Chapter 15

Chapter 15

T hat…had gone better than expected. Not only had Primula looked and spoken to him, but they’d actually held a meaningful conversation. Well, until her bad memories had made her start to cry.

He probably should have told her that her arsehole ex was almost definitely dead by now. The trip from Earth had taken more than fifty years, plus there’d been the war, Humans fighting Titans until they’d all agreed to sign a peace treaty and share the Altan System. So if Twatford had survived the blast (and Daedalus sincerely hoped he hadn’t), he’d be eighty or ninety years old by now, well over the average life expectancy for an ordinary Human male.

But dreams, and nightmares in particular, were the one thing he was good at. The one thing he couldn’t possibly screw up. Of course, she’d have to agree to accept his help, because consent was important, but he knew how badly recurring nightmares could mess with someone’s head. And if he could banish Twatford’s memories…well, then he really might have a chance for some sort of relationship with her.

He’d probably have to stop eating her fish, though. Pity. They were possibly the fattest, juiciest fish he’d ever consumed, even back on Alba. Definitely the freshest.

Which reminded him: he hadn’t made it through the food synthesiser’s list of fish recipes yet. Herb crusted trout fillet for tomorrow, then.

But no more fresh fish, and no more wine, unless Primula wanted to share another bottle from the previous captain’s stash. Unlike Twatford, Daedalus did want her to succeed. Not only because his own job depended on it, but because she deserved to.

The first person to establish a viable aquaponics system on an alien planet. Stars, he’d radio the news back to Eden himself, when she did it.

Then maybe he could break out another bottle of champagne to celebrate. One thing might lead to another, and then...

Daedalus shook his head. Primula might have nightmares, but he was definitely dreaming. Still, it didn’t hurt to dream, just a little…