Free The Chalice by P.L. Parker Page A

counter in the bathing area. I think it’s soap or perhaps lotion.” She shrugged, bouncing the small orb in her palm . “It’s really hard.”
    Anne took the item, exam ining it from  every side. “Looks good— pretty solid.” She handed the article to Ume. “As soon as I open the panel, I’m  going to punchit closed. Slip this under and hold it until the door touches it. Get your hand outof there fast in case the door crushes it.”
    “W hat do we do if it opens all the way?” Dread’s eyebrows arched over her
    dark eyes. “Throw eating utensils at them ?”
    “If that happens,” Anne added, “it’s up to the rest of you to make sure they don’t get through.” She swiveled around, facing the freaked out females. “Is everybody ready?”
    Kara’s fingertips tingled, arm  hairs stood on end. By some nasty trick of fate,she was standing right here on the front line of defense. How’d that happen? W hycan’t I be safe in the back like the rest of them ? Although none of them  were saferight now.
    Dread’s eyes found hers. “You okay?”
    “Just peachy.”

    “You look like you’re going to faint.”
    “Facing death does that to m e.” She pressed her hands flat against her upper
    thighs, willing them  to quit shaking.
    “Just rem em ber what Um e taught us. Use it if we have to.”
    “Here we go,” Anne called out. Her hand covered the control panel. She
    hesitated a brief mom ent before punching the blue button.
    ****

    All heads swiveled as the panel to the females’ quarters slid upwards. Tegan’s
    hand froze, the bite of food forgotten.
    “They’re com ing out,” Shagal whispered, fairly bouncing with excitement.
    “W ha…?”
    The panel slid to an abrupt halt and then started back down, stopped by an
    object wedged underneath.
    “W hat are they doing?” Vaux exclaimed, bending over. “What is that?”
    Tegan leaned sideways, tilting his head. “They’re trying to see out,” hemurmured, grinning in spite of himself. “They’re using a fem ale stim ulator orb tokeep it open.”
    “Maybe they’re sending us a m essage.” Mordaq dropped down on his chest,
    angling for a better view. “Making it clear we’re unnecessary.”
    “That’s kind of disgusting,” Vaux snorted, lip curling. “Crude, really.”
    “I think it’s a sim ple matter of trying to see.” He sat back up, staring at his
    bowl, lips twitching.
    Vaux sniffed, wiping his lips. “If they want to see what we’re doing without us
    seeing them , why don’t they use the viewing screens?”
    “I would guess it’s because they don’t know how.” W hy would they? If Kormak’s logs were correct, the Chalices had only been awake for a short tim e. W ithout guidance, how were they to learn?
    “Access the ship’s com puters and open a line to the viewing screen in the females’ chamber so they can watch us.” He laughed. “This is a perfect opportunity to prove we mean them  no harm  and we’re peaceful.”
    “I suppose you want m e to do it,” Vaux grum bled, shoveling food into his
    mouth, “even though I’ve not finished eating.”
    “I suppose your stom ach is m uch m ore important than the fem ales.” Shagal’s snide comment stung the tech, causing Vaux to flinch in reflex. He studied his food, unwilling to meet Tegan’s eyes.

    “The Chalices and I would appreciate your prom pt efforts.” Tegan spoke softly, his words easing the tension triggered by Shagal’s criticism . “I suspect they’re as curious as are we.”
    Vaux nodded, lips pressed in a firm  line. He stood up, bending at the waist. “As
    you wish, Milord.”
    “I’m  not your Lord,” Tegan m urmured for Vaux’s ears alone. “I’m  your friend
    asking for a favor.”
    “You will always be Lord,” Vaux replied. “By right of birth and leadership. None of these others possess the qualities and skills inherent in your ancestry.” He glared at Shagal. “Though