Page 5 of Instinct for Disaster

He nodded. “Everyone but the servers out.”

The captain grinned and got to his feet. The servers pulled the chairs out for the merchant and his wife, and they got to their feet, spluttering. The captain ushered them out and told them he would spot them in the officers’ lounge.

Cass turned to the overseer, who had resumed eating. “Why did you do that?”

“They are upset by your exhalations, and I am not. I am impervious to most types of radiation, including khimerion. The air around me is inconsequential. I do not even need to breathe unless I wish to set my citizens at ease.” He met her gaze. “I do not think you will have a problem with that.”

She shrugged. “Interacting with you is not a concern.”

“Really? Where is the property you have obtained?”

Cass frowned and reached for her wrist unit but ended up looking at the empty space.

“Looking for your com?”

“Yes. I will miss it most of all.”

The next course was settled in front of them, and she said, “Without my com, I can’t show you where I will be.”

He slid his data pad toward her with a map highlighting the first city on his world. She prodded with her fingers and said, “Here. This... hey, that’s my house already.”

He nodded. “It’s a good location. This is my house out of the city.”

He enlarged the image, and her house was in his backyard.

“Oh. Neighbours.”

He nodded. “Do you ride?”

“I have seen images of the six-legged creatures. I could try.”

“Good. There are saddles at my stable, and I will instruct staff to let you ride when you wish.”

“Why?”

“You are entirely potential. I want to be there when your body and mind come together.”

“Oh. Since you are here, how do I opt out of the monthly masked events?”

He smirked. “You don’t. They are mandatory for all citizens not in a pair bond. You don’t need to interact intimately with anyone, but you must attend.”

She grimaced. “Why?”

“I am building a new species. Your species and the other three in the new colony are all genetically compatible. There are several cross breeds already. Your species does not have a locked pair bond.”

“Oh. No. After all we have been through, they can’t even keep themselves to themselves for a decade?”

“Your species is desperately trying to create a foothold in the universe now that your world is gone. Why aren’t you?”

“The universe was not particularly interested in furnishing me with anything other than calculation and survival skills. I don’t have the instinct for motherhood.”

“What do you have an instinct for?”

“Hunting and survival.” She shrugged. “We made it to pickup day in good physical condition.”

“But you had regrets.”

“I had to sacrifice some of my animals to insure our survival. It was difficult to part with my creatures to lay in supplies for an unknown future, and it still pains me to think of it.” She met his gaze and saw understanding.

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