Syndicate's Pawns by Davila LeBlanc Read Free Book Online

both jolly and surprisingly optimistic given their current situation.
    â€œIf we don’t strain our life-­support any more than we have to, we could probably send out a distress message to Central Point, sit tight and wait for backup.” Lizbeth’s eyes darted left and right as she scanned various holographic data screens being flashed in front of her.
    â€œThe coms array is fully operational. And while we don’t have an InstaNet signal this far out in End Space, we could send out a tight beam on the distress frequency. That would place rescue anywhere from a week to three months.” Morwyn silently listened to Lizbeth’s explanation then pursed his lips a moment in thought.
    These days had been long and incredibly uneventful, and Morwyn was aware that he should be grateful for this. There was no active threat or danger to the crew or his vessel. Rather they would have to be patient and wait. Oran and Kolto were the only two members of the crew, three if one counted Chord, who were qualified to perform any repairs. Morwyn was certain he could have thrown the weight of his command around to make the duo work harder and faster, but what would that have accomplished? Better the task be done slowly and well than quickly and risk being botched.
    Otherwise, there was not a whole lot Morwyn could do, which relegated him to supervising and overseeing the process. “Your proposal is a sound one, Pilot Harlowe. I will send out a message on our tight beam.”
    â€œI don’t care who you have to suckle to get the parts we need as long as you get them,” Oran grunted. “Until then we’ll just finish this repair job on the mobility drive and spend the next few months with our thumbs up our collective nethers.”
    â€œSounds like a very fun time, Machinist Oran. Perhaps I could record the event and upload it on the InstaNet once we’re back home,” Lizbeth replied in a wry tone.
    â€œWhy bless me if the cloner girl hasn’t developed herself a sense of humor!” Oran’s following snort was both rude and dripping in sarcasm.
    â€œThe Infinite is full of miracles, Machinist Oran,” Morwyn said. “Carry on, and be careful out there.”
    â€œDon’t need your humping concern.”
    Kolto quickly interjected. “It is, however, appreciated, Captain Morwyn.”
    Morwyn allowed himself a half smile. “Do what you must then.” Oran was far from being one for decorum, and given that no one else on the Jinxed Thirteenth knew the ship like she did, this afforded her a certain amount of freedom with regards to niceties. Morwyn made a mental note to himself that one day he would have to ask how a Wolver from the galactic nation of Troy, a world recognized as a practitioner of the Living Green, had come to be so familiar with the complex piece of technology that was the Jinxed Thirteenth .
    â€œI will send out the tight beam on your command, Captain Sir,” Lizbeth Harlowe called out to him. “Then perhaps we can continue our conversation?”
    Morwyn’s smile grew even larger. He really had appreciated the time spent getting to know Lizbeth Harlowe. Before joining the Covenant, he had been under the impression that all clones were the same. Nothing could have been further from the truth, and he was glad to have been proven wrong.
    While her voice was electronic and most of her body artificial, she was nonetheless, in his opinion, Humanis. Morwyn had learned that it was Lizbeth’s goal to fly to every world in the Covenant and collect a trinket or memento from each. Who knew, perhaps she would one day accomplish that goal.
    â€œI would like that very much, Lizbeth.”
    Lizbeth Harlowe nodded and with a wave of her hand brought up a green holoscreen. “I’ve opened up a broadcast line. You can speak whenever you are ready.”
    â€œThis is Captain Morwyn Soltaine of the Covenant Patrol vessel Jinxed Thirteenth .