Read Online Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold - Free Book Online
Authors: Lois McMaster Bujold
Tags: Fiction, Science-Fiction
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throat with fear. I'm going to crucify the little sneak when I get my hands on him,Van Atta had snarled. Maybe Ti would not find Mr. Van Atta and Dr. Yei and all their staffs ranked together so intimidating—but she dared not risk losing her one sure source of downsider delights. Ti at least was willing to barter for what was in effect a bit of Silver's labor, the one invisible commodity not accounted for in any inventory; who knew, another pilot might want things of some kind, far more difficult to smuggle out of the Habitat unnoticed.
A long-awaited movement in the loading area caught her eye. And you thought you were risking trouble for a few books, Silver thought to herself. Wait'll this shit gets on the loose. . . .
Thank you anyway, said Silver hastily, and grabbed Ti around the neck for a prolonged thank-you kiss.
He closed his eyes—wonderful reflex, that—and Silver rolled hers toward the view out the control booth window. Tony, Claire, and Andy were just disappearing into the shuttle hatch flex tube.
There, thought Silver, that's it. I've done what I can—the rest is up to you. Good luck, double-luck. And more sharply, I wish I was going with you.
Oof! Look at the time! Ti broke off their embrace. I've got to get this checklist completed before Captain Durrance gets back. Guess you're right about the shirt, he stuffed it unceremoniously back into his flight bag, what do you want me to bring you next time?
Siggyin Airsystems Maintenance asked me if there were any more holovids in the Ni n ja of the Twin Page 28
Stars series, Silver said promptly. He's up to Number 7, but he's missing 4 and 5.
Ah, said Ti now that was decent entertainment. Did you watch them yourself?
Yes,Silver wrinkled her nose, but I'm not sure—the people in them did such horrible things to one another—they are fiction, you say?
Well, yes.
That's a relief.
Yes, but what would you like for yourself? he | persisted. I'm not risking reprimand to gratify Siggy, whoever he is. Siggy doesn't have your, he sighed in remembered pleasure, dear double-jointed hips.
Silver fanned out the three new book cards in her |lower right hand. More, please, sir.
If it's dreck you want, he captured each of her hands in turn and kissed their palms, it's dreck you shall have.U h,oh, here comes my fearless captain, Ti hastily straightened his shuttle pilot's uniform,turned up the light level, and picked up his report panel as an airsealdoor at the far end of the loading bay swished open. He hates being saddled with junior Jumpers. Tadpoles, he calls us. I think he's uncomfortable because on my Jumpship, I'd outrank him. Still, better not give the old guy something to pick on . ..
Silver made the book cards disappear into her work bag and took up the pose of an idle bystander as Captain Durrance, the shuttle commander, floated into the control booth.
Snap it up, Ti, we've had a change of itinerary, said Captain Durrance. Yes, sir. What's up? We're wanted downside.
Hell,Ti swore mildly. What a pain. I had a hot date lined—er,his eye fell on Silver, was supposed to meet a friend for dinner tonight at the Transfer Station.
Fine, said Captain Durrance, ironically unsympathetic. File a complaint with Employee Relations, your work schedule is interfering with your love life.Maybe they can arrange that you not have a work schedule.
Ti took the hint,and moved hastily out to continue his duties as a Habitat technician arrived to take over the loading bay control booth.
Silver made herself small in a corner, frozen in horror and confusion. At the Transfer Station, Tony and Claire had planned to stow away on a Jump ship for Orient IV,get beyond the reach ofG alacTech, find work when they got there; a horribly risky plan, in Silver's estimation, a measure of their desperation.
Claire had been terrified, but at last persuaded by Tony's plan of carefully thought-out stages. At least, the first stages had been carefully thought-out; they had seemed to get
A long-awaited movement in the loading area caught her eye. And you thought you were risking trouble for a few books, Silver thought to herself. Wait'll this shit gets on the loose. . . .
Thank you anyway, said Silver hastily, and grabbed Ti around the neck for a prolonged thank-you kiss.
He closed his eyes—wonderful reflex, that—and Silver rolled hers toward the view out the control booth window. Tony, Claire, and Andy were just disappearing into the shuttle hatch flex tube.
There, thought Silver, that's it. I've done what I can—the rest is up to you. Good luck, double-luck. And more sharply, I wish I was going with you.
Oof! Look at the time! Ti broke off their embrace. I've got to get this checklist completed before Captain Durrance gets back. Guess you're right about the shirt, he stuffed it unceremoniously back into his flight bag, what do you want me to bring you next time?
Siggyin Airsystems Maintenance asked me if there were any more holovids in the Ni n ja of the Twin Page 28
Stars series, Silver said promptly. He's up to Number 7, but he's missing 4 and 5.
Ah, said Ti now that was decent entertainment. Did you watch them yourself?
Yes,Silver wrinkled her nose, but I'm not sure—the people in them did such horrible things to one another—they are fiction, you say?
Well, yes.
That's a relief.
Yes, but what would you like for yourself? he | persisted. I'm not risking reprimand to gratify Siggy, whoever he is. Siggy doesn't have your, he sighed in remembered pleasure, dear double-jointed hips.
Silver fanned out the three new book cards in her |lower right hand. More, please, sir.
If it's dreck you want, he captured each of her hands in turn and kissed their palms, it's dreck you shall have.U h,oh, here comes my fearless captain, Ti hastily straightened his shuttle pilot's uniform,turned up the light level, and picked up his report panel as an airsealdoor at the far end of the loading bay swished open. He hates being saddled with junior Jumpers. Tadpoles, he calls us. I think he's uncomfortable because on my Jumpship, I'd outrank him. Still, better not give the old guy something to pick on . ..
Silver made the book cards disappear into her work bag and took up the pose of an idle bystander as Captain Durrance, the shuttle commander, floated into the control booth.
Snap it up, Ti, we've had a change of itinerary, said Captain Durrance. Yes, sir. What's up? We're wanted downside.
Hell,Ti swore mildly. What a pain. I had a hot date lined—er,his eye fell on Silver, was supposed to meet a friend for dinner tonight at the Transfer Station.
Fine, said Captain Durrance, ironically unsympathetic. File a complaint with Employee Relations, your work schedule is interfering with your love life.Maybe they can arrange that you not have a work schedule.
Ti took the hint,and moved hastily out to continue his duties as a Habitat technician arrived to take over the loading bay control booth.
Silver made herself small in a corner, frozen in horror and confusion. At the Transfer Station, Tony and Claire had planned to stow away on a Jump ship for Orient IV,get beyond the reach ofG alacTech, find work when they got there; a horribly risky plan, in Silver's estimation, a measure of their desperation.
Claire had been terrified, but at last persuaded by Tony's plan of carefully thought-out stages. At least, the first stages had been carefully thought-out; they had seemed to get
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