The Collection, Vol. 1

  * * *

  Boron suddenly glanced around. “We lost Jordon.”

  “So? We aren’t his babysitters.”

  “Celix!” Boron scolded. “If his mother heard you--”

  “Well, she can’t; she’s dead. Anyway, she never asked if I wanted to watch him, but I always somehow ended up doing it.”

  Boron’s mouth opened and he wore an astonished face. “She asked me, and you were just always around.”

  “Well, whatever. Now that she’s gone, she can’t ask us to do that anymore.” Seeing that he hadn’t said anything to wipe the odd look off of Boron’s face, he rolled his eyes. “We shouldn’t still be watching him; it’s been what, six months since she was killed? Jordon is seven now, he’s old enough to stay out of trouble on the ship.” No change. Maybe relating it to himself would help. “From the age of four I grew up on the streets of Selori 5 without either parent and I turned out fine. In fact, it was good for me, I wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t had gangs to fight off and survive.” That facial expression was becoming annoying. In finality, he added, “I have a task, and I don’t want to have to watch Jordon, too.” Celix would do what the job required of him, and if that meant watching the Captain’s son when his wife asked you to, so be it; as far as he was concerned, that was the only time it was required, other than if the Captain himself assigned the duty, obviously.

  Boron stared at Celix. Realizing his mistake, Celix sighed. “I’m sorry, Boron, I forgot your childhood was clinical.”

  Insulted, Boron’s voice became a little louder and sounded like he might burst into tears at any moment--that was not something Celix was prepared to deal with. “Anyone that has even one parent is lucky. I would do anything to have one. Also, having a parent would have done you good!” He turned around and began walking back the way they had just come.

  Sighing, Celix stopped and watched him leave. “Boron,” He sighed again. “Where are you going?”

  “To find Jordon. Unlike you, I actually like being around people.”

  A PGC crewman walked past, not stopping, but raising his eyebrows at Celix in a questioning manner. Celix returned the expression with a frown.

  He would never admit that Boron was a friend--even to himself. “I’ll still have to find Selarr, so I’ll see you later.”

  Boron didn’t respond.

  As he retraced their path from the engine room, Boron thought about Jordon’s mother. Caralina had been the first nice person he’d ever known; he was a box-baby after all. She had persuaded the captain first to rescue him, then later to hire him. That was many years ago when Jordon was only three. He’d watched Jordon many times over the years, keeping him safe during space battles or hostile takeovers. He’d watch Jordon other times too, like when she and the Captain needed a break or after her death, during the construction of Brinks’ Edge.

  Boron didn’t care what Celix thought; this was his favorite thing and he was good at it.

  He entered the engine room. It was a bustle of activity, three times the number of PGC crew-members were present from just moments ago. Two more ran past Boron into the room. Multiple people were on each level, checking gauges and displays, rushing around. The regllig, Trell, ran past Boron and he asked, “Where’s Jordan?”

  “He left right after you.” She said without stopping, “I’m sorry, I can’t talk, orders to prep the engines.”

  Boron turned to another crewman near the entrance, “What’s going on?”

  “Got a call from Selarr on the comm to prep the engines. I’m too busy to talk.” He ran to the lift before Boron could reply.

  Just as Boron was about to hit a comm button next to the door, it activated. “Boron.” The captain’s voice came through slightly garbled. “I...need you...control center.”

  Boron pressed a button on the console. “On my way, Captain.” He left the engine room and began running to the control center.