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Blaze cracked an eye open, a smile flickering across his face. Was that Eden’s work?
“Cargo hold, this is Olark. Anything to report down there?”
There was no reply.
“Who’s guarding the animals?” Madrie said.
“Dazet and Jarl.”
“Those lazy sons of bitches. No wonder there’s no answer. They’re probably asleep on the job.” Madrie strode over to Olark and jabbed at the console panel. “Respond or I’ll dock your wages for a month.”
There was still nothing.
Blaze listened with interest as Madrie grew angrier and began to curse as no one responded to his calls. Yep, this was Eden. She was screwing with them.
“There must be a glitch in the system. Computer, run a check on the communication network,” Madrie said.
“The communication network across the ship has been suspended,” the ship’s computer said.
“Who told you to suspend the network?”
“You did.”
“Like hell I did.” Madrie cursed some more. “Return the communications network to active.”
“Unable to comply.”
“I’m the captain of this damn ship. You follow my orders. Do it.”
“Unable to comply. You are no longer the captain of this ship.”
“If I’m not the captain of this ship, then who is?”
“Your momma.”
There were several seconds of silence.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Madrie said.
Blaze pressed his lips together. If he’d had any doubts, he didn’t anymore. Eden was ruling things.
“Computer, override all previous commands given to suspend the communication network and activate it immediately,” Madrie growled out.
Nothing happened.
“We can run a hard reset on the system,” Olark said.
“What the hell is wrong with this thing?” Madrie said.
Blaze chuckled.
“Is something funny, prisoner?”
“You’re so screwed, and you don’t even know it,” Blaze said.
Madrie glowered at him. “Olark, go down to the cargo hold. See what’s going on. Make sure the animals and the prisoner are still contained.”
“Yes, sir.” He turned and headed to the door. When he reached it, it didn’t open.
