The Hunter by Giancarlo Genta

Author:Giancarlo Genta
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

16

As soon as he reached the canteen he sat down at a table.

“Well, Mike, have you made a decision?”, Steve asked as soon as he saw him.

“Of course, the only decision I could make. I cannot quit hunting, now that at last I’ve got on a ship. For years I have been looking for an occasion like this, and you can bet that I won’t throw it away for …” he paused, looking for the right words, than concluded with a rush “for the whims of a scared little girl”.

“Think better of it, Mike …”, Steve started.

“Enough with this bullshit” Mike said without letting him to finish the sentence. “I came here to have dinner, not to listen to your sermons. Send me that robot of yours, I am hungry. You nearly made me miss my breakfast and I have had nothing to eat since this morning”.

Steve went away and sent him the waiter.

While he was waiting for the food, Mike tried to be cool and think. Perhaps he could make another attempt. He ate quickly, got up, and started walking toward Madame’s room.

She let him in and met him with a smile.

“Did Ann speak to you?”, Mike asked immediately.

“Yes, she came here this morning as soon as she left you. What did you decide?”

“What do you think I decided, Ms. Donovan? You all know full well that I cannot leave the Hunter like that. I have an obligation to fulfill and I have an engagement at least until that replicator is history”, Mike answered.

“Then I believe that nothing will change Ann: she looks as if she really means it. To be frank, I am really sorry. You were such a nice couple. Ann needs someone who can offer her a future far from places like this.”

“I was wondering whether you could speak to her, and explain the situation …”

“So that’s why you are here. I fear I cannot do anything for you. Ann has already encountered a replicator and her life was upset by that. There is no way out, Mike. You must understand that. Take her away, far from replicators, go to a system they will never reach, at least in your lifetime. You cannot ask her to be the wife of a hunter”.

Mike lowered his head “If that’s how things are, I don’t think there is anything to do”, he said getting up. “I want you to be happy, tell Ann that. But, please, leave here as soon as possible: this station is no longer a safe place, with at least one of those monsters out there ….”

“Thanks, Mike. We will go as soon as possible. And you too, try to have a happy life. I hope you will not regret this decision”. Then, after a few seconds, she added “Good hunting: I think that’s what you say”.

“Thank you, Ms. Donovan”, Mike said finally as he left.

He started walking slowly towards the ship. Now he realized that he was really alone, and that his life was at a turning point.

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