Chaos Space - Marianne de Pierres [11]
Bethany was sweating and panting as if she’d been running. ‘Something’s happening on the station. Lofario and I were talking in the visitors’ room. Big Nose was watching us on screen. I heard a noise . . . like weapons. Big Nose ran out of the booth.’
‘And?’ urged Jo-Jo.
‘Well, he never came back. The noise got louder and we could hear shouts. Lofario wanted me to come to his room for safety. I-I said no. I went to the observation booth and tried to work out the sequence for the containment release.’
Jo-Jo found that he was holding his breath. In the next cell, though, Petalu was breathing up a storm. ‘And?’ Jo-Jo repeated.
Bethany looked upwards. ‘I think—’
The lights began to flicker and a faint fizzing sound followed. Jo-Jo suddenly realised he could not only hear Petalu but he could smell him: a heavy musk odour spiced with salt. He reached one hand towards Bethany and touched her. He held out the other to Petalu.
The giant man slapped it away and broke into a huge grin. ‘Free,’ he pronounced precisely.
Jo-Jo hugged Bethany tight. ‘Lady Bethany,’ he said in the most refined tone he could muster. ‘You have impeccable timing.’
TEKTON
Godhead Ra has requested that you breakfast with him this morning, and Dieter Miranda has called seventeen times, Tekton’s moud informed him when he awoke.
Both messages gave him immense satisfaction.
Tell my cousin that I should be delighted to dine with him.
Do you wish to reply to Dieter Miranda?
Tekton stretched in his lotion sack. His repair nanites had begun gobbling the excess moisturiser away when he awoke. In a few more seconds he would be left with just the luxurious sense of softened skin. Send her a message to say that I will attend her presently. After my breakfast with Ra.
Yes, Godhead.
Tekton allowed himself a small smile. That should make her hop.
He gave his free-mind full rein to enjoy the moment. His small smile expanded into a chuckle and then a rather vigorous erection as he pictured a maddened Miranda hobbling up and down in a synchronicity of excessively undulating skin. There was nothing that put Tekton in a good mood like flopping flesh—except, perhaps, envy.
Oh, and competition—as long as he had the upper hand. And with Cousin Ra it appeared that he might now be a nose in front.
Tekton dressed in a traditional fitted soft robe that would accentuate his form and addressed the map on the wall. ‘Transport to visit archiTect Ra.’
As the taxi mag-leved its way around the academic quarter of Belle-Monde, Tekton told his moud to convey his breakfast preferences ahead to Ra.
Quark eggs, plum quosh on carminga livers and pepper nuts. And champagne. Non-vintage will suffice if Ra cannot afford the other.
Yes, Godhead.
Godhead. Tekton so enjoyed the sound of the word.
Ra waited for him at the door, wearing only his ridiculous eye-mask and a sour expression. ‘Cousin.’ He gave a curt nod and indicated that Tekton should enter.
Tekton responded by opening his robe to display his well-lotioned body and the remainder of his erection.
Ra did not respond in kind but walked straight to the table. It was laid out with a selection of foods, none of which Tekton had requested. Vintage champagne, however, sparkled like a goddess in two glasses.
‘A celebration?’ said Tekton as he seated himself.
Ra waved towards the glass. ‘Merely a welcome back, dear cousin. Did you have a pleasant trip?’
‘Pleasant and fruitful.’ Tekton’s skin tightened. Something about Ra’s demeanour prickled his comfort. His free-mind gave a warning snarl while his logic-mind ran through possibilities.
When Tekton had caught Dieter Miranda spying on him on Scolar she had freely admitted to being Ra’s instrument. ‘He promised me things to spy on you. Did you know he can see microwaves? Do you know what surgery I could perform with that ability? Bloodless, that’s what! Magical. Don’t be cross, Tekton. I have not the faintest idea what you were searching for in such an uninspiring slice of the galaxy
The thought that Ra had sent Miranda to spy on him had not unduly worried Tekton at