Information was the most prescious commodity in the entire universe. It was hard to come by, expensive to obtain, and useless if everyone else knew it. On Lamplight there were many peddlers of information, some more reliable than others, and none of them completely trust worthy. Allan Gray,ship's doctor for the Valkyrie Reborn, knew them all.
What he was looking for was information that would mean a good payoff, and there was only one truly reliable source for anything big. Skeev Max, known to everyone as the little curio shop owner on the lower borough. Allan knew him as the one with his ear out for the best tidbits of anything that could be useful. Allan didn’t know what Skeev’s species even was, he was the only one of his kind on Lamplight, likely the only one in this quadrant. The little furry alien was droning off a number of possible jobs that he thought might interest Allan.
'There's a bounty out for a trio of deadbeats who fled from Vaeal,' Skeev said, running his furry fingers across his tablet as he went through his notes. '20k GBC each dead or alive. Last known location the Tifrum Sector.’
'Wouldn't cover the coast of flying out there,' Allan said, feigning boredom. This was the same dance they always did. Skeev would list a bunch of small time payouts and Allan would progressively get more irritated.
'How about...the Trivanians are looking for freelance cargo transport.’
'And then get nickled and dimed over every little cost so you don't make a profit. No, we don't do work for the Corporations.' He figured that he’d given the alien enough time to play at time wasting. Allan leaned forward in his chair. 'Come on Skeev, have I ever stiffed you on a fee? I know this sector is chock full of deadbeats, but if you’re not gonna give me anything worth my time, I’m gonna have to move on.'
'Now Allan, I know you're always true to your word. You’re my best client.'
'Then why are you feeding me this garbage? What do you got that will be worth my time coming here?'
The little alien bared his teeth at Allan, his way of showing respect. 'How about that missing ore freighter, the one carrying all that Hemacite?' Skeev produced a small data capsule and held it up. 'Went missing on its journey to the Drovaktum. Vanished, no trace. Well I know this Skaif, does data acquisition for some of the regional powers, said one of his satellites picked up a partial data transmission, matched the missing freighter. Sent it along to me.'
'Is he reliable?'
'As reliable as I am. Long as he's getting paid. Stop paying him and this data will be common knowledge by the end of the day. He’s worth every credit though.'
'How much?' Allen asked, knowing the price would be steep. But so would the payout. Hemacite was particularly useful in space warping technology, and the Drovaktrum and Trivanians were buying it up quicker than it could be refined.
'A hundred twenty-eight thousand. And none of that Trivanion backed bullshit everyone's pushing for. Galactic Buyers Credits.'
Allan closed his eyes, contemplating. It was a huge sum, especially for a lead but Hemacite even in small quantities would pay all expenses for the Valkyrie and her crew for over a year. The freighters entire cargo would keep them flying for a long time. Hell they might even be able to take a short retirement period. They could actually have savings for the slower times. He considered negotiating lower, but he knew Skeev wouldn't ask more than it was worth unless he thought someone was a sucker, and Allan was anything but.
'Alright,' Allan said. '128k GBC is a deal.'
Skeev passed him the data capsule as Allan used his personal device to transfer the agreed upon amount. He pocketed it inside his jacket and left the shop. He made his way up to the central borough. The crowds were larger than the last time he'd been here. Lamplight was turning into a bustling market. It didn’t bode well for outlaws and scoundrels, especially with a number of powers trying to bring the station into line.
At the central borough he headed towards the largest club on the station, a loud and flashy place called Marrow's. He found most of the Valkyrie's crew here enjoying their time off the ship. He heard Amanda before he saw her. She was arguing loudly with a large alien, likely something to do with weaponry. Johnny was sitting next to her, nursing some kind of glowing green drink. Markov and Androkar were at a cards table, most of their money already lost. At a small table tucked into a corner he saw Sariah trying to sit in a chair that wasn't designed for her anatomy. She was watching the dancing going on near the front of the club, her ears twitching to the beat.
Allan didn't know much about Affey behavior but from the way her tail was swinging about he guessed she was enjoying herself. At the same table, across from Sariah, Barbara Bishop was slumped over face down. From the dozen bottles stacked up in front of her, it was obvious the XO was drunk.
Allan made his way over to the two ladies. He waved at Sariah as she noticed him approach. 'How did it go?' She asked, yelling over the noise.
'I got us some work.' He gestured inquisitively at the passed out XO.
'She is quite asleep,' Sariah answered. ‘She was downing Vulian Ale, and I don’t think her metabolism could process it.’
Allan flagged down a passing server droid and got himself a beer. 'Where's the terror?' he asked, realizing there were still some of the crew missing.
'Miss Campbell took her to the promenade to visit the shops. She thought this place unsuitable for someone of Lucy's age.'
Allan made a mental note to thank Melissa next time he saw her. He wasn't that surprised that no one else had thought to keep a twelve year old away from a dance club. He hadn’t either, but to be honest she would probably behave herself better than the rest of the crew.
‘I think I might go catch up to them?’ he told Sariah. ‘Care to tag along? I’m sure you’d enjoy yourself more there, than here.’
