Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction

and sullen scowl, his brown face dominated by a bony nose and
stained, crooked teeth. Scars and bruises underlay the dark stubble on
his scalp. He huddled defensively on the bunk as I swung the door
open. He hadn't been sleeping. He looked up at me like a trapped
animal as I halted with my arms crossed, wishing there was a seat.
I knew his English wasn't good, so I kept it simple, explaining that
we hoped to delay the execution until his pardon went through. He
just glowered down at his hands.
"You understand?" I tried.
"Si."
"We're trying to keep you alive. Not killed," I said.
No response.
"Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"Nyet."
"Well, it would mean something to me."
That got to him--I saw a flash of anger and he looked up.
"You be leaving this shithole. I be fucked in the ass."
"If you're pardoned, you leave," I said even as the sinking
realization dawned that I hadn't thought this through.
"No squat don't leave."
He had a point. Montgolfier is a profit operation and shuttle
payloads cost. I couldn't see anybody footing the bill for a squat,
pardon or no pardon. I stood there speechless, feeling like the world's
biggest asshole. I hadn't even thought about what would happen to
the kid if he lived.
That's when I noticed that his finger nails were bitten back to the
quick. I looked higher and saw him chewing his lip, looking just like
Jimmy does when he's trying not to cry. Abruptly I thought: this boy
is somebody's son.
"We'll find a way to get you down."
"Bullshit!" His voice cracked.
I leaned forward to pat his shoulder and he flinched violently.
Wrong move. I backed off, straightened, and put on my best
Sergeant's voice.
"LISTEN UP, MISTER!"
Pajit was startled into glancing at me, mouth slightly agape.
"I'M giving you orders, and YOU'RE going to FOLLOW them!
You have THREE orders."
I rapped one finger across my palm.
"ONE. You'll need a job. Decide what kind of job you want and
what you need to get it." Pajit had pulled his mouth shut, but he
seemed stunned. I don't imagine he'd had any experience with career
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