her open palm.

Her mother asked, What do the dots mean? There must be some significance.

Lesslee flexed her hand and splayed out her fingers. It has taken me these eleven months to finally understand that three dots mean I am intended, I am spoken for, by a Roharh.

Kyloahn gasped. Really? So, does that mean he chose you?

Jiangzhen sat down next to Lesslee and examined her hand. From what I have been told, Roharhs do not mate outside of their species. It is to protect their gene pool or something, I’m sure. These dots tell all other Roharh males that you are the intended for another Roharh.

Lesslee leaned back and crossed her legs. In his messages, he said that he and a crew are getting ready to take a fleet of ships out over five expanses, maybe more. He was doubtful that he would ever come back anywhere near this system. Now, there is one chance that I’ll be able to see him again. So, father, what can you tell me about the Roharhs?

He frowned and then fussed with the cuff on his pants. They do very little business in our galaxy. We don’t have the revenue generation that some of the other sectors have. They have interests here, a few partnerships perhaps, but no stand-alone businesses. Their real profitable business comes from their core enterprises. As you know, their shipyards produce the most amazing vessels.

He lifted the clear glass and swirled the liquid around.

Lesslee wiggled around to face her father. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to see you. I would like to get one of the universal translators, the artificial intelligence component, and the sensor plate. I want to teach it to interpret and speak Roharh. She hesitated to see her father’s reaction. I want to know what they are saying.

I see, he said, as he avoided her eyes. He stood and went to the liquor cabinet. He poured out a measure of the brandy and then handed one to his wife and one to his daughter.

I will have those sent to Dallas in the morning. But I must warn you. The technicians have never been able to get more than a dozen words in Roharh into it. On one hand, that species makes animalistic chirps and grunts, and then makes something that sounds like an animal in pain. You would do well to simply study and integrate the language into yourself. He