Falling Sky Read Free Page B

and I see that she’s hurt. And for a fraction of that moment, just a tiny little space, I want to reach out to her and tell her I’m sorry. But I don’t, and she hardens up again. A little part of me is proud at that.
    She doesn’t say anything as she lowers herself to the ladder. And for that I’m grateful.
    I finish the rest of the bottle after she goes.

    I wake up the next day with a steady pounding in my head and a taste in my mouth like a Feral’s ass. The bottle of moonshine is lying on its side next to me, a small, clear puddle around it. And of course today is the day I am leaving. I came to that conclusion last night some time before getting stinking drunk. Miranda’s not going to change her mind this time—I know her too well.
    Neither am I.
    So I have no choice but to leave. Though there’s still time before I need to. Time for something to eat. And water.
    That’s one of the other big things about the Core that makes it valuable. They built a filtration system that produces fresh water. There’s a collection of vats that take dew and rainwater from the air, but then there’s also the stuff they take from the ground. It’s boiled first. Because of the Bug. It still makes me nervous, but there’s not one person around who doesn’t get used to boiling water if they want to survive. I just take it as truth that boiling kills the Bug.
    But the stuff at the Core is some of the best I’ve had. Maybe even as good as the stuff they used to bottle back in the Clean.
    So I pull myself up and pull myself together. I know I look like shit, but what else is new. I think about maybe even grabbing a shower before I go, or what passes for one here—a bucket and some clean water. But they have this stuff that cleans you up real good and that’s also something worth taking advantage of before I take off.
    I descend the ladder, wincing at the sun as it stabs into my eyes, but my stomach feels okay, which is good because I’ve flown before while puking into a bucket and it’s not something I feel like repeating.
    I take a while to clean myself up, brush my teeth (yes, they have that, too), shower, nibble on some dried meat and cheese. After I’m done I feel much more human.
    Miranda is nowhere to be found.
    Before I head back to the Cherub , I stop to see Sergei. He nods at me. I feel like there’s already more white in his beard than when I met him. People age quickly in the Sick.
    â€œMiranda said you might be leaving,” he said.
    I guess Miranda knows me better than I thought. “Well, tell me you expected me to stay this long.”
    He shrugs. Then extends his hand. “Thanks for all your help.”
    I take it. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about this plan.” He raises his eyebrows. “I think what you need to do is build a cage. Then stash it in the cargo bay. You could even cover it with old screening material. It would help hold back anything it might fling at you while letting it breathe.”
    He nods. “That could work. We could rig something up fairly easily.”
    I nod back. “If I could figure out a way to hang it from the ship and still keep the thing alive, I’d tell you to do that. But I know that’s not going to fly with Miranda. Just keep your eyes open and stay sharp. Stay alert for any raiders. You know things have been messy since they took Gastown. Make sure you take enough ammo with you. Best to just grab this Feral, wrap it up, and haul ass back here.”
    â€œOkay,” he says. “We’ll be able to handle it.”
    I nod again and start to walk away. Then turn back. “And watch that starboard engine. It’s been a little shaky, I noticed. Make sure you keep an eye on it.”
    â€œOkay, Ben,” he says. “Good luck.”
    â€œSame to you, Sergei.” I mean it, too. Sergei’s stiff, but he’s a good guy.
    I start wandering through