Naked Read Online Free PDF Page B

and now, here he sits with only a portion of what he has actually earned.”
    Cierra looked at Ahket and he was studiously eating his meal.
    “Grandson?”
    “He came out of my daughter, so yes. I am fairly sure that he is my grandson.” Sapya grinned.
    She smiled and continued to eat. Sapya must have been staring at her, because he suddenly said, “Is that mark on your wrist common to your species?”
    She touched the blue and green. “No, it was made by the cuffs that fastened me to the wall of the shuttle. The flight got a little exciting for a while, and I was flopping around like a fish. It will fade in a few days, maybe a week.”
    Ahket scowled. “You didn’t mention it.”
    “I was naked, crouched behind canisters of sleeping women. I wasn’t feeling chatty.”
    Sapya nodded. “Probably not. Ahket, after this, take her to medical and see what they can do.”
    She finished as much as she had taken and sat back. “Now, General, what do you want me to do?”
    He kept eating, and she refilled the tea around the table.
    “We are about to take our gains and engage in a negotiation for textiles and building supplies. I would like you to help with the negotiations so that we can reach a fair agreement and yet not be taken advantage of. We are not excellent traders.”
    She sipped at her tea and cocked her head. “Do you have a list of what you need?”
    “We do.”
    “Can I know how much you are offering?”
    “I will have a statement sent to the tablet.”
    She nodded. “Can I have a list of luxury items as well? Things that you would love to have but cannot afford?”
    He gave her a considering look. “You appear to be formulating a plan.”
    “I have gone over enough contracts to spot deals that are unsound, but I also know that the best deals are achieved by having the vendor do the accumulation of goods for you. Are you looking for delivery or for immediate loading?”
    He blinked and they got down to business.
    The plates were emptied and carried away by the crewman, and they still worked on the action plan.
    When they were done, Sapya stood, shook her hand carefully and smiled. “I will see about some clothing for you. Ahket’s exercise wear has never looked better, but it is not appropriate if you enter the trading floor.”
    She nodded and took a final look at the green space below. “So, we are clear?”
    “You need cuttings. Nothing more.”
    “Of those particular plants. I can go down and point them out.”
    “Let’s wait until you have some footwear.” He winked. “Ahket, take her to medical.”
    “Yes, General.” Captain Ahket nodded respectfully and offered her his arm again.
    “It was a lovely meal, General. Thank you.” Cierra took Ahket’s arm, and they left the general’s private quarters.
    She exhaled. “Well, if I can’t run around, at least I can be busy.”
    He chuckled. “Looking on the bright side. I didn’t think you were an optimist.”
    “I am not, I am a pragmatist. I look at the current situation and make the best of it.”
    “I apologize for the bruising. I had no idea that the colouration was not natural.”
    “Oh, it is natural; it is just the kind of natural that comes after dangling upside down by your wrists. I was just lucky that nothing broke.”
    He winced. “I wish there was something I could do.”
    “You are doing it. Taking me to medical.”
    He sighed, and they made their way down two decks to the deck that housed the oxygen generator. Medical was the first stop off the lift.
    Half a dozen exam beds were lying empty and two were occupied. Ahket helped her to one of the beds and assisted her in hopping up.
    A man in a grey uniform with white and red piping down the arm came up to them and smiled curiously. “What have we here?”
    Cierra made a face. “I don’t know what you have, but I have some deep-tissue bruising and the possibility of a light fracture.”
    Ahket blinked and she shrugged. No sense beating him up about it, but there was