Chapter 51 Nex
I ran through all the cameras on board until I found Kelly’s head again. They’d left him out on the deck, on the buffet table—the catering staff hadn’t known what to do with him, and the scientists hadn’t bothered to pick him back up.
They’d used diamond-tipped drills, particle lances, and plasma scalpels—and not a single thing had ever pierced his skin or injured him, not even when they poured acid into his eyes.
I made sure I was alone and the local cameras were on loop before I stepped out of the dark, then opened his jar and lifted him out.
“When they poured hydrofluoric acid on you, did it hurt?” I blurted out—because I wanted to know if my wild idea was possible.
Kelly spat out another mouthful of neural gel—not at me, for once. “When I fell from heaven? Yeah, obviously,” he said, looking up. “Oh, come on, Nex. It was a joke. It was funny,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “And now you smell like pussy! Is everyone else on board this ship getting more than me?”
“No jokes, Kelly—you were there earlier. You saw things,” I said, stopping myself from shifting his head so he could see the scene of the crime.
“Yeah,” Kelly said, his lips pulling into a thin line. “I know. So—I’ve got a plan.”
I hoisted his head higher. “Which is?” I couldn’t help asking, curious to hear it.
“Fuck that leash shit. When Voss tries to transfer control of her—you super-science it over to me.”
I stared at him wildly. “That’s . . . the entire reason I’m here. To see if I can.”
Kelly gave me a smug look. “Obviously. I’m indestructible. Whereas if you were to transfer control to someone else, or yourself—”
“They could die and take her with them.” I finished his thought, because it’d also been mine. Sirena wasn’t the only one who’d realized her mortality during sex—and I couldn’t risk losing her if something happened to me.
“I’m a great tactician, seeing the future and all.
Not my fault no one ever consults me first,” he went on.
“But, also, being in charge of other people is mostly a drag. Unless you’re in a sexual situation.
And speaking of—you and Sirena could invite me in.
Any time. ’Cause like my eyes were only ninety percent closed earlier—”
“No,” I said sharply, and Kelly laughed.
“Fine. Sheesh. A head can dream,” he said, sticking out his tongue. “Okay, so—how’s this going to go down?” he asked, readily changing gears.
“I’m not sure yet,” I said, blinking. “I needed to see if it was possible first.”
“Well, if it’s an implant, that won’t work. Nothing gets under my skin. But—I could easily keep something trapped under my tongue. I was addicted to chaw for a century.”
“That could maintain contact with your ever-present vitals—enough to ensure her safety.” I put Kelly’s head six inches away from my face. “As violently unwilling as I am to share Sirena with you, I’m almost tempted to kiss you right now!”
Kelly laughed. “Save it, loverboy—go get your girl.”
“You’re coming with me,” I said, tucking his head beneath my arm.