Eternity Row Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Stretch. It will help.”
    As I went through the limbering exercises that obsessed him, Xonea walked around me, sizing me up. “You have regained the weight you lost, and your muscle tone appears more defined.”
    “That mean I’m in better shape?”
    “Yes. Your reflexes and response time have improved.” He took off his cortgear. “Have you spoken to the Oenrallian about the crisis on his homeworld?”
    “Not yet.”
    Dhreen, the alien pilot who had taken me to my first offworld position at the colony on Kevarzangia Two, was not in my good books altogether yet. He’d started out pretending to be my friend while spying on me for Joseph Grey Veil. Although he had redeemed himself by helping me and Reever escape Terra, I still had my doubts.
    So did Xonea. “He has been avoiding staff meetings since returning to the ship from Terra. Talk to him, if you would, and discover what you can. Report back to me.”
    Xonea and Dhreen had been good friends, once upon a time, but the Oenrallian’s deception had put him on the Torins’ persona non grata list. “If it turns out to be safe for us, do you still intend to go there?”
    “As long as the sojourn presents no threat to the crew, yes.”
    I wiped a streak of sweat from my cheek. “And this combat training? You’re really going to make me do it?”
    “You serve as a member of my crew.” He tossed me his tunic. “As such, you will fulfill all training requirements.”
    I blotted my face. “I liked pilot training better, and I was awful at that. I mean, look at me.” I waved a hand around. “I’d make a lousy warrior. You know that.”
    “Your size remains your greatest disadvantage. If you would agree to train with bladed weapons-”
    “She already knows how to use them.”
    I swiveled around to see Reever standing just inside the door panel. “Only when I can’t get my hands on a lascalpel. Hi, Duncan. What are you doing here?”
    “Looking for you,” my husband said as he leaned back against the panel and regarded my ClanBrother. “Why is my wife wiping her face with your garment, Xonea?”
    “We’re just sparring,” I told him.
    Now he looked at me. “For what purpose?”
    “I’m going to be inspecting the new combat-training programs Xonea has lined up for the crew.” I nodded toward the console. “This was just a trial run.”
    “I will need the inspection completed within the next week,” my ClanBrother said.
    Reever folded his arms. “Indeed. Have you relieved Cherijo of her Medical duties, to provide time to complete the assignment?”
    Xonea glanced at me. “I was not aware that I needed to.”
    “I’ll talk to Squilyp about switching some shifts with me.” I walked over to the door panel, and took my husband’s arm. “Let’s go. See you later, Xonea.”
    For a moment, I didn’t think Reever was going to budge. Then, with a small nod toward my ClanBrother, he left the environome and entered the gyrlift with me.
    As soon as the doors closed, I started on him. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I get the impression you don’t think I can handle this.”
    Reever stopped the lift. “Xonea knows you are already overloaded with your responsibilities in Medical, and yet he gives you more work.”
    “Xonea isn’t the issue here. I am. I’ll take care of my job.” I started the lift again. “I’m not your slave anymore, Reever. Try to remember that.”
    “You were never any good at it when you were.” He touched my cheek with one finger, tracing something. “I do not like seeing his bruises on your skin.”
    “Good thing I heal fast, then.” The lift stopped, and I got off with him. “Look, these programs are going to be used for training the children. I need to make sure they’re safe. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt for me to learn a little self-defense.”
    “I will protect you and Marel.”
    “Uh-huh.” My mouth curled. “And what about when you’re tied up saving someone’s planet or something?”
    He dropped his