Eternity's Mind by Kevin J. Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

had been a nice world, civilized, comfortable, a temperate climate; Orli had spent quiet years there with her husband … and some of those years had even been happy ones. But now that Matthew had left her and she had disbanded the compy facility, there was nothing for her there. She had to find somewhere else.
    She shook her head. “We should try a fresh start, DD, but there’s a point where personal independence crosses the line into being just plain lonely.”
    In a remarkably astute observation, DD said, “Does this mean we will return to Garrison Reeves?”
    She smiled at the Friendly compy. “Let’s see if Tasia and Robb will give us a ride to Fireheart Station.”
    The Voracious Curiosity had been repaired after being attacked by Elisa Enturi. On their retreat to Newstation, Robb and DD had completed the most urgent fixes. After they reached Newstation, Tasia had used Kett Shipping accounts to book a spacedock and maintenance techs to finish all the repairs their beloved ship needed.
    When Orli found the two in the assigned maintenance bay, they were fending off questions from inquisitive clan members about the bloaters. The workers wore jumpsuits with decorative embroidery marking different clan symbols. Tasia sounded impatient. “We already made the ekti-extraction information available. Go look it up yourselves—you won’t get any more details by pestering me.”
    â€œAnd you’re all losing time,” Robb said, trying to shoo them out of the bay. “Better do your homework en route—otherwise, you’ll be the last ones to market.”
    The clan members hurried off in different directions.
    Robb stood beside the Curiosity , wiping his hands. “Ship’s refueled, and all systems check out. We’ve finished our business, so it’s time we head back to Earth. Rlinda must be worried about us.”
    Tasia crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m worried about Xander. He got away from Ulio Station, but a lot of excrement has hit a lot of waste-recycling fans in the past few weeks.” She looked up and greeted Orli and DD, smiling. “Shizz, we were about to summon you! Enough frivolous adventures—let’s get to work.”
    â€œOh, I’ve had enough adventures,” Orli agreed. “Of course, I’ve said that plenty of times before.”
    Robb had a look of concern on his face, as if something had just occurred to him. “Orli … have you heard what happened down on Auridia?”
    She frowned. “Not much ever happens down there. What’s on Auridia besides the Klikiss transportal and a handful of people?”
    â€œExactly. The transportal and the whole outpost were wiped out by a single ship. The guy just destroyed everything and flew off.”
    Orli blinked. “Why would anyone attack Auridia? It’s barely even a way station.” Few Roamers or Confederation customers used the Klikiss transportal wall, preferring to conduct their business at the giant orbiting station.
    Tasia said, “It was the man who hunted you down when you had the plague. Tom Rom.”
    Orli could not control her shudder. “I thought he was long dead.” DD had sabotaged Tom Rom’s ship after the ruthless man attacked her, making it explode out in space. She controlled her panic. “He was … here?” He could have easily found her, if he’d wanted to. What in the world was he doing down on Auridia, so close to Newstation?
    That was all the nudge she needed. “Suddenly, I want to be out of here—and DD and I want to see Garrison. He’s at Fireheart Station, where they just had that Big Ring accident. I really need to see him. I … I miss him.”
    Tasia and Robb simultaneously rolled their eyes.
    DD interrupted. “I miss him too, and young Seth Reeves.”
    Orli patted the compy on his polymer shoulder and spoke to Tasia. “When you two go back