The Clock Winked (The Sagittan Chronicles Book 2) Read Free Page A

everything
you've ever worked for. If you are actually useful, you will be awarded your
travel permit and, well, I can't promise you the sampling privileges, but I can
get you the travel permit.”
    Misty looked up at him with wide eyes and nodded rapidly.
“Anything you say, sir! Anything you say, I know I deserve. I am pleased to
work and pleased to serve. What will I be doing? What objective needs
pursuing?”
    “I can’t tell you. Not yet.” Quin shrugged. “Go nap in the
couch room. I'll come find you later. And don't say a word to anyone.”
    “Yessir. Yessir.” Misty nodded vigorously and scrambled up from the floor with books tumbling in
all directions. She scurried out the door and down the hall.
    “Can you check her locations for the last month?” Quin asked
John.
    “Why can't you do it?” John replied.
    “Restricted access to the graduate student
archive.”
    “Oh, right. Sure. Excuses.”
    “Okay,” Tom interrupted. “Now that you've got that detail
taken care of, I expect a report sometime tomorrow. Excellent.” He turned to leave.
    “Where did everyone go?” Mr. Drake boomed from the doorway.
“We have mountains of work to do and all I see is the two of you—” he pointed
an angry finger towards John and Quin— “gabbing about god knows what, and no
graduate students! Didn't I fire you?” He glared at John.
    “He's not fired,” Tom said soothingly. “The students are
gone with my permission. Why don't we go chat in my office. ”
    Mr. Drake turned his dreadfully angry face towards Tom.
“You... you... always... always think...” he sputtered as Tom pushed him gently
out the door.
    “Does she always talk like that?” Quin added a moment later.
    “What?”
    “Misty. Rhyming.”
    John laughed. “Why yes, yes she does.”
    *****
    POMEGRANATE
CITY STAR CHAIR ADERICK DEAD BY HEART ATTACK; RIZINSK I NEW ADMINISTRATIVE CHAIR
    By Sauvignon Pincer, journalist
     
    Last night
Administrative Chair Maverick Aderick dropped dead suddenly from unknown
causes. It would appear upon initial analysis that he died of a heart attack, but
until the autopsy is complete, no official announcement will be made. Chair
Aderick had a rare heart disease which was carefully monitored by official
doctors and presumed to pose no threat to his general well-being.
    Administrative Chair
for forty-seven years, Aderick established initiatives such as School for the
Homeless, Tax on Seventeen, and A Plate A Day. He ran
his administration with kindness and hope. Memorial services will be held in
five days.
    Next in line for the
Chair, Jameson Musk, declined the position, stating
only that he was getting too old and would retire in a few years anyway. Elon
Canderick, second in line, also declined, announcing officially that he was
retiring due to health concerns. The third in line, Ellis Rizinski, will take the
oath for the position of Administrative Chair this evening at 7pm.
    Gifts for the Aderick
family may be donated by way of the City Council Clerk. Monetary donations will
be reallocated to the fund for homeless veterans, and flowers will be sent to
various orphanages and safe houses. We all grieve for the loss of Chair Aderick
and send our condolences to his wife and children.
    *****
    The next morning, the sun peered through the window and
draped itself casually over two sleeping figures using books as pillows.
Bronwyn woke up with a start when the sun hit her eyes. She glanced at the
clock: seven-thirty. She stretched and then reached over and smacked Auvek on
the head.
    “Wake up! Sale day!”
    Auvek groaned and pulled his hood over his eyes. “You put up
the signs, I'm going back to sleep.”
    “We put up the signs last night,” Bronwyn replied. “Look
outside. There's already a line.”
    Outside the shop a cluster of people waited, chatting
excitedly and pointing through the windows. A few faces pressed their noses to
the glass, peering in at the two tired teenagers. Auvek sat up rapidly.
    “Leaping