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."Then I guess it's lucky for me he's not that ruthless a pirate.""You have no idea, Rehabber.No idea at all."Cyan narrowed his eyes, "Just what exactly are you trying to say? Because you're not makingyourself real damn clear.""I'm saying," Faller said in a stony voice, "That Einn's been going to a fuckload of trouble foryou.The crew doesn't trust you, I certainly don't like you, we've been screwed on our paybecause of you, we're going out of our way to deliver you to Kreska, and those wounds on hisback and the fact we have to flee Bangkok is because of you."Cyan turned his gaze away, looked abashed."I didn't know I'd cause so much trouble." He turnedback, frowning."But I really don't know what you expect me to do it about it.""Try getting over yourself.He's bending over backwards because he's been taken with you fromthe beginning.He doesn't just take on anyone who asks and deliver them to places well out ofour general territory.You've had nothing but special treatment since you first asked for transport.So the very least you could do is thaw that chilly righteous Rehabber attitude of yours.""Why the hell do you care? I would think you'd be happier to see me gone."Faller turned away, voice both angry and tired."Yeah, I'd like you to be gone yesterday.But hishappiness means more, even if I have to put up with you.And even if it's only until we reachKreska.So go work on making happy before I decide to lay you out like you did Val." Notbothering to look back at him, Faller stalked stiffly down the hallway toward the bridge.Cyan stared after him, dumbfounded.Then with a heavy sigh he turned and made his way to the medic room.He paused in the doorway, more distracted that he wanted to admit by the sight of a bare-chestedEinn.He'd probably be more distracted if Einn's back wasn't currently being cleaned andbandaged."Can't you heal most of that yourself?" he asked as he crossed the room to stand infront of him.Einn shook his head, quickly masking his surprise at seeing Cyan there."No - my magics areenough to staunch the flow of blood, if I really wanted to use them.But it's not worth the energyexpenditure.I already lost a lot creating the shield that kept me from real harm." "So there's no serious damage?"The medic, an older human with graying hair and a stern face, answered Cyan's question."Shallow cuts always bleed a lot; that's why they look worse than they really are.Other than that,he's only got a few minor burns.He's suffered worse than this."Cyan smiled, relieved."That's good to know."Einn had his head tilted down so the medic could attend to a burn on his neck, and lifted only hiseyes to stare at Cyan."I didn't know you cared.""Neither did I," Cyan said slowly."Your charming first mate pointed it out to me.""You're all set, Captain." The medic interrupted."Thank you, Ronald."Ronald simply nodded, and quietly left the room as Einn immediately turned his attention backto Cyan."I don't need you asking after me because Faller ordered you to.""I don't take orders from anyone." Cyan glared at him, though there was uncertainty in his eyes."I was trying to keep my distance for very good reasons."Einn regarded him cautiously."Very stupid reasons.""So I've been told.More than once.None of you has any common sense.""If we had that, we wouldn't make very good pirates.""I don't get you.""What's to get?""Why you give two shits about me, for starters."Einn shrugged, wincing slightly."If I knew, I'd tell you.Why does it matter? I give, isn't thatgood enough?""I would think you'd give more for ten million points.""I'm going to kill Faller.As soon as he's asleep, so he can't kick my ass for trying."Cyan laughed, though it sounded somewhat forced."This is a bad idea.""No, it's not.You just think too much, Rehab." A sigh of resignation, "Then maybe I'll try to think a little less, for a while anyway."There was a slight pause, as both hesitated over what to do.It was Cyan who finally moved first,stepping close and carefully settling his hands on Einn's shoulders to avoid any wounds, tiltinghis head to meet Einn's lips.Chapter NineUnknown location, private Research facility"I don't understand it," a fair-haired human with light red skin all but threw his In-specs down onthe table as he took a seat.He picked up his fork and proceeded to stab viciously at his food."We've checked and checked and checked.""We're just not looking in the right places, is all." Spoke a scientist seated opposite him.Shesmoothed a stray piece of blonde hair back into the tight knot at the back of her head."And what is the right place, Clara? Do tell me."Clara's mouth pinched in disapproval, "There's no need to snap at me, Ferman.We keepconcentrating on the Draconis.What we should be doing is focusing our efforts on the mates
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