Chapter 5p3 – Corpora-what?

The message that had showed up on Gord's PAI read as follows:

STATUS ALERT: TIC BOLTER BOUNTY

A spaceship belonging to corporate spy Tic Bolter has been spotted entering Haddockian orbit today. The exact whereabouts of the "Galactic Pelican" and its pilot are unknown.

Be alert for any sign of Bolter or his ship. He has been identified as playing a role in the smuggling of secret yeti repellent research belonging to Dunter Yeti Security. The illegal data theft of Bolter and his co-conspirators is estimated to have cost the company as much as 10 million litres over the past 10 years.

Bolter may be armed, and is likely dangerous. Approach with caution.

Bounty Upgrade: 250,000L awarded on delivery. Must be taken alive.

Milly looked down at Tic, who was sprawled across the floor with a strip of bacon hanging out of his mouth. She gave him a nudge with her foot. "Well, Tic? Are you really a corporate spy?"

"Corpora-what?" he mumbled.

Milly showed the message to Haglyn. The troglodytic woman read it through, her grin growing wider with each sentence. "Hope it's true. Serves Dunter right!"

"What kind of research could they be doing that needs to be kept so secret?" wondered Milly aloud.

"Yeti security is big money on Haddock."

"I guess… Still, it seems a little odd. Unless they're doing something illegal."

"Illegal?" said Haglyn. "By whose laws?"

"I don't know," said Milly. "Interplanetary law, I guess."

"Ah, well you can count on that, dearie."

"Like… kidnapping scientists, maybe?"

"Wouldn't put it past him. If you're so curious, why not just go ask Mr. Dunter directly?" said Haglyn, grinning impishly.

"You know," said Milly, "I think I will. But not too directly. I have a plan…"

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