Gaspee Station, Upper District

Worn boots scuffed opulent carpet as Koin strolled toward room 2376. Golden numbers marked each door. He had half a mind to take one of the zeros, but the cameras put him off. Nevermind the automated drones tucked into the walls every 12 feet. Those kept his path down the exact middle of the hall, away from the various shiny things along the way.

It was torture, but Guild members meant business when it came to money. That was exactly why he was here. He reached the doorway and it buzzed allowing him in. Glancing over his shoulder, he pushed open the door. Bright artificial sunlight blinded him. Sweet sticky air washed over him next, filled with the sound of crashing water. When his vision cleared, he saw a waterfall and luscious tropical plants. Just like the ones he’d seen in videos over the network. Could this be what it was like to be planet-side? Then he saw the metal underneath. The waterfall pooled under the floor, and the plants were all potted. There was a large carpet and several lounge chairs draped in intricate silken fabrics. A piece of it would pay off all his problems, if anyone would buy it from him.

“Ah, you made it. I was beginning to think I should find someone else.” The voice drew his attention to a chair by the windows on the opposite side of the room. He approached and realized the windows were part of a balcony that overlooked the open-air park below. A gentleman sat overlooking the park from his privileged position. He was smoking an electronic pipe, blowing out a cloud as Koin approached. Koin was sure the man was middle-aged, but he could hardly tell by looking at him. Rich warm brown hair styled with smooth facial features, and a thick lounge suit. Koin stood nearby. He couldn’t relax in such a wide-open environment.

“Should we really be meeting for this? Wouldn’t a call do?”

“I don’t control the general call system.” There was no fear in his voice, only amusement.

“What?”

“I do control the cameras here, though.” He chuckled, “Along with everything else.” He said. Koin nodded, unable to hide a grimace. He knew he was being watched the moment he arrived, but now it felt like a threat. The gentleman took another draw from his pipe. “I assure you, it is quite safe to talk.” He said, breathing out a cloud of vapor.

“For you,” Koin said, and the gentleman smiled. Koin got the message – it was his choice. Like his parents before him, he chose money. “What’s the job?”

“An associate of mine found a bird carrying something I want. Now I need a retriever.” He said. So, code talk then. But why bother if the man felt so safe. Koin tried to imagine what could be interesting for someone already so rich. Information?

“Was the bird book smart?” Koin asked. The gentleman gave him a long look and then laughed.

“Why yes. It was.” There was an amused glint in his eye before he sobered. “Forget all that nonsense. They disabled the ship, pushed her off course, and left a locator on her.” His gaze drifted over the park below.

“What, this morning?”

“No, about a week ago. Suitable enough gap, I’d say. Plausibility without concern for other vultures picking her clean.” He tapped his fingers on the armrest. “If you can get what I want, I think we could both come away from this quite satisfied. Interested?” He stopped tapping his fingers and looked over.

Koin was deliberating. A week-old derelict would be pristine salvage. Even without payment, that kind of salvage alone was worth it. Whatever the gentleman wanted must be sensitive if he was asking a scavenger to fetch it.

“I like a man who thinks before he speaks,” The gentleman said, “But that doesn’t mean I will wait forever.” Irritation slipped into his voice. It grew in a way that made the hairs on Koin’s neck stand up.

“Yeah, alright, I’m in.” He said. Guess that snap decision was it. Seemed like an easy prospect. Couldn’t be any harder than the usual salvage job.

“Good. I hope I don’t have to remind you what will happen if you steal my little bird and run, do I?” He said. His fingers were back to tapping.

“Well, I wouldn’t get paid for a start.” He said. The tapping stopped, and the gentleman looked over again. Was he amused or angry?

“No. You would not.” He said, eyebrows raised. Amusement. Seems this was a lucky day.

“You see, I can’t afford that,” Koin said. The man’s eye twitched, but the corner of his lips turned up. The glint was back in his eyes. He turned his hand over revealing a cartridge.

“This has everything you need. I look forward to our next correspondence.” The gentleman smiled. That, too, made the hairs on Koin’s neck stand up. He made his way out of the office a clip higher than when he entered. The prospect of such a big payout added a spring to his step.

Bloor Station, Docks

Valorie hurried to keep up with her Captain. They were walking through the docks toward the 68th gate where the Helianthus was moored. She tried to keep her polite two steps behind, but it kept turning into four or five.

“Captain,” Valorie said, and he paused while she caught up. “Are we in a hurry for a reason, sir?” She asked. There were several people nearby, and she was unable to resist a quick look around. She had been told to act normally, but that might be fundamentally impossible for her. Her anxiety eased when she was sure there was no one actually looking at them.

“You’re right. I didn’t notice my hurry, I will be more mindful.” He said, leading the way again. His pace was more deliberate and held his habitual confidence. It put her at ease, but when she reached out she sensed frustration, bordering on anger. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to ask. With her previous captains, she wouldn’t dare, but Gareth was more patient. Besides, it was normal among humans to talk about their worries.

“Is something concerning you, sir?” Her voice came out at a higher pitch than she would have liked. The connections between her feelings and her body had increased. She could use the brain to cover involuntary processes when it was healthy, freeing up her focus. Her current body was much more complex than the clone bodies. Among the useful involuntary processes, there were a few she found outright frustrating. Mostly the embarrassing ones.

“Yes,” Gareth answered, his mood cooling as he spoke. “This is the fourth time the MRH Hayes has docked at the same station as us. It’s clear Dupont is up to something more than a mere follow up.” His voice was tight.

“He hasn’t made any attempt to contact you yet. Perhaps that’s a good indication?” She said. From her position, she saw his jaw clench. Her words had not helped.

“I’m not so sure. I’d much rather have an issue I could work on.”

“Yes, sir.” She said, unsure what might be useful now. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, his jaw easing.

“Though, it is a good thing in so far as I have not had to see his face,” Gareth said. She nodded, noticing his mood had lightened. She noticed something else when she reached out. They were nearing the 68th gate, and Valorie sensed one person waiting for them. Her stomach turned, her eyes falling to the floor.

“Then I have bad news for you, sir.” She said. He sighed, but his posture remained confident.

“It was a matter of time, Valorie. Don’t take it to heart. Where?”

“At the gate,” She said. Gareth nodded, thanking her, and squared his shoulders. His mood darkened, but there was a sense of calm reserve. The same resolve that had carried him through the inspection. Her heart was racing. How did he stay so calm? She hoped one day she could do it, too.