Enjoy.
UPDATE: Part 2 under the ====
UPDATE: Part 3 under the ++++
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“Congratulations to your new ship. I hope you hang on to it longer than to your last one.” Val presented the fully fitted Perseus to Tagor, who looked at her in disbelieve.
“Why do you do this? I could just run with this ship, or take you down!”
“Well, you could try and run and also try and take me out. But I don’t think you’d have too much luck with either of them. Why I get you a ship? Well, there is limited use for you on this station, unless you have any hidden talents I should know of.”
Tagor put up a cheeky grin. “Well, I could show you a couple …”
“Not today, thanks. I was more referring to useful skills rather than your squawk box collection. Having said that, I don’t think the ASS paid enough for you to afford one. Right, next topic … You can have a look around and see if you find anything out about those pirates. Have you questioned the captive yet? He must be bored to tears by now.”
“Yes, I did interrogate him while you were away. The information he provided was not all that conclusive. He mumbled something about the old Chin, former patriarch of the Split but supposedly dead since shortly after the change of reign, and an old Argon man. There was also a mention of the Curada clan and a weapon that you stole from them or such. The only thing that did make sense was that there is a decent bounty on your head. I am still uncertain about the involvement of the clan in Montalaar. Not sure how they fit in the picture. What are we going to do with him? Can’t hold him here forever.”
“I’ll take him to the trading station and pass him on to Boron authorities. Not sure what they can do as the attack did not take place in their sectors but perhaps they have other charges against him.”
“Where are you headed next?”
“I am looking at setting up a couple of mines in Mines of Fortune. So I need to see how I can get in the good books of the local governor. There is great demand for ore. I presume the proximity to a pirate base is what stops the Teladi from building there.”
“You are probably right there, they lost a lot of mines in Red Glow a few jazuras back, hence may be very cautious.”
“Red Glow? Right, that sector still hasn’t been domesticated, has it?”
“No, you probably read about the disaster that happened to the Paranid when they tried setting up. They were actually the ones that got farthest in establishing themselves there. It is yet unknown why everything went haywire at the very end and not earlier. A sector better viewed with the computer disabled.”
“Huh?”
“Just a theory of mine. Not to worry.”
Val went to her office, gathered a few things and transported to her ship.
“So, what do you suggest we are going to do next?”
“My scans of Teladi news revealed that there might be an opportunity in Company Pride.” Arox responded to the question.
“An opportunity? Somebody selling a license or what?”
A page of ‘Profits are us’, the main Teladi news channel appeared on the main screen.
“Uhh, isn’t this the Bliss Place that we picked Danna up in? I thought they had repaired it by now.”
“It appears there has been more damage than initial estimates indicated and the owner is looking to sell it. Considering the high repair costs in Teladi space he may have problems finding a Teladi buyer. Having said that, Teladi are not known to give away station licenses for cheap. So there shouldn’t be too many interested parties from the other races either.”
“Hmm, it does sound inviting. I don’t think that we will be able to make huge profits in that sector but it could be a foot in the door. Ok, set course for the trading station in Company Pride. Let’s see what we can achieve.”
*
“Congratulations, you are now proud owner of a non-operational Bliss Place. What do you intend to do next?”
“Save plenty of credits. These sharks really know how to keep aliens out of their sectors. Three million credits for a license and a broken factory. It’ll take time to get over that. Can you please do a thorough scan of the station and estimate the repairs?”
After three mizuras Arox announced, “Scan complete. The damages are extensive and appear to have been caused by internal detonations.”
“Internal detonations meaning the Split have tried to blow it up in revenge?”
“One could assume so. However, there are no specialised parts affected, which means we could get a repair crew from anywhere in the universe to do the job. Hiring Teladi engineers would amount to approximately 400.000 credits.”
“I believe 400.000 are a good reason to look for alternatives. Can you check with our Boron friends?”
“A check of all races shows that the Split would be cheapest, followed by the Argon, then Boron and Teladi. The Paranid have declined to work for us.”
“Is there a big difference between Split, Argon and Boron?”
“Hiring Split would get the job done at 179.000 credits, Boron charge 264.000 credits and Argon are only slightly cheaper.”
