Read Online The Tracker's Dilemma: (A Mandrake Company Science Fiction Romance) by Ruby Lionsdrake - Free Book Online Page B

great. I’m getting better at virtual art.” He wriggled his fingers.
    “Does that mean your strange alien women now have three distinct breasts rather than that strange oblong mono-boob?” Tick asked.
    “All of my breasts are excellent.”
    Lauren walked through her curtain in time to hear that comment. She cocked an eyebrow, glancing at Striker’s chest. He proceeded to tastelessly look at her chest and give her a lurid wink. Ignoring him, she strode to the front to speak to Ankari about something.
    “She’s so frigid,” Striker said. “You better give up on that one.”
    “She’s not frigid,” Tick said.
    “You’ve made progress with her?”
    Tick did not acknowledge the comment. He had no interest in discussing his progress—or lack thereof—nor the fact that in light of Lauren’s recent revelations, he lamented that there would never be progress. Instead, he bent over his own tablet, bringing to life the novel he’d been reading.
    “Now the sister,” Striker said, “she’s not frigid. I bet you could make some progress with her. Or I could.”
    “You’re welcome to try.”
    “Maybe later, if we end up spending the night down here. You know there’s a bed in that clinic, right?” Striker gave him another elbow nudge.
    Tick sighed.
    “He really creates art?” Hemlock asked, glancing at Striker.
    “It’s not art ,” Tick said. “He glorifies himself and his weapons in picture books.”
    “My comics are definitely art. And I’ve glorified you too.”
    “You made me your sidekick.”
    “It’s a vital role. Someone has to hold the hero’s weapons while he reloads. Look, in the newest one—”
    Tick held up a hand, pushing the tablet away. “Sorry, but I’m not in the mood for megalomaniacal mad scientists taking over the ship right now.”
    Striker lowered the tablet and stared at Tick. “How did you know?”
    “What?”
    “How did you know about the plot? I just started drawing this volume.”
    “You must have told me,” Tick said, though a hint of uncertainty crept into his mind. His brain wasn’t being odd again, was it?
    “I didn’t. I just thought it up this morning while I was in the shower. Thinking about scientists.” Striker winked.
    Tick shrugged, hoping Striker would dismiss it. He remained casual, staring down at the page floating in the air over his tablet, but he barely saw the words.
    “You’re not as fun as you used to be, Tick.” Striker pushed himself to his feet and wandered up to visit the women.
    Tick let out a slow breath. He could settle for being called un-fun. He hoped to avoid accusations of being a freak.
    Hemlock was still rattling his dice around in a cup, but his gaze shifted toward Tick.
    “I heard you’ve got symptoms too,” he said.
    “Symptoms?” Tick asked carefully.
    Hemlock shrugged. “Not sure what you’d call it. New and interesting powers?”
    Powers? Tick thought the word symptoms sounded more accurate. Or maybe side effects. Alarming side effects.
    “Can you do this?” Hemlock set a couple of dice on the seat next to his thigh, then lifted his hand, making a point to show that his fingers weren’t anywhere near them. A look of concentration—or perhaps constipation—took over his face.
    The dice fell on the floor.
    Tick jumped—or he would have, if he hadn’t been seated and strapped into his harness.
    “How’d you do that?” he asked. “You must have bumped the seat with your foot.”
    Yes, he knew Hemlock was also in Lauren’s study, but he had just started. Lauren had told him that he’d just received the first dose last week. Strange things hadn’t started happening to Tick until a few days ago, after several doses. And he couldn’t make dice flip over. Of course, he hadn’t tried. He swallowed. He didn’t want to try.
    “You know that’s not it,” Hemlock said, giving him a steady, knowing look. His gaze lowered to the deck, and the dice tumbled a few times, each one landing with a single dot