Read Online Rissa and Tregare by F. M. Busby - Free Book Online Page A

Only of the wine."
    So he went to her. Again her response began and built, but fell short. Afterward he said, "Still no luck."
    "No-but closer, this time. Do not fret, Bran-the fault is not in you but in my past. With your help I must overcome it."
    "I don't know much about your past; maybe you should tell me."
    "Yes. But not tonight-if nothing more, we have prepared me well for sleep." the intercom buzzed; she woke to see sunlight slanting in through the window above her. Bran's voice said, "Yes, what is it?"
    "Direct word from Lefthand Thread. They've got what we've been waiting for." Tregare sat up. "Good! How far out were they, Hain, when they made that transmission?''
    "Not sure, Captain. Two weeks, maybe."
    "So, less now. Let's see-standard decel-ten days, maybe."
    "Right. Do you want to send an answer?"
    "Yes. Tell Limmer-I assume he's still in command-to land at One Point One and refuel, sell off any surplus cargo. He's to deal with Alsen Bleeker as first choice."
    "Bleeker? But he's the one, gave us all the trouble!"
    "Not any more, Hain. We-you might say we own him now."
    Deverel laughed. "If you say so. Any more for Limmer?"
    "Just that we'll be talking with him later-and to advise, soon as he knows when he'll be landing."
    "Right. I'll get on it." The intercom went silent; Tregare stood and stretched.
    "This is good news, Bran?"
    "I've had days start a lot worse." He turned to her. "Who-ever showers first, the other starts breakfast. Your choice?"
    She moved across and clambered out of bed. "I do not yet belong in the kitchen. I smell like a goat."
    "All right. Don't take too long or the food'll be overdone."
    In the bathroom she made a fast job of it, postponing a shampoo for later, and entered the kitchen still drying herself.
    "Am I in time?"
    "Sure. I put the eggs on last but the meat's close to done. Just serve mine up with a lid over it." She took the spatula and he moved quickly away. She heard splashing and what might have been called singing-then he was back, body dried but damp hair dripping. She had already begun eating; he sat, un-covered his plate, and cut himself a bite.
    "Not bad. If the spaceship business goes bust, we can start a restaurant." She smiled but, mouth filled, did not answer.
    Finished, she checked the coffeepot; it was not ready. She walked to the front of the cabin and looked out. The sky was clear. She said, "There are fewer clouds here."
    "Yeah. The Big Hills wring most of them out. All year round it's drier on this side." Now she smeled the coffee, went to pour it, and sat again. "Bran? I would like to take an aircar and cruise about-ex-plore this side of the hills a bit, perhaps take a closer look at the plains below us."
    He shook his head. "Not today-sorry. I'm taking a little trip myself. Business. And the other machine's acting up lately -Kenekke tinkers with it when he has the time, but it's still not dependable. Tomorrow al right?" She hid her irritation. "You do not invite me to join you today?"
    "Well, sure-if you want to."
    "How soon do you intend to leave?"
    "An hour, maybe. Why?"
    "That is enough time-I wil be ready." Cheerful again, she left the kitchen and washed her hair. He was gone when she came out, and she had time to groom herself leisurely. She was dressed and ready when he returned.
    Outside by the aircar, Deverel waited. "Do you want one of us to come with you, skipper, or both stay here?"
    "Both stay, I think. Anse hasn't been to Base Two yet, but he doesn't fly aircars-so no use showing him the way until there's something for him to do there.'
    "All right. Anything comes in, we'll call on Channel D."
    "Good enough." As Deverel walked toward the scout, Rissa and Tregare entered the aircar. He energized propulsion, waited a moment for the indicators to show ready, and took off at a high slant.
    "You have not told me where it is we go. Base Two, you said?"
    "Yeah. We just left Base One. Two is where ships can land."
    "Your personal spaceport, Bran?" She