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“It needs a crew!” Lexx protested further. “I can’t afford a crew!” “You only need a crew of three, Lexx. Two pilots and a technician.” Riley smiled. “I’m paying for them.” Then, as though it were an afterthought, Riley added, “And I’m giving you Lisaan to keep things tidy and cook.” “Riley …” Chel’s fuse [...]
“I’m not sending her back …” Riley quickly pointed out. “But you’re not giving her a choice, are you?” Chel hissed back. “…” Riley opened his mouth, but nothing more came out. He scowled, trying to think of a way out of the conversation. There really wasn’t any way he could see other than stating [...]
Lexx uneasily looked from Chel to Riley. “Heh,” Riley took Chel’s sudden change in expression as a good place to change the subject. “Hey, you got all red … so did Lexx! What have you two been doing over the relay!!” He was joking, but Chel’s face only reddened further and Lexx’s hands clenched quickly [...]
“Absolutely nothing at all. Now shut up, Riley.” Lexx snarled at Riley. “You’re making Chel uncomfortable.” Chel stood by watching incredulously as Riley covered his nose with his hands. There was a small trickle of blood off his fingers, but to Riley it did not actually hurt for more than a moment. Seeing Chel’s reaction, [...]
“You all keep saying it’s her choice, but none of you are making any effort to ask her!” Chel walked toward Lisaan who was standing quietly nearby, watching the scene in shock. “Eep!” Lisaan squeaked the moment Chel touched her shoulder. This wasn’t what she wanted. She hadn’t wanted any of this. They were arguing [...]
“I’ll see to her … just don’t send her back, Riley!” Damian rushed by Chel without a word or a dirty look in her direction. “If she’s here or on Lexx’s ship, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s better than where she was.” The comment reminded Chel that this was all Riley’s fault, not hers. [...]
“I said I wasn’t sending her back and I’m not leaving her in Damian’s hands. He’s just going to take advantage of her. I’m pretty sure Lexx wouldn’t. She’s too weak willed and cries all the -” Riley rattled on until he realized that the look on Chel’s face was not fading. “I’m not going [...]
“Sorry about your nose, Riley, why don’t you go clean up.” Riley bolted for the door. “Let’s eat. Damian’s -” Lexx attempted to distract Chel. “I want to check on Lisaan.” Chel looked worriedly in the direction Lisaan had gone. “Leave it to Damian.” Lexx placed his hand on Chel’s shoulder and tried to guide [...]
“Let me tell you something about Riley and Damian.” Lexx turned away from Chel. He took a deep breath. “Riley is my brother. He has a big mouth and says things he doesn’t intend to say. Damian is a friend, a loyal friend.” “Yes, he likes women, all kinds of them, but he would never [...]
Then, the shouting surfaced in Chel’s memory. “It’s only a game!!” She remembered how angry she had been with Lexx and how furious he was. “To you, but to me, it’s my life!” “What a pathetic life!” Chel’s smile sagged further recalling how much that had to cut into Lexx. “It’s the only life I [...]
