Prime- The Summons

  “I will see what I can do,” Vlad told her.

  Xai nodded her thanks. They looked at each other for a long moment. “He’s in a coma,” she said finally. Vlad’s face twisted—with bitterness, with fear, with anger. But not surprise. Xai marveled at his sources of information.

  “If your friend is on Messim,” Vlad said harshly, “he will have the Alameda Virus.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you want me to have him killed? It would be a kindness. I have seen its effects. Alameda is… evil."

  Xai looked at the man’s hard, ugly face and thought of Marcus. He would be enslaved, as this man had been enslaved. He would be perverted, as this man had been perverted. Xai fought down a sudden surge of rage and thick despair. She knew what she had to do and hated herself for knowing it. “Yes,” she said finally, forcing the words out, her tone rough with loathing.

  Vlad looked at her for a moment, the contempt on his face fading to something between surprise and respect. “I will see to it,” he said finally. “We are more alike that you think,” he added as he turned to walk back to his table. The idea seemed to amuse him, and he threw his head back to laugh, a hard, mournful sound that resounded in the darkness.

  His words pursued her as she left his ship, along with revulsion and fear that he might be right.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  FIVE DAYS LATER, Xai was practicing her T’lasian greetings with Joaana when Mika burst into the room, her face bright with excitement. “Amazing!” she cried, “You’d think the statistical probabilities would outweigh the generative aspect of the Salazar family, but it seems not to be the case!”

  Xai looked at Joaana for translation.

  “He’s awake?” Joaana asked disbelievingly.

  “And speaking!” Mika cried.

  Xai followed the two of them up the stairs, suddenly seeing for the first time the bright tapestries and the pure clarity of the light. It was as if a switch had been thrown. When she came into the room, she was almost overwhelmed by the beauty of it.

  Joaquim was lying on his bed beneath a bright blue cover that brought out the vivid tones of his eyes and skin. His hair was tousled, his eyes open and clear.

  Mika threw herself into the chair beside him, her face gleaming with pride and relief. Her hand wrapped tightly around his almost of its own accord. “I was napping,” she explained, “and he complained that I was snoring, and I was half way into my explanation that I could not be snoring, given the fact that my nose is constructed in such a way as to make that impossible, before I realized that he was speaking to me!”

  Joaana stood behind her mother. Her expression was guarded, but she appeared enormously relieved. Xai, who had spent a good deal of time with her since the fight, had come to greatly respect this beautiful, serious woman. Occasionally she had a flash of daring like her father, or a moment of introspection, like her mother, but while she looked like her father’s family she seemed to take most after her uncle Hanuman, a thoughtful fellow with a great sense of responsibility and tremendous reserve.

  Joaana looked down at her father’s smiling, pale face. “I am glad to see you are well,” she said gravely.

  Joaquim nodded. There was a combination of respect and pride in his face. “Mika has told me much of it,” he said. His voice was surprisingly rough. “You will make a good Clan leader.”

  Joaana blinked, obviously taken aback. “You do not want the title?” she asked. “I had assumed…”

  “I am a pilot, not a politician.” His gaze slid over and met Xai’s. Xai drank in the sight of him.

  Joaana was quiet for a moment. Then she put her hand over his. The father and daughter looked at each other for a moment. “I will do as you wish on this,” she told him.

  Joaquim shook his head slightly. “I will always be here if you need me. But I am wise enough to want what is good for the Clan. You have your uncle in you. He should have been born a Syng, not a Kumar.”

  Joaana smiled slightly. She glanced up and saw Xai then, standing still in the doorway. Her smile widened. “Come,” she said suddenly, speaking to her mother. “We must notify the Clan and find a doctor.” She gripped Xai’s arm for a moment, before going on her way down the hall, the robe of the Syng leader trailing gorgeously behind her. Mika kissed Joaquim on the cheek, patted Xai’s arm, and followed her daughter, her voice burbling excitedly.

