The Root of Suffering
13 Dec 2020Elkyri
Aldrich Station3305.12.12
Unquenched desire is what the Buddha called it. His second Great Truth was that wanting things we cannot obtain causes us to suffer and be unhappy. He would have me set aside this sudden desire for a new ship. I don't think I can bring myself to do that. There is nothing wrong with Child, mind you; it's just that I'm leaving money on the table.
I've banked quite a number of credits running data cores back and forth but it seems there is always somebody wanting cargo hauled in the same direction. It would be an easy two-for-one run if only I had the cargo capacity, which Child just doesn't have. I have to get into a bigger ship if I'm going to get ahead.
Aldrich Station is built inside a hollowed out asteroid. Interesting place but still a work in progress and pretty Spartan in accommodations. The lounge here isn't much to speak of but they have a good data connection so I was using it to check the specs on Zorgon Peterson's Adder. It could double Child's cargo capacity and is easily within reach of my budget but the spacer sitting next to me at the bar -- paying more attention than I might like to what I'm doing -- suggests holding off until I can afford a Cobra.
"It's what Jameson flew," he said.
"He wasn't hauling cargo though, was he?"
"Not that time but it will haul twice as much as that Adder you're looking at."
"And cost four times as much." I thought that would end it.
"It's a much better ship and will pay that back in one run if you play your cards right." He wasn't giving up. Must own stock in Faulcon DeLacy.
"I hear they found Jameson's Cobra." I changed the subject.
"Yeah, I've heard that too but some things are better left alone, if you get my drift." He had that look that said he knew something I didn't.
"You won't find a Cobra on the market here." Now it was him changing the subject. "Get yourself over to Mawson Dock and have a closeup look at one. You'll thank me later."
He touched two fingers to his forehead in show of a dismissive salute and wandered off. Now I'm sitting here searching GalNet for specs on the Cobra. Maybe Buddha had it right. Maybe I should just let it go and be happy to keep plugging away in Child. Or maybe it was Joplin who got it right when she prayed for a Mercedes. I'll have to do more than pray, though. I'll start with another go at the mission board. Maybe someone has data they need delivered to Mawson.