NASTRAGULL: Pirates (28 page)

"Well, yes, this one's mostly just a hotel and casino."

"What about the big one?"

"New Frontier 16? Hard to tell. My guess is in the neighborhood of ten million."

"How can they
feed
all those people?"

Behl looked around for something and then said, while pointing his finger, "You see there? Towards the top, where the large deflector shield is? It's a greenhouse."

"It's huge."

"That it is, and it makes the station somewhat self-sustaining. But I'm sure they bring in kilotons of supplies every day," replied Behl pedantically. "The station functions similarly to some of the larger Ambassador-class cruisers."

"Before now, I'd never heard of trading stations owned and operated by both the Federated Merchants and the Commercial Traders working together," Alec muttered.

"So much for your education," Behl muttered back. He continued, "General, sir, this far out in neutral space they always work together—anything to earn some extra credits. It wouldn't make any sense to compete against each other out here. Besides, it also increases their own safety against the two large federations, the pirates, or the occasional loony who considers himself a warlord. Look over there...and there. See what I mean?" Behl pointed. Alec made out several military frigates and a few destroyers flying in formation, some with Merchant markings and some with Trader markings. He nodded.

The Captain clapped Alec on the shoulder. "Well, let's go and find us a crew."

"Let's find the ship first," Alec replied.

"We've had this discussion before. First we get a crew, and then a ship. Maybe you get the one we've been looking at, maybe you don't. But if you buy a ship and the word gets out that you don't have any crew, just imagine how much you have to pay for their contracts."

"I know, but let's at least make a down payment. I don't want to miss the opportunity to buy that beautiful ship you pointed out earlier."

"You're not going to give in on this one, are you?" Behl sounded helpless, even as he smiled.

"No sir, I'm not."

They hustled through hallways and corridors of the hotel/casino—which Alec finally remembered was called Star-Dice—toward the docking bay. Alec seemed as giddy as a child, and Behl had some trouble keeping up. So did their erstwhile pursuer, who first made his presence evident about halfway along. "Mr. Horn, Mr. Horn, please wait!" The shouts came from a small person with huge ears, a short trunk that waggled back and forth, and what seemed like a very friendly smile that more or less covered half his face. "Mr. Horn, please forgive me." The little man caught his breath between the words as Alec and Behl stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"Yes, um...Mr. Tota, right? How can I help you?" Alec asked dubiously.

Tota bowed his head all the way to the ground, his triple chins wobbling as he chuckled. He was absolutely certain that the young Oman was of the Royal Class or at least a member of a high-ranking clan, and that the older man next to him was his tutor and mentor, educating the young prince for the future—and that both of them were traveling under assumed identities.

The enormous wealth the young prince had deposited to both Merchant and Trader accounts made him perhaps the wealthiest young prince Tota had ever met. Tota had nearly soaked his pants and fainted when he saw the credit reports from the Merchants and Traders, both of which had sent representatives to Tota, asking him to dig up more information on this "secret" prince. Needless to say, Tota had sold bits and pieces of information to both organizations for a minor fortune, educating them about more things regarding Mr. Horn than Mr. Horn himself knew. Some of them were even true.

For example, the prince had lost a fortune the day before in one of Tota's casinos, and insisted on paying not only for his room and food but for the pleasure servants as well, though Tota would have happily given those free to any big spender, as any casino owner would. Landing a "killer whale" like this fellow appeared to be would be a dream come true, especially for Tota, because if he could only get the young master to spend enough of his fortune, he might be able to pay off his last loan to his creditors.
They always pay in cash for these types of adventures, so there are no traces left for their future princesses to follow, getting the young adventurous prince in trouble,
thought Tota happily. Aloud he said obsequiously, "Thank you, young sir, for your time! I have been asked to convey a message...two, actually. The local Key Administrators of both the Federated Merchants and Commercial Traders have requested an audience with His Highness."

