Excerpt of Intergalactic Witness Protection
“He’s going to live.” Shipping slumps against the wall as he says those words, the relief apparently draining his skeleton of all function.
Killa looks up and her expression softens. Nicholas elbows her in the side and she glares at him before mouthing later.
Orion spins around in his captain’s chair. “That’s wonderful news. And to continue the trend of good news, we are about a rotation from earth, and our landing has already been locked on.
Shipping folds his hands together. “Thank the Lord.”
Nicholas puts both his hands together, too. “Amen.”
Killa glares at him again.
And Orion spins back around. “It’ll be great to be on home base again.”
Nicholas puts an arm around Killa’s shoulders and mock glares at Orion. “Hey, Killa’s very sensitive right now. And you know she’s Martian, not Earthian.”
Killa glares and Nicholas and knocks her leg into his.
Orion just shakes his head. “And she’s on loan to our base, making Earth her home base. Now let’s all go home. Or at least to work. We have patients and prisoners alike to drop off. And I cannot wait for none of them to be our problem. No offense, Reverend.”
“None taken,” Shipping says, walking into the cockpit and collapsing in a chair. “I’m exhausted, too.”
“No surprise there,” Killa mutters. “Considering your son was just recued and you took your first life.”
Nicholas, who had been nodding, pauses and frowns at the last part.
“And I’m sure there will be a full investigation of my actions on earth,” Shipping mutter as he lowers his hat over his eyes.
“You killed a kidnapper in order to rescue your son,” Orion says. “You shouldn’t have much trouble. Especially since you left one alive.”
Nicholas winces at that.
“Interestingly enough,” Killa says, “it was the cyborg left alive, and the clone executed.”
Shipping sighs and lifts his head. “It had nothing to do with the fact that he was a clone that I… had to shoot.”
“I know he kidnapped your son. But you seem to hate clones.”
He holds up a hand. “I do not hate anyone, or any group of people. Just because I do not agree with the science behind their creation does not mean I hold any ill will toward clones themselves.”
Killa crosses her arms.
“I also do not like it when my perishers practice intimacy outside of marriage, but I have nothing against illegitimate children.”
Nicholas nods. “A bit prudish, but I can see where you’re coming from. Right, Killa.”
Killa narrows her eyes and says nothing.
“Have you ever seen the birth world of the species?” Orion asks suddenly.
Reverend Shipping looks up. “No, I haven’t. Is Earth already visible?”
Orion gestures to the screen. “That blue speck over there.”
Wincing at the apparent pain to rise, Reverend Shipping moves forward, apparently entranced at the thought of seeing the historic birthplace of all life, earthian, martian, venetian, clone, cyborg, and AI alike.
Nicholas goes over as well, and even Killa goes to the window screen.
Together, almost in perfect synchronization, the two cops walk toward the screen. And Martian, Earthians, Ganymedian alike look to the tiny speck where space exploration originated.
“We’re in the home stretch,” Orion says, leaning back in his captain chair. “The mission is just about wrapped up.”
Two days until cover reveal!
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