Torian Reclamation 3: Test of Fortitude Read Online Free PDF Page A

its economy. If things kept going the way they seemed to be, a wise government somewhere might soon make itself a minor partner with savvy businessmen and send them out into the galaxy to trade, perhaps providing the necessary technical support and military protection as their role in the operation.
    There were several aliens walking through the outdoor marketplace. One table in particular seemed to be drawing some attention. Brandon decided to walk over and see what was happening.
    The Amulite running the table was dull-skinned and appeared to be suffering from an injury, as his right arm hung motionless at his side. His left one made up for it, though, waving about with much life as he spoke to the several potential customers before him. Brandon’s arrival only invigorated him further. There were some penned animals behind him, including a large cage that obviously contained the main attraction. It’s what everyone was looking at.
    At first Brandon thought there were three large snakes in the cage, but then he realized they all came together into a single body. So it was like a wingless three-headed dragon, except the body separated again, this time into two snake-like portions, before joining together again. The end of it was one long tail.
    But the remarkable thing was the way it moved. It seemed to be able to defy gravity. Closer examination revealed that it climbed on itself, quickly. So quickly, in fact, that it was able to push the upper portions of itself up off the lower portions before the lower portions fell, and then pull the lower portions up from the momentum and repeat. Rarely did the tail fall back to the bottom of its cage for ground support. It was almost like hovering without wings.
    The native behind the table wasn’t trying to sell an exotic pet. He was pitching the meat.
    “The Jujacians are among the healthiest species in the known galaxy,” he said, “because they include just a small amount of this meat in their diet. It is a highly-concentrated protein with a microscopic fat content. Taste for yourselves.”
    The Amulite then distributed a small piece of dried meat to everyone before the table. As Brandon chewed, the alien next to him turned and spoke.
    “You’re an Earthling, aren’t you?”
    Brandon nodded, not usually so rude as not to answer verbally but his mouth was full. The meat wasn’t tender. Nor was it the tastiest thing he had ever sampled.
    “Can I take your picture?” he asked.
    Brandon nodded again. He didn’t recognize this species, but his speech translated pleasantly. His skin was tan and thick, but not leathery like Torian skin, except for where it rumpled up around his facial features. That’s probably why his clothes were made of thin material. There were defined patches of hair on the top and sides of his head, which complimented his large eyes and wide nose. Brandon liked him for some reason.
    “Thanks.” The alien pointed a small tubular object at him, then at the cage with the strange Jujacian creature, then at the rest of the dried meat on the table. After that, he took out a different kind of a scanning device and waved it around the table.
    “What are you doing?” The Amulite trader said. “Don’t record data on my merchandise! Leave, please!”
    The alien apologized and began walking off. Brandon followed him.
    “Tulros,” Brandon said coming up alongside him. “My name is Brandon Foss. Sorry I didn’t speak back there. My mouth was full, and my jaws aren’t made to handle meat of such toughness.”
    The alien laughed. “Tulros. My name is Trodenjo, from Mpar. My vessel is The Measure. I agree the meat wasn’t savory. But it was nowhere near as brittle as some I’ve tasted.”
    “I’ve never met an Mparian before. You’re here to change currency?”
    “No,” Trodenjo said. “I came down here to browse the barter area. We’re cataloging potential trade goods and always looking for interesting items. Jujac is unreceptive to foreign