Detective Zander dialed the JoLangus dispatch center and worked his magic on the system, fussing over minute details until the bloody phone system accepted his request for the answering party to accept all charges.

JoLane popped up on the screen. Her lips swiftly moved along as she waved.

"Hello, hold on. JoLane."

Hi, Detective Shilo. I'm so happy that you called. ...

The transcription lost half the words that followed.

Good to see you. So good.

"JoLane. I can see you. The system audio is off. No, I... It's transcribing. Give me a moment."Detective Zander pulled up the settings menu and found the option to turn on his speaker. "JoLane."

"Detective Zander, a pleasure to hear from you. I'm thrilled you called. I had so much fun, please tell me that you have another case we can work on together."

"Not exactly, I remembered that you mentioned how the Jolangus wished to expand and an opportunity showed--well it showed up quite unexpectedly in my office last week. Would the Jolangus by chance be interested in building some habitats?"

"What kind?"

"General stuff, living quarters, small colonies, maybe a few big ones. To be honest the work could keep coming on this one."

"Oh, if it's that big of a job we won't be able to win the bid."

"This wouldn't be a union job. The location is slightly exotic. It would be for the Kohask."

"The Kohask, I don't think we would be interested."

"Yeah, I figured not. You know under that fur, deep under that thick fur I think the Kohask are actually pretty alright."

"When you were here you said the Kohask were responsible for our mutant rat infestation."

"Well I wasn't wrong per say. The cargo ship that brought that contagion in was traveling through Kohask space. Actually that's how I became aware of this job. The Kohask are now aware that ships have been smuggling and transporting through their territory and I believe whomever is responsible will stop post haste."

"If you say so." JoLanes ears twitched.

Detective Zanderï's eyes followed JoLanes ears as he continued speaking, "Donï't take my word for it. I have a validated report clearing the situation up. And I have a direct contact with the Kohask about that building opportunity. I think it would be a fantastic opportunity for your people and you can of course dictate any security measures you deem fit. I could make introductions. I'm sending the files now."

JoLane said, "Yeah, I see them. You weren't kidding, that's quite the colony the Kohask are building. We could save them time and money if we built half of that underground."

"See, it's a good opportunity. Think about it." The silent bell on his console flashed. "JoLane. JoLane. Sorry but it looks like I have a customer at the door. Catch you later."

Stolen novel; please report.

Detective Shilo Zander took a brief moment to review the client's information. Missing person report filed by Kevin Smith. Human.

Jessica's task as office manager consisted of taking this initial information down and then when Zander was ready she would escort the client to the back. Zander watched Kevin pace back and forth and then stop to talk with Jessica.

Jessica buzzed Zanders console again and then looked at the security camera that he was monitoring. Zander typed, I'm ready, send him back. He turned to look out the window, overwatching the busy station core. The center of the station worked as a mix of a food production, park, and transit station. Boys were picking bananas from the top of the towering stacks of walled garden centers. A robot was waving its broken arm around.

Jessica opened the door and let Kevin in.

Zander said, "Take a seat."

Kevin Smith sat down across from Detective Zander's empty seat. From the reflection in the window Zander could see concern wore heavy on Mr Smith's face. His shoulders were slumped.

Detective Zander said, “What has you down Mr. Smith?”

“My mother’s missing, and father. Cousin. Aunt. All missing. Uncle, I don’t mind that he’s missing. Second cousin. Nephew. Are you going to take your seat and take some notes?”

“Goodness, that's quite the list of missing people.”

Kevin said, “I wasn’t done. Other Uncle, My Grandpa's second wife’s family. Her kids. Oh here’s the list. Though not my Grandpa he passed away last season.The authorities won’t do anything and the town is a ghost town. Completely deserted. Not a soul. Do I give you these or leave them on your desk?”

Without turning around Zander put out his hand and waited. "This station looks grittier everyday."

Kevin Smith handed a print off of twenty sheets to Zander.

Detective Zander pulled a pen from his pocket and flipped through the sheets. He circled a few sections. “Thatï’s off the beaten trail. A new colony. Not the safest of places. Are those dinosaurs?” He turned the page towards Kevin and pointed to the four horned creatures, two above each eye, that otherwise looked like triceratops.

“Essentially, my family wanted to ranch them. They built the colony last year and everything was going smoothly I guess. They made corrals and tamed many of them. Sold a few to a Ryshaloians. Some sort of collector that paid big money for the pair.”

Zander added notes over top of the printouts. “You don’t mind if I keep these right.”

Kevin nodded. “Go ahead. They expanded the colony after that and a few months after that I stopped receiving calls. I went out there and the place was empty.”

"I make no promises Mr. Smith but I will make a trip to your family's colony once your initial payment is processed."

"That's it?" asked Mr Smith as finished sitting down.

"That's it. Please see my assistant about billing."