A Planet's Ransom by C.M. Simpson

Author:C.M. Simpson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C.M. Simpson

18—SHOWDOWN WITH SU-LYNN

Thinking of the Protectors made me think about the yvernatch on the other end of my computer. I accessed the visor communications link, and tried to send him a ping. It was a little frightening when nothing came back.

“How long do we have to be here?” Blossom asked, and I opened my eyes.

The first thing I saw was the med box, its progress bar still orange.

“For as long as it takes for the box to fix David,” I said. “Why?”

“Because I can see a light.”

Now that she mentioned it, so could I. I stared at the opening we had come down, watching the slowly brightening glow that had nothing to do with the rising moon. To my relief, it wasn’t blazing directly down the cave opening, and I was reminded by the criss-crossing of shadows, that a thicket of bushes hid the hole from sight.

When Su-Lynn opened her mouth as though to speak, I raised my hand, holding my palm out in a clear signal for her to stop. She stared at me, stared at my hand, and then closed her mouth again. She still looked on the verge of tears, but, now, there was a rebellious edge to her features. I made a note that I’d have to watch Su-Lynn. She was angry, and angry people didn’t always act the best they could.

I glanced over at Blossom, and Blossom looked at me. I might have been mistaken, but I thought I caught a quick dip of her chin, as though she would support me. I really hoped I could rely on that, but decided I wouldn’t until I could be sure it was there.

The light swept past the top of the cave a couple of times, and then moved further away. We watched until all that told us the Heritage were still out there was a slight brightening and then dimming, as though the beam passed over us, but was focused somewhere else.

When we hadn’t seen it for a good ten minutes or so, I turned to Su-Lynn.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” I said, “but could we ask you for some dinner?”

From Blossom’s indrawn breath, I guessed that hadn’t come out as well as I’d hoped.

“So, you think you can just come in here, and call me sexist and then demand to be fed?” she demanded.

“That’s not what I meant.” I said.

“Sure it isn’t,” she snapped back. “Why don’t you just use your own provisions?”

“Because part of the plan was that we’d stop and eat at the pods, so that we could be sure of having enough provisions to reach everyone.”

“And what makes you think I’m going to cook you anything?”

“The fact that this is still your pod, and you’re the host.”

“Hostess, don’t you mean?” Su-Lynn asked, and then her voice turned sarcastic. “Or don’t you believe in that kind of thing? Has it all got to be politically correct for you?”

“No,” I said, “but it’s your place, and your responsibility to look after your guests.”

“Don’t

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