Page 113 of Sky Song
Ren gave her a long intense look before going back to Lyle. “Okay, let’s pretend you can fly. What are we going to fly in?”
“That’s part of my skill set. Actually, that part is even harder to find for hire. You have a whole spaceship depot for the taking. I can rig a transport from there and take you anywhere you want by myself. If you help, jam their security for instance, my job will be so much easier. How’s that sound?”
All three of them gaped at Lyle. Cricket frowned. “Are you sure you can fly?” As far as she knew, he could barely drive.
He reached out and placed his heavy hand over hers. “I’ve got it, my hearts. They will help. It’s going to be a team effort.”
“But…”
“You worry too much,” he murmured.
She pressed her lips together and didn’t argue, but her heart screamedHe’s leaving! He’s leaving soon!
Ren appeared to be giving Lyle’s proposition a thought. “How long were you a pilot?”
“Most of my life. I’ve been brought up at an pirate haven. My sire was one of the leaders.” Lyle steepled his hands together, his eyes flat and very alien.
“Have you ever been captured?” Ren asked.
“I was captured four years ago, and it ended my run. In full disclosure, I haven’t flown since then.”
“Why should we believe you?” Paloma asked.
“You’re desperate to escape here,” Lyle said evenly and slowly, making sure Paloma understood him. “So much so that you jammed your city’s power grid in an attempt to hijack a transport.”
A stunned silence followed this announcement. Cricket couldn't help but stare at her neighbor, who, to give her credit,looked completely unperturbed. “You can’t prove this silly allegation.”
Ren was very quiet next to her.
Lyle, on the other hand, shifted restlessly in his chair. He was getting antsy and tired of sitting, she felt the subtle waves of energy emanating from him. “I don’t care to prove anything to anyone,Meatball, except to myself that you’re up for the job I need you to do. If you can jam the power grid, you can jam the hospital security system. Simple as that.”
“Now, wait a minute!” Paloma put up a hand. “I haven’t agreed to work for you.”
Lyle stood up and stretched, a large male with thick forearms and flat unfeeling eyes. Killer’s eyes. “Do you want to leave Meeus or not?”
Ren spun a spoon in front of him. “You’re right, we do want to leave.”
“Then come with me to the hospital.”
“Right. Because I’m handy with a weapon.”
“Your court record can be read at the Hall of Knowledge. Comes with a handy translation feature, imagine that. Registration violations and gadget dealing charges, mostly, and that one time zapping a man in the nuts when you were seventeen. Bad design, if you ask me, having your nuts out in the open.”
“He accosted Rosamma,” Ren said sourly. “I only did probation.”
“Uh-huh. For seven years.”
Hipper stirred in Cricket’s arms, and she set him on the floor.
“I also have a confession to make.” Everyone looked at her expectantly. “I stole a whole tray of raisin buns from the docks cafeteria when I was sixteen. Does that count?”
Puzzled frowns were her answer.
“What are you talking about?” Paloma exclaimed. “What raisin buns?”
Frustration boiled over and Cricket jumped up from the table, making Hipper scramble and hide behind the couch. “What, is that not a valid entry into this Who’s a Better Crook contest? Guess what, I’m not one, and you all are crazy if you think I will go along with whatever plan you’ve got going. Forget it! I’m not in. In fact, I’mout.”
“The stairs were going down,” Lyle pointed out in a rational tone.
