Exploration by Sarah Noffke & J.N. Chaney & Michael Anderle

Author:Sarah Noffke & J.N. Chaney & Michael Anderle [Noffke, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2017-12-03T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Officers Lounge, QBS ArchAngel, Lorialis System

Eddie set his feet on a chair and leaned back, puffing on a cigar. He peered at his cards, then tossed a chip from his stack onto the center of the table.

Chester eyed Eddie closely. He was excellent at reading people, which made him an excellent poker player. “You know you don’t have anything. That’s why you’re nickel and diming me.”

Eddie chuckled. “If you know so much then put your money where your mouth is or fold. You know the rules, boy.”

Covering his grin, Chester scanned the table. Lars had folded immediately. He didn’t know that poker wasn’t about playing the cards. He kept saying he had shit hands.

Eddie told him that the cards did not matter, but he didn’t understand.

Julianna looked more interested in watching the group than playing, like she was cataloging everyone’s different ticks and tells. This woman was an observer, and Chester guessed that made her a deadly warrior. Marilla had refused to play and lay across the sofa in the corner reading a book on her tablet, Harley curled up at her feet.

Chester picked up three of his black chips, twisting them in his fingers. He noticed that Eddie’s eyes widened minutely, but he covered it by puffing on his cigar, blowing smoke up to the ceiling. He didn’t want the bet to be raised, that much was obvious to Chester.

“Is anyone else falling asleep waiting for Chester to make up his mind?” asked Eddie.

Chester eyed his cards. It was a shit hand. He tossed the black chips into the pot.

A serious expression fell on Eddie’s face. He seemed to think on this for a moment. Then he released a wide smile and threw his cards in the center. “Damn it, you got me again. Take your winnings.”

Letting out a long breath, Chester rejoiced, pulling the chips to him.

“That makes five hands in a row he’s won,” observed Lars, sipping on a Coke.

It had been too long since Chester had a real Coke. This was one of the many benefits to being back working for the Federation. On the planet of Kemp, all they had was some shit called Dr. Pepper. Whoever that doctor was who invented that drink, they needed to have his or her license revoked.

“He’s a damn card shark. But not like one of those Trids. A cool shark,” said Eddie with a laugh.

Marilla lowered her tablet, a pursed look on her face. “I urge you to have more tolerance for the Trid species. Just because your target happens to belong to that species shouldn’t reflect poorly on all of them.”

Eddie turned, putting his forearm on the back of the chair. “Don’t worry. I’ve met some pretty revolting humans, too. I get it.”

“Trids are pretty ugly, though. We can all agree on that,” said Lars, shuffling the deck of cards.

All faces turned and looked straight at the Kezzin with strange expressions.

“What?” asked Lars. “Oh, I get it. You ugly humans think I look strange.”

“Strange doesn’t sufficiently cover it.

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