“That is a gap to be noticed but I don’t think I could trust them. In fact, the only ones that I do trust are the Boron. Let us call them in and have this ruin fixed.”
*
Spending the better part of one wozura on a station was nothing that Val enjoyed too much. However, she had managed to secure a number of good contracts to turn the flow of credits around. It was clear that the Teladi did not intend to make her life easy. Buying Swamp Plants turned out to be rather expensive. The invoice listed four different taxes that she as a non-Teladi had to pay and they were substantial. There was only one way around that; she had to produce them herself.
“Arox, can you …”
“We have an incoming transmission, encrypted and from Family Rhy.” Arox cut in.
“Right, put it on screen.”
The face of a young Split appeared.
“Isn’t that … ?”
“Yes, it is the Split you saved from the Xenon in Family Rhy.”
“Hmm, let’s see what he wants.” Val opened a channel. “Hi there, you aren’t in trouble again, with no guns and all, are you?”
There was a motion going through the face of the Split that could almost be interpreted as a smile. “No, this time I am not unarmed. However, I have a problem that I want to ask you to take care of.”
“To take care of? That sounds unpleasantly like the assassination of somebody.”
“Not exactly. In fact, I need this person alive. At the same time, no one must know of my involvement. The best way to ensure that is by asking one of another race, preferably in a Boron ship.” He smirked.
“What is this all about and what are the odds?”
“The target is a pirate from the base in the Teladi sector Bad Debt. With the help of one of our subordinates he managed to kidnap my sister and now asks for ransom. Neither can we pay that much money on short notice, nor do we believe he will let her go once paid. If you can capture him we’d have a chance to get her back alive.”
There was a pause.
“I am contacting you because from what I have seen over the past mazura, you have a track record for capturing people alive like no one else I know. Please accept.”
“Well, that still does not answer the question of the odds, now does it?”
“It is far away from being an easy assignment. You may have to board his station to get him. According to our intel he has not left the station for several mazuras. When he leaves it then usually in the company of about a dozen heavy fighters.”
“This does sound less and less appealing by the mizura.” Val pulled a shrewd face.
“I realise that. Should you succeed then I am prepared to pay one million credits.”
“Now that makes it tempting again. What is your deadline?”
“We have one wozura to come up with the credits.”
“Ok, I’ll take it. Where do I bring him?”
“There is an old abandoned Boron trading station in the Paranid sector Spring of Belief. I’ll transmit the coordinates.” He moved over to the side, pushing a few buttons, then returned. “I will meet you there.”
“Alright, I will contact you and meet you there. Over and out.”
‘How hard could it be? Dock at the station, find his location, beam him out and leave. Earning one million made easy.’
====
“Now this does not look pretty! Eight laser towers make a statement to everybody coming close.”
“And they are tracking us. May I suggest you hail the station?”
“Barracuda to station, requesting docking permission.”
“This is the automated …” The computer voice cut off and replaced by that of an Argon female. “What is your business aboard this station?”
“Hi, uhmm, I am actually looking to chill out in a decent bar and perhaps find a contract along the way.”
Val could hear the woman laugh. “A decent bar? You are in the wrong part of space for that, hon. What services do you have to offer?”
“Courier and fighter escort.”
“Ah well, I am not aware of any open positions but since you came all the way here, might as well get some spacefuel down your throat. Docking permission granted. The automated system will guide you to bay 83. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thanks, will try my best.” Val smiled. She was indeed going to try her best. The hard task was to find this guy. “Arox, what is the name of that guy again?”
“Hal Tarek, according to the information your nameless Split friend has sent. I have scanned the news and found only one appearance two jazuras ago. Back then he was working for the Curada clan and involved in the destruction of an Argon mine in Brennan’s Triumph. I am not certain what his current position is on this base. You will have to do some snooping around.”
“Can we interface the station computer?”
“Yes, but not without them noticing. The base is far enough out to easily determine this ship as the originator of the attempt. Your best chance is from the inside.”
“Ok, I’ll see what I can do. Right, here we go.” Val left her seat as the final docking procedure had completed. It was new terrain, mingling with the enemy. Enemy, a few mazuras ago she’d have called pirates her friends. Things change depending on who pays, her Cromancketal used to say.
“Keep a lock on me and please get me out should I get into trouble.”