She agreed, and Allan quickly sent a message to the captain before they ducked out of the club. Sariah gave the bouncer a large tip to keep an eye on the passed out XO.
Captain Morrison read the message from the doctor. Allan had proven to be an incredible asset. They’d been on Lamplight for less than an hour and they already had work lined up. He didn’t need to know what it was yet, but he trusted the good doctor.
‘I have the recordings you requested,’ the shop droid informed the captain as he looked up from the communicator. ‘All news archives from within Terrestrial Space going back twelve months.’ There was a beep and whir and then a data capsule slid up from a dispenser in the counter. James slid his cred card and payed for the data.
He left the shop and his daughter, who had been waiting by the entrance, fell into step beside him. ‘What are you looking for in those?’ she asked.
‘Nothing particular,’ he answered, noticing the annoyed expression she gave, her brows furrowing into a sharp arch. ‘I’m more interested in what isn’t in here.’ They grabbed a hover cab, which headed off towards the station’s presidium levels.
‘Like what?’ she persisted, settling into the seat across from him. ‘Why are you so interested in Terran News when we can’t go back. I know you’re not homesick.’ She folded her arms across her chest, something her mother had also done when he’d irritated her.
He decided to be as truthful as he could be. ‘I don’t really know what I’m waiting to see in here. I used to pay attention to the news to see any names I recognized. Who had been captured, who’d taken the pardons and became a member of the NTO. Now I’m just hoping to see anything that’s true. All of this is propaganda, it’s all lies, but once in a while they let something slip. Maybe it’s trouble in the colonies, or one of their party members retires in seclusion (which always means they’ve been removed), any of this could be useful.’
‘You’re still fighting the war,’ she asked him incrediously. ‘We lost it, dad. The fights over.’
‘For me, yeah. And for you, but some of the rest are still fighting and I give them what aid I can. It’s the least I could do.’
He was saved a response by their cap arriving at the presidium. A glass dome covered the upper levels of the station, and the sky was dominated by the swirling mass of an orange gas giant, giving the streets a homely and calm feel. Here the shops were large and bright, selling the newest and best fashions, the finest quality items, and providing dining from every corner of the quadrant and beyond.
He had a destination, and so he walked briskly. His daughter followed, remaining silent. He hoped it was because she had given up, but he was sure she’d have more to say once they returned to the ship.
James had received a transmission from an old friend and they were meeting here. He had never expected to see the man out here on Lamplight, felt this hive of villainy might be offensive to such a man’s senses. That was obviously not the case, and James found himself amazed at his friend’s thirst for adventure. Or maybe he was just trying to get away from his home.
He arrived at their meeting spot, the best and most expensive lodging on the station. After announcing himself at the front desk, James was directed to the correct room.
What he was looking for was information that would mean a good payoff, and there was only one truly reliable source for anything big. Skeev Max, known to everyone as the little curio shop owner on the lower borough. Allan knew him as the one with his ear out for the best tidbits of anything that could be useful. Allan didn’t know what Skeev’s species even was, he was the only one of his kind on Lamplight, likely the only one in this quadrant. The little furry alien was droning off a number of possible jobs that he thought might interest Allan.
'There's a bounty out for a trio of deadbeats who fled from Vaeal,' Skeev said, running his furry fingers across his tablet as he went through his notes. '20k GBC each dead or alive. Last known location the Tifrum Sector.’
'Wouldn't cover the coast of flying out there,' Allan said, feigning boredom. This was the same dance they always did. Skeev would list a bunch of small time payouts and Allan would progressively get more irritated.
'How about...the Trivanians are looking for freelance cargo transport.’
'And then get nickled and dimed over every little cost so you don't make a profit. No, we don't do work for the Corporations.' He figured that he’d given the alien enough time to play at time wasting. Allan leaned forward in his chair. 'Come on Skeev, have I ever stiffed you on a fee? I know this sector is chock full of deadbeats, but if you’re not gonna give me anything worth my time, I’m gonna have to move on.'
'Now Allan, I know you're always true to your word. You’re my best client.'
'Then why are you feeding me this garbage? What do you got that will be worth my time coming here?'
The little alien bared his teeth at Allan, his way of showing respect. 'How about that missing ore freighter, the one carrying all that Hemacite?' Skeev produced a small data capsule and held it up. 'Went missing on its journey to the Drovaktum. Vanished, no trace. Well I know this Skaif, does data acquisition for some of the regional powers, said one of his satellites picked up a partial data transmission, matched the missing freighter. Sent it along to me.'
'Is he reliable?'
'As reliable as I am. Long as he's getting paid. Stop paying him and this data will be common knowledge by the end of the day. He’s worth every credit though.'
'How much?' Allen asked, knowing the price would be steep. But so would the payout. Hemacite was particularly useful in space warping technology, and the Drovaktrum and Trivanians were buying it up quicker than it could be refined.
'A hundred twenty-eight thousand. And none of that Trivanion backed bullshit everyone's pushing for. Galactic Buyers Credits.'
