Epilogue – Cheated
06 Dec 2021Green Delta 11
6 December 3077
Explorer's Anchorage (Ocellus Starport)
Stuemeae FG-Y d7561
Galactic Center
We arrived at Explorers Anchorage starport on 5 December 3077. We were meet at our hangar by several workers that began transferring our cargo of wreckage to unmarked space craft. That included all of the black boxes that we recovered as well.
“Well, that is the last of it. I am going to buy the drinks and dinner. Its on me”, says Ellen.
“That sounds good to me”, I reply.
I was very happy and excited. Today is the big pay off. Money and a free Fleet Carrier. I will retire, and I will never have to leave an earth like planet again. As a matter of fact, I was thinking of going all the way back to Sol and the actual Earth. I had heard the South Pacific is the place to be for an old spacer like myself.
We disembarked and made our way to the lounge and grabed a table. Ellen was actually in a good mood. After dinner she would transfer the funds and give me the location of my new FC.
“Let me get you a big Lavian Brandy”, She said. I remembered that she was smiling when she returned with the drinks. She handed me the brandy. I took a sip. And that is the last I remembered until getting out of my bunk this morning.
My head hurt. The room was spinning slowly. There was a hairball in my left boot. Her cats color. Ellen's state room was cleared out. No moneys were transferred. No directions to a fleet carrier. I have been cheated.
Months ago I was in this same starport and was cheated and robbed by what I thought was a nice lady. I gave up the Lavian Brandy then and now I suppose I am going to have to do it again.
At least I have the money from the sell of my cartographic data. That should pay for the ship repairs, hanger rent, and resupply. Then I am broke. I am going to need a job. I wonder if my good buddy on the SCG Kearsarge will let me cook for the crew again? That was such a long time ago. I am sure that little food poisoning thing has been forgotten. Or so I thought.
I sent a hypergram to the Kearsarge and got this reply... “You need to pay restitution fees for the crewers that died of food poisoning from your last shift, Delta. Jk ” . Now that had me worried till I realized jk meant Just Kidding.
Ok, I am going to set course for the SCG Kearsarge. Screwed again. I think I will give up the Lavian Brandy for good this time.