The thing went out to look and I followed the Ranger to the back of the diner as he turned and said, "pass gas, that’s a good one. And it’s well that he did not totally understand each word you said."
We walked up to the last table and the Ranger, giving the fruit to the man sitting there, said, "this is the man that can help us."
The man motioned for us to sit down as he said, "I'm Kilroy, what did you tell that thing?"
The Ranger said, "he told him to go look for a fart."
Kilroy, "yeah well, he is dumb enough to be doing just that."
I said, "I think I met a relative of his, on a station in the end of the next quadrant. Someone stepped on his head and it was full of purple goo. Then his mate showed up and pulled a weapon on me. She was full of purple goo to."
Kilroy, "yeah well, try not to kill anyone while you're here. They tend to start asking questions."
I said, "I'll keep that in mind."
Kilroy, "now, what do you have for me?"
I said, "I have six cargo containers of crystals at 2 mil a piece."
Ranger, "he will pay 3 mil a piece."
Kilroy, "three! What makes you think I'll pay three?"
Ranger, "because I have need of the extra credits."
Kilroy, "we'll all have need of extra credits."
Ranger, "don't worry, I don't need it in credits, I just need a favor."
Kilroy, "what kind of a favor?"
Ranger, "when he leaves he will be hot, heavy a few dockworkers, where are the CM ships?"
Kilroy, "there is one at the next mine, not far from here, and another due at station one in the morning, our time."
The Ranger said to me, "that's about when you get there."
Then he turned to Kilroy and said, "he wants to pick up all the dockworkers that want to leave, on all three stations. I can knock out the long range transmitter here, but unless I stay they will have it up before he gets to station two. There is nothing we can do about the transmissions from station two without help."
Kilroy, "for a price I can get a ship to block transmissions for a day, maybe less, it depends on what shows up."
Ranger, "that gets him in and out fast at number two, what about the first station?"
Kilroy, "I can't do anything about the ship there."
I said, "Will there be only one?"
Kilroy, "yes, we can draw him off for a short time so you can get the dock rats. But they will be after you right after you use the gate, if you can use the gate."
Ranger, "don't worry about the gate, that's not a problem for him."
I said, "I think I can stop the ship while we are still in hyperspace. At least long enough for me to get out the next gate, then it's a little open space to Lor re et. Once there I don't think they can touch me."
Ranger, "well now, it sounds like a plan."
Kilroy, "your forgetting what all this is going to cost."
Ranger, "that's what the extra mil per is for. Other than that it will be 12 mil upfront for the crystals. Plus I believe there’s some water to sell."
I said, "yes, but I will not be able to stop long enough at each station to sell it."
Ranger, "no problem, Kilroy will buy it and resell the water to the stations for you."
Kilroy, "I will?"
