One Eyed Jack
Kicking the Jokers
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2006
- Posts
- 1,457
The stars outside the view port in the cockpit slowed - no longer streaming by, but resuming their typical motionless twinkle. Even in the gravity cushioned couch returning to normal space made him queasy. No one ever got over that entirely, but he at least never let it shop anymore.
Not that there was anyone else on board to impress. The Novus Vita was a ship build for one to three crew, no more. Erus Ligo flew solo, his private dealings requiring no one else to aid him. The ship broke into the atmosphere, and turned into a fireball as it descended - finally slowing down and cooling.
The captain and only passenger of the crew gave flight control the needed documents, and received clearance to land. Before long, Captain Erus was sitting in an office, listening to an old friend, and business contact provide a great many excuses as to why he could not pay for the shipment of highly controlled medical supplies that he needed.
“Really Erus, I feel awful, but we must find some arrangement. I need those supplies, and you know why. What is it you need, I can pull stings, call in favors, anything, but I just don't have the credits on me right now.”
Erus sat there, frowning. He knew he was screwed, and hated himself for letting this happen in the first place it would be near impossible to find another buyer for his goods, without bringing the Empire down on top of him, and even if he could, not for a price that would make this trip worth his while. So he just continued to frown, and remain silent, letting his friend turn the heat up on himself.
The shady business man snapped his fingers, and his eyes went wide. “I have just the thing. Something more valuable, technically, then the cargo. Though I do hope you just accept the gift, and not decide to resell. You spend far too much time alone out there, and hardly age a day, while we humble planet dwellers continue to age with what grace we can.” It was a common joke between them. While it was true that those that spent most their time up in space, at speeds that would make Einstein shit a golden egg, aged more slowly from the relative vantage point of those who staved dirt side, Erus always thought those hours alone aged him plenty. But he didn't trust anyone else, so that kind of limited his companions to friends like this, and women that enjoyed whatever you did, so long as the price was right.
Liceor had mentioned this solution several times in the past, though this time Erus knew he had little choice. It's all his friend had to offer.
“Stop old man, I know what you're going to say. I have few options, and you've been good to me in the past. That later being the only reason we might ever do business again. I do understand how hard times have been out here, and how this shipment is needed.” He got up, and pulled his flight jacket down, “I'll come by in a few hours, after I've assessed my bill at the docks, and I'll inspect the merchandise you are proposing. Make no mistake though, I am NOT happy with this event, and never intended to be your customer in this way.”
Erus made sure his point had come across, then turned to leave the slaver's office. For many years Liceor had tried to sell him a sex slave or two, for those long hauls between stars, but he had always declined. Now he just became an owner. Whether he'd try to resell depended on several factors, but deep down, he was almost excited. It had gotten just a bit too lonely out there recently.
Not that there was anyone else on board to impress. The Novus Vita was a ship build for one to three crew, no more. Erus Ligo flew solo, his private dealings requiring no one else to aid him. The ship broke into the atmosphere, and turned into a fireball as it descended - finally slowing down and cooling.
The captain and only passenger of the crew gave flight control the needed documents, and received clearance to land. Before long, Captain Erus was sitting in an office, listening to an old friend, and business contact provide a great many excuses as to why he could not pay for the shipment of highly controlled medical supplies that he needed.
“Really Erus, I feel awful, but we must find some arrangement. I need those supplies, and you know why. What is it you need, I can pull stings, call in favors, anything, but I just don't have the credits on me right now.”
Erus sat there, frowning. He knew he was screwed, and hated himself for letting this happen in the first place it would be near impossible to find another buyer for his goods, without bringing the Empire down on top of him, and even if he could, not for a price that would make this trip worth his while. So he just continued to frown, and remain silent, letting his friend turn the heat up on himself.
The shady business man snapped his fingers, and his eyes went wide. “I have just the thing. Something more valuable, technically, then the cargo. Though I do hope you just accept the gift, and not decide to resell. You spend far too much time alone out there, and hardly age a day, while we humble planet dwellers continue to age with what grace we can.” It was a common joke between them. While it was true that those that spent most their time up in space, at speeds that would make Einstein shit a golden egg, aged more slowly from the relative vantage point of those who staved dirt side, Erus always thought those hours alone aged him plenty. But he didn't trust anyone else, so that kind of limited his companions to friends like this, and women that enjoyed whatever you did, so long as the price was right.
Liceor had mentioned this solution several times in the past, though this time Erus knew he had little choice. It's all his friend had to offer.
“Stop old man, I know what you're going to say. I have few options, and you've been good to me in the past. That later being the only reason we might ever do business again. I do understand how hard times have been out here, and how this shipment is needed.” He got up, and pulled his flight jacket down, “I'll come by in a few hours, after I've assessed my bill at the docks, and I'll inspect the merchandise you are proposing. Make no mistake though, I am NOT happy with this event, and never intended to be your customer in this way.”
Erus made sure his point had come across, then turned to leave the slaver's office. For many years Liceor had tried to sell him a sex slave or two, for those long hauls between stars, but he had always declined. Now he just became an owner. Whether he'd try to resell depended on several factors, but deep down, he was almost excited. It had gotten just a bit too lonely out there recently.