Read Online Freedom’s Choice by Anne McCaffrey - Free Book Online Page B

glad she could not see as clearly as the Deski could. With a grab as deft as Whitby’s fishing, Fek wrenched something aboard that clattered as it fell. She reached down again, arm at full stretch and her other hand clutching Joe, and got hold of something else. A ray of light illuminated a field that writhed and seethed, for it was a hand beam she had retrieved. Kris groaned and turned her face away. The night crawlers bumped in futile search at the floor of the vehicle.
    â€œYou see, Slav?” she asked, grinning the triangular Deski smile as she focused light on the other side of the vehicle, and the other victim.
    â€œI see. I get.” And Slav made two equally speedy retrievals. One he held up for Kris to see in the light, and his smile was the broadest she’d yet seen on a Rugarian face. “Stunner.” And, in a sudden, unexpectedly juvenile manner, leaned the barrel across his arm and made the hissing sound of a stunner blast.
    â€œCan we leave now?” Joe Marley asked in an edgy voice. He didn’t wait for an answer, pushing the control bar hard over. “We could have waited until morning. Crawlers can’t digest metal.”
    â€œI want tonight,” Fek said with uncharacteristic firmness.
    â€œAnd stop shining that thing around,” Joe added testily as they sped up a field which writhed and glistened.
    Mitford was waiting in the parking area, as if he didn’t quite trust the participants to keep the night’s event to themselves. Kris knew herself to be on an adrenaline high so his presence had a certain sobering effect on her. He gestured for them all to go through the silent camp, up to his office. He had thoughtfully provided beer and the salty pretzel-like snacks. Rugarians and Deski rather liked beer now and then but they were careful not to drink much or often. It had some sort of an effect on their metabolism—not a hangover, according to Leon Dane, but something similar—that they did not cope well with.
    Kris took a long pull on her beer to settle her stomach, and noticed that Joe did, too. Mitford just waited, knowing from the look of their faces that the hijack had been successful.
    â€œI’d say by now I’ve been killed and Leon is dying,” she began. “Otherwise it all worked out just as we planned…with a little diversion from Fek and Slav.” She shuddered as the two now dropped the retrieved equipment on Mitford’s desk.
    He only glanced at the hand beams, which Kris thought would have been more useful than stunners. But, of course, weapons would come first with a military man. He picked the stunner up, turning it over in his hand, checking the controls and snapping something shut. “That’s the safety on—now—but you guys wouldn’t have known.” He almost patted it when he put it down, and took up the other to render it harmless.
    â€œBert and Raisha looked as if they were having Christmas,” she went on. “I had a peek around once Zainal said the coast was clear.” Mitford nodded. “Rather cramped. Good thing Leon isn’t an inch taller.”Mitford nodded again. “He will be back, you know.” Mitford nodded one more time.
    She finished off the beer, took a handful of the pretzels, and stood up. “I’m worn out,” she said. “Good night, and thanks, Joe, Fek, Slav. We’re the best team on Botany!”
    Mitford nodded.
    It was only when she turned over in her bed that Kris realized she still had the comunit. A lot of good it did her even if it was a link with Zainal up in the scout ship, faking the next step of Phase One. She slipped it up onto her shelf and then let herself fall deeply asleep.
    * * *
    Mitford took her and the unit down to drop field the second day, when Zainal could be expected to return. Camp Rock vibrated with rumors, although everyone connected with Phase One had done their best to act in a normal fashion. To make sure