Fledge Read Online Free PDF Page A

sit?" I ask pointing to the table.
    "I'm Braun," he says as he takes a seat.
    "Junco."
    "Yeah, I know. Was with you when you were picked up from Earth."
    "Oh." I stop, trying to see if I recall him, but I have no memory of anyone but Tier, Layla, and Ashur.
    "That was pretty funny the way you talked shit to Lucan yesterday." He laughs. "I bet it's been a long time since anyone's talked to him like that."
    "Oh," I say again. "He hates me, doesn't he?"
    The avian smiles and his eyes glow a little orange. "Lucan hates everyone. He's an Archer." A shrug. "No sense of humor, those guys. So what have you been doing in here all day?"
    I walk over to the screen and pretend to watch the news. "Tests."
    "Did you pass?"
    I look back at him, trying to decide if he's serious or not. If pushed, I'd peg him as a guy who doesn't get serious unless he's forced, but he looks sincere. "No, I don't think so."
    "Wanna tell me about it?"
    "No, not especially."
    "Wanna play cards then? Pass the time?"
    "I don't know your games, so–"
    He pulls a deck out of his jacket. "You're a soldier, Junco, all soldiers can play poker."
    I laugh. "Oh, well, OK."
    Braun is the first normal guy I've met in a long time. We get along and there's no arguing and he doesn't pretend to be better than me or even seem bothered that I have the SEAR tucked under my shirt. We play using 2x2 gauze as chips and it only takes a few minutes and I'm laughing. He's got a nice sense of humor and when he asks me if I'm hungry he doesn't lecture me when I say no. But he does leave to get some food and when he brings it back to the table I am hungry and it's not bad.
    We've been playing for hours and I owe Braun six thousand rills, whatever that is, when Ashur enters. Braun smiles and stands up, counting his cotton wipes to double-check his winnings. "I cheated her out of enough paper products to buy a new house, Ash." And then he laughs. "See you tomorrow, Junco, I'll bring beer for the next game."
    Ashur just raises his eyebrows. "Braun, don't–"
    "Ah, shut up, man. And get off her back, she's stressed. Make her happy, why don't you?" Then he looks at me. "We'll have fun tomorrow, Juncs." And then he walks to the door, his weapon slapping his thigh with each step as he leaves.
    I'm still smiling when I look over at Ashur and force myself to dial it back down.
    "You'll want to stay away from that one, Junco."
    "Why?"
    He shakes his head. "He's trouble."
    "Oh, I see. He's trouble, yet I'm the prisoner, Tier's on trial for treason, and you wish you could kill me. Well, thanks for clearing all that up." The tension is back and I miss Braun already. I walk over to the bed and flop down. My desire to make things right with Ashur is gone with the return of my sour mood.
    He walks into the lab and takes a minute before coming back in the living area and sitting down at the table. His back slouches and his long legs sprawl out in front of him. "I spoke to Tier today."
    My heart skips, but I don't answer him.
    "He asked about you."
    I turn my back to him and let out a big sigh.
    "Do you want me to tell him anything if I see him again?"
    "No."
    "Do you care to explain that, Junco? I mean, the guy is on trial for you, the least you can do is send a message to say hi."
    I turn back. "You know something, I'm beginning to wonder how well you actually know him. The Tier I know does not want to hear from me right now, Ashur. And you're lying if you tell me he's sent a message, because I know for a fact he wouldn't do that. So stop with the bullshit, OK?"
    He shakes his head and turns his attention to the screen. We don't speak another word to each other. I don't set anything right. And Ashur makes no attempt to make me happy. I lie there for a long time before falling asleep.
     
     
     
     
    I wake in the middle of the night again. My sleep is way out of whack. Ashur is still slumped in his chair, one arm crossed over his chest, his fingers playing with his shirt on the opposite shoulder while