"His Highness who?" young "Horn" asked, his face studiously blank.

Tota realized his mistake, and shielded his mouth.  Flexing his long, fuzzy eyebrows (they looked like caterpillars who couldn't decide whether to fuck or fight), Tota whispered, "I mean you, Mr. Horn sir." He winked.

"I see." Horn looked at him speculatively for a long moment, then said abruptly, "Mr. Tota, have you heard any news of a missing cruise liner called the
Bright Star
? Disappeared three or four standard months ago."

"No, nothing," replied Tota with a concerned expression, fearing what was coming next.

"You're absolutely sure you haven't heard anything?" Horn demanded. "Nothing about any pirate activity, or anything similar?"

"Of course I have not, sir." Tota flapped his large ears nervously as he shook his head. "No, no, nothing, no, you must not speak of piracy around here, bad karma brings bad business. Perhaps later we will discuss it with the police...yes, that's what we must do." Tota flexed his ears back and smiled; and before Horn or Behl had any chance to comment, Tota burst out, "They are sending their Key Administrators over right away, and they insist on seeing you at once! You must not keep them waiting!"

Behl, who had heretofore remained silent, stepped in. "Are you telling us what to do, you babbling little ear-flapping bastard?" 

"Oh no, no, no, no. I would never do that, but sir! No! My deepest and most sincere apologies," cried Tota, as he banged his forehead on the floor in another attempt at a deep bow. "It is just highly unusual, good sir, and they are most powerful and are not used to being kept waiting, and oh, both of them being here will most certainly attract a lot of unnecessary attention..." Tota ran down as he looked around at the crowd and took a deep breath. "I felt it was my duty to you, my worthy customers, to warn you. Going against the advice or wishes of any Key Administrator will definitely put you on the map, so to speak."

Horn looked at Behl, and both of them turned to Tota as Horn pronounced, "Lead the way, honorable Tota, and we shall soon have both Key Administrators off your back."

As the little elephantoid took up point and escorted them, Alec noticed for the first time that they were being trailed by several security guards. He glanced at Behl, who whispered, "I see them." Alec nodded and directed his gaze forward, ignoring the guards.

Tota took it upon himself to be their personal tour guide. He pointed at everything and everywhere as they passed, and Alec and Behl received all types of information. The only problem was that Tota tended to point at one thing while he talked about something else. After a while Alec stopped looking and listening, since it only made him dizzy and confused.

"...And I hope you enjoyed my ladies, I mean, Lady Pulp and the lovelies who were at your service last night. Should you require more of that type of service, never hesitate to ask, for my middle name is 'Customer Service.' Well, my original middle name was Aspha, that name having been given to me at birth by my mother's side of the family, but I had it changed in a court of law for business reasons..."

It was with great relief that Alec and Behl finally entered Mr. Tota's office, where two delegations consisting of six people each were anxiously waiting for them. As they entered, a tall, thin omanoid wearing a severe black suit stepped forward, ignoring the glare of the stumpy being who led the other delegation. "I am Tobbis, local Key Administrator for the Federated Merchants. I would like to introduce—"

Before he was allowed to finish, the squat badgerish woman heading the other delegation pushed forward and said bluntly, "And I am Zala Kend'ss, Key Administrator of the Commercial Traders. We are here to talk." Her outfit was similar to Tobbis'. Despite her fierce countenance and direct manner, she smiled—Alec supposed it could be interpreted as a smile—and bowed deeply.  

In the ensuing pleasantries, both Administrators proved to be humble and diplomatic; true professionals, as one might expect in such an important, if backwater, facility. Once the introductions were out of the way, though, they immediately began bombarding Alec with questions. Fortunately Tota, who apparently saw an opportunity to curry some favor with Alec, quickly intervened, earning disapproving stares from the Administrators and their staffs. "My two very distinguished and important friends, I beg you not to unduly pressure our young Mr. Horn, who is perhaps the most important guest ever to have stepped aboard the Star-Dice, if you know what I mean." Again Tota waggled his brows and attempted to wink unsuccessfully, flapping his ears all the while. It was an amusing display. 

