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Maybe they missed their target and had to stop here or end up in interstellar
space.
He nodded. You could be right. Some major fubar or other.
Fubar?
Old spacer slang for when things go wrong, fucked up beyond all
recognition .
She giggled, wishing she d read more about spacer culture. So what fubar
would make them miss their target?
Something like this, he murmured and switched the camera back to the
asteroid.
What is it? she asked.
Those craters near the engine are definitely not impact. See, the profile is too
smooth, like the surface has slumped.
What would do that?
Somehow the internal supports have given way. I d say that s why they are still
here. They re stranded.
She nodded. But why did they stop here anyway? They were designed to
decelerate for a century or more. Surely they would ve realized it was a black hole long
before they got here.
Maybe they had navigational problems. Maybe this black hole was their last
chance for a gravitational slingshot back into the galactic center. But whoever was
Mikala Ash Chains of Passion: Slave to Lust - 36 -
navigating got them into a stable orbit instead. That couldn t be accidental. Someone
deliberately stranded them.
And their broken engines kept them here?
Looks like it.
Well, what do we do, Captain?
His eyes brightened and he shot her a sparkling smile. Ready for your first
adventure?
Her heart melted and she smiled back at him.
He returned his eyes to the screen. Hello, he said. What s that? He indicated
a trench running down the length of the asteroid from the north to south poles.
Adon zoomed the camera in to reveal a single rail at the bottom of the deep
trench.
It could be an external transport system, she offered. See there are tunnels
leading off at regular intervals. I bet it s for maintenance purposes.
He smiled at her. I think you re right.
What do we do next?
Land next to the prospector and check it out first. Then we ll work out how to
get inside the asteroid.
She shivered again. The unseen hand had caressed her neck.
Don t worry, he said, putting an arm about her shoulders. I have weapons.
That didn t make her feel any better. Do you think we ll need them?
The SOS is coming from the prospector. They are the ones in trouble.
Who are they?
The identity of the sender is encoded in the SOS. The prospector is called Hades
Assay.
An odd name.
Probably apt, though. I can imagine it s prospected some hellholes in its time.
Adon s proximity was driving her nuts. She reached across and stroked his arm.
So, are we going to finish what we started& ?
Mikala Ash Chains of Passion: Slave to Lust - 37 -
Sorry, sweetheart. No time. We re coming in fast.
How did I know you were going to say that? she pouted.
Don t worry, he said and kissed her. We ll finish eventually.
She poked out her tongue. I may not be in the mood, eventually.
She knew she d wait as long as it took. But the erotic thought was killed. Her
eyes were drawn back to the screen and that malevolent image of the shadow man
returned to her mind.
Chapter 3
Katsumi watched Adon guide the ship down to the asteroid s pitted surface. No
way would she make a pilot with such a short lesson, but she grasped the essentials.
She marveled at how adeptly Adon manipulated the joystick to make the final
approach.
Maia will make sure we don t crash or anything. If I suddenly had a heart
attack, she d fly us to safety.
So, she started mischievously, I could have my way with you and we d still
be safe?
He laughed. Of course. If Maia detected some erratic movements of the stick&
the joystick that is, she d immediately take control.
Then why not let Maia fly everywhere?
Where s the fun in that?
She nodded in understanding. So, it s just a macho thing.
What do you mean, just ?
The insect-shaped prospector loomed large in the screen. I m going to land right
next to its portside hatchway. Maia has activated it, so it will open for us.
Can Maia tell the Hades computer what to do?
Not really. He frowned. The Hades pilot initiated the complete emergency
program which lets any rescuers into the ship if they were incapacitated.
Why does that worry you?
That they did that means something really catastrophic has happened. Sensors
indicate everything is still functioning on board, though. The ship is flyable.
But there s no one on board?
Mikala Ash Chains of Passion: Slave to Lust - 39 -
Doesn t look like it. Maia has been hailing them since we popped out of
quantum space. He looked at her and winked. In my voice, of course.
She laughed.
What s so funny?
You have an ego the size of&
My cock?
That would probably cover it. Mention of his cock sent a pulse of warmth
through her body. She gazed at him longingly.
Wish we had time, he said wistfully. I really do.
Adon went silent while he focused on the controls. He brought the Nymph to a
gentle touchdown on the gray dusty surface. They were only meters from the
prospector and the cameras showed a blinking, green light by the hatchway.
His beaming smile was so boyish she laughed. Proud of yourself, huh?
That wasn t a bad landing, if I do say so myself. Come on. We d better get over
there and see what s going on.
She touched his arm and he placed his hand over hers. Partner, he whispered
huskily. I want you very, very badly. But there may be people injured on the
prospector. We should get this sorted and then we can play.
Though it was a gentle chastisement, Katsumi felt a little affronted. She d never
taken being criticized very well. Her mind started to close in on itself, shutting down
the stinging remark.
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