Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“My mom always made me pancakes when I was little—I mean, after I was getting over some kind of sickness,” I said wistfully. “With chocolate chips in them.”
Thinking of the wonderful, fluffy, chocolate studded confections made me feel suddenly so homesick that I could feel my eyes stinging with tears. My mom hadn’t made them for me often—they were “junk food” and she didn’t want Taylor and me to get too “plump” as she so tactfully put it. But after an illness, she would break down and make them for me to celebrate when I was finally feeling better.
Making pancakes in the kitchen with my mom was one of my most cherished childhood memories and right then I missed her so much I couldn’t stop the tears from coming into my eyes.
“Oh, little one—please don’t cry.” Sir sounded concerned. “Or if you must, come here and let me hold you while you do.”
I sniffed and swiped at my eyes.
“No, it’s okay. I was just thinking of my mom’s chocolate chip pancakes. They were so good and I…I miss her and my sister, Taylor so much sometimes.”
“I know you do.” Sir gathered me into his arms and I felt myself melting against him. “I know that I took you away from your family and everyone and everything you love,” he murmured. “I wish I could at least give you the foods you enjoy to help you feel less longing for your home.”
I began to have an idea.
“Maybe you could,” I said tentatively. “If you’d let me just try to use the Matter Synthesizer myself. Just hear me out,” I added quickly, before Sir could protest. “I think I can do it. I can read and speak and write your language—all three forms of it. And also, your ship responds to me! I sent it thought messages and asked it to let me in that night on O’nagga Nine and it opened up for me! So if the ship listens to me, why wouldn’t the Matter Synthesizer listen too?”
I was prepared for Sir to shoot me down and at first his face looked like a thundercloud…but then his expression changed to one of thoughtfulness.
“We haven’t yet discussed that night, you know,” he said at last. “And there will have to be a reckoning for what you did and the way you disobeyed, little one.”
I felt a thrill of fear race through me.
“I…I know,” I said, looking down and tracing an aimless pattern on his broad chest with one finger. “But can’t I try to get the Matter Synthesizer to make some chocolate chip pancakes first?”
Sir sighed, his warm breath ruffling my hair.
“There are those among my people who would think I have let my pet have far too much sway over me,” he murmured, more to himself than to me.
My heart leapt in my chest.
“That doesn’t sound like a ‘no,” I pointed out hopefully.
Sir sighed again and looked down at me.
“All right,” he said at last. “I’ll let you try but the moment it looks like you’re having even a tiny bit of trouble the control band comes off and you’re never to touch it again.” He raised his eyebrows at me. “Agreed?”
“Agreed!” I said eagerly. “Just let me try—I’m sure I can make it work!”
“Very well.” Sir sat up in bed. “Shall we go right now?”
“Just let me run to the restroom and I’ll be ready to go,” I said eagerly.
He frowned.
“Are you steady enough on your feet?”
“I’m fine—look.” I slid down the side of the huge bed and landed on my feet. I was a little wobbly, but that was just because I was weak with hunger. However, the prospect of getting some chocolate chip pancakes made me feel strong.
“You look better than you have in quite some time,” Sir said, looking me over with a critical eye. “Go take care of your needs and then meet me in the food prep area. Oh, and little one?”
“Yes?” I said. I had been in the act of heading for the bathroom but I turned back to see him.
“Put on the fur bodysuit I synthesized for you as the first underlayer to wear on O’nagga Nine,” he said. “Just in case—I don’t want you bare until I’m completely certain you’re all recovered.”
“Yes, Sir,” I said eagerly. Getting to wear clothes and having chocolate chip pancakes—it was definitely my lucky day! Of course, there was a little voice whispering to me that my punishment was still coming, but I pushed it aside, determined to be happy.
I took a moment in the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. Well, it wasn’t really brushing—it was a button you could press on the wall that extended a kind of tentacle, kind of like the ones on either side of the toilet. But this particular tentacle sprayed a finely collimated jet of flavored and treated water that cleaned your teeth and left your breath smelling sweet and fresh. It also caught and absorbed any water that ran out of your mouth, leaving you completely dry by the time the process was finished.