Her ship is right behind Kentucky Belle. It’s an old Charger, just like the one he used to pilot on the moon run in the early days of colonization. It lacks the aftermarket Javelin 3 boosters Belle has, and it’s been around the block a time or two, but it’s a good, dependable ship, the best one he could put her in. He still feels a twinge of guilt about it. Maybe a human should pilot it. At the end of the day, it might save a life. But, humanitarian considerations aside, she’s the best pilot for the ship, after him and the two ex-Guard pilots. All Andies were programmed to pilot all makes and models of ships. This was a standard feature, in case their owners were injured, fell ill or were otherwise incapacitated.
He stops with her at the old Charger, Moon Pie. He likes the name. It’s a good ship. It’ll do right by her.
He resists the urge to take her in his arms. That time has passed. On the flight deck, they are professionals. Still, it’s hard, and emotions whirl inside him like debris in a Texas tornado.
He looks into her eyes. “I dunno what to say … I don’t have anything clever or cute. I wish I did, but I don’t.”
“How about good luck?” She gives him a simple little smile, again with that same girlish innocence that just a few moments ago naively wished for a puppy.
“That’s something you say to superstitious humans,” he smiles and scratches his head sheepishly. “Androids know better than to believe in such silliness.”
“You still see me as an android?” Is that a hint of disappointment slipping into those artificially colored eyes of aqua. Did he hurt her feelings? Really? Granny’s Jesus, this is getting weirder by the minute!
“I dunno.” He shakes his head and looks into those gorgeous eyes. “I dunno what I see you as now … I just know you’re about to climb into that ship and kill humans. Once you cross that line, Starr … I can’t save you. And it’s tearing my guts out because you’re the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life. And if this ends badly, you’ll be the first one they execute … after the Commander, of course. They can never let something like you survive. Not even to study and try to figure out what happened to make you the miracle you are.”
“It would just be nice to hear,” she replies simply as a ground crew member hands her helmet and flight gloves.
“What?” Did she not hear a word he just said?
“Good luck. Even though I’m not human, it’s what you say to each other before you embark on such dangerous endeavors, is it not?”
He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment, feeling the pain of futility. He draws in a deep breath and blows it out … and with it, the expulsion of emotions. It was time to go to work.
“I guess it would.” He raises his chin and extends his right hand. “Good luck, Lieutenant.”
She tucks her helmet under her left arm and takes his hand. “Thank you, Captain.”
She lets go and gives him a half-ass salute. There’s not a lot of emphasis on regulations in the Colonial Militia, and he doesn’t bother to return it. He’s not military. Standing here at this moment, he doesn’t even know why he even got into this mess, but here he is. He will see it through. That’s what spacers do.
The other ships are powering up, and the flight crews are clearing the hangar. Soon the large outer doors will creak open, depressurizing the bay and allowing them to take off. And he’s first in line. He can’t hold up progress, standing here like a brooding fool.
She turns to board, and he grabs her arm. “Keep your pretty head down!” he shouts as, all around them, engines roar to full power, reaching a deafening crescendo. “And don’t let anything get on that sexy ass! If it gets too hot, get out! Deep space! You got the horses to outrun anything they have!”
He pulls her to him … kisses her hard and long. He doesn’t care who’s watching, nor who’s waiting. He may never kiss those beautiful lips again. He may never kiss any lips again. By the Gods of Dixie, it’s going to be one to remember.
He finally lets her go. Her eyes are closed, and they are slow to open as if she’s asleep and doesn’t want to awake from a beautiful dream. When they do gradually open, she smiles up at him. It’s the most beautiful smile he’s ever seen.
“I love you, Tiger Thomas.” He can’t hear the words. The engines are far too loud. But he can read her lips, and he can see it in her face. Before he can respond, she breaks from him and walks away to her ship, leaving him standing there alone on the flight deck.
Whatever he might’ve said, it’s too late. It’s time to go kill people.
«◊»
Chapter 9
As she drifted back into consciousness, her eyes opened to an ornately papered wall. For a few moments, she lay still, trying to wrap her head around what was going on. Where was she? How long had she been out? What did these people want?
Some of the answers came back quickly, as her mind slowly cleared the fog of the drugs away. She began to remember the elevator … being so sleepy, so sluggish
