Etheric Explorer by S R Russell & Michael Anderle

Author:S R Russell & Michael Anderle [Russell, S R & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642028546
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2020-04-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

It took twenty-two hours before the lid of the Pod-doc opened, allowing Anne and Jinx to exit.

“If we’re going to continue sharing Pod-docs, we need to build a bigger one, or you need to stop growing.” Anne reached down to scratch behind Jinx’ ears.

“Grrrr!” Jinx growled playfully. “Bigger Pod-doc. Until you develop my armor, I want to grow big enough that I can win a stand-up fight with Yollins.”

Anne laughed. “If you’re that big, I’ll just grab a battle axe and ride you into battle.”

Jinx yipped and jumped playfully, like she was heading into a fight. “Imagine me being the size of those beer horses. We’d go through enemies like that machine that chased the cars.”

“I didn’t know you liked kibble that much,” Anne said sweetly.

“It’s not my favorite, you know that,” Jinx chuffed. “Why?”

“Because if you were the size of a Clydesdale, kibble would be all I could afford to feed you.” Anne pushed Jinx playfully.

Jinx’ ears flattened and her tail drooped. “Fun as it sounds, it’s not worth giving up hamburgers and steak.”

Anne giggled. “I thought you might change your mind.”

Anne swung her arms, then jumped up and down a couple of times. “ADAM?”

“Yes, Anne?” ADAM’s voice issued forth from the speakers in the Pod-doc room.

“I expected to feel heavier. Did everything go all right?” Anne asked.

“Well, while your overall density was increased by three percent, the strength comes from converting your bones to a synthetic compound reinforced with a lightweight but high-tensile mesh fiber.

“Wow! Is it the same for Jinx?” Anne hoped her friend would be harder to hurt also.

“Not quite so much,” ADAM informed her, “but that is only because Jinx was upgraded further than you originally. You have noticed her comparative lack of broken bones?”

“Oh, that makes sense,” Anne replied, finally sitting down to get dressed.

“No, it doesn’t!” Jinx growled. “Why should you be hurt more than me?”

Anne hugged Jinx for a moment to calm her. “Simple, silly. You are one of only seven dogs on the station, and I was just a sick schoolgirl. When you chose me, did you ever imagine we’d be doing the things we are now?”

Jinx grumbled something.

“I didn’t hear you,” Anne teased with a quick tug on Jinx’ tail. “Eek, stop!” Anne jumped up when Jinx retaliated by sticking a cold, wet doggy nose in her person’s naked ribs.

“You’re right,” Jinx relented. “I’m hungry. Let’s go see what food’s at the mess.”

“Sounds good,” Anne agreed, and she finished dressing.

When the door to TOM’s ship opened, Anne stopped and gave Guardian Connors a disgusted look. “Even here?” she asked, ignoring the part where Guardian Marine Abigail Himmel had escorted her to the Pod-doc.

Arthur chuckled at the young woman’s expression. “That’s a mighty fine scowl you’re developing,” he told Anne, “but until you can hold me up with one hand while peeling my skin off with the other, I’ll stick with doing my job.”

Anne looked shocked. “Bethany Anne can do that?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I suspect she could,

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