by Phil Elroy

Created on: November 15, 2009   Last Updated: November 16, 2009

"You're taking a damn big risk, Sven." moaned Calaver Veras.

"Cal, you're my first mate, you should realize that I take risks," he indicated the broken and mangled starship over his shoulder. "How else do you think the ship got in this condition?"

The hull of the 4,000 ton ship was worn and battered. Bits of it were missing completely. Despite the damage it had suffered, the words "BULLET EAGLE" still read proudly on its side.

"Sven, come on. You don't even know this guy. Twelve million gilven just to ride aboard a starship? It sounds fishy to me."

"Cal, stop worrying. I've been in this business for twenty years, and I'm still around, aren't I?"

"Just barely..." muttered Cal.

"Besides," continued Sven, "We could use the money. Like I said before, look at the ship. She's due for some major repairs. Twelve million gilven will help fix her up and maybe add a bit to the dcor."

Cal just sighed. It wasn't the first time his captain had taken on an odd job. But as he had said, he always did manage to make it out alive somehow.

"So when do we get to meet this mystery client anyway?" asked Calaver.

Sven checked his watch.

"He said to meet him in the port's lounge at 9:30."

Cal glanced at his watch. It read 10:02.

"Sven! We were supposed to be there over a half an hour ago!"

"I know," Sven replied conversationally, "But you said it sounded fishy. This is my way of seeing how much he really wants to ride on a starship."

Five minutes later, Sven and Cal walked into the drably decorated lounge. Some terrible metallic music was exuding from the speakers overhead. There were a few lone figures sitting at the bar and a man in a neat white suit sitting in one of the rickety chairs set in front of the vacant stage. The man was clutching a fedora rather nervously. When he saw Sven enter, he stood up.

"You must be captain Strm." said the man, extending a hand.

"I am indeed, but call me Sven." replied the captain with a warm smile. "Please forgive our tardiness. Cal here wanted to check to make sure that all of the ship's computers were still working at top efficiency."

"Of course," thought Cal, "Say being late was my fault...again."

"Yes, yes, of course." The man let out a jittery laugh, "Wouldn't want anything to go wrong on a starship, would we?"

"Of course not." said Sven reassuringly. He looked at the minuscule black briefcase that the man was carrying. "That's all you're bringing?"

"Yes..." said the man, "I don't need much to get by. I only expect to be up there for a few

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