Chapter 1p3 – A Bit of a Character

Tic led Mr. Overard around to the back of the ship and up the ramp into the hold.

"Where have you been, Mr. Bolter?" said a matronly electronic voice. "Not getting yourself into any trouble, I hope!"

"Told you she was a bit of a character," said Tic to Overard out of the side of his mouth.

"I heard that!" said the AI.

Tic ignored the AI and turned back to his prospective client. "So, this is the hold. Plenty of space, lots of tie-downs. It's even got temperature and humidity control."

"Well it would," chimed in Pelly, "if you'd go out and get the replacement parts I need!"

"Shut up," said Tic. To Overard, he said, "What exactly do you need moved?"

"A few pieces of heavy machinery and about a dozen crates of parts," said Overard. "We're setting up a new factory on Entulov 5, trying to get the jump on an emerging market, you know. Our usual shippers only go to the Entu system monthly, and we can't wait that long."

"It'll take me three days," said Tic. "I can leave right away, but I'll want half of my pay up-front."

"We can accommodate that." Overard held out his hand, and Tic shook it. "I'll email you the appropriate forms and contracts when I get back to the office. The crates will be delivered when those have been signed." Overard took out his PAI and started tapping at the screen as he headed down the ramp.

Tic did a tiny, surreptitious fist-pump.

"Don't get too excited," said Pelly. "You have another visitor."

A banshee-like shriek assailed Overard as he stepped onto the deck of Bay 48: "YOU! WHERE'S BOLTER!?"

Tic ground his teeth. A voice that loud could only be coming from one person: Lady Libden.

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