Chapter 63: A long silence.
THIS MIGHT HAVE been the longest Pete had ever been silent. Silence stretched, thick and unfamiliar, between them. Nigel had never known Pete to be quiet for so long, not since the bloke had crash-landed on Umicore Prime. After the royal's silly suggestion that Nigel taste his food, Pete settled back, his six-limbed body relaxing against the wall. His gaze, typically so boisterous and expressive, softened to a deep, unblinking inquiry, not a hint of judgment in its depths.
“I'll go over here," Pete murmured, the low rumble of his voice barely disturbing the quiet.
The royal rose, his tall frame unfolding with unexpected speed, and strode to the far side of the spaceship. He positioned himself before the curved wall, his broad back to Nigel, and pressed all si
