Daryl stood at the station depot outer ring waiting for this squat looking logistic master as he went over his cargo manifest. Looking at the squat alien that to Daryl looked like a squid with 4 short stubby legs. Daryl was never the best at identifying the marriott of the many sapien species he has crossed over the years. As the the logistic master handed him the pad for his bio print to pay for his time at the station, plus fuel, plus food and any taxes and small “Fees” that are always taxed on when he pulled into a station.
Looking down he realized that he would be down to his last 100 credits. The dread of being so low always made him so fearful but also it was nothing new as he was one of the last manned slow hyperlane drivers in the system. His ship the Rush Valley was an old and a mix of several of these freighters that was easily 200 cycles old about a third of the times humans had been on the intergalactic scene. With new wormhole tech out of the Architects/Human/Dotorian tech center for advancement cargo shipping had changed to hours of delivery vs the months it could take him. Then there was the automated cargo ships form the Dathmon/Qatest that where used for many cargo runs that could not go through wormholes. They were his biggest rivals as there was cargo that could not pass through a wormhole safely. But they really were used for system to system and did not run multi system runs with mixed cargo. So that is when the “Independents Group” stepped in. While not an employee they were the ones who worked out logistics, the runs and dealt with the clients and sub contracted to him.
As the short logistic master gave a curt yelp as he looked at Daryl and spoke in a rhythmic tone “Well human Daryl I think you are close to the last human pilot or near the last. It shows this could be your last run till your ship is paid off. Will you keep it or sell it afterwards?” Daryl hated this question as many people went under before they paid off their ship and the other half sold there ships as soon as they got it paid off to have their “Retirement” but these days the ship where not worth much and mostly just scrapped for parts and materials. With a smile “This ship is my home and it will always be my home. I am a trucker not a pilot” Which was true if he liked it or not. But with this haul he knew that he would have it paid off and have enough to be semi retired.
As he walked back to tube that connected to his rear air lock he stopped to stare at his “Rush Valley”. At 8 kilometers long while fully extended with all the cargo modules attached. Each one could be deployed individually or deflated to be stowed into the spine. The spine connected his living space to the engines in the rear. She turned like a planet and accelerated like a rock on a slope. But once she got going a certain direction the momentum with slow acceleration the jump was smooth. So smooth that most of the dampeners had not worked for the time he had gotten her and it was never needed. Slow and steady but like the locomotives of the ancient earth it was crude but it was what he enjoyed. She was fully loaded with all bays fully inflated and fully extended. This run really would take 3 months based on following all the “Guides' ' but he knew a few tricks that would make it in just under 2.
As he approached the rear of his ship going over his cargo he realized a few several pod would need tending at various levels. While he did not mind it could be entertaining or it could be something like the Draskal Viper monkeys. Well it was time like it or not as he did not have the credits to stay on station long. As Daryl entered the final lock a voice stated “Voice Identification, Please.” Daryl groaned “Daryl T. Rucker Space Trucker” a matter of fact voice stated that is not proper identification term. “Caitlyn, do not make me rewrite your code.” Daryl knew he was bluffing he did not know how to do it, heck he forgot what Catlin stood for. Computer Artificial something something something. As Daryl tapped his foot the ship's door finally opened. “Thank You” Daryl. “Mr. Rucker you know that tampering with me would ruin your lease agreement. We both know you need me and that you have no idea how to program anything more than a replicator and a holovid device.” Daryl stepped inside and spotted something in the corner of his eye as the doors had closed. From the shadows 3 sets of eyes. Daryl just remembered something “Shit” as a blur of motion knocked him to the ground.
“Down Girl” Daryl on his back as a 3 headed astro dog. As one head licked his face the other two searched his pockets. Eventually being able to wrestle the not so large but powerful dog from his chest. While Lovely was not a big huge bread actually close to the breads of the old earth similar to the French Bulldog. As Daryl got up I am sorry I could not get the treats. Three heads lowered, maintaining eye contact with their big brown eyes. They stared for a moment as Daryl showed his empty pockets of his one piece but slightly baggy coveralls. While Lovely was not really a force of security the three heads with their keen sense was really all he needed. Besides, she was so cute and at times was sure she was smarter than some of his customers. “I promise, After this run we will get some real meat. Not the simulation crap that we have.” Lovely seemed to perk up as it ran to the lift. Daryl stopped for a moment to wonder how three minds control the body to get going anywhere safely. As he walked over the lift as one of his true friends was waging their little tail happily he turned to the control panel where a single lever was there with a few lights that the labels had worn away decades ago.
It was fine, it was not hard to control, up went the front and down went to the rear. There were not even walls, just a waist level bar and a makeshift fence that he put in when he first got Lovely to keep her from hopping off.. Again. As he slowly moved forward picking up speed. Caitlyn smartly told him from his personal control pad that they were ready to go. “Fine, start the procedure and you will be in the driver's chair in 5 moments.” as Daryl knew moments were not a true measure of time but it made the AI mad at first. Not like killer mad but angry girlfriend mad. That could be worse at times but Caitlyn over the years gave up on perfect protocol. Also can you make sure that Chester is at least in the living compartment. Caitlyn sighed “I am not the keeper why should I look for that thing that crawls all over and inside our home. He rarely does anything and when he does 50% odds that hurts the Rush Valley.” Daryl just with little thought “Please” Daryl almost singing as a child begs a parent to be cute “Okay he is up in the front zone in a proper place so as not to get hurt.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Finally underway as he made sure not to go to fast but just fast enough not to toss him over the rail.
