Cryptic Gifts
22 Feb 2024Ryuko Ntsikana
Cryptic Gifts
Colonia Region
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Fifteen million for an hour's worth of routine flying was a bonus in anyone's ledger. A few bounties added to that as I entertained a couple of the more hopeful types who couldn’t tell an armored and armed passenger ship from a thin-hulled cargo transport. A couple of their members were floating nearby in their escape pods. I kept my position near them and the floating wreckage that used to be their ship because the business passengers appeared to enjoy it.
Aby stared at the remains of the floating scrapyard that at one time was a Krait Mk II, a ship type I had thought of buying on several occasions, but its lack of cargo capacity compared to the Python always stopped me short of buying it.
"What will become of them?"
I shrugged, looking at a multi-panel feed on one of the bridge monitors, showing the businessmen’s excitement and their grandiose gesturing over our nearby orbiting pair.
"We cash in the bounty and let the security department at our destination station know where these two are."
"That was not an answer to the question."
If this kept up, I was going to charge Aby tuition. "Whatever the security forces want to do with or to them... what do we care?"
"If you could take them, what would you..."
"Sell them and get paid," I interrupted, knowing where he was going with this.
Aby paused to examine his ethics and morality programming. This gave me a moment to watch the clients as the old pirate and bounty hunter in me saw a potential to up my earning game.
"Disengage your questions of morality long enough to save a recording of the engagement and send a copy to each of our passengers."
That caused Aby to tilt his head again in a way that was not normal for Android programming. Whether he picked up the trait due to experiences or through mimicry, I couldn’t say.
"This is an odd request. Is there a purpose for it?"
I nodded, studying the security feed.
***
Whirling Station, Ogmar System.
The tech bazaars and kiosks were fresh in my mind, since before departing Giles Station in the Deriso System a day past. Aby’s questions a few days ago about relaxation swirled around in my head, as did his purpose for being paired with me out here. There was nothing I could do about any of those situations except make the best of them that I could. No one said I couldn’t have a little fun while doing it.
I may have left pirating, but old pirate habits had not left me. Especially the one of always checking your scanners for what isn’t there versus what is. The couple blended in with this crowd well enough, but their movements were anything but random. While browsing the local wares, I took a path that would take me out of their direct line of sight as often as possible. They would counter by splitting up and going to other vendors, with one always back in my line of sight.
Stepping into the android and robotics store, I kept myself at the nearest shopping terminal near the entrance and in front of the employee patiently waiting for my questions, behind the counter. From this position, I could watch the reflections from the screen and keep an eye on them.
The female attendant was a nice looker, but it was the last thing I needed, at least until I got the price off my head.
"I noticed you have the basic line of the regular bots and droids, but I have specific needs, that also require it to be unlocked, so that I can update as the tech becomes available."
"What do you need it to do?"
I outlined the specifics of the base design along with the extras I needed, causing a blush to appear on her cheeks. I admit, she was tempting, but I had made that mistake often enough and didn’t need any complications until I was free and clear of the bubble’s jurisdictional nonsense hanging over my head.
She went to get her supervisor, who I had to explain everything to a second time as the rose colors on her cheeks deepened. I admit, the extra color looked good with her shoulder-length black hair and green eyes. A smirk formed on my face as I caught myself, refocusing as the supervisor finished tapping on his data tablet, turning its screen so that I could see the estimated cost.
Ten million credits wasn’t a problem, as long as they didn’t waste my time.
"The sale is contingent on how long it will take it to be ready."
I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye as my chaperons walked into the front of the store, pretending to browse, as the supervisor tapped on his tablet.
"Your specifications are, let’s say, unique. To be honest, this type of fusion and required modifications will take several techs' time to modify the base model with your unique requirements. We get a supply ship from the bubble once every two days."
He rubbed his hands on his pants in a nervous fashion, his eyes looking to the couple who were browsing, then back up to me.
"Some of your requirements will have to come from there, which runs up the price. Once everything is here, it will take another day to get everything together, then one or two days to ensure it meets your aesthetic requirements, run diagnostics, and do any fine-tuning that is required."
Reaching out, I took the tablet from his hand, placed my thumb on its pad, and looked into its camera for facial and retina verification.
His attention was drawn to his tablet as it beeped in confirmation of the transfer of credits to their account, as I put my hand on the supervisor’s shoulder.
"When it is ready, I will take delivery at this station. No one who is not involved with it is to allow it to be seen by others until I take possession. You can do this, yes?"
He nodded nervously as I smiled, turning my head to wink at the girl before turning towards the entrance, making sure to walk close by the browsing couple.