Page 4 of Instinct for Disaster

“I used to make it on my world. I won some awards as well. Some for being avant-garde, others for being drinkable.” She twisted her lips in what she was pretty sure was a smile. “Not bad for a null.”

Silence fell in the room, and understanding suddenly lit the overseer’s eyes. “Ah, is that it?”

“It is it. I am excellent for detailed dangerous labour and not much else.” She looked at him. “Being a free miner does pay well.”

The room froze again.

The merchant’s wife muttered, “There aren’t any free miners seeking khimerion. They leave as soon as they pay their bond.”

The next course was served, and the server returned holding a very ornate bottle with another server carrying matching glasses.

The overseer gestured toward Cass. “The lady miner and myself only. Everyone else is content with the offering.”

The server smiled, and he uncorked the bottle. Cass caught the scent instantly, and a genuine smile spread across her features. A million flowers were scented in that bottle.

She closed her eyes and remembered sunlight and bright meadows, the sound of horses running, and family laughter. She felt something hot on her face and opened her eyes as she touched her cheek. A tiny carved-glass stemmed wine glass was in front of her, and the scent continued to spin in her thoughts.

The overseer brought his glass to his lips. He took a sip and closed his eyes before opening them, and a rainbow filled his irises as the falling stars in his wide pupils streaked slowly in a wave that was hard to look away from.

She took his cue and sipped at the wine, closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she exhaled a dark blue-grey cloud.

The overseer sat up straight. “You have khimerion poisoning?”

“Saturation. It’s fine as long as it doesn’t get higher.”

The food continued to come to them, and they ate as he asked, “How long did you work after you paid out your bond?”

“Bond lasted two years, and I continued for three more. I was grounded and deported, so I picked a world and have arranged a home, supplies, and plenty of open space.”

The overseer cocked his head. “Nulls don’t act without purpose. Why my world?”

She blinked. “Oh. You purchased the bond of some of my people. Before I left, I sent them the funds to pay their bonds. I don’t know if they did or didn’t.”

She finished her plate and took a sip of the wine again, exhaling another cloud of khimerion.

The merchant muttered, “Can you stop doing that?”

His wife was looking alarmed as Cass turned toward him. She said softly, “No, I can’t. The mineral that powers all regenerative mechanicals runs in my veins, nests in my cells, and comes out in my sweat. One more mining mission with tons of it around me would have caused me to turn into a slurry with eyes.”

The captain looked at her. “You harvestedtonsof khimerion?”

“Yes. Forty tons in my free-bond career.”

The gasps at the table made the smirk on the overseer’s features confusing.

“Well, this has been lovely. Overseer, thank you for dinner, but it is now uncomfortable. Captain, thank you for the loan of the dress.” She looked to the overseer. “I beg to be excused.”

“Is that how you beg?”

She crossed her arms and looked at him. “As far as you will ever know.”

He ignored their audience. “Your sexual history?”

“I have had sex. I do not crave it or require it.”

“Do you want children?”

“No. They are interesting to watch, but I am not craving any.” She nodded. “My sibling has two.”

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