Jinx on a Terran Inheritance Read Online Free

just grinned wider, anticipating.
    However, once Redlock had finished the introductions, Yumi began in a strangely accented sing song:
    "Citizen Floyt, my master the Daimyo bids me come before you with an earnest request, which I entreat file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...aley%20-%20Jinx%20on%20a%20Terran%20Inheritance.htm (11 of 320)19-2-2006 17:12:28
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    you to hear."
    "Uh? Ah, oh … " was all Floyt could get out for the moment.
    Alacrity, at least as astounded and feeling put upon, broke in, "Request? For what? I'm the bodyguard here, so I guess I should be the one to talk to you about it before you—"
    "Oh, no; that's quite all right, Alacrity," Floyt headed him off. Redlock looked on expectantly, enjoying the show.
    Yumi smiled, and their little region of the Pearl brightened. "Citizen Floyt, what the Daimyo asks, in fine, is whether you might deign to consider parting with one half liter of your very esteemed and illustrious Terran blood."
    "My blood?"
    "Not a chance," Alacrity decreed, from conditioning and from habit, apprehensive and disappointed.
    "You will pardon my speaking bluntly, since time is limited. The Daimyo would place great value on such a gift, Citizen Floyt. Your blood, produced in the hallowed biosphere and magnetic fields of Earth, containing vital potencies and unique essences available nowhere else in the universe—it is the true elixir of Manhome."
    "You can tell that superstitious, priapic old vampire for us, that—" Alacrity began.
    "My master the Daimyo would of course wish to make a gift in return," Yumi interjected. "Three thousand ovals, to be precise."
    "Are you sure a half liter's enough?" Alacrity asked eagerly. "He's got plenty. I could jump up and down on his chest for you. He's the only Earther you're ever going to see, after all."
    "I guess I'll do it," Floyt decided.
    Yumi smiled again, and they found themselves reciprocating. "Most puissant Governor Redlock has permitted me the use of a private compartment in Blue Pearl. If you'll follow me, most generous Citizen Floyt?"
    Redlock caught the wary flicker that crossed Alacrity's face then and gave him a reassuring nod. That was good enough for Alacrity. Worse luck, he grudged. "Cash before splash, no IOUs," he cautioned his friend as Yumi slipped an arm through Floyt's. Floyt looked dazed but happy.
    "Won't this hold you up?" Alacrity asked Redlock.
    The governor shook his head. "King's Ransom won't rendezvous with us at the spaceport for another two hours, so I was planning on taking a roundabout course there. I wanted time for some uninterrupted talk file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...aley%20-%20Jinx%20on%20a%20Terran%20Inheritance.htm (12 of 320)19-2-2006 17:12:28
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    with Seven Wars and Sortie-Wolf, among other things."
    Alacrity understood. Things like giving Alacrity and Floyt a chance to pick up a little traveling money, where Tiajo couldn't interfere. "Thanks very much, Governor. I hope we can make it up to you, one day."
    Redlock inclined his head. Then he looked up to where his wife meditated alone on the cold stars. The Pearl's hull had been shifted to full transparency and her lights dimmed a bit. Alacrity spotted The Strewn, the open star cluster that was the brightest ornament of Epiphany's night, after her two moons.
    "Make yourself comfortable," Redlock invited as he moved off to join Dorraine. "Why don't you begin by changing out of that drogue chute you're wearing?"
    CHAPTER 2—RHAPSODY IN BLUE PEARL
    The compartment in the Pearl's lower hull was just off the crew lounge, with a big, padded card table lowered to serve as an examining table.
    Yumi was cordial but briskly efficient as she readied medical instruments. A superb little bento tray, holding four chocolates, had been set out. Floyt, sitting on the table, helped himself to one. It was delicious beyond compare, with a sweet, syrupy liqueur