Full Share (Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, #3)

by Nathan Lowell

“Mr. Kelley, if you could provide a small vector adjustment so we miss that planet, I’d be grateful,” the captain said with a wry smile. “Aye, aye, Captain. All ahead full and damn the red lines,” he replied.

“I met someone interesting and we went for a walk. Beyond that, a gentleman doesn’t tell,” I informed him primly. “I know that. That’s why I asked you.”

I tried valiantly not to feel sorry for myself---and failed.

She paused about half way to me. I looked her dead in the eyes and said, “Please be thorough. I hate being just half-kissed.”

And may I add how pleased I am to have you on my watch?” “Because of my skill and native wit, sar?” “No, Mr. Wang, because I feel the sudden need to keep you under close observation.”

“You obviously have mistaken me for somebody with a clue. Unfortunately, I don’t even know where to buy a clue, and if I had one, I’m sure it would be to a different puzzle.”

“Don’t worry about the money, Ishmael. Once you’re accepted, it will be taken care of one way or another.” “It’s the ‘another’ I’m worried about,” I said with a grin.

After all the angst and anxiety of my first year in space, the next ten months seemed idyllic---if you think of idyllic as working twelve hours a day for weeks on end locked in a big tin can surrounded by metric mega-butt loads of nothing.

“If you think this is good, wait until we get the sails up,” Aunt P said. “You may need a towel.” “A towel?” she asked. Aunt P nodded. “Yeah. To sit on,” she said with a wink.