It had been two hundred years since Tejeda last set foot on Aunald. Valeria’s Moon looked as bleak as its citizens’ faces. Who could smile under this clouded black sky? The industry was what sustained Aunald’s economy, and almost everybody here worked in mines or factories. It was not an easy life.

Drops of water splashed all around his boots as he went down the streets and alleyways. Shayla walked next to him. Her gait was more chaotic as she tried to avoid the black puddles on the sidewalk.

At first, it seemed like a good idea for Tejeda to take her along with him. Maybe he could find out why she had that reaction yesterday. Beridian or King Astin? Which of the two was the source of her rage?

Tall chimneys atop spherical roofs emitted black smoke. The factories looked the same as when Tejeda last saw them. He was on the hunt for another crazy scientist at the time, but for more personal reasons. What was the deal with Aunald and the insane scientists? What drew them here? Or did the dark clouds and smoke obscure their nefarious activities?

Aunald needed to grow its industry after the economic debacle of five hundred years ago. Tejeda knew it all too well. He was there. Also, this created the perfect location for not quite legal enterprises, since the government wanted money for the budget, regardless of their provenance.

Hands in his pockets, he stopped right in front of a set of stairs. These led to a two-story building, one of the few that wasn’t a dwelling or a factory. Above the entrance, a smudged plate announced, ‘The Trade Union for the Science Guild’.

Rare and complex materials for advanced sciences were hard to obtain. The Trade Union was where scientists bartered or monetized their projects or knowledge in carefully managed distribution. Whether you were looking for a superconductor ore, a meteorite with unusual properties, or formulas with non-mainstream uses, this was the place to go.

The Trade Union also handled macro-purchases such as countries wanting to buy research for a new power source that would enhance their capabilities thousandfold. That would have to go through the Trade Union. For a fee, of course.

This was the single place Tejeda could think of where a scientist delving into forbidden experiments would have to resurface. After he opened the door, a long reception desk came into view. Three clerks, two Valerians and a human, handled piles of papers. Aunald's leadership wasn’t interested in investing credits for technologies, especially for bureaucracy.

“Why aren’t robots around to handle this?”Shayla gestured toward the clerks.

"On Aunald, technology is permitted only if it aids in manufacturing or mining," Tejeda slammed the door behind them. "Biological employees are less expensive, even if a worker receives robotic upgrades to replace a limb they lost due to work accidents. Maintaining and repairing robots demands the hire of top-tier, higher-paid experts, as well as the purchase of more expensive equipment and materials."

Stolen story; please report.

A Surtamite pounded two sets of fists against the desk, causing papers to fly into the air and land on the floor. "I require a loan. My research funds are almost depleted."

“As I’ve already said,” the human clerk pushed his glasses between his eyes using two fingers, “the Trade Union isn’t a bank.”

Tejeda felt grateful he wasn’t in the clerk’s shoes. Handling a Surtamite was no easy task, and he was shivering every time he glanced at those limbs. This myriapod species were the proud owners of twenty limbs, five pairs of hands and five pairs of feet.

“I thought you were supposed to help scientists and strive for improvements.” The Surtamite raised his head with two antennas pointing toward the ceiling. “The world will benefit greatly from my endeavor.”

“I know I’ll regret asking, but what’s your research about?” The clerk stopped his attempts to gather the papers and gave his full attention to the myriapod. While the Surtamite was still there, keeping things in order was futile.

Tejeda drew closer, listening in with an amused grin on his face. He placed himself in line after the myriapod.

"An automated circuit connecting multiple pairs of shoes that one can use to get all of one’s feet properly dressed in less than a second." The Surtamite’s upper half swelled with pride. Maybe his bottom half too, but that was still horizontal, leaning on his 10 feet. "A much-needed technology, I must say."

Tejeda chuckled. The Surtamite turned to him, his mandible twitching.

Then the clerk’s voice came from behind the myriapod. “Oh, I see. Interesting. And why do you need funds?”

The Surtamite yelled while turning back to the clerk, “To buy shoes, of course.”

Impossible to hold it in any longer, Tejeda burst in a peal of full-body laughter, even leaning forward and slapping his knee. “Of course, what else?” he muttered between the jolts.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the clerk replied, unphased by Tejeda’s laughter. He looked down at the Surtamite’s five pairs of bare feet. “There are a few rare cases in which the Trade Union had supplied money for research. But that doesn’t apply to personal needs.”

A cracking sound came from the Surtamite’s tough exoskeleton when his back curved. “Are you both making fun of me?”

His upper half almost reached the ceiling when he straightened his back, ten arms flailing nervously in the air. The lower half still supporting him on the remaining ten limbs tapped the floor as if he wanted to be ready to fight. For sure, he didn’t look like an easy opponent to take on.

Shayla placed a hand on the laser pistol holstered at her thigh. Tejeda’s fingers slowly touched hers. “The use of weaponry inside an official building on Aunald is punished with ten years of working in a factory. You don’t want that, Shayla.”

“Then what can we do if he attacks?” she whispered.

Tejeda touched Carmen with his other hand. “Don’t worry. I have her.”

Shayla took a step back, shaking her head, as the enraged myriapod surged at Tejeda. He now had ample space to amuse himself as much as he pleased.