  Xai sat down in the chair beside Joaquim’s bed. He smiled at her, his green eyes bright.

  “So,” he said finally, “it seems you saved my life again.”

  “Vlad had something to do with it,” she told him.

  Joaquim nodded, his face twisting slightly, and looked out of the porthole. The wheels of the Salak spun and gleamed before the wide tapestry of the stars. “Are you happy as a Syng?” he asked after a moment.

  “Very,” Xai said. Joaquim nodded, almost as if to himself.

  “And now?” he asked. “Do you still want to go to the Buldat Pass?”

  Xai felt everything seem to settle within her, as if everything suddenly began to make sense. She succumbed to her curiosity. “What’s at Buldat Pass, anyway?”

  “Nothing,” Joaquim replied, his eyes twinkling.

  Xai grinned. “Then I suppose not.”

  Joaquim laughed. “Excellent! In that case,” he added, leaning toward her slightly, his tone becoming conspiratorial, “I have an idea.” He pointed out the window, toward the far corner of the galaxy. Xai leaned forward and Joaquim, his eyes gleaming, began to tell her of a distant and eminently profitable star.

  What did you think?

  Will grovel for reviews.

  Rephrase—am groveling for reviews.

  Please, please.

  Please, please, please.

  Please!

  Thank you.

  About the Author

  Maeve Sleibhin is an artificial intelligence. The emphasis there should lie on the artificial, and not the intelligence.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to dedicate this book to Roman—and of course all the pulp fiction writers who have improved the quality of my bedtimes, lunchtimes, early mornings, overly dull classes (of which there were far too many), cocktail parties, seminars, and meetings festooned with unnecessary powerpoint presentations. My thanks to you each for your ineffable reminder of the raw poetry that can lie in the silly and the sad and the decidedly not serious. Without you none of this would have come into being, and I quite possibly would have done several someones quite grievous injury—leading to my inevitable incarceration, subsequent hardening and, upon release, allegiance to unfortunately pedantic politicians like Bernie Sanders.

  GRINNING BANDIT BOOKS

  Fiction

  Mrs Maginnes is Dead — Maeve Sleibhin

  Arriving at her rented accommodation in Edinburgh, music student Socorro de las Torres finds herself sucked into the exhilarating, madcap world of her new neighbours: the five Aspenall sisters. From them she learns that her landlady, Mrs Maginnes, is dead—pushed off a cliff—and that the sisters are the prime suspects. Of more concern, however, are the contents of the old lady’s will: one million pounds-worth of Byzantine gold coins left to whoever finds them first. The search is hampered not only by the whole town searching for the gold as well, but also by Mrs Maginnes’s other bequest: a troublesome, Welsh goat with a penchant for escape and Marks and Spencer’s sandwiches.

  Mother and Other Short Science Fiction Stories – Maeve Sleibhin

  This collection of science fiction short stories is told largely from a female point of view and range from comic irony to horror.

  Weekend in Weighton – Terry Murphy

  First-time private investigator Eddie Greene is having a bad weekend. It's about to get worse.

  Scrapyard Blues – Derryl Flynn

  Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. How did one crazy night of excess end up with 25 years behind bars?

  The Albion – Derryl Flynn

  Fast approaching forty, an
gry, disillusioned and sickened by the mindless violence all around him, Terry Gallagher decides to make good.

  The Girl from Ithaca – Cherry Gregory

  Neomene of Ithaca, younger sister of Odysseus, reveals what Homer never knew: a woman's view of the Trojan War.

  The Walls of Troy – Cherry Gregory

  It is seven years into the siege at Troy, and Neomene finds herself defending the Greek camp against fever and Trojan attack. Soon she is embroiled in the destiny of Achilles and the fate of Troy itself.

  Flashman and the Sea Wolf – Robert Brightwell

  This first book in the Thomas Flashman series covers his adventures with Thomas Cochrane, one of the most extraordinary naval commanders of all time.

