Singing the Dogstar Blues Read Online Free PDF

had taken me aside.
    â€˜Don’t make their fear your truth, Joss,’ he said. ‘They’ve been made by genetic pot-luck. We’re made up from the best of six or more people. No wonder they’re jealous and a little bit afraid.’
    For a while after that, I felt kind of special. Then it hit me: I wasn’t even a proper comp. Ingrid says she only used one donor and kept the genetic manipulation to a minimum. So, I’m not a comp, but I’m not a real-kid either. It was a no-win situation.
    I ignored Chaney and breathed deeply, focusing on my breath as I exhaled. What a waste of time. I still wanted to throttle him. No wonder Master Roland never let me go on to the master level.
    â€˜Come over here with us, Tonio. You should mix with your own kind. What would your mother say if she knew you were sniffing around comp waste?’ Chaney said.
    The mess hall went quiet. Tonio’s leg was doing double time. He glanced at me, then settled for staring at the floor, his face white. I tensed up, feeling a vertebrae crunch in protest. I had two choices, a civ-libel charge or a fight.
    I’ve never had much faith in the civ laws.
    Chaney took off the VR visor, enjoying centre stage.
    â€˜So, what’s it going to be, Tone? Us or them? You’ve got to choose.’
    Tonio looked at me for help, but this time he was on his own. I was too close to losing it.
    â€˜I think,’ he said, and swallowed painfully. ‘I think we should all try and get along.’
    The Chaney camp screamed with laughter. Jorel started to imitate Tonio, swallowing between every word. ‘I’, swallow, ‘think’, swallow, ‘we’, swallow, ‘should’, swallow. He collapsed into giggles. Chaney raised his voice above the laughter.
    â€˜I. Think. We. Should. Ban comps from the Centre.’ He looked at me. ‘What do you think, Aaronson?’
    I met his eyes. They were a strange light blue. So pale that there was almost no colour.
    â€˜I think we should ban bigoted scum,’ I said, moving forward in the chair.
    â€˜Okay, that’s enough,’ a dark-haired sixth year said, catching me by the shoulder. He turned to Chaney. ‘I want you and your lot out of here. Now.’
    Chaney shrugged.
    â€˜We’ve finished anyway.’ He drained his cup and strolled towards the door, his friends following in a close pack. As they filed out of the mess, a few people clapped.
    Everyone started talking again. I breathed deeply. My last breath had been aeons ago. The sixth year dropped his hand from my shoulder.
    â€˜You shouldn’t take the bait,’ he said, smiling to take the cut out of his words. ‘That guy just wants you to do something stupid so he can civ-suit you. Let this kind of tox ride, or it’ll eat you up.’
    â€˜Yeah? How would you know?’
    â€˜I’m a comp too.’ He offered his hand. ‘Kyle Sandrall. And you are?’
    â€˜Joss Aaronson,’ I said, shaking his hand.
    â€˜You’re the one who’s partnering the Chorian, right?’
    I nodded. He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
    â€˜I’m glad one of us got the job. That’ll show them, hey? There’s quite a few comps in the course and we’re all behind you. Sometimes we get together, have a bit of blast. Why don’t you come along?’ He kept eye contact a few secs longer than normal. The invitation was for more than just a party.
    â€˜Sure,’ I said, knowing that I would never take him up on his offer. ‘And thanks for your help.’
    Kyle smiled and waved, moving towards his group of friends. I watched his smooth confident walk. He looked like he had the world all worked out. Nice bum, too.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Joss,’ Tonio said, touching my arm. I turned back to him. He was finally looking me in the eye. ‘I’m not very good at confrontation.’
    â€˜Well, you tried,’ I said.
    He bit his