GALLANT (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

for one of the sounds— counterfeit .
    "Counterfeit?" Gallant asked. "What the drekis counterfeit?" When neither the computer nor Mar-Dot answered him, he ordered, "Try it again. There has to be more than one word out of all that babble."
    Mar-Dot made two more attempts to obtain a further translation, to no avail. "Sorry, Captain," Mar said with a grimace. "That is the best we can do. Perhaps he was referring to—"
    A slight movement of Gallant's hand instantly silenced Mar. "Why don't you show Cherry the facilities? I'm sure she'd like to freshen up."
    "It would be my pleasure," Mar said, offering his arm to escort her.
    Cherry thought she noted a decidedly male gleam in his eyes a second before he whipped around. Dot's eyes held an entirely different message. "I will take her." She waved Cherry back into the narrow corridor. "This is a small craft, built for speed and maneuverability rather than luxury or carrying large shipments of cargo."
    As they passed the first door on the left, Dot noted, "The exterior door operates only when we are on the ground. There are three rooms, Gallant's"—she pointed to the door on the right where Cherry had awakened. "Ours"—she motioned to the left—"and the facility chamber."
    She touched the door at the end of the hallway and it slid open to reveal a gray-carpeted lounge about twice the size of Gallant's cabin, furnished with a royal blue sofa, two stuffed chairs and a low table.
    On one wall of the room were two square metal panels and a monitor, which Cherry recognized as a supply station, but it was much smaller than the one she had in her residence.
    Dot explained, "The computer will supply your verbal requests for food or clothing if at all possible but I must warn you, this compact version undoubtedly has a more limited capacity than the supply station you are accustomed to. I would suggest you keep your orders fairly simple."
    Cherry shrugged. "Since I'm only going to be on board for another twenty-four hours, it really doesn't matter. However, I have one need that isn't going to wait that long."
    Dot smiled and directed her to the partition in the corner. "The commode functions in the normal way but, because of the minimal storage space on board, there is no water for bathing." Cherry investigated the cubicle as Dot continued. "The red button on the wall activates the sanitizing beam in the ceiling. You just remove your clothes and stand beneath it for one minute. You will be as clean afterward as if you had taken a hot shower. You simply will not feel as refreshed."
    "Nonsense," Mar countered, turning toward Cherry. "It is only a matter of getting used to it. Perhaps you would like to try it now. I will be glad to assist you."
    Though the words were spoken sincerely, the look on his face was downright lecherous. Before Cherry could tell if he was kidding, Dot was back in control.
    "Pay no attention to him, Cherry. He is only a man and therefore cannot stop himself from behaving foolishly. We will give you your privacy now."
    Cherry laughed out loud as Mar-Dot exited the chamber in a series of rotations during which Dot waved good-bye and Mar blew her a kiss. Now that she knew she was on her way home, she could start enjoying her unexpected adventure. She might have liked getting better acquainted with Voyager as well, if he wasn't such a prig. His superior attitude and general unfriendliness completely negated how wickedly attractive he was.
    A few minutes later she discovered just how limited her selection of fresh clothing really was. The choice of styles was between a pair of slacks and a vest, both black leather, in a large man's size; or a one-size-fits-all jumpsuit like Mar-Dot's, with or without an extra pair of sleeves. No shoes or underclothing were available. At least the second selection was offered in either olive green or white.
    Since she wouldn't be caught dead in either black leather or olive green, she opted for a white jumpsuit and got ready to try out the