Keeper Read Free Page A

faceplate. “Because I am not a robot.”
    Aggie poured two cups of tea and added sweetener to hers before she blew on it.
    He was staring at her and finally a smile twisted the corner of his lips. “My sister does that. She is always in a hurry.”
    “My name is Aggie, and I want to know why you ran.”
    He sipped at his tea and grimaced. “I don’t want to be the Avatar. I want to have a family, a life and enjoy myself. The Avatar is a locked in position and has to be serious and businesslike all the time.”
    “Is that so wrong?”
    “It would lock me into that position for five hundred years. Can you imagine? Five hundred years and I won’t age. I won’t be a man of my people, and therefore, I have to spend five centuries celibate.” His hands curled to fists.
    She winced. “So, if you are an adult, the planet wouldn’t choose you?”
    Wovian shrugged. “I don’t know. It has never happened before.”
    Aggie sipped at her tea. “Is there anything you want to know before we continue on our journey?”
    He cocked his head and narrowed his yellow eyes. “What are you?”
    Aggie grinned with her lips over her teeth and explained to him the mysteries of being a Terran Volunteer. It killed a few hours on their way to his home.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Aggie didn’t know why she did what she did, but Talon went along with her, so it worked just fine.
    Wovian was reunited with his family, they declared the contract complete and Aggie returned to the Grey Talon .
    Four hours later, Wovian was at the door, and they lifted off to break thirty-two different laws and kidnap a minor.
    “Why are you doing this?” Wovian was gripping the doorway of the cockpit.
    “Because no one should be forced to give up part of themselves until they are ready. You aren’t ready, and if you change your mind, you can still go home.”
    “What about you?”
    She chuckled. “I have no idea. I obeyed the rules of the Alliance when I dropped you off, but now, I think that Nyal space is going to be more hospitable.”
    “You are running because of me?” Tears formed in his eyes.
    “Of course. Choice is my primary concern. You are going to have to split your psyche in two. That isn’t something you jump into out of obligation.”
    He suddenly looked very mature. “Thank you for buying me this time. If I do choose to return to seek the position of Avatar, I will remove the crimes from you record.”
    Aggie smiled. “That would be nice.”
     
    She dropped him off with his cousin, and the Grey Talon took off once again.
    In the cockpit, Aggie sent the two messages and took a deep breath.
    “Your vitals are erratic, Aggie. Are you sure you want to do this?”
    “This is a chunk of time for you, too, Talon . Are you sure you don’t want to turn me in to the next Alliance station?”
    Talon sighed. “I am sure. They will look for us, but I am going to make it difficult. Once you go into cold sleep, I will try and hide you. I can only run for so long, so I hope your plan works.”
    Aggie watched as they got away from planetary orbit. She headed to her quarters, inhaling deeply as she put her full battle suit on.
    “I have only done this once, in training. I hope that it works.”
    Talon chuckled. “I will catch you if you fall. My floor is there for you, Aggie.”
    She stepped into the grips that closed around her feet. The ship gripped her waist and pulled her against an inner wall. Her hands were fastened down and her neck was restrained next. Jacks emerged from the wall and ran coolant and atmospheric gasses through the battle suit.
    Aggie hoped that two years was enough time, because that was all the time she had. Talon would keep her alive, and after that, someone would have to come and get her out. Snow flooded her vision and she relaxed in the suit. It was time to sleep now.
     
    * * * *
     
    Martha sat in the Volunteer offices and listened to the recruiter tell her that her sister was missing in action, a felon and in