Allan closed his eyes, contemplating. It was a huge sum, especially for a lead but Hemacite even in small quantities would pay all expenses for the Valkyrie and her crew for over a year. The freighters entire cargo would keep them flying for a long time. Hell they might even be able to take a short retirement period. They could actually have savings for the slower times. He considered negotiating lower, but he knew Skeev wouldn't ask more than it was worth unless he thought someone was a sucker, and Allan was anything but.
'Alright,' Allan said. '128k GBC is a deal.'
Skeev passed him the data capsule as Allan used his personal device to transfer the agreed upon amount. He pocketed it inside his jacket and left the shop. He made his way up to the central borough. The crowds were larger than the last time he'd been here. Lamplight was turning into a bustling market. It didn’t bode well for outlaws and scoundrels, especially with a number of powers trying to bring the station into line.
At the central borough he headed towards the largest club on the station, a loud and flashy place called Marrow's. He found most of the Valkyrie's crew here enjoying their time off the ship. He heard Amanda before he saw her. She was arguing loudly with a large alien, likely something to do with weaponry. Johnny was sitting next to her, nursing some kind of glowing green drink. Markov and Androkar were at a cards table, most of their money already lost. At a small table tucked into a corner he saw Sariah trying to sit in a chair that wasn't designed for her anatomy. She was watching the dancing going on near the front of the club, her ears twitching to the beat.
Allan didn't know much about Affey behavior but from the way her tail was swinging about he guessed she was enjoying herself. At the same table, across from Sariah, Barbara Bishop was slumped over face down. From the dozen bottles stacked up in front of her, it was obvious the XO was drunk.
Allan made his way over to the two ladies. He waved at Sariah as she noticed him approach. 'How did it go?' She asked, yelling over the noise.
'I got us some work.' He gestured inquisitively at the passed out XO.
'She is quite asleep,' Sariah answered. ‘She was downing Vulian Ale, and I don’t think her metabolism could process it.’
Allan flagged down a passing server droid and got himself a beer. 'Where's the terror?' he asked, realizing there were still some of the crew missing.
'Miss Campbell took her to the promenade to visit the shops. She thought this place unsuitable for someone of Lucy's age.'
Allan made a mental note to thank Melissa next time he saw her. He wasn't that surprised that no one else had thought to keep a twelve year old away from a dance club. He hadn’t either, but to be honest she would probably behave herself better than the rest of the crew.
‘I think I might go catch up to them?’ he told Sariah. ‘Care to tag along? I’m sure you’d enjoy yourself more there, than here.’
She agreed, and Allan quickly sent a message to the captain before they ducked out of the club. Sariah gave the bouncer a large tip to keep an eye on the passed out XO.
Captain Morrison read the message from the doctor. Allan had proven to be an incredible asset. They’d been on Lamplight for less than an hour and they already had work lined up. He didn’t need to know what it was yet, but he trusted the good doctor.
‘I have the recordings you requested,’ the shop droid informed the captain as he looked up from the communicator. ‘All news archives from within Terrestrial Space going back twelve months.’ There was a beep and whir and then a data capsule slid up from a dispenser in the counter. James slid his cred card and payed for the data.
He left the shop and his daughter, who had been waiting by the entrance, fell into step beside him. ‘What are you looking for in those?’ she asked.
‘Nothing particular,’ he answered, noticing the annoyed expression she gave, her brows furrowing into a sharp arch. ‘I’m more interested in what isn’t in here.’ They grabbed a hover cab, which headed off towards the station’s presidium levels.
‘Like what?’ she persisted, settling into the seat across from him. ‘Why are you so interested in Terran News when we can’t go back. I know you’re not homesick.’ She folded her arms across her chest, something her mother had also done when he’d irritated her.
He decided to be as truthful as he could be. ‘I don’t really know what I’m waiting to see in here. I used to pay attention to the news to see any names I recognized. Who had been captured, who’d taken the pardons and became a member of the NTO. Now I’m just hoping to see anything that’s true. All of this is propaganda, it’s all lies, but once in a while they let something slip. Maybe it’s trouble in the colonies, or one of their party members retires in seclusion (which always means they’ve been removed), any of this could be useful.’
‘You’re still fighting the war,’ she asked him incrediously. ‘We lost it, dad. The fights over.’
‘For me, yeah. And for you, but some of the rest are still fighting and I give them what aid I can. It’s the least I could do.’
He was saved a response by their cap arriving at the presidium. A glass dome covered the upper levels of the station, and the sky was dominated by the swirling mass of an orange gas giant, giving the streets a homely and calm feel. Here the shops were large and bright, selling the newest and best fashions, the finest quality items, and providing dining from every corner of the quadrant and beyond.
He had a destination, and so he walked briskly. His daughter followed, remaining silent. He hoped it was because she had given up, but he was sure she’d have more to say once they returned to the ship.
James had received a transmission from an old friend and they were meeting here. He had never expected to see the man out here on Lamplight, felt this hive of villainy might be offensive to such a man’s senses. That was obviously not the case, and James found himself amazed at his friend’s thirst for adventure. Or maybe he was just trying to get away from his home.
He arrived at their meeting spot, the best and most expensive lodging on the station. After announcing himself at the front desk, James was directed to the correct room.
