Page 60 of Seven Oars
“Well, stop! You’re giving them ideas. None of us will be safe.” Sassa stomped to her place in the corner, her entire posture broadcasting indignation and disgust.
Anske moaned as she sat up, breaking the tension in the room.
In the absence of medical supplies, Fawn helped Rosamma affix one of the discarded bras to Anske’s shoulder.
“It’s going to scar,” she said forlornly.
Realizing that she wasn’t dying, Anske had calmed down significantly.
“I will bear this scar with dignity.” She picked up her Holy Guide and lovingly straightened out bent pages.“It’s a mark of the hardships I’ve survived in the name of liberating people’s minds. The Spirit has not abandoned me in this time of need. Let’s pray.”
Sassa followed her lead without leaving her corner, bowing her head, moving her lips fast and with fervor.
Gro flashed a look at Daphne.“Now we understand what she meant by‘dangerous.’”
The girl sat hunched in the most distant corner like a cat left behind in the rain.
Eze went to her and held her close.“It’s not her fault, being the way she is. She should’ve never left Meeus. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again.”
Alyesha blew out a breath.“Somebody keep an eye on her at all times, or we’ll have to tie her up.”
“We’ll watch her,” Gro promised.“God forbid she ever jumps a pirate.”
Gro spoke Universal, and Phex picked up on it.“I thought you all wanted to do just that?”
Alyesha’s shoulders sagged.
They were kidding themselves, thinking that killing a Rix pirate would be as easy as slaughtering a bovine. Not that any of them had that experience either.
They settled around the room, passing the time with small, insignificant tasks.
The scene with Daphne continued to haunt Rosamma. She tried to think about escaping instead.
Could she send out a distress signal? Phex was too conspicuous, and the pirates kept a close watch on him. He’d have a hard time infiltrating the Command Center.
And if she died in the process, it would be no great loss.
Except for Ren.
It would matter to Ren if she died.
Chapter 10
In the two days that followed, marked very approximately by the periods of wakefulness alternated with fitful sleep, the women were left blessedly alone.
Phex wasn’t so lucky.
Twice, he was taken to the Habitat and kept there for hours on end. Upon his return to the Cargo Hold, he spoke little and spent most of his time in stasis. He showed clear signs of new beatings, but hadn’t been knocked unconscious or required carrying.
Rosamma didn’t share any more energy with him, saving it for when he would truly need it. She was convinced by now that their predicament had only just begun.
During Phex’s absences, the women’s resolve to plan an escape surged like a wave at high tide, only to ebb a short while later. They saw how powerless they were compared to the alien males that imprisoned them.
Their earlier talk about killing the pirates seemed childishly naive.
They didn’t know what to do.
What they did know was that this reprieve from the pirates’attention was a fluke, and anticipation of a shift hung thick in the air.
