Ice Runner Read Free

in his chiller. “I really hope that the veg in the chiller was for eating.”
    He grinned as he finished his portion. “I am very particular to keep the experiments in the greenhouse and the food in the chiller.” She sighed in relief and ate with a bit more enthusiasm. It was pretty good, but she was a master at rehydrating foods. The bonus to an ice world, you never ran out of water.
    “So, what do you do on your off days, Lor?”
    “I work in the greenhouse and engage in conference calls around the globe.” He shrugged.
    “There isn’t much off time when you are by yourself.”
    She blinked. “You never take a tunnel rider into one of the towns? It takes about twelve hours, but you could have a trip to the bazaars, watch a play, buy some protein that isn’t dried… ” He grinned. “Do you take days off?” Kes chuckled. “Of course. My sister is turning eight in a few weeks. I take her to the parks, the hot springs, go shopping with her, that sort of thing.”
    “You have family here?” He collected the plates and ran a sink full of water, scrubbing the plates and the pans she had used.
    “Yes. I have a mother and a sister. My father passed away four years ago in a tunnel collapse.” She grimaced.
    “And yet, you suggest that I travel by tunnel?”
    She snorted. “My father was digging a new route in an unstable area. There was a geothermal break and the walls came in on the digger he was working on. The new tunnels are locked by gate at either end, and it was that gate that not only saved the nearby city but drowned the workers as the water came in.”
    A lump came to her throat as it always did when she remembered that day. She had been running tech a day away from home when the collapse was announced. She got home as quickly as she could, but it didn’t change the fact that her father was dead half a world away.
    Lor turned. “I apologize. I did not mean to tread on a sensitive subject.” She smiled weakly. “It’s all right. You didn’t know, and now, you do.” Kes sipped at the tea and enjoyed the warmth flowing through her veins.
    “It is dangerous here then?”
    “Every planet has its dangers. Even your greenhouse has its dangers. The key to living with the danger is to know it exists.” He sat across from her and gave her a long look that had a grudging respect. “There is a wisdom to you that I was not expecting.”
    “What where you expecting, and why were you expecting anything?” She bit her lip and furrowed her brow.
    “The Ice Runner has been the subject of many conversations between me and Dr. Senzer. He described you as young but businesslike.”
    “Why were you talking about me?”
    “I was waiting for Citadel clearance to authorize payment to you. How long have you been a courier anyway?”
    “Since I finished school, six years. Dad didn’t like it, but once he was sure I was safe and knew what I was doing, he grudgingly encouraged me. When he died, I had to step things up a little.”
    “Does it take a toll?”
    She thought about it before she answered. “I would say that the toll is more emotional than physical. I miss my sister and mother while I am gone, and sometimes, I am gone for weeks going from base to base, city to city.”
    “Would you ever consider leaving Wanlio 6?” His words were casual, but there was something behind his tone.
    “It would have to be a helluva reason for me to leave, and my mother would have to approve.” She shrugged. “That isn’t likely to happen.” He sipped at his tea. “When is your next day off?”
    She grinned. “On Fiveday. My sister’s school has asked me to explain what I do and why I can leave the underground when they can’t. I have been doing this lecture once a year since I was thirteen.”
    “Where do you call home?”
    “Corial City.”
    He was surprised. “That is only seven hours via the tunnels.”
    She nodded. “I am aware of that. Now. We have eaten, and I am eager to see if there is anything for