AGU SCI 1: The Star Brotherhood Read Online Free PDF Page B

One."
    "Some of the civilian shipyards on Uthlarigasset have been upgrading the speed in that model. It was illegal back when the Uthlarigasset government owned this space. But now that it's part of the GA, they're actually encouraging freighters to upgrade their speed. I understand the new drives offer speeds as high as Light-450."
    "And I understand the upgrade fee is pretty high."
    "Yes, it hovers around a million credits, but you can earn that back in as little as a year— less with dangerous or illegal cargo."
    "Space is dangerous enough without piling on more danger."
    "That's quite true, but the cargo transport order I have isn't dangerous unless you're stopped by Space Command, and I'm sure you'll do everything you can to prevent that."
    "You can check my record with your cousin. I've never lost a cargo yet."
    "That's most gratifying."
    "Where is this cargo headed?"
    "At Light-300, it will take you approximately three months to reach the rendezvous point."
    "Rendezvous point? You want me to meet another ship and transfer the cargo?"
    "If the customer approves of you as the shipper, you'll receive as much information as I can pass along. You will proceed to the coordinates of a first destination at the time you're ready to leave orbit. You will remain there until you receive further instructions."
    "What's the cargo?"
    "I can't say."
    "You don’t know?"
    "I know. That's how I can guarantee it meets your requirements. But I'm not allowed to tell the transporter what it is. It is not explosive, not biohazardous, and will be fully irradiated before being delivered to your ship. From what you've said today, I guarantee that if you knew, you would not hesitate to take the job."
    "I don't like carrying cargo when I don't know what it is I'm transporting or when I don't know the destination before I accept the contract."
    "I haven't lied to you, Trader. The cargo containers will be sealed and the seals must not be tampered with. The customer will know if anyone attempted to look inside."
    "Thanks, Ker, but I'll pass. When I transport something I must know what it is so I know how hard to fight to protect it and how hard someone else will fight to acquire it."
    "Then we appear to have reached an impasse."
    "That's true. It's just as well. My crew would like a few more weeks on the planet to rest and relax before we head out again."
    "Perhaps another time and another deal, Trader."
    "Perhaps, Ker."
    Vyx drank in solitude for the next hour but was instantly alert when the tavern door opened and Gillanno entered the establishment. Reaching under his cloak, Vyx unhooked the tiny strap that held his pistol firmly in its holster. He was now ready for whatever came. He didn't raise his head or indicate in any way that he was aware of the Uthlaran's presence when Gillanno stopped in front of his table.
    "You're late," Vyx said after about ten seconds of silence.
    "You've changed— offices. I had to put the word out on the street that I was looking for you and pay for the information that you were in here."
    "I got the distinct impression that the bartender at the other tavern would prefer I do my drinking elsewhere for a while. I seemed to be drawing too much attention from the wrong crowd." Vyx raised his head slightly, but not enough for Gillanno to see his entire face. "Have you come to finish our business? I expected you to bring a small army."
    "I only came to invite you to have lunch with Lippaula at headquarters."
    "I thought we'd been through all that."
    "This is strictly an invitation to talk," Gillanno said as he reached for the front flaps of his cloak and pulled them aside using both hands.
    Vyx's right hand was instantly on his weapon, and his foot was against the chair across from him, ready to kick it out from under the table and into the Uthlaran.
    "See," Gillanno said, "no weapons. I'm completely unarmed. This is a polite invitation, not a demand."
    Vyx relaxed slightly. "An invitation to a crime lord's headquarters