Cantilever Jones Swings Low, Part 1
“Is nothing to me. I don’t belong to your creepy star-cult, whatever it is. All I know is you’re not Bindu, because
Bindu know what transport costs and don’t haggle over prices. My price is fair. Pay it or stay here.”
They sat there, staring forward like fresh corpses.
“How do we know you will keep your word?” said Pale-Face.
“Because I have an Imperial transport license. If I screw you over, your buddies can complain to the Admirality
about me, and I will be in a world of trouble. Look me up and see how many negatives I have. You can count them
on one hand.”
“We will pay you 12,000,” said Dark-Face, “If you wait for our return trip.”
“All three of you?”
“Yes,” said Pale-Face.
“15,000,” I said. “That gives you the return for half-price.”
They didn’t even hesitate: “Agreed.” Then they stood, shook my hand awkwardly, and left by the nearest door.
“Norl, I feel like I left money on the table.”
{I think you did. But you wanna know what I wonder?}
“What?”
{Who ‘she’ is, and why they taking her there just to take her back.}
*
*
*
No troubles accompanied our departure. I didn’t expect any, because however buggy those two looked, they
didn’t act like they were on the run. So whatever house of worship they belong to hasn’t run afoul of the Empire
yet. Which means they either have already aligned themselves to the Stygian Ecumenical Guidelines, or they
haven’t had to make that choice yet. I’m leaning towards the latter, but you never can tell.
In any case, they kept to themselves for most of the trip. We have a decent galley on board, and I don’t uncharge
for food unless you have weird dietary requirements, but I also don’t mind those that bring their own provisions.
Once you’ve paid for the trip, it’s very chill aboard the Jones. Easiest way to get along with people is to give them
space and needs. Once you’ve agreed upon a price, of course.
The hyperdrive loops were such that we had a little over a standard Galactic Day in transit. I spent most of it
reading The Ungoliad in the cockpit while Vin did 90% of the piloting. He occasionally asked me why I was reading
a book I had already read several times, and was not satisfied when I explained that I learned something new each
time. Not that I would expect a nav-bot to grasp that the inefficiency of literature is part of the point. I keep
expecting him to just absorb human behavior as a data point, but I guess they’re not programed for that.