| Someone who knew the best ways to get to unattended stashesI could imagine all the questions he'd be dying to ask
First the shuttle field
I was sad that Jeb was missing this, but he'd have so many other chances in the futureThough
it was dark, a long line of small snub-nosed shuttles drifted in to land while others took flight in
an endless stream
I drove the old van while the others rode in the back?Ian in charge of the tank, of courseI
circled the field, staying clear of the busy local terminalIt was easy to spot the vast, sleek white
vessels that left the planetThey did not depart with the frequency of the smaller omega speedmaster day-date shipsAll I saw
were docked, none preparing to leave immediately
?Everything's labeled,? I reported to the others, invisible in the dark back?Now, this is
importantAvoid ships to the Bats, andespecially the See WeedsThe See Weeds are just one
system over?it takes only a decade to make the round tripThat's much too shortThe Flowers
are the farthest, and the Dolphins, Bears, and Spiders all take at least a century to go one way
Only send tanks to those
I drove slowly, close to the craftsThey've got all kinds of delivery vehicles out here, and we blend inOh! I
can see a tank truck?it's just like the one we saw them black chanel quilted bag unloading at the hospital, JaredThere's a
man looking over the stacks? He's putting them onto a hover cartHe's going to load them??
I drove even slower, trying to get a good lookRight into the open hatch
I'll circle back and make my move when he's in the ship I pulled past, examining the scene in
my mirrorsThere was a lit sign beside the tube that connected the head of the ship to the
terminalI smiled as I read the words backwardThis ship was going to the Flowers
I made a slow turn as the man disappeared into the hull of the ship
?Get ready,? I whispered as I pulled into the shadow made by the cylindrical wing of the white ceramic chanel watch next
enormous ship overI was only three or four yards from the tank truckThere were a few
technicians working near the front of the Flower-bound vessel and others, farther away, out on
the old runwayI would be just another figure in the night
I cut the engine and hopped down from the driver's seat, trying to look casual, like I was only
doing my jobI went around to the back of the van and opened the door a crackThe tank was
right at the edge, the light on top glowing dull red, signifying that it was occupiedI lifted it
carefully and closed the door
I kept up an easy rolling pace as I walked to the open end of the truckBut my sac dolce gabana breathing sped
upThis felt more dangerous than the hospital, and that worried meCould I expect my humans
to risk their lives this way?
I'll be thereI'll do it myself, just like you wouldOn the off chance you get your way, that is
I had to force myself not to keep glancing over my shoulder at the open hatch where the man
had disappearedI placed the tank gently atop the closest column in the truckThe addition, one
among hundreds, was not noticeable
?Goodbye,? I whispered?Better luck with your next host
I walked back to the van as slowly as I could stand to
It was silent in the van as I reversed out from under the big mens gucci watches ship |
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