of it from raiding those same shuttles. They gave it to me, since it’s useless to humans. They only kept the food supplies they stole from JDJ.”
“I thought plasma was just blood. We must donate it to our hospital on Prospect, so we have a good supply handy in case there’s a mine accident and a lot of miners get hurt. It’s mandatory every six months for everyone.”
He shook his head. “Clone plasma is different, and it’s created to only work on our bodies.”
She put her feet down on the floor, concern filling her. Fear, too. She needed him. He knew how to fly the shuttle they were on. “What are you going to do now?” She didn’t want him to die on her.
“I’ve got a year’s supply with me. I took it off the other shuttle before I undocked it and left it floating in space. I always carry at least that much wherever I travel because of how I got stranded once. It’s better to be prepared. Big and I will get more if he doesn’t already have a stockpile of it. There are multiple monthly transports from JDJ Clone Corp, on Earth, to Clone World. CW supports over eight hundred clones, which means they need constant shipments. Each transport carries enough to last us for quite a long time.”
She relaxed. “Good. I mean, that you’re going to be okay.”
“You could search for my stash and destroy it. I need an infusion in the next few days.”
He'd shocked her again. It wasn’t becoming pleasant. “Why would I do that? I told you that I can’t fly a shuttle and I’m not technologically savvy. I don’t want to kill you, Blade. That would be committing suicide, and I don’t want to die. Has anyone ever told you that you’re a little paranoid?”
He grinned. “I’ve been accused of that before. I just can’t understand how you can accept this situation so matter-of-factly.”
“I’m not a moron. I need you. Otherwise, I might as well lock myself back in the captain’s quarters until I run out of air, food, or water. I’d rather avoid that. I thought that’s how I might go out before you found me. I’m grateful to you.”
“Fair enough. Do you have any other questions?”
“How did you get your name?”
“I’m really good at throwing knives, and with using them. The human in charge of overseeing newly awakened clones believed I was defective. I woke with some weakness in my limbs and swayed on my feet when I stood. My nervous system wasn’t flawed, it was just a lack of nutritional intake during transport. Defective clones are destroyed and a replacement one is sent. So I grabbed a blade off his belt to show him that nothing was wrong with my reflexes. I threw his knife and killed a bug across the room. He was impressed enough to reassess me, and he gave me the name Blade.”
“And your friend, Big?”
“He’s slightly larger than I am. That made me the second tallest in security. The one in charge took one look at him and said, ‘damn, he’s big.’ It stuck.”
“Have you ever thought about changing your name?”
“It’s the only one I’ve ever known. How did you get your name?”
“My parents picked it when I was born. They thought it was pretty.”
“It is. Do you ever think about changing it?”
She smiled, amused. “Point made.”
He leaned forward and stood. “Are you hungry? I’m starving.”
“Can I ask you one more question?”
“Sure.”
“Um…”
“Just ask, Hailey. You won’t offend me.”
“Is…is it true that clones are sterile?”
His lips parted, closed, then opened again. “It’s true. We can’t reproduce. We were designed that way. What made you ask that particular question?”
She dropped her gaze. “Nothing. Just curious.”
Blade didn’t believe her. He could guess where her thoughts lie, since she’d brought up his sterility.
“I might be a clone, but I have all the same sexual needs and parts as any other man. That being said, I’d never force my way into your bed. I’m not a rapist, so stop worrying about it. There’s no need for you to be concerned about me getting you pregnant, either. You’re safe.”
“I’m not worried that you’ll attack me.”
He paused, studying her. “Good.” He turned and left her in the lounge area to enter the kitchen. The shuttle had been well stocked and the cargo filled with supplies, including more food. He threw out all the food supplies in the cabinets that had already been opened and removed some of the sealed boxes to check