The Rise of Earth

The Rise of Earth by Jason Fry Read Free Book Online

Book: The Rise of Earth by Jason Fry Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jason Fry
like that farther down—the deeper precincts were a dim, frigid labyrinth prowled by gangs that preyed on the poor and broken residents. Tycho wondered how many able spacers a press gang would find down there—the upper levels seemed like a muchricher hunting ground, their tunnels thronged with men and women whose plentiful tattoos and rolling gait indicated they made a living aboard starships.
    The Hashoones reached the treatment center without incident, and the doctor inspected Yana’s shoulder, which remained blistered and an angry red. She peered at the burn through a full-spectrum monocle, then nodded with satisfaction.
    â€œMy compliments to your ship’s surgeon, Mistress Hashoone,” she said. “A couple hours of platelet regeneration should restore full mobility. I’m afraid it will scar, though.”
    â€œOccupational hazard,” Yana said with a shrug, and the doctor’s eyes jumped to Carlo’s right cheek, creased by a laser beam aboard the Hydra four years earlier. Tycho felt a twinge of regret that he had no scars of his own.
    The doctor wrapped Yana’s shoulder in a cuff connected by tubes to a humming machine. Yana grimaced as the cuff tightened and the machine began to whine.
    â€œThe discomfort will fade in a few minutes,” the doctor said, then excused herself, leaving the siblings alone.
    All three of their mediapads chimed. Tycho managed to dig his out before Carlo. He eyed the screen, then pumped his fist.
    â€œMom wants engines lit at 0930 tomorrow. I can’t wait to get out of here.”
    Carlo made a face.
    â€œWhat?” Yana asked. “I know you’re as ready to getout of here as we are—you didn’t even run piloting sims this morning.”
    â€œOh, I want to get out of here. It’s what we’re getting into that worries me.”
    â€œYeah, I sure hate privateering,” Yana drawled as the machine continued its work. “Too much excitement for me. If only I could sit on my butt in an old mine, flying a pretend ship and ringing Parsons for more tea.”
    â€œVery funny,” Carlo said. “Obviously the situation in the Cybeles is unstable. Here’s my question: Will our sending a bunch of unreformed pirates there make it better or worse?”
    â€œWe’re not the ones who created the instability,” Tycho said. “Earth did that, with its provocations.”
    â€œProvocations responding to provocations, as it’s been for centuries.”
    â€œYou’ve always been great at explaining why we’re wrong, Carlo,” Yana said. “You ever think about why that is?”
    â€œBecause you two give me so many opportunities to practice?”
    â€œHa. Cute, but no. It’s because criticizing is all you can do—you never bother coming up with answers of your own.”
    â€œOf course I do,” Carlo said. “I just don’t feel like sharing them with you.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s it,” Yana said. She leaned forward, eyes narrowed. “Quit playing games, Carlo. We allknow the solar system’s a mess. If you’re so smart, how would you fix it?”
    To Tycho’s surprise, their brother smiled.
    â€œBy making peace with Earth. A real peace. One that takes everything into account—our interests, Earth’s, and those of the outer planets.”
    â€œDoes that include the Ice Wolves’ interests?” Tycho asked.
    â€œThe Ice Wolves are part of everything, yes.”
    â€œAt the moment I’m against making peace with them,” Yana snapped.
    â€œI thought you were all about freedom and self-determination,” Tycho said.
    â€œI was until they tried to kill me.”
    Tycho shrugged. “Well, if you’re going to take it personally . . .”
    Yana glared at her twin brother, then turned back to Carlo. “So your answer is we surrender.”
    â€œOf course not,” Carlo said.

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