Free Stardust Dreams by Marilyn Campbell Page A

Consociation hired you to
straighten this mess out, they must have faith in you. Therefore, I do, too. I
see no reason why my life should be turned upside down in the meantime."
    "I suppose I should
thank you for that vote of confidence, but the fact remains that I do need your
help with something. When is this
important
appointment of
yours?"
    She quickly figured how
much time had passed. "Twelve days."
    "Then there's no
problem. I'll have you back in plenty of time for that. I'm sorry you'll miss
some of Aster's pregnancy, but I'm sure Rom is taking good care of her. And
you'll be back long before the birth."
    Cherry still had a few
remnants of anger sim-mering inside that had to be let out. "First you
physically abused me and kidnapped me. Then you lied about taking me home right
after I allowed Mar-Dot to touch my mind. Why should I believe you now?"
    Gallant had to do a little
more chin rubbing before he could come up with an answer for her. "You
have a valid point. But I have another. You can't get back without my
assistance and the journey will be much more pleasant if you accept what I've
said. Also, I could undoubtedly complete my mission without your help, but with
it, I should be able to end it much faster. Thus, if you'll cooperate with what
I have in mind, I'll be able to return you to Innerworld that much
quicker."
    Cherry got up and paced the
few steps back and forth within the narrow cabin. It didn't sound like she had
much choice when he put it that way. "What would I have to do?"
    Gallant grinned with what
Cherry supposed was a sense of victory. "Just a little acting. There's no
reason to go over it until we get where we're headed."
    "Which is?"
    He got up from the bunk and
opened the door for them to return to the bridge. "A fascinating little
planet called Zoenid."
    Cherry nodded as if she'd
heard of it before. She figured if they were following Frezlo there, it must
have a civilization of some sort. And civilization meant transportation. If
Gallant turned out to be lying again, she might be able to hitch a ride home
with someone from there. Meanwhile, she would keep him guessing as to whether
or not she intended to cooperate. He deserved to sweat a little for what he had
done.
    She glanced up at him as
she passed through the doorway and gave him her answer. "I'll think about
it."
    Dot was facing the doorway
as they entered the bridge. She was clearly anxious to hear how the
explanations went, but neither Gallant nor Cherry satisfied her curiosity
aloud. Gallant was brooding again however, and that told the he-she things had
not gone as well as hoped.
    As Gallant returned to his
station, Cherry wondered what she could do to occupy herself for several more
days. She wasn't accustomed to so much inactivity. Considering her alternate
scheme to hitch a ride home with someone else, one problem came to mind. Gallant
had been able to deceive her because she didn't know how to determine where
they were in space. As long as she remained ignorant, she would continue to be
dependent on him or any other pilot she found.
    Strolling around the
control panel a few times, she finally decided how to reduce her disadvantage. Putting
on her sweetest smile and dripping southern honey, she faced Mar. "Mar,
honey, Ah think what y'all do is absolutely intriguin'. It would truly please
me to learn more about navigatin' this heah ship." Gallant's groan made it
clear she had laid it on a bit thick, but Mar's expression was one of pure male
delight.
    Glancing at Gallant, he
asked, "With the captain's permission?"
    Cherry thought she could
hear Gallant's teeth gnashing, but after a few seconds he grunted his approval.
She bestowed her charming smile on him in thanks, even though he was back to
not looking directly at her.
    After pulling out Mar-Dot's
bench seat, she made herself at home and started asking questions about the
panel in front of her.
    Gallant kept part of his
attention fixed on Mar and Cherry. Her curiosity could be