Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 53

lost business when the Mordas lost
control. The Confederation would
want to fill in a power vacuum, and
an unscrupulous business man,
made wealthy by criminals, would
be a perfect in-road for them to gain
a foothold. But why would Addie
stop spying for the Confederation?
“Is she your lover?”
Tristan’s thoughts skidded to a
halt. He blinked. “What?”
Reggie stopped, open mouthed,
and a smile slowly spread. “How extraordinary.
You weren’t aware she’s
in love with you?”
Tristan’s astonishment of such a
far-flung notion gave way to humor,
and he found himself chuckling.
“You never were very perceptive,
were you?”
Reggie’s grin faded. “I’m serious.”
Glass in hand, he pointed at Tristan.
“You, my old, dear friend, must be
slipping.”
Tristan opened his mouth to answer,
but a shudder running through
the ship stopped him. The klaxon
blatted, and a voice over the comm
announced, “We’re under attack!”
Deuces Wild © 2009 by L.S. King.
To catch up on previous episodes
of the adventures of Slap and
Tristan, visit:
http://loriendil.com/DW.php
Deuces Wild is dedicated to
the memory of my best friend;
my inspiration for an enduring
friendship...
http://loriendil.com/Starsky/
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NIATTI
by Raz Greenberg
Niatti stood on the platform,
looking at her father with tears
in her eyes.
“Enough of this, honey,” he said.
“You know I have to go. My crew
could barely afford the extra week
I stayed here because of your birthday.”
“But why can’t I come with you?”
“We’ve been through all this. You
really want to leave the spaceport?
You’ve got friends here, school, your
mom...”
“I hate my mom.”
Her father’s face hardened. “Niatti,
you shouldn’t say such things. Tell
me now that you didn’t mean what
you just said.”
Niatti gave him a disobedient
look. He stared back at her, without
moving a single muscle on his face.
She gave up after thirty seconds.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t
mean it.”
He bent down and patted her
head. “Honey, the things your
mother makes you do—especially
your studies—are all important for
your future. Don’t be mad at her,
and don’t give her a hard time. She’s
got enough trouble as it is.”
“Why do you defend her?” Niatti
asked angrily. “She never says good
ISSUE 53
things about you. She always calls
you a—” Niatti stopped, not sure if
she should finish the sentence.
Her father gave her a sad smile.
“Your mother has many reasons to
be angry with me, honey, and most
of them are very good reasons.”
He looked at his ship, the Lunarian,
which was ready for takeoff.
Then he turned back to face his
daughter. “I’ll let you in on a secret.
You’re still too young to come with
us, but five years from now, when
you’re twelve, your mother agreed
to let you join us for a year, and see
if you like it. And if you do, and if the
crew agrees, you will get a permanent
position on the ship.”
Niatti leaped on her father, hugging
him. “Yes! Yes! Sure I’ll like it!”
“But only if you promise me,” her
father continued, “to be a good girl,
do well in school, and not give your
mother a hard time.”
“I promise! I promise!” She
jumped up and down on the metal
floor.
Her father smiled. He kissed her
goodbye, and turned back to his
ship.
“Goodbye honey,” he said. “Happy
birthday, Niatti.”
***
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