NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED

Judith Larsen travels the galaxy most of the year searching for rare artifacts, space salvage even junk. On her latest trip, she finds her destiny.

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Judith Larsen travels the galaxy looking for treasure, artifacts even space junk and makes a decent living for herself. On her last journey, she happens upon the remains of a deadly space battle. A Terran ship and an alien vessel had savagely battled until the Terran vessel was completely destroyed. The remains of the alien vessel were severely damaged but not unsalvageable.

When Judith searches the wreckage of both vessels, she learns the crew of the Terran vessel had all perished in the battle, and on first look, the same was true of the alien ship. But after an exhaustive search, Judith finds one alien clinging to life. She tends to the alien and after several days, is able to save the alien's life. The alien is grateful to Judith for saving her life and tells her by alien customs, she will be Judith's slave for life. Judith will be her mistress.

Judith politely declines the unusual offer in spite of the Alien's passionate insistence. The two spend time together putting the alien ship back in space-worthy condition, and after the alien again insists on being her slave, and Judith once again declines, the alien offers a solution that will allow both Judith and the alien to maintain their dignity and move on with their lives. Or so it seems. Accepting the solution, Judith discovers that the alien has a complete change of demeanor and Judith isn't sure she will ever live to see her home planet again.