Personal Log 51: Barry
26 Sep 2016Jemine Caesar
15th September, 3301The Sundisk Bar
Darlton Orbital, Phra Mool
21.00 GST
I stood at the bar, hoping my contact would make himself known to me. I didn't have long to wait, as a man sidled up to me. He had black hair and mustache, and wore a black pilot jacket. Remembering Rudolphus' instruction, "do to this man like you know him well", I greeted him as if he were an old friend. I noticed he spoke with the same accent as Rudolphus.
*****
"Barry? Hello! Lovely to see you!"
"Greetings lady. It has been a while, but I'm glad we could meet again. What do you wish to drink?"
"I'll have a sweet white wine, please."
"Barman! Give her a sweet Chardonnay! And a brandy for me!"
"Thank you. So... Barry... you're looking well. Still drinking brandy, I see?"
"Yes. Lady, we take a seat at that empty table."
"Right. I like the mustache, Barry."
"Rudolphus wanted I did give you something."
"Oh?"
"Here. It is a trade route, that can make your fortune."
"This is a surprise. How do you know Rudolphus?"
"Rudolphus is a man of many opportunities. I help him, and he pays well."
"Um... do you know what he and I did in the elevator at Ackerman Market?"
"He said he pressed close to you, up against the wall, but then nothing happened."
"Yes. That's close enough."
"You have brought the birthday present?"
"Birthd--? Oh! Yes. I brought it, as agreed. It's still on my ship."
"You didn't open it, did you? Rudolphus said you are of the curious kind of woman."
"No, I didn't open it. What's in it?"
"I do not know, but it is not important that I know. Rudolphus will know."
"He will? He told me he didn't know what it was."
"It is mostly often better not to be curious around Rudolphus. That is just between us!"
"Oh, of course."
"His work with Zemina he takes very serious because he must do it to honour his father."
"Yes, he told me about his father."
"He is very fond of you, lady."
"Yes, I think he is. He was the first friend I made when I left my homeworld."
"Well, he must be special for you to do this for him."
"I... I felt guilty, I suppose. He was very kind to me."
"Hmm. Let we agree that he is a man of many faces. And him hanging around Zemina, well... she is not well known for being kind. And maybe I say too much, but last week I did join him to drink a brandy with Archon Delaine."
"Archon Delaine! Where did you see him?"
"At Lusonda."
"I... don't suppose he's there anymore, of course...?"
"No. Archon Delaine does not stay long in one place."
"I must say, I was surprised he didn't want me to take the... birthday present... to an Empire system. By the way, Barry, whose birthday is it?"
"He didn't want to put you in danger, bringing a canister with Hudson's symbol on it into Empire space."
"It isn't really a birthday present, is it?"
"I really don't know what it is. I always say too much around pretty women when I drink brandy. I hope you will not say anything to Rudolphus about me being so talkative. I don't want to end up in serv..."
" In service? No, Barry, your secret is safe with me. Besides, I think Rudolphus prefers his slaves to be female. And naked. 'Sensuous and devoted' are his main requirements, as I recall."
"Maybe that is a reason he does not look at free Imperial women."
"Aren't Imperial women sensuous, then?"
"He have also put insurance on them. His slaves, I mean. When something happen to his ship and he must escape in his pod, he get new slaves delivered."
"I see. A woman is just like a ship, hmm?"
"I don't think he say this for all women, but his slaves are only clones."
"Let's change the subject. Who do you think will be the next ruler of the Empire?"
"Lady, I'm just a common man. Rudolphus is mine patron, and his patron is Zemina, a senator. We must wait to see what the senate decides."
"And don't the people have a say in who rules them?"
"No."
"You say you help Rudolphus. Did you help him in Operation Z-Day?"
"No. He needed me in Operation Gabriel."
"And how did that work out?"
"Operation Gabriel was a success. Operation Z-Day failed. He did not tell me everything about the operation, but he was shouting that 650 million credits was lost."
"That is a lot of money! I can imagine he would have been angry."
"Come, lady, finish your drink. We must get to our ships. I'm expected back in two hours."
"Do you want to check the contents of the canister?"
"Ha! Rudolphus was right. You are very curious! The canister is locked, and only Rudolphus can open it. If I tried to open it, Rudolphus would not be happy."
"No, I don't suppose he would."
"We go now. And you are to do like we are very acquainted as we leave. You never know who might be look at us. And I don't want to use... this."
"A gun! How did you get that in here without setting all the alarms off?"
"There are ways. Give me your arm. I will tell you one thing about the canister. There is a tracker device in it."
"I see. How did the canister come to be at Eravate?"
"I don't know. Rudolphus will know. You must ask him."
"I will."
*****
We left the Sundisk, and made our way to the hangar bay where The Last Thing waited.
*****
"Here we are, Barry. Bay 27."
"Nice ship. A Cobra."
"I expect you will be seeing to the transfer of the canister?"
"Yes. I take care of everything, just watch. See... cargo hatch opens... canister unloads... transfers to loader... then will load to my ship... all done!"
"So, now you have what you came for."
"Not yet. Can we depart with a kiss? No? Well, It was worth a try."
"I don't think Rudolphus would be pleased, would he?"
"I think he would not care."
"To be honest, Barry, I rather suspected you would try something more."
"You know men well."
"I have known many men. More than I care to think about."
"I see. Lady, I must leave now. Time becomes short. Do you want mine comms code? For when you feel... lonely."
"That won't be necessary, but thank you."
"Be well, lady."
"You too, Barry."
*****
Barry left. Sighing with relief, I climbed into the cockpit of The Last Thing. I felt quite incongruous in my dress and high heels. Barry had been wearing magboots, but the low-g environment had made the final part of our meeting a little awkward for me. Exhausted, and a little light-headed from the wine, I called Sam to tell him my mission was over.