Alec took the opportunity to walk over to Tota's exceptionally large desk and perch on the edge, crossing his legs and regarding the mismatched Administrators calmly. Using the most patrician tone he could manage—and being the heir of the Hornet clan, that was something to behold—he said formally, "So, Sir and Lady, what is so urgent that it took you away from your duties simply to meet me? I have some delicate business to take care of today, and I must be about it quickly lest it slip through my fingers." 

Zala
tilted her head to the side and said quietly, "Very well, then, down to business. Allow me to ensure that our conversation is not being monitored or recorded, save by us. Furthermore, I would put a halt to local trade on our end, so that you would not lose your lovely ship." She tapped the keys of her wrist-comp very swiftly.

Meanwhile, Tobbis did the same. "Do not worry," the elegant man said, "Standard procedure." A second later, he said, "There, now. All is secure, and all trades or barter have ceased, at least in the Merchants sectors of this facility."

"And in the Traders sectors as well," said Zala.

Lifting an eyebrow, Alec said, "Why thank you, but that doesn't guarantee me anything, now does it?" He tapped his fingers on the edge of the desk, as the two Key Administrators looked at each in puzzlement. 

"The Traders will be sure to compensate you for whatever possible loss you may incur," Zala said.

"As will the Merchants," Tobbis was quick to put in.

Alec nonchalantly waved his hand for them to stop, playing his role of young fop for everything it was worth. "Very well. So what do you want? We start with you." Alec nodded his head towards Zala.

She bowed again. "I wish to welcome you to New Frontier on behalf of the Commercial Traders, good sir, and wish merely to get to know you better, so that we may more efficiently handle your future affairs."

"Very nicely said. I take it that you are here for the same reasons, Mr. Tobbis?" Without waiting for Tobbis to reply, Alec said smoothly, "Thank you very much to both of you for extending us—that is, me—this honor," Alec remarked. He figured it didn't hurt any to "accidentally" toss in the Royal pronoun; after all, he did belong to a Royal clan.

Zala blinked and said, "Sir, you have made some astonishing trades in the last 24 hours, and as a result you have deposited an enormous fortune in each of our local banks. We would like..."

She fell silent, glancing at Tobbis in frank disbelief. Alec had fished a long, silvery metallic object from his coat pocket and was playing with it idly, passing it through his fingers as it were some magician's toy, occasionally letting it pop into the air before snatching it back and beginning again. Tobbis let out a soft moan, even as Zala gasped; and Tota stared wide-eyed and soaked his pants.

Alec affixed a stern look and his face, trying not to laugh, and glared at Tota in mock-disgust. Tota didn't notice the expression and wouldn't have cared if he had; his eyes saw nothing but the silvery object in Alec's hand, which could have purchased his entire station with a substantial amount of change left over.

"Is that... tritonium silver?" wondered Tobbis in a very soft voice.

"Oh, this?" said Alec, sound as innocent as a small child. "Something I found a little while back." He tossed the metallic rod to Tobbis, who caught it nimbly and placed it against a sensor on his wrist-comp. He studied the small display intently, and after a long moment, a strange bubbling sound emerged from his throat. Scowling, Zala approached Tobbis and tugged at his forearm, trying to get him to show her the display.

"No need for that," Alec said loudly. "Here's one for you to inspect." He threw one to Zala, who caught it and could only stare at it for a long moment before she shook herself and pressed it against her own computer's assay sensor. "You want to look at one too, Tota?" Alec sent a third bar flying across through the room. Tota caught it, looked at it, and unceremoniously passed out.

A few minutes later, Alec asked the room at large, "Satisfied?"

"It's real," answered Tobbis in an awed voice. "I...I'm not sure I'm willing to give it back. May I inquire where you got this fr..."