“I trust your diplomacy and charm, you should, too.”
“Whatever …” Val opened the airlock and left the ship. The Hangar did not look very inviting, spare parts everywhere, pilots arguing with mechanics and the place had not seen a cleaner in mazuras. Carefully she tiptoed through the mess towards the lifts. People appeared to be too busy to take notice of her.
“Bar, where is the bar?” Her finger trailed down a list of names of what appeared to be station establishments.
“Deck 8.” A voice sounded from behind.
“Huh?”
“The bar, it is on deck 8.”
“Oh, thanks.” They entered the lift and the young Argon man pressed the buttons for decks 6 and 8.
“So you are not headed for the bar? What is happening on deck 6?”
“Private quarters, nothing exciting really. Deck 8 is where things happen. A bar, two casinos, two restaurants and a number of shops, all conveniently in one place.”
“Well thank you for the information.” Val smiled as he left the lift.
‘Here we go. Plenty of dodgy characters even in the main hall, how bad is it going to get in the bar then?’ Her thoughts made Val feel uneasy but she had to take the plunge. Taking a deep breath she entered the bar, a dimly lit large room with an intoxicating stench of Spaceweed. If there was air conditioning, it sure was not turned on. It took only a few mizuras for her head to feel heavy and things starting to appear hazily.
“Take one of those, hon. It’ll make you feel better.” A bar girl handed her a glass of water and a small green pill. Val did not think twice and downed the pill. And correct, after only a few sezuras the haze lifted and she no longer felt like she was floating through the room.
“Thank you. What was that?”
“Just a stim. All first-timers turn instantly green in the face once they enter our lovely establishment. There is no business in that. So we provide a free stim on entry.” She laughed. “For the next two stazuras you should be fine, unless you start smoking weed or drink too much, obviously. So what can I get you?”
“I’d like a Soja milk with a hint of Stott spices, thanks.”
“Oh, somebody living healthy for a change,” the waitress smiled.
Val laughed. “Yeah, trying to keep the near-death experiences to combat as much as I can. Do you serve food, too or am I better off going to one of the restaurants?”
“To be totally honest, hon, we do serve it but you’d be a lot better off in one of the restaurants. “She sniffed the air and rolled her eyes. “In particular the ‘Fish on a platter’ at the other end of the main hall is worth checking. I had better go now or the boss will start shouting. Just have a seat over there, your drink will be on its way shortly.”
“Thanks for your help.” Val turned around and walked towards the table that the waitress had pointed to. It was located in a reasonably dark corner. While she appreciated the low-profile location, usually rather dodgy traders and agents of sorts occupied these tables.
An elegantly dressed Teladi approached her corner. Looking around Val noticed two goons closely monitoring his steps. Too far away if somebody really wanted to hurt him, in her opinion, but they appeared very alert. She looked up, facing the Teladi who had now reached her table.
After a long inquisitive glance he pulled one of the chairs out and sat down. “Welcome to Paradise Island. I am Telossius Rana VI, the owner of this wonderful club.”
“My pleasure. What gives me the honour of a personal greeting?”
“I greet all new customers that I consider worthy of my attention personally, Miss …”
“Val, my name is Val.”
“You Argon have short names. Don’t you ever learn that there is no respect and honour in a short name?” He shook his head in resignation. Who understands these aliens.
Val laughed. “We stopped using names longer than those of the Paranid when we realised that there is nothing in a name, it is all in the actions.”
“Touché! I can see that you do not give in easily. This can be as much of a virtue as a vice. May you be granted the wisdom to make the right decision at all times.” The holy content of his words did not suit him. Telossius obviously lacked the skill of the Paranid in these regards.
“I know when it is time to leave.” Val responded ambiguously.
The lizard showed its gums, which Val interpreted as a grin and she smiled back.
“So what is your business on this station, my friend? You did not come here to have a drink in my bar, did you?”
“No, it is a bit far out for that purpose. I am between two jobs at the moment and thought I might pop in here. There is always a chance of either catching up with friends or score a contract, or perhaps both.”
“Friends? You think there are friends of yours on this station? What sort of contract are you looking for? Perhaps I can offer you a job in my bar?” His facial expression did not leave a lot to ask what sort of job he had in mind.
