Somewhere in the long forgotten future. Kevin Colbran

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СКАЧАТЬ gave directions, such as so many parsecs in one leg to a red dwarf than the next point a different direction for a set distance. When they emerged into natural space, it was in the outer reaches of a star system with the spectrographic datum of Grnatz’s sun.

      As the Yella Terra approached at sub-light speed; a motley group of fighters swarmed from the orbit of the planet. A radio challenge to the transponder triggered the code response together with the official identification of the ship, its’ cargo and home port. This data satisfied the leader and a direction to land at the commercial port for customs examination and introduction to the required merchants.

      “What do you reckon, could have handled them no dramas?” Killa grumbled not liking the aggressive manner.

      “Unnecessary, they are just paranoid; most fringe dwellers are leery of visitors being potential Imperial survey teams,” Humph patiently explained, “A violent response would hardly augur well for trade, which of course that is why we are here.”

      The landing was uneventful, once parked and cooled down a vehicle arrived with a team consisting of a customs officer with attendant guards who requested entry; these were all of Roxz’ race. This fact made Killa wonder about the ‘bandit’ tag, Roxz had assigned them. Killa went out to meet them accompanied by Humph in the giant teddy bear mode to keep the meeting business-like and friendly. Killa passed over the manifest which gave the details of the contents. To be truthful as much as was normally visible and they wished known. Humph downloaded this list to the officer’s computer for analysis, and the official then indicated that he required a visual confirmation.

      “Come aboard and look all you want,” Killa said.

      “Yes,” He responded curtly, intending to do so whether invited or not, following Killa up the ramp and then consulting the schematics on his computer started to wander through the ship occasionally indicating hatches and doors to be opened. Of course, all the secret areas Humph had marked including Humph's room as radioactive, the access doors were invisible and not marked on the schematics. As they seemed to be the only active ship in port, he was in no hurry so after a long time declared satisfaction and printed off a clearance to trade. There was a list of do's and don’t on the document together with the areas where the crew could wander; usefully included a map describing the trade centre and location of the warehouses. They had maps of the merchants to be visited; comparing the two showed there was little difference, and none required deviation from the permitted area.

      The area was recognisable for its function, the variation being the size and apparent age. Most areas within intergalactic space the only real differences were local kingdoms trying to make a point of difference with monumental buildings, read spend a lot of someone else’s money to show how special. If you were to close your eyes at most ports as you leave and then open them at the destination, it seems you haven’t gone anywhere.

      With manifest in hand, the duo headed for the first on the list, this being El Ala Loxz confirming that this was where Roxz and his crowd had originated, therefore explaining the ability to organise these transactions two-thirds across the galaxy into the unknown reaches. Killa placed the manifest on the receptionist’s desk and announced their origin; the receptionist conveyed this information via intercom, and a blue gentleman came out of the door marked El Ala Loxz to greet them.

      “Good day; you have a consignment from good old Roxz; welcome, welcome,” Loxz greeted them, sporting the same blue skin as those as mentioned earlier. Apparently fluent in basic there was no difficulty in understanding the purpose of the visit.

      “Thank you; I am Killa Mike Cox and my friend Humph; we have some goods on consignment and expect a package to return to Roxz,” Killa responded.

      “Excellent, the delivery will be welcome on the planet. You understand that the exact contents of the return freight won’t be on your manifest,” Loxz explained.

      “Only your guarantee that it won’t explode on us; otherwise what we don’t know won’t lose us any sleep,” Killa returned.

      “It would be less bother to zap you as you emerged from hyper, so I have no problem declaring it safe to carry. I would even send my child to visit my uncle,” Loxz offered with a smile.

      “I may take you up on that, would even be an additional cover for the return trip,” Killa answered, “We have a couple of more warehouses to arrange delivery of their goods. Just let us know when the loading commences; are your dock men familiar with standard containers?”

      “Gal standard are they? No problems then; far better than hand unloading and reloading as most of the light freighters require,” Loxz smiled again; obviously it wasn’t a racial trait that Roxz presented, “Then it should require only a couple of hours to do the turnaround.”

      “Take your time. After nearly a thousand hours in space a little rest on solid ground would be useful,” Killa suggested.

      “Unfortunately, we can't permit sightseeing outside of the port precincts, you understand?” Loxz advised soberly, “Not that you are unwelcome however they are the rules at the moment.”

      “I can live with that; we are within a couple of parsecs from a couple of places where our welcome is assured,” Killa agreed.

      “Oh, where would be?” Loxz asked.

      Killa laughed and tapped his nose, “Me to know and you to guess, ‘Even Stevens’,” Then laughed again at Loxz’ blank look. “Would you tell anyone about your favourite fishing hole?” Killa asked rhetorically, then to remain in character, added, “Perhaps tails may get stepped on.”

      “Just checking on potential customers; so business first, you can organise your other merchants or perhaps I can do it for you?” Loxz returned calmly.

      “Thanks but I have my instructions, I'll be seeing you,” Killa said, “Farewell, I may make this a regular port of call if all goes smoothly.”

      “Then it would be my pleasure to ensure that is so until then take care,” Loxz responded politely.

      Humph and Killa visited the other merchants on the list and informed them that their goods were available to be picked up at the ship. As each was in a sealed container, the crew were ignorant as to precise contents. Killa had determined that each was harmless to the ship, this being confirmed by analysis of the container atmosphere via sampling ports.

      After organising the loading task, the pair decided to have a walk through the market area acquiring the feel of the planet and the inhabitants. Like many areas, there was a cross section of most of the spacefaring races wandering around sightseeing and conducting business.

      Humph had noticed that there was an observer following their progress from place to place. This man had followed them in and occupied an adjacent table when Killa dropped into a restaurant for a break; being familiar with Roxz’ race he already knew that Oxzen food and beverages while exotic were harmless in moderation.

      Killa tried to strike up a conversation, but the tail pretended not to understand galbasic, just gave shrugs and blank looks. Nevertheless still maintained the close observation and listened when Killa talked with anyone.

      So Killa said to Humph in English, “Well as the business is done, might as well head back to the ship for desert.” At this, the observer left the restaurant and moved towards the vessel to avoid following too prominently, then loitering at a merchant’s stall to wait for his subjects.

      “That’s interesting; seems to understand some things,” Killa whispered in СКАЧАТЬ