Far From Home 16: Spectre Read Online Free PDF Page B

Captain came to stand next to him at the security monitor. "Don't let her in. I'll go out to speak with her."
    "Well, I was hoping–"
    "Kid, take it from me. It's best not to overdo it. Let her have a little space from you, see if it's still there when you see her again, you know? I couldn't tell you the amount of relationships I've screwed up in the past because I came on too strong."
    "Hmm . . ." Will sounded unconvinced.
    " Trust me," Shaw said.
    "Maybe you're right."
    "Let's get on with this assignment, then get back in touch with her. You'll be able to tell if she's really interested in you then. I assume you are in her?"
    Will nodded. "Sure."
    "Well then."
    * * *
    "So as you can see, Doc, it's a touchy thing," Shaw said in hushed tones. He'd just explained to Dr. Clayton the issue they were having with Barbie's increasingly aggressive mood swings.
    "All a hormonal issue, I'm sure," Clayton said. "You could try administering her two Kovolax a day ; that might help."
    "Kovolax? Where will I get that from?"
    The Doctor chuckled. "It'll be in your medicine store. All ships are required to carry a certain amount of drugs, including Kovolax."
    "Gentlemen, when we're finished discussing the chemical make-up of female Mantipors  . . ." Jessica handed Shaw a data tablet. "This is everything the Doctor could remember. Should cut you a few corners."
    Captain Shaw scanned through the information on it.
    "Thanks, this will come in handy," he said. "That gives us a name and a face to track down when we get there."
    "Well, whatever I can do," Clayton said. He dismissed himself , and Jessica watched him go.
    "That could be the lead that breaks it for us," Shaw said. "You've saved us a lot of work hunting down the witnesses."
    "Yes, I thought it might come in handy," she said. They stood outside the airlock. On the other side, the Spectre stood prepped for departure. "Is Commander Ardai not about?"
    "I'm afraid not. We're about to go. Did you, uh, want me to pass something onto him?" Shaw asked.
    "Oh no. Just tell him . . . tell him I'll be in touch," Jessica said.
    "Uh huh," Shaw said. He gave his thanks once more, then bade her farewell. "I'll keep you posted, Captain."
    "Thanks," she said.
    Captain Shaw went back inside the Spectre. He stood next to Will at the security monitor, and they watched as she lingered there a moment. It looked like she wanted to barge her way onto the ship.
    "That there is a good woman, kid," Shaw said. "Oh yeah. I tell you she's got balls?"
    Will cocked an eyebrow. "I know from personal experience she doesn't."
    "You know what I mean."
    The Captain walked off but Will remained where he was a few seconds longer, looking at Jessica as she stood there, no doubt feeling the same influx of emotion he was.
    "See you, Jess," Will whispered and headed for the bridge.
    * * *
    Kalar disengaged the airlock, teased the thruster controls to ease the Spectre away from the revolving hull of Station 6.
    "When you're ready, Kay. Nice and easy does it," Shaw said.
    Will stood next to him. He leaned forward to speak to the Captain privately. "Sir, if you want to talk about what happened earlier . . ."
    The Spectre 's skipper threw him a puzzled looked. "Why would I want to do that?"
    "It's not every day someone tries to kill you," Will said.
    Shaw laughed. "It is in this game. You get used to it."
    I'll accept that, Will thought. For now.
    Kalar opened up the engines and their compact vessel lurched forward, into the void and the mystery ahead  . . .

 
    4.
     
    Cessqa stood with her hands clasped behind her back, face still, her expression giving no hint as to what was going on inside.
    Eruptions of energy detonated in the surrounding nebula of the Chimera Cluster, swift flashes of light accompanied by purple lightning. A pocket of dark gases sat to the right, several star systems wide. In there. That's where they would find it.
    The Array.
    The Amarax hummed with energy around her. The great cylinder could