Page 15 of Rescued

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HEROD

“What are you doing?” I growled, catching her in the act of twisting a dial.

She started with a strangled yelp as she spun around to face me.

“Nothing,” she insisted. “I was trying to help.”

I scowled. Help? More likely she was trying to sabotage me.

“Put it back the way it was.”

She shook her head emphatically. “I will not. If you keep running your ship like that, you’re going to burn a hole through your fuel cell.”

“Show me,” I said at last, watching to see if she flinched, but her gaze remained level and she merely nodded.

“Look, here.”

Her fingers worked nimbly as she pulled up a report on the screen and read it aloud. I stood over her shoulder, verifying her assertions and marveling at the quick way she assessed the situation. I’d never seen anyone troubleshoot a fuel problem like this before. I didn’t know what to say.

“I wasn’t trying to upset you,” she said lowering her hand back to her lap. “I just don’t know what to do with myself, and I can’t stand feeling helpless. I thought I might be able to help.”

I reached a hand over and placed it on top of hers in her lap. I felt her tense under my touch, and I wondered if I had made a mistake, but before I could withdraw my hand, she relaxed and her shoulders slumped in defeat.

“It’s okay. I don’t suppose you have any reason to trust me, either. But I hope you can see that I’m trying to do the right thing here. Not just for Adreax, but for you. I may be a little rough around the edges, but the one thing I stand for is making sure the Patrol doesn’t do any more harm in this universe.”

As I spoke, I felt a strange sensation somewhere in my core, like my hard exterior was melting away. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet, inching away from her and pulling my hand back awkwardly. She only blinked.

“I’m sorry I’ve made your life difficult,” she started.

“Maybe we call it a truce?” I offered, holding out my hand firmly for a shake.

She glanced down at my outstretched hand and considered me, placing her hand in mine and giving it a swift shake.

“Truce,” she confirmed with a smile.

“All right. We’ll be back at Divoron in a few days. In the meantime, try not to get into any more trouble. I have a hard enough time watching my own back. I don’t need to be worrying about yours too. Just… pretend this is a vacation or something. Take the time to sleep in and relax. I’m sure you could use the rest.”

“What about a shower?” she asked timidly.

She had to know that there was hardly any privacy as it was. And yet, as I watched her comb her fingers through her hair and grimace at the tangles, I wanted nothing more than for her to pamper herself while she was here.

“Rest now. When I get back, you can have your shower. Deal?”

“You’re leaving again?” she asked, instantly alarmed. “Where are you going this time?”

I could see the concern in her eyes at the idea of me leaving, but this time I was sure she wouldn’t try anything. Somehow, I knew that her desire to escape had been set aside, if only temporarily.

“I still have some business to finish,” I answered frankly.

Without thinking, I reached up and brushed a strand of hair out of her face, and she offered me a nervous smile.

“How long?”

I shrugged. “Hopefully not long. Just have to collect my payment. I’ll grab us some food on the way back. The locals can cook up a good stew. It’ll be my treat.”

Caimbrie relaxed a little, leaning back against the wall of the bunk.

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