“Captain, Chrys and I have carried out a full system diagnostic, and Shae has performed a manual check of primary and secondary engine systems,” C-CIL says when I reenter the bridge of the Chrysanthemum.
“You guys were busy! I wasn’t even gone that long,” I say, surprised at how much they were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.
“We’re happy to help,” Shae says, smiling over her shoulder.
It wasn’t easy to convince myself to show her the secondary engine room—I know I took a big risk—but I’m determined to keep my word and put a little more faith in her. Besides, it would be a shame to let talent like hers go to waste.
“What’s Byer up to?” I ask. I couldn’t care less what he’s up to, but I do feel like I should at least ask.
“Byer is in Chrysanthemum’s docking bay,” C-CIL answers. “He is attempting to make repairs to Remus.”
Remus, huh? So that’s the name of their ship. I can’t believe I never bothered to ask before now. A wave of embarrassment passes over me at the thought, but I try my best to shake it off.
“I’ll go see if he needs a hand with anything before I go re-up our fuel supply,” I say. It’s not like I actually want to help him. In fact, I’m counting on him blowing me off. But I wouldn’t mind getting a look at that ship and seeing what kind of damage there is—if any.
“Why don’t you guys go check out the base,” I say lightly. “I did a couple laps around the place, and it seems safe enough. Looks pretty cool too. Lots of trees and stuff.” The base is comprised of a large glass atrium with a series of greenhouses that branch off the main area where shops, restaurants, and other businesses lie nestled into the rich foliage. It’s different from anywhere I’ve been before, and much less hectic than the stations I’m used to.
Shae looks from me to C-CIL, a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. I can tell she’s anxious to see it but doesn’t want to leave C-CIL behind.
“Captain,” C-CIL says seriously, “I have spent most of my life on the Chrysanthemum. I am not sure how I will fare in the outside world.”
I furrow my brow at this. I remember Byer describing C-CIL as “new” when they first came onboard, though he didn’t exactly specify how new. But given his current rate of development, he probably wasn’t more than a few days old at that point. When I think about it that way, I realize that C-CIL probably has spent the majority of his very short life on the Chrysanthemum.
“Captain,” C-CIL says, interrupting my reverie. “It is for fun. I am confident that I will fare well.”
“Of course you will, buddy,” I say with a laugh. I think it’ll be good for C-CIL to get some exposure to the outside world. He’s been cooped up with the three of us for long he probably has no idea how normal people are actually supposed to interact.
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True to my word, I stop by the docking bay on my way back to the base, but as predicted, Byer sends me on my way with barely a word. I guess I’ll have to find another excuse to check out the Remus later. But for now, I’ve got business on Pajorat Prime.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me! Is this some kind of joke?” I ask, incredulous.
The merchant doesn’t say anything and instead just looks back at me, stone-faced.
I scoff.
“Tell me, is everyone on Pajorat Prime some kind of con artist or just you?”
I can’t believe this guy. His prices are twice what I pay on Olympia and he won’t even tell me which commission carried out the quality inspection.
“The price of fuel just went up another 50%” he says, placing his hands on the counter in front of him.
“Fine. I’ll just go buy my plasma on Pajorat II then,” I say with a huff. “They always give me a discount when I buy in bulk.”
“There’s no fuel dealer on Pajorat II,” he replies icily. “Everyone in the system buys here.”
Damn. That didn’t go how I’d hoped. Now he’s got me right where he wants me. He could charge triple the prices and I’d have no other choice than to pay, unless I want to wait and try my luck at the next inhabited system we stumble on, whenever that might be. I’m trying to think up a new strategy when I hear an unfamiliar voice from behind me.
“Come on, Rafti. Give the kid a break. She might not be from around here, but that doesn’t mean you gotta rake her over the coals like that,” says the stranger, coming to stand next to me.
The merchant, Rafti, looks between us.
“You know her?” he asks in a gruff voice.
The stranger shrugs.
“I mean, how well do any of us really know each other,” he says.
Rafti doesn’t like this answer.
“Look. Either she pays my prices, or she stops taking up space in my shop,” he barks.
“Correct me I’m wrong, but isn’t there some kind of regulation on price gouging and unannounced markups on necessary goods?” says the stranger.
“You’re wrong,” Rafti growls.
The stranger stares at the ornery merchant, narrowing his eyes. The two stare at each other for a long minute in silence.
“Fine! I’ll knock off 10%, no more,” Rafti concedes at last.
“Off of the original price.”
“Off of her original price,” Rafti says, tossing his head in my direction.
The stranger turns, looking at me for the first time.
“Well? Whaddya say?” he asks.
I nod.
“Good enough for me,” I say with a sigh of resignation. “Not that I have much of a choice,” I mutter as I settle the bill with the scheming Rafti.
The stranger is waiting outside the shop when I head back toward the main atrium and smiles broadly when he sees me.
“Get everything you needed?” he asks, coming up to walk alongside me.
“Yeah,” I say. “Thanks for your help back there. I’m not so great with—”
“People?” he jumps in.
“I was gonna say ‘negotiation,’ but sure, I guess people too,” I say.
“Sorry,” he laughs.
I smile, despite myself, and shake my head. I always feel uncomfortable receiving help from strangers, but I am grateful for the amount of money this guy saved me. Rafti really had me in a corner there.
I keep walking, though I’m not entirely sure where I’m heading, the stranger keeping stride with me.
“Kash,” he says, placing a hand on his chest. “That’s my name, in case you were wondering.”
“J,” I say, sneaking a quick glance over at him. I told everyone before we got to Pajorat Prime that we’re operating on a strictly no-name basis while we’re here, and that includes the ship. If it turns out someone is looking for us, they’re going to have to know us on sight.
“J, huh? Does it stand for something?” Kash asks as we both duck beneath a giant green leaf dangling over the walkway.
I shake my head.
“Just J.”
“Well, Just J, let me ask you something,” Kash says, stopping and turning to face me, his eyes shining in the light of the glass dome.
“How do you feel about coffee?”