AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
Three Months Ago
Figures, otherwise known as Fig, eased onto the barstool and kept his head down. There was no sign of the law enforcement authorities on Riddle Station. The distinctive uniforms they wore were easy to spot with their dark green, armor-shelled bodies. It made him breathe easier. He’d be killed if they realized he was a clone.
He’d grown his blond hair long, and dressing as a maintenance worker helped him blend in with the humans. It was a perfect disguise. Stations usually hired dozens of them every month since most didn’t stick with the job for long.
His shoulders were hunched, and the padding over his stomach helped him appear slightly out of shape. No one spared him a second glance when he visited various establishments since he’d arrived earlier in the day.
Fig had overheard a lot of conversations. Earth had raised prices on everything. Some stores were now buying food and merchandise from colony planets to save money. The civilians and visitors complained because, either way, they felt they were being ripped off.
There had been a fire a week prior on deck nine that had killed six people. Emerson, whoever he was, had finally been caught by his wife for visiting the brothel on deck two. She had filed for divorce. Fig got the strong impression that Emerson wasn’t well-liked since the humans talking about him had snickered and laughed.
No one had mentioned a clone. It would have been huge news if one had been captured or killed. Part of Fig was relieved, but he also was worried. Where is my friend? What has happened to Blade? He’d checked out every ship docked at Riddle first thing. None of them were the Barnel. His friend’s shuttle wasn’t there.
One bit of helpful information he’d overheard was about how stripped, dead ships found abandoned in space were dumped on a moon named Hubble. That would be his next stop. He really hoped he didn’t find the Barnel there. It would mean that Blade must be dead. Grief tugged at his heart. He wasn’t willing to give up hope for his friend yet. That meant sticking around to spy more.
Big, one of his fellow clones, had asked if he’d help search for their missing friend. Six of them had escaped Clone World together. They’d made an abandoned mining operation station their home base.
Six males living together had been difficult after a while. They all had strong personalities, and twinned with boredom, they’d begun to argue a lot. Five of them had left to seek adventures.
All five kept in contact with Big. He’d been the one to remain living full-time at the mining station. It was highly alarming to learn that none of them had heard from Blade in so long. It was also out of character. All they had was each other. They might have had a difficult time living together, but they always checked in.
Fig walked into a drinking establishment. Drunk humans tended to gossip the most. If he didn’t hear about a clone from them, he would leave the station. The lighting inside the bar wasn’t the greatest as he crossed the room and took a seat at the counter. That was just the way he liked it. It would be tough for anyone to get a good look at him.
The bartender paused before him. “What is your pleasure?”
Fig didn’t know the names of drinks sold in bars. “Something cold, smooth, and strong. Surprise me.”
“Sure thing, mister.”
Fig relaxed a minute later when a tall glass slid his way. It was some blue concoction with fog slowly rolling out the top. He slapped down the money and wrapped his hand around the glass. It was icy to the touch. “Thanks. Keep the change.”
He lifted the glass and took a sip. It tasted a bit minty but was good. He swallowed and listened to the chaos surrounding him. At least fifty people had to be sardined inside the confined space, and all seemed to be conversing.
He’d missed watching people having a good time and interacting with others. That had been an everyday occurrence on Clone World. They always had a heavy influx of tourists the clones served. Most of his time now was spent living in silence on his shuttle. Occasionally, he’d tune into public broadcasts coming from planets or space stations just to hear other voices when he flew near one.
He tried to focus on the important things when loneliness hit. No one on Clone World controlled his every action any longer. He wasn’t being abused by the whims of paying guests or the human staff. His current life might have been boring, but he was free.
Big’s news about finding a female clone had split his feelings over the matter in two directions. Half of him was ecstatically delighted that the male had found someone to love. Big was a good male who deserved happiness. The other half was envious.
The chances of one of them coming across a clone being shipped without a convoy of protection was near impossible. It would be suicide to take on multiple ships to raid those types of shipments.
Gemma had been an illegally created clone being flown to Clone World under the radar. Big had been extremely lucky that he’d gone to steal plasma and discovered her in that cargo hold, too.
A longing hit to sit at one of the gaming tables to hold an actual conversation. He resisted. There was taking a risk and being outright stupid. Desperation to find his fellow missing clone friend had brought him to the station, but it would be pure idiocy to expose himself to humans by interacting directly with them. He’d just have to enjoy being close to the action but not being a part of it.
Fig took a sip of his drink, contemplating what he’d do after hopefully discovering what had happened to Blade. The loneliness was really starting to get to him. It might be time to return to the mining station.
He had no doubt that Big would welcome him home with open arms. Then again, he didn’t want to become a third wheel. Seeing the couple together might add to his misery when he’d never have that.
Motion to his left had him reaching for his hidden weapon inside his pocket in case it was needed. A smaller body slid onto the barstool next to him a few minutes later. He darted a look to make certain they weren’t a threat.
Few things surprised him, but the woman who placed her large bag on the counter next to him did. She was extremely advanced in years and wore colorful clothing. Her shirt was bright yellow, and the long skirt was an energetic blue. It was obvious that the human wasn’t an authority or a danger. He lowered his guard a bit.
“Hi. I’m Anna.” She held out a frail, wrinkled hand in his direction.
Figures wasn’t sure what to do, but she might draw attention if he pretended not to hear her. He released his weapon and twisted a little in his seat to gently clasp her hand.
