The Complete Aliens Omnibus, Volume 6 by Diane Carey

Author:Diane Carey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

24

“Now this, this, is the life!”

Dan’s declaration was heartily received by the other cadets, and especially by Ned Menzie as he lounged back in his floating chair. Around them, the salt air and warm water lapped at his skin and his crossed legs. Across from where he floated, Adam was reclined on a surfboard, Dan was ensconced in an inner tube, and between them, Robin swam with Pearl as if they were sea nymphs. At the far end of the tank, Stewart made a crazy dive off the scaffold and splashed Leigh as she practiced her backstroke, and Dylan as he retaliated with a sweep that drenched Stewart as soon as he surfaced.

The starboard bay was brightly lit with simulated sunlight, and there was lots of bustling activity, but the cadets were officially off duty, as a reward for their brave actions in saving the ship. Ned was relieved just to be here, to hand responsibility back to the adults. There was an advantage in being a kid and he wanted to take it for all it was worth.

He looked up as Dana came walking down the scaffold walkway toward them, with Spiderlegs spinning behind, carrying a tray of icy drinks with little umbrellas stuck in them.

“Virgin coladas, anyone?” Dana invited.

The kids cheered and crowded toward that side of the tank.

“What?” Dan protested. “No rum?”

“Just use your imaginations,” Dana merrily told them. She crouched at the edge of the aquarium and said, “Robin, guess what, honey? Your baby’s being adopted by a really nice couple on Zone Emerald. They have a vineyard, and they say you’re welcome to come visit him any time. They named him Robin, after you!”

Robin’s face dissolved into pure joy as the cadets broke into applause for her.

“Oh, I’m that grateful!” she chirped. “Poor wee thing!”

“Well, the poor wee thing’s going to grow up rich, romping among the grapes, and have all the benefits of two parents who are just gigglin’ thrilled to have him. I sent him off this morning on a high-speed shuttle. They’ll be meeting him at the spacedock. Lots better than growing up in a pirate ship, huh?” “So much!”

“What about those pirates?” Adam asked as Spiderlegs handed out the drinks.

“We rounded up three of them, including Detroit himself,” Dana said. “The rest were killed. They’re in custody. They’re facing the death penalty for trafficking in dangerous contraband. We’ve flushed the ship completely, so it’s all safe now, stem to stern. It’s going to stink for a while, because suddenly we’re running a cattle train, but that’s okay, right?”

“Just like home in the twigs!” Ned told her.

They all laughed together, and Stewart splashed him.

“I’m still impressed,” Adam said to Ned, “that you knew we could take all those Gs under water. How do you get that kind of knowledge living in the middle of a farm all your life?”

“The farm’s on an island, mind,” Ned told him. “We know a bit about water.”

“Oh, look!” Leigh called, and pointed down onto the main deck.

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