Read Deep Space Dead for Free Online Page A

of them hadn’t helped either. Sol’s problem had always been that he wasn’t able to properly articulate his feelings. Had he been able to do so perhaps his relationship with Arianna wouldn’t have turned out as badly. He desperately wanted her back, still loved her more than he had imagined was possible, but he loved Ambra even more than that. The little girl was his life. Her holograms filled the corners of his apartment and yet it seemed as Hearthfire approached she was becoming more and more distant from him. Jak was a hero, the first hero of this new world. He, Sol, was nothing more than a shambling policeman; underworked and almost completely superfluous to requirement. It was inevitable that Sol’s already fragile emotions would turn to anger and this was exactly what happened when he returned Ambra to Arianna’s apartment later.
     
    Arianna knew there was going to be trouble as soon as she opened the door. Sol had that look in his eyes, that sort of bulging, red faced expression when he had something on his mind he was unable to suppress any longer. She decided to try and pre-empt him. “Look Sol,” she began, her tone conciliatory. “I wanted to apologise again for what happened yesterday. We were just caught up in the excitement of the moment. We didn’t think. I know there was no excuse for it. Jak has been in the spotlight for these past few days so of course Ambra is really excited about it, but we don’t mean to eclipse you or anything like that.”
    “You never asked me if she could be there this morning,” muttered Sol with bitterness. “Now everybody is going to think Jak is her father. He certainly acted the part.”
    “She wanted to be there,” retorted Arianna. “She’d have been devastated had she not been allowed to see him off and it was what Jak wanted as well.”
    “I know exactly what Jak wants,” snapped Sol. “He’s got a ready-made family right here, hasn’t he?”
    “Jak is going to be a part of my life whether you like it or not,” replied Arianna firmly. “And he’s going to be a part of Ambra’s life as well. You need to get used to that, Sol. Face facts and stop living in the past.”
    “You think you’ve got the monopoly on our daughter, don’t you?” Said Sol angrily. “Well you haven’t, you hear me? I’m going to have a lot more time on my hands once we’re all settled on Hearthstone and as such I want Ambra to come and live with me. I’ve got just as much right to have her as you.”
    Arianna laughed aloud. “You must be out of your mind,” she said sneeringly. “It’s always about you, isn’t it Sol? You don’t care what happens to Ambra as long as you get to spite me, as long as I can’t be happy. Well you never made me happy, Sol, you know that? Sure, it was interesting for a while but I can tell you I was crying myself to sleep those first few days I found out I was pregnant. I never wanted that kind of involvement with you, Sol, and if it wasn’t for Ambra I don’t think I’d even acknowledge you in the corridor.”
    Sol’s mouth opened and closed, rendered speechless by the vehemence of Arianna’s words. Arianna knew she had gone too far but at that moment she didn’t care. “Just you wait,” spluttered Sol at last. “We might have to all live together in peace and harmony when we’re cooped up in this tin can but once we’re on Hearthstone it’ll be a different story. You’d better tell lover boy that if he thinks he’s going to get Ambra calling him father he’s got another think coming.”
    And with that the policeman stomped angrily away up the corridor.
     
    Arianna was furious with Sol but at the same time regretted having lost her temper with him. Her former partner was still the Chief of Police and a possible candidate for Overseer once Kalp relinquished command of the mission. He could potentially make life very difficult for herself and Jak. Despite her anger Arianna chose not to mention the incident to her