Singing the Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman Read Free Book Online Page B

going to happen every time someone walks in?’ I asked Hartpury.
    The computer answered.
    â€˜The welcome facility is automatic, but can be shut down at any time.’
    â€˜Then shut it down.’
    â€˜Completed.’
    Now I could place that musky smell. The Ledbetter suite was set up with organic computers. The two access consoleswere in opposite corners of the hexagon. A bio-tank was attached to each one, the organic gel heaving as it blended rainbow colours in a complex program. All that pulsating goo made me feel a bit queasy. Too bad you can’t hide the stuff in some kind of casing, but without lots of light and air it dries up and dies.
    The whole place was decorated in shades of Ledbetter’s favourite colour: blue. Even the food dispenser was blue. I could just make it out in the eating area that opened out from the back wall of the hexagon. On either side of this section there was a closed door. Probably the bedrooms. I bet they were blue, too. Whoever decorated this building had no imagination.
    â€˜The bedroom and console on the left have been modified for Mavkel,’ Hartpury said. ‘There’s also a specialised food dispenser for it too. Have a quick look round. Then I want to tell you about the research we’ve done.’ She was smiling as though she had personally built the place.
    I wanted to check out Mavkel’s room, but you can’t snoop properly with someone watching. That would have to wait. Instead, I walked over to the console on the right side of the hexagon. My console. As I approached the screen turned to face me. I feinted to the left. The screen swung with me. This machine was definitely state-of-the-art. As soon as Hartpury left, I’d have to check out its capabilities. The gel blurped at me. It sounded like a baby puking on someone’s shoulder.
    I dropped my duffel and took a look inside my bedroom. Finally, something that wasn’t blue. The room was white with a single bed, a side table and one pale Ledbetter print. The room was big enough for a king-sized bed, but students only get issued singles. All in all it was a bit wishy-washy. The only bit of real colour was in the ensuite. The whole bathroom had beenmoulded out of yellow plastic. That kind of yellow you pee when you’ve been taking too much vitamin B. At least it had a full sized bather. I hate cramming myself into a water-saver.
    The food and living area at the back was straight out of one of Ingrid’s home beautiful programs. I flicked over the choices on Mavkel’s food dispenser. The names of the food had been translated into English, but I couldn’t understand the descriptions. You’ve got to wonder though what Melch Daglon tastes like.
    Hartpury sat down at the adjustable table, motioning me towards a chair.
    â€˜What do you think of the place?’ she asked.
    â€˜It’s okay. A bit too blue for my liking.’ I sat down opposite her. Actually, it was brilliant compared to normal student quarters. Being the partner of the alien had some problems but it also had some major perks. Like the fact that I was still at the Centre. Without my Chorian partner, I’m sure Camden-Stone would have eventually kicked me out.
    â€˜I think you could finally make a home here, Joss,’ she said. ‘This is your chance to really find out what you’re about.’
    I shifted in my chair. Like I’ve said, I hate being analysed. I feel like one of those butterflies with a pin through its guts.
    â€˜Lay off the psych stuff,’ I said.
    â€˜It’s my job.’
    I didn’t smile back. She held up her hands.
    â€˜Okay, let’s just talk about Mavkel for now. We’ve been trying to get as much information as possible so you can get an idea of your partner.’
    Finally, someone was going to fill me in on Mavkel. Camden-Stone’s little chat had made me realise how little I knew about the whole deal.
    â€˜Unfortunately we