Absolute Zero by Claire Nicola

Author:Claire, Nicola [Claire, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Romance
Amazon: B0813YPF3F
Goodreads: 48906271
Publisher: Nicola Claire Books
Published: 2019-11-21T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Huh,” I murmured, looking at Zyla, “I did not see that coming, did you?”

Zy arched a brow at me and then shrugged her shoulders. I guess she wanted me to field this one.

I looked back at the Mutt.

He stared down at me; an enormous, immovable object throwing a hissy fit.

“Why don’t you tell us,” I finally drawled, “where exactly you planned to take the ship.”

He said nothing for a long moment and then let out a burst of air.

“Anywhere but Chi Virginis.”

“Strange,” I said, “because our instructions were to bring you back to Malcolm, preferably in one piece. At least, in no more pieces than we found you.”

“You should not have made that deal.”

“Didn’t have much of a choice, Big Guy. Have you met Malcolm? He’s not the sort of Mutt you double-cross.”

“Mal.”

“Mal. Mutt. Does it really matter? You’re up shit creek without a paddle, and it’s time to come clean.”

“I have no idea what you’re saying.”

Zy chuckled. She’d long ago got used to my colloquiums.

“It’s like this,” I said slowly. “The ship is mine. I’ve got a deal with Malcolm to bring you back in exchange for the upgrades he fitted the Harpy II with. There will be consequences; I’ve been told if I don’t do this. But I’m a reasonable kind of guy. Convince me to risk my life and that of my crew for you.”

“I still have control over the ship,” the Mutt pointed out.

“A ship that’s out of juice and behind enemy lines,” I countered. “Can you get yourself out of this mess without our help?”

He slowly shook his head.

“Then spill the beans.” I might have been going overboard with the colloquialisms, but I was having too much fun messing with him. “Let’s start with handing over control back to me and then follow it up with why you don’t want to go back to Chi.”

He stared at me for a while and then turned back to the console and reset the ship’s settings.

“Zy,” I said softly.

“On it.”

She started entering lockout commands and layered encryption written by Cass for the original Harpy. Within five minutes, she had it ship-shape again.

Or as ship-shape as she could make it, considering Malcolm had left a few surprises behind.

“That’s the best I can do, Captain.”

“Thank you,” I said, keeping my eyes on the Mutt. “Well? What’s the problem with Chi Virginis?”

“You would not understand.”

“Try me.”

He glared back, and I got the distinct impression he wished for my painful death. I smiled, showing teeth. Not as impressive as a Mutt’s grin, but he got the message finally.

“I disagree with my father’s outlook.”

I let out a burst of laughter. “Malcolm’s your dad?”

“Yes,” he said tightly.

“How old are you?”

“Fully matured,” he snapped, holding himself upright.

“Fully matured can mean you’re not long out of whatever constitutes nappies on Malee.”

“What are nappies?”

I waved his question away with my hand.

“What outlook does your father have that you disagree with?”

“I will not betray his confidence.”

“He’s a pirate. You don’t want to follow in his footsteps?”

He said nothing.

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