the Noise Within (2010) by Whates Ian

Author:Whates, Ian [Ian, Whates,]
Format: epub
Publisher: Solaris
Published: 2011-01-14T19:06:51.468000+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Drevers was not Mac by any stretch of the imagination, but he was sharp, no question about that, devious even. After a little jockeying, Kyle had settled into a banter-based friendship with the man which seemed to suit them both, even if it didn't yet encompass anything as profound as trust.

Drevers was a lot more vocal in his complaints about the situation on the ship than Kyle had been, making the latter wonder whether perhaps his time in the military made him prone to accept authority a little too readily. If so, clearly Drevers had never been a navy man; a fact Kyle was soon to be eternally grateful for, as the newcomer's frequent gripes and protestations appeared to have an effect. The two of them were even permitted to take part in the next action, the one that saw them recruit Blaine and Hammond. Kyle was convinced their presence was the reason why the latter pair defected to The Noise Within, a point which fully deserved to be emphasised.

"Let's face it," he said to Drevers later, when they were back on the ship, "our smooth talking and irresistible humour has to be more appealing than the usual blank-faced delivery of the zombies." The words were as much for the benefit of whoever was directing the ship as for Drevers himself.

Kyle had reached the conclusion long ago that everything they said and did was being observed. Without openly discussing the subject, he and Drevers had come to a mutual understanding about it. At first the thought of being spied upon irritated the hell out of him, but then he began to view it as a challenge and had determined to convince whoever the ship's real masters might be that he was a valuable asset, indispensable even, and certainly of far more use than the 'old crew', the zombies, whom he was increasingly convinced were not crew at all but uninhabited remote-operated shells.

Neither he nor Drevers were averse to manipulating the situation to their advantage.

"You see, they've got it all wrong," Drevers insisted, clearly playing to an audience. "Currently, we're treated little better than prisoners."

Kyle nodded vigorously in agreement. "Exactly. All four of us joined this crew because we wanted to, so you'd think they would be trying to make sure we were keen to stick around rather than making us regret we ever came here."

"Right. I mean, this place isn't exactly a holiday camp, and a man has needs..."

Kyle was nodding agreement. "What I wouldn't give for a really good meal, some decent beer - properly chilled - and a few hours alone with a willing woman."

"You and me both; anyone who could offer a package like that would have my loyalty forever."

"I'll drink to that!" And they clinked together their identical plasti-dure mugs, guaranteed to bounce and not shatter, before each taking a gulp of the near-tasteless recycled and alcohol-free beer which was the closest to a real drink The Noise Within provided.

During the years he had spent

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