“No thank you. Courier or fighter escort is what I do. I don’t know if any of my friends are on this station but it can’t hurt checking, can it?” The innocent look on her face could have turned a Split from foe to friend; the Teladi was an easy prey.
Telossius had difficulty hiding his disappointment. “Well, suit yourself. The offer is standing, should you change your mind.” He stood up and turned to leave. “One advice from a friend. Stay clear of those Argon over there. They are bad medicine.”
“Who are they? And what do they do?”
“Tarek is their leader, the guy to the left. The others are just a bunch of rowdies that are, however, very good at the stick. I heard they make a living with slave trading, female slaves.” With these words he turned towards the bar and left.
“Thanks.” Val whispered. So this was the man she was after. Short and stocky built, black hair and a large red scar in his face that did not help making him look peaceful. The distance was too big to see his eyes but Val had little doubt they’d be cold as ice, belonging to a man that made a living of slave trade. His goons did not look anymore pleasant. Their confidence was most likely bigger than their talents. Considering the noise they made, these three boys had to think they were the kings of this bar. Boys, yes indeed. All three were of rather small built and looked no older than 20 jazuras. The lizard had referred to them as very good pilots. They had presumably spent at least the last decade in the simulator. Val had no doubt they would be aces at the stick. But had they ever looked death in the eye? Would they not possibly panic as soon as their shields dropped? Mambas, they certainly flew Mambas, fast, nimble and equipped with Massdrivers, made for destruction. Given that they flew in a group of three or four the relatively low shield energy would not concern them. They’d shred each of their opponents before any damage had been done.
Val got called back to reality when one of them suddenly got up and made his way to her table.
++++
He made an obvious effort to look cool, turning his head to his friends while coming closer. Once at the table he placed his hands on the table and leant over to her. “Hey pretty face. Did you want to join us or why do you stare at us?”
Indeed, deep in her thoughts, Val had not realised that she had been looking at them all the time. Bad mistake, now it was time to improvise.
She raised her chin an inch and looked him in the eyes. A smile broadened on her face. The boy really had to be just about 20 jazuras old. “Did I? Sorry. I was told you guys are quite good pilots and was pondering what type of ship you boys would pilot. Didn’t mean to offend.”
“So you have heard of us? Yes, we are reasonably famous around the area.” He straightened up, pushed his chest out and gave her a big grin, self-confidence eradiating from each of his words. “You should have seen us when we crossed X347, there was not enough space in our holds to pick up all the loot from the fighters that we destroyed! They fell like flies and the destroyers stayed well clear of us. I think it took them the better part of a jazura to produce enough fighters to make up for their losses. I’d say there is no better party in the entire universe!”
Val smiled and tried to look adequately impressed. She was certain they’d have caused certain damage on such a traverse but there was no doubt he was hugely exaggerating.
“Very impressive. So what sort of ships do you use?”
“What do you think a wild bunch as we are would use?”
“If you were older I’d say Perseus but given your young age it has to be the Mamba. Right?”
“Perseus? Hah, I don’t think I’ll ever swap my Mamba for one of those, too slow, too junky, no space for loot. Pretty useless ship, if you ask me. What is yours?”
“Take a guess.”
“Pretty girl, slim and sporty figure, confident, I’d say a Scorpion. Fast ship with stylish lines. What do you say?”
“I say wrong but thanks for the compliment.” Val laughed.
He looked at her skewing his face in an expression of pain. “You are not telling me you are piloting a freighter, are you? Please don’t my world would collapse.”
No doubt, he could be funny. Laughingly Val replied, “We can’t have that, can we? Barracuda.”
“Barracuda? That is almost as bad as a freighter! That’s an all hat and no cattle ship. Why didn’t you get yourself something decent? I’d shred one of those with closed eyes.”
“It does the job for me and I don’t think it is quite as bad as you make it out to be. I like it, sleek, reasonably fast, packs a punch, has decent shields and a good cargo space. All-rounder.”
“All-rounder may be but that also means it does nothing particularly well, doesn’t it?”
“It sacrifices a bit of speed for the benefit of better shielding from what you have got. I call that a good trade.”
“But it can’t load Massdrivers, now can it?”