  Flashman and the Cobra – Robert Brightwell

  This book takes Thomas to territory familiar to readers of his nephew’s adventures: India, during the second Mahratta war. It also includes an illuminating visit to Paris during the Peace of Amiens in 1802.

  Flashman in the Peninsula – Robert Brightwell

  Flashman’s memoirs offer a unique perspective on the Peninsular War, including new accounts of famous battles as well as incredible incidents and characters almost forgotten by history.

  Flashman’s Escape – Robert Brightwell

  This book covers the second half of Thomas Flashman's experiences in the Peninsular War and follows on from Flashman in the Peninsula.

  Short Tails of Cats and other Curious Creatures – Frank Kusy

  Fat Buddhists, insomniac cats, wide-boy whales, headless horsemen, Polish plumbers, little piggy home-owners, and partially-sighted mice – something for everyone in this short tale anthology of the absurd.

  The Ultimate Inferior Beings – Mark Roman

  An ill-chosen spaceship crew encounter a race of loopy aliens and find that the fate of the Universe rests in their less-than-capable hands. Sci-fi comedy.

  Travel/humour

  Life before Frank: from Cradle to Kibbutz – Frank Kusy

  With the young Frank’s antics and dodgy dealings driving his poor mother to despair, he vows that one day he will make her proud of him. It is a vow he will find difficult to keep.

  Kevin and I in India – Frank Kusy

  Two barmy British backpackers take on India in this true story of adventure and misadventure. All Kevin wants is a cheese sandwich . . .

  Rupee Millionaires – Frank Kusy

  Want to make a million? Be careful what you wish for . . .

  Off the Beaten Track – Frank Kusy

  What did Frank do to escape the crazy Polish biker chick? He went off the beaten track . . .

  Too Young to be Old – Frank Kusy

  When Frank starts working with old people, he rediscovers a young dream. And sets out to India to make it come true.

  Dial and Talk Foreign at Once – Frank Kusy

  Can Frank cover India for a travel guide in 66 days? Or will he crash and burn?

  The Reckless Years: A Marriage made in Chemical Heaven – Frank Kusy

  The true story of two people who tried and failed to destroy each other. And fell in love. Again.

  Children’s Books

  Ginger the Gangster Cat – Frank Kusy

  Ginger returns from the dead - to carry out the most cunning cat crime of the century. In Barcelona.

  Ginger the Buddha Cat – Frank Kusy

  Ginger is facing a tough decision. Sausages or enlightenment?

  Warwick the Wanderer – Terry Murphy

  Rock n’ roll: it’s the future!

  Percy the High-Flying Pig – Cherry Gregory

  When Percy the pig decides life on the farm is too boring, he escapes with Sam the sheep dog.

  A Cranberry Square Book

  Mother and Other Short Science Fiction Stories – Maeve Sleibhin

  This collection of science fiction short stories is told largely from a female point of view and range from comic irony to horror.

  Mrs Maginnes is Dead — Maeve Sleibhin

  Arriving at her rented accommodation in Edinburgh, music student Socorro de las Torres finds herself sucked into the exhilarating, madcap world of her new neighbours: the five Aspenall sisters. From them she learns that her landlady, Mrs Maginnes, is dead—pushed off a cliff—and that the sisters are the prime suspects. Of more concern, however, are the contents of the old lady’s will: one million pounds-worth of Byzantine gold coins left to whoever finds them first. The search is hampered not only by the whole town searching for the gold as well, but also by Mrs Maginnes’s other bequest: a troublesome, Welsh goat with a penchant for escape and Marks and Spencer’s sandwiches.

  Fresh Meat – Maeve Sleibhin (Spring 2019)

  A comic paranormal novel set in steamy Puerto Rico, where the mosquitoes are scarier than the vampires.

  Chapters

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chpater Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Other Grinning Bandit Books

  Other Cranberry Square Books