Maverick by Cheryl Brooks

Author:Cheryl Brooks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2018-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Larry had every intention of making his check of their new passengers as quick and painless as possible. He rang the chime on Dartula’s door and received an “I’m fine. When’s the next meal?” over the intercom, which proved she at least had her priorities straight.

“Whenever you’re hungry,” Larry replied. “We don’t have a cook or a housekeeping droid, although almost everything on the ship is automated.”

She opened the door and leaned against the jamb, her arms folded over her chest. “Meaning we fend for ourselves?”

“Partly,” Larry replied. “The stasis unit is full. Pick out whatever you like, and nuke it as directed. Dirty laundry goes in the chute and comes out of the robo-valet door a few minutes later.”

“Glad to hear it only takes a few minutes. When you only have the clothes on your back, timing is crucial.”

He shrugged. “Just pop them in before you go to sleep, and they’ll be ready when you wake up.”

“Don’t suppose there’s a spare nightgown available, is there? That worm ate mine.”

He thought for a moment. “I probably have a T-shirt you can wear. Althea might have something you could borrow, although she’s traveling pretty light herself.” A quick downward glance at Dartula’s simple light-blue tunic and yellow leggings proved she didn’t follow the Statzeelian dress code any more than Keplok did. “Glad you weren’t wearing one of those see-through dresses. Stuff like that could be kinda conspicuous on Palorka.”

Her lips formed a moue of distaste. “I’ve never worn one of those dresses in my life. Don’t plan to, either.”

“Can’t say I blame you. I notice Keplok doesn’t go for the crotchless look himself.”

“He does back home.” She rolled her eyes. “Dearly loves showing off that fancy ruffled cock. He even pretends to get angry so one of the women will suck it to calm him down. Sometimes I think he does it just to annoy me.”

“So, does his, um, ‘joy juice’ work like the normal Zetithian stuff?”

She actually growled. “Of course it does, which is why the Statzeelian girls are so willing. He also plays in a band, which makes them go even crazier over him.”

Larry had his own opinions about the Statzeelian lifestyle. The women had been trying to breed the belligerence out of their males for generations, but with so much incentive for the guys to keep on acting like jerks, he doubted the breeding program would ever succeed. Even if it did, how would the women be able to tell the difference?

“I think you have the right idea there, Dartula. No point in rewarding guys for being nasty. The ladies should start withholding nookie instead of serving it up on cue.”

“Exactly! That collar-and-leash thing turns my stomach. I know the women came up with the idea to keep their men from exterminating themselves, but it looks like slavery to anyone—” She clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror.

He grinned. “You aren’t supposed to say that, are you?”

“No,” she said meekly. “Promise you won’t tell anyone?”

“Hey, I heard that story when I was a kid.

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