Survival by Julie E. Czerneda Read Free Book Online

exceedingly content to remove only the two scientists and their personal gear.
    At the very last moment, Mac had remembered to pluck the bag with Lee’s book from its soggy crevice.
    Now, as the t-lev sank within the arms of the inlet and approached the north landing pad, Mac heard Emily click her tongue against her teeth. “We’ve company waiting.”
    â€œI see.” The rain hadn’t stopped, so the figures lining the walkway to the pad wore either rain gear or bathing suits. Only one carried an umbrella. “Trojanowski,” Mac concluded, pointing down. “Knew he was a tourist.”
    â€œNice butt, though,” Emily countered. “Not that you noticed.”
    Mac snorted. “The day I check out someone like—” She shut her mouth and smiled despite herself. “You are impossible.”
    â€œOf course. Now that we have both formed our opinions of the meddlesome Nikolai, what’s next?”
    The t-lev took its time coming to rest, the pilot knowing exactly the reaction he’d get from onlookers if he so much as rocked the landing pad, let alone dumped anyone in the inlet. Mac leaned back on the bench, gazing at Emily.
    They were both filthy as well as barefoot, with streaks of gray mud running from toes to thighs. Em’s knees were only muddy; hers were scraped and bloody, like some kid coming in from street hockey. Their rain gear was clean enough; underneath, though, their clothing was, to put it kindly, ripe. Emily’s hair was so black as to have blue highlights; she wore it short and snug, a style that not only accentuated the fine lines of her neck and high cheekbones, but also forgave a few days of living in the bush. It really wasn’t fair. Mac tried to poke a finger through hers but couldn’t reach her scalp. Despite the braid, the stuff had reached the point of feeling like lichen. Tangles were doubtless the least of what rode her head.
    â€œWhat’s next?” Mac repeated, contemplating the disturbing message lying against her stomach and the expectant crowd below.
    â€œA shower.”

    Mac and Emily, backpacks on their shoulders and the rest of their gear to follow when the t-lev was unloaded, disembarked with every intention of simply walking past those waiting. The first person they encountered, the bureaucrat, seemed to grasp that point. He met Mac’s warning scowl with no more than a searching look, then stepped aside, holding his umbrella high so she and Emily could pass without having to duck under it. Annoyingly, he was impeccably clean and dry, wearing what had to be the twin of the suit and cravat he’d had on at the field station. His eyes, now visible through clear dry lenses, were hazel; his hair was light brown, thick, and prone to curl. Doubtless, Mac thought, Emily would have something to say about both .
    For her part, she was grateful not to be delayed, more determined than ever to set her own pace regardless of the business at hand. She needed privacy to read the message. Not to mention the fact that she wasn’t going to conduct any business whatsoever without a shower. But as easily walk on water as evade the curiosity of grad students. As they pressed closer instead of giving way, Emily thoughtfully let her lead.
    As if she could simply push past them all. Mac sighed, taking in the intensity on those young faces, and slowed her pace. Jumping in the water and swimming to the next pod would only encourage them to do the same, probably turning it into a race pitting Preds against Harvs, with the rest cheering. She’d seen it happen more than once.
    Of course, the instant they knew they had her attention, questions began flying from every direction, interspersed with hugs of welcome and offers to carry her bag. Mac returned the hugs as quickly as was polite, held on to her bag, and kept up a running patter of answers. She reassured Cecily and Stanislaus that the other field stations were running as