Catalyst by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online Page A

look?” she asked.
    Janina nodded in mute misery.
    Mick dropped his head and his hands fell to his sides. She realized the other crew members looked as grim and shocked as he did, and realized they had misinterpreted her nod.
    “Oh—she wasn’t in there,” Janina admitted. “Her kennel was empty and the door was ajar! She got out! I just know she got out. But though I’ve combed the station, I’ve not found her.”
    “Did you try her locator signal?” Charlotte asked.
    “Of course I tried it, over and over again, but I didn’t get any response.”
    “But if she survived, you’d get a signal,” Bennie said.
    Janina shook her head so hard soot rained off her face. “Not necessarily. I don’t think she’s dead. I really don’t.”
    “What are you saying?” Bennie asked. “That the chip was damaged by the fire but Chessie wasn’t? Does that mean she’s lying up somewhere injured?”
    “I looked all over,” Janina said, “and I’ll keep looking. But I think someone took her. Someone let the animals out, and I think they saw that she couldn’t move fast enough on her own and they carried her away.”
    “And they just
kept
her?” Charlotte asked indignantly.
    “We can only hope,” Mick said, bringing her up sharply.
    She knew she had let them all down. She was guilty of dereliction of duty, even though Captain Vesey was defending her. Shestill had to face the other crew members, who’d been counting on the sale of the kittens for all manner of improvements in their lives. They might not openly accuse her of betraying them and neglecting her mission, but they’d resent her all the same. It didn’t matter. Whatever they said, nothing was worse than missing the touch of Chessie’s silky fur, the delight of looking into her large gold-green eyes. It left a throbbing pain in her heart.
    “We’ll offer a reward, of course,” Mick said finally.
    “Can’t,” Indu said. “We’re due to take off and we’re on a tight schedule. There’d be no one here to identify the Duchess or to authorize payment.”
    “There’s Dr. Vlast,” Bennie said.
    “Look at that mess,” Indu replied, gesturing to the ruins of the clinic on the com screen. “Dr. Vlast just lost everything. He may have to relocate until they can rebuild his clinic. If they can. There’ve been all those budget cuts.”
    “I’ll stay,” Janina said. “And if she’s—if it’s possible, I’ll find her. Captain Vesey, sir, have I permission?”
    “Yes, that seems appropriate,” he agreed, and left the bridge abruptly—to tend to some other duty, perhaps, or maybe so the others couldn’t see that he too was upset. He used to stroke Chessie’s tail as she laid across the back of his command chair.
    “You’ll be on your own, you know,” Indu told her. “No berth, no provisions …”
    “That’s right, I’m afraid,” Mick said. “We haven’t the budget to keep you on your salary now, even if you stayed with the ship. No cat, no job for a Cat Person. Will you be okay here? If you need a loan, I’ve a bit I could spare.”
    “Thank you, Mick, but I’m sure I’ll manage,” she said. “I’ve put a little aside for emergencies, and it shouldn’t take long to find Chessie. When I do, I’ll notify you so the reward can be paid and you can pick us up on the next trip.” She was trying hard to sound cheerful and unperturbed even though her happy life on the shipseemed to be crumbling around her along with the loss of her dearest companion. All because she’d been a bit too anxious for someone else’s company.
    “Maybe she’s hiding somewhere while she’s having her litter,” Indu suggested brightly. “Probably we’ll no sooner leave the station than you’ll be telling us it’s time to return for you, Chessie, and the kittens.”
    “I hope so, Indu,” Janina said, and turned away to march back down the corridor.

    Feeling bereft but also a bit relieved when the
Molly Daise
departed without her, Janina