I nod. “Talk to Mackie. Hud doesn’t talk much either so he’ll get along great with Edwards.”
Acosta really wants Mackie. “Talk to Edwards when you see him. He’ll request the other team.”
I laugh. This is going to be fun. I like these guys. “Will do.”
§*§*§
Cruise ship
Sophia
Sensing the eyes that fall on the packages, I scan for who and why, while needlessly bending behind the robot bartender as if I’m stocking under the counter for it. This position keeps me hidden in plain sight but Stella and Jordan are scanning from the table, so I’m not the only one feeling it off in here. Moving positions puts me at standing more than crouched behind the counter. I stay back and to the side as if waiting for the next robotic need. There is no robotic need but civilians new to robots won’t know that.
Picard catches my eye and his go right to a table two away from Alder and the Alpha Officers. I follow to the guy watching the Badass table with the cruise purchasing big wig. Acosta has Silva watching him. My eyes land back on Acosta and I relax. He’s following a delivery bot right to the gawker’s table. The waiter steps back and explains the new bot while Acosta hands plates to the nosy Badass table gawker.
Picard smiles my way before my eyes are scanning again. Stella relaxes back into her chair and Jordan barely nods to Silva showing he’s aware and alert. I don’t know him well, but the President that seems unapologetically geeky doesn’t miss a thing. I’d think he’s clueless the way he focuses on his computer or his conversations but his eyes never stop scanning. If he wasn’t such a geek, he’d be a model for underwear ads. Stella calls him a boy-toy. I can see that. I scan seeing the flutter of a butterfly lowering to Alder’s water glass.
I grab a small decorative Sherry glass and slide it to the robot. “Water.” Once it’s filled, I deliver it to Alder and step back. He thanks me without looking. Stella gives me a smile so I throwher chin. Her team will be switching out soon too.
Alder points out the butterfly drone to the bigwig, explaining how it’s part of his Security. I watch from my assistant bartender position by the robot that has a line growing. A Prospect is helping the bot so I push for more ice and slide boxes toward him like I have a job to do.
The captain causes a stir walking to what I’m guessing is high profile tables, he reminds me of the Club Presidents but they talk to everyone. I smile watching him point out the delivery bot and the bartender. I know he was impressed with the kitchen help but he doesn’t mention them. It’s better that he doesn’t or customers will rethink paying so much for the cruise.
Edwards catches my eye with a look toward the side. I see Hud and Mackie moving into position. I nod and slide a wine glass toward the Prospect. “Water.”
He nods and tells the bot when it clears the last order. I deliver it to Stella or close to her drink. “Water.” I whisper to her, then, “Hud is on for the next four,” I let Alder know.
He turns fast. “Tomorrow you first four?”
I nod and back away. “I am.”
He relaxes and turns to answer Jordan.
This was an easy shift and most people are leaving the dining room. There’s another meal after this one, I think. I’m getting a sandwich from a shop on the Lido deck, which is like seven up from here. Acosta and Picard follow me out. “I’m getting a sandwich on Lido,” I tell them as I hit the elevator button.
Picard is easy. “They have the pita place up there. I’m in.”
Acosta shakes his head. “The burger place up there?” He gets in while I’m swiping the floor plan on the side of the buttons.
“By the pool. The bar with the coconut drinks is right there too.”
I roll my eyes at Picard. “You want to drink from a coconut?”
He makes a face at me. “The bartender told us they do a show at nine. We can eat there.”
I nod. “I’m in. Did you get the directions for the charge cards?”
They did. I’m glad they do the straight tip on it because I count everything out in cash and don’t need to be carrying change around on a ship. The card Alder issued us said the 20% tip is automatically added.
It’s a calm and enjoyable night with my two new team members. They’re easy going and happy to sit and watch without filling every moment with chatter. Security and Protectors, who are off duty show, making the bottle juggling bartenders a cool show for us to hang out at with new Brothers. Small talk happens butbranchandwhere are you fromwas as detailed as it got.
An hour after sitting, I’m glad to escape to my little state room without going through the suite. Security is at the hall entrance but Alder’s door is clear so he isn’t back yet.
I pull tracking and see he’s at a show a deck above me. Debating with myself, I take the third option I came up with and turn the alert on for when Alder moves, then I filter it so I get the banner when he’s within a fifty-foot radius of me. I’m so glad Asa showed me how to work this program. I didn’t have to code anything to get it working to assist me on locating my packages. The Alpha-Bits are cute and have the settings behind a little comma link that I never clicked on. I’ll show it to Hud while we’re on the ship and not busy. Since he doesn’t talk to me unless he has to, I can use it when I’m bored and in need of amusement.
I close my door smiling. The man is just weird. Pretty women make him shy away. I giggle fallingacross my bed. Weirdo is a step above hoser.
§*§*§