As he he traveled up the spine he could do his “Safety Inspection” of the for walk ways. It would cause vertigo to anyone who did not see it every day. “Well Lovely, 150 Years ago there would be a crew of 8. Imagine 8 humans and xenos work all over. It must have been beautiful. This ship was always beautiful.” Rucker letting out a low whistle as Lovely's heads seems to be in a flurry of cleaning and smiling at him. As they traveled at a slightly increasing speed with each section bathed in different colors signifying the different zones. Red, Yellow, Blue in a repeating order over and over then a section of White just for a moment. Quickly he started to turn the one level causing power to be cut to the lift. The lift just coasted, not like to stop but just enough that the micro gravity fields could be felt. Lovely barked with excitement with drooling and her little happy dance. Daryl always figured that the cute dance was too many messages from the three minds but it only happened during happiness so who knows not I. “Yes buddy this is always my favorite part” which was partially true he loved it but he loved all of it.
All around them a section that was transparent, just completely clear with the whole Universe around them with the slight pulls of gravity from the ship and the deceleration of the lift just gave the feeling of floating in space without the danger of the void. He thought to himself, Yea this upgrade by those dragon people was so worth the extra credit during overhaul. Maybe after this run he would see these transparent walls and make this the great family vacation place. His mind drifted to his kids, they live on two different planets enjoying their lives as a rancher and a small colony manager. They would be just about a decade younger by earth years. Rucker knew that all the time in lower hyperspace caused a weird relativity aging process. Just a bonus that he never really thought about when he started his second career in his life. Slowly they approached a white wall with a door as the lift drifted slowly to a small bump. The hatch opened and he walked in with lovely trodding behind. Daryl yelled “Okay lets get this show on the road.” Caitlyn spoke back “Aye Aye Captain.” Daryl grumbled back “You ruined it, I am a trucker.”
Daryl looked over his flight charts in his flight deck. Flight deck/home was really a 50 meter room with all the flight management systems and his bed and a little kitchen area. In the corner is where lovely was taking their place on the makeshift bed where she curled up waiting for the normal routine. Several containers of food and personal items were stored. As he took his seat in front of several monitors. One of the monitors was large and curved showing what was out in front. As the trucker sat down in a large and well worn seat putting on his head set.
“This is Rush Valley 154799, final inspections complete ready for departure for 2 standard months.” A voice of the controller responded “ Rush Valley 154799 you are cleared for departure please head to 90 by 170.54 at .5 AU as per flight plan.” “Rodger” Daryl stated. “Rush Valley 154799 please refrain from using species based slang as per standard code.” Daryl took a deep breath “ Sorry, I will refrain from species based language.” As he turned off his mic, Fuck you. Caitlyn appeared next to him crossing her arms, “Well, Well you are in a mood today. They are just keeping order and making sure that everything is safe.” Daryl gave a grin that made most species very nervous when they saw humans make this small facial gesture.
Daryl relaxed back in his chair and moved a small control panel to head toward a large gas giant. The AI was flickering as it was running several mathematical computations. Prepare for a slingshot maneuver in 10 seconds. Daryl knew this was an older technique to achieve speed but it would save him on fuel and fuel was money. As the forces caused the ship creaked from the extra strain of forces. As they begin to accelerate, Lovely buries herself into the blankets that make her bed. Daryl was extremely focused as he knew that many ships had cracked or burned up pulling this maneuver in the past. But the Rush Valley had been upgraded over the years not for luxury or even updated to be in code in the inner spiral but upgraded for him.
Once up to speed, thrusters were put to full charge to break gravitational pull. “There we go baby” as they flinged themselves to their next destination. “Again, Pilot Rucker, why do you insist on calling a ship older than you, Baby?” The AI quizzically asked. “As I have said, Rush Valley is my baby. I care for her, I feed her and she lives with us. We went over this a hundred times.” Daryl sharply stated. “Incorrect, Pilot Rucker, we have had this conversation 79 times.” As he rubbed his head, “Did you update while we were docked up.” “OF course there were many patches that you have not updated for a better interface.” she chirped. “Fuck no! Take out the new patches or I will have Murphy play with your control box.” The AI seemed to be horrified and then shifted into amusement. “You are bluffing.” As he turned his chair to face her he gave a smirk looking at her projected self. “Okay, I will be off line for an hour to meet your weird human desires” she faded out of sight as she started the process.
Daryl got up from his chair and went over to the food pantry. Getting 3 bowls out and three packages. Tearing open the packages he poured each package into each bowl. As he looked at it he growled. Looking at the three packages he could make out the word terrain on all three but he was not gifted with the many types of writing in the universe. “Caitlyn I need translation.” there was no response “Caitlyn!”. Then he realized she was still offline. As he thought to himself, well this is it. As he brought the bowl to lovely he put it down. As Lovely awoke came over to eat it quickly. He turned to a small hatch that was left open on the floor under the main array of terminals. “Murphy, Foamy, Murphy, Foamy” he sang into the hatch. Soon a white and gray cat appeared and stretched and sniffed the food. Daryl smiled and ran his fingers down the spine as the cat purred. Daryl gave a small chuckle “Head Engineer, Chester Murphy Fomey of the feline collective.” Daryl knew this was one of the best tricks humans had pulled off for years to list the pets as crewmembers to meet the requirements of bureaucracy. As Daryl sat in his chair with his bowl he took a big spoon full. As he put it in his mouth he had a quick realization that it was the cat's food. “Fuck it.”...