“True, but I have stopped using those a while back. I am sure I am not the only pilot using a Barracuda, so it has to be a good ship, wouldn’t you say?”
“Well, it might not be all that bad, after all there is a pretty good bounty on the head of a Barracuda pilot and it is still rising.”
Val had to force herself to look impartial. She could be wrong but what if somebody had placed a bounty on her head? “There you go! Who is this pilot?”
“Don’t know but the Curada clan offers about 2 million credits for proof of destruction. Rumours have it that there is also Paranid involvement, which would make sense considering the high prize.”
“I guess I should consider getting a different ship then to avoid being mistakenly shot down.”
“Don’t you worry pretty one, I doubt anybody will confuse you with that guy. I wish he’d come in front of our guns. That’d be an easy job.”
“Hmm, seeing you guys are so famous, this pilot will probably make sure to stay clear of you lot.”
“He better does if he wishes to live much longer.” He threw a confident look over his shoulder towards his friends.
‘Overly confident, just as I thought. Yet dangerous enough to avoid a fight.’ Although she now knew slightly more about these guys, or at least one of them, it still did not provider her with an opportunity to act.
“Why don’t come and join us on our table. We surely are an entertaining bunch.”
‘Dangerous move but will there be any better opportunity to get close? Probably not.’
“Why not.” Val smiled.
As they approached the other table her guide announced, “Guys, meet … uhmm … what is your name again?”
“Val, and what are your names?”
“Right, meet Val. This is Hal, the man that is so friendly to pay our expenses.” They laughed. “To the left we have Per, to the right is Jasso and my name is Reg.” He pointed at the respective persons who nodded with a broad smile. “Uhm, Val here, she is flying a Barracuda, claiming it’d be a better ship than our Mambas. Funny girl, ey?” The men looked at her in disbelieve and laughed.
“You haven’t been in a fight with a Mamba yet, have you?” Jasso asked. He appeared to be the most intelligent one of them, judging by the way he mustered Val. It’d probably also make him the most dangerous of the pack. Per and Reg were hotshots, probably better at the stick but easier to trick. Hal didn’t look like a fighter pilot, more like a freighter pilot that has placed himself in the cockpit of a heavy fighter because he has others to do the hard work. His build was a lot stronger than that of his servants. In a bar fight he’d certainly have good chances to come out on top. His eyes lay deep, which made him look ruthless. Was that what made the boys look up to him? Perhaps, it was not only his strength but also his weakness.
“Can we get you another drink?”
Val raised her hand slightly, showing the glass of Soja milk, which she had been nursing for quite some time. With a smile she replied, “Thanks but I came here to chill a bit after a long time in the cockpit, not to get drunk.”
“Is that what I think it is?” Reg asked. He obviously felt comfortable in the role of entertainer.
“If you think it is Soja milk, then yes, that is what it is.”
“Soja milk?” The guys started laughing and Val wasn’t quite sure if it was for the fact that she drank milk or for the expression on Reg’s face. After a while they calmed down and Reg addressed the issue, still holding his stomach. “Girl, you need to learn to drink proper drinks! How can you be a pilot and drink milk? I didn’t think they’d give a pilot license without testing the resistance to alcohol. How about we do that test now?”
“How about we don’t? And who said I have a license, just because I can pilot a ship good enough not to crash into anybody or anything doesn’t mean I took a test.”
“Hmm, did you know that they have got a couple of obstacle courses out here? How about we do a race?”
“A race? You mean you in a ship that is a lot faster against me? That sounds fair!”
“Well, it isn’t my fault that you didn’t get a faster ship, now is it?” Reg frowned, trying to think of an alternative.
“Now stop looking as if you were thinking,” Jasso interjected. It was the first time that he actively participated in the conversation. So far he had only been watching her reactions to Reg’s banters, trying to learn her behaviour. Her controlled responses did not make him feel anywhere near as comfortable as the rest of his friends. A person that does not show emotions cannot be predicted, hence can be a dangerous enemy should it ever come to that. “Why don’t you just take the short course? The gates are close enough to make speed not an issue, acceleration at the most. The two ships are not too far apart in these regards.”
Everybody agreed on that one and with excited chatter they set out for the race.
Just one spot....although it is late
