Second Lives by Scott K. Andrews

Author:Scott K. Andrews [Andrews, Scott K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The corridor was littered with sacks of uncollected garbage, and stank accordingly. The lights were almost all broken, but one was hanging in there, casting a sickly yellowish glow.

'You bring me to the nicest places,' said Jana.

She cursed inwardly, excruciatingly aware that her every attempt at a quip probably read to Kaz like a veiled come-on.

'Oh yeah, I know how to show a girl a good time,' he replied, smiling.

Jana died a little inside.

'Which one was it again?' she asked.

'Brock said he lived in flat 29,' Kaz replied.

Jana checked the door closest to her. 'This is 20,' she said. 'It must be down the other end of the corridor.'

'Tread carefully,' he warned.

They picked their way through the maze of rubbish, both of their faces wrinkled in disgust at the aroma. At one point Jana accidentally kicked a pile of rubbish and an enormous rat burst out of cover and lolloped away. She was ashamed

by the strangled scream she emitted at the sight of its slick oily fur.

'Ugh,5 she groaned, pulling her most disgusted face. 'There are rats on Mars? How did that happen?5

Kaz shrugged. 'They get everywhere,5 he said. 'We had a whole community of them on the Hispaniola.5 'Was that your pirate ship?5 'Arrr.5

'Did you see the size of that thing?5 said Jana, shuddering. 'It was like a small dog. And it lolloped! Rats are supposed to scurry. That unholy thing lolloped. Not natural.5

They reached the door without encountering any other giant rodents, and they paused, nervously. 'So what's the plan again?5 asked Jana. Kaz pulled a gun from his pocket and flicked the switch to activate it. 'We improvise. All we have to do is stop this guy going anywhere for the next twenty-four hours. We hold him hostage and then let him go. No need to do anything drastic.5 'And what if he5s an assassin?5 whispered Jana. 'A trained killer? I'm not sure he's going to be quite the pushover you think.5

Kaz smiled rakishly. 'And I am Sealegs Kaz,5 he said. 'Terror of the seven seas, buccaneer of high renown and the best shot with a flintlock this side of Tortuga. I am more than a match for a common killer.5

Jana gaped. 'I don't think that paint-stripper was as watered-down as Shindra told you,' she said, shaking her head.

Kaz winked and knocked on the door. There was no immediate response, so Kaz knocked again.

Jana had a nasty thought and stepped to her left, pulling Kaz after her. 'Hey, don't stand in front of the door,' she warned. 'What if he starts shooting?'

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