CARL CHECKED THE TIME. He wanted to meet Harrington at the access hatch before taking her to speak to the mutineers in the brig, but he also wanted to check on Flux. He hadn’t seen the little fella since he’d flown into the stasis room to warn him about the mutiny attempt. If he was quick, he could take a short diversion to his cabin.
Flux’s favorite place in the world was Carl’s bunk, where he would sleep under the covers with Carl, the sharp little talons at the ends of his wings scratching Carl and waking him. He sometimes wished Flux would sleep hanging upside down like the bats he resembled, but on the other hand, the fur on his belly was very soft and warm.
Carl pushed open his cabin door. There was no sign of Flux. His bedcovers had no familiar bump. Carl checked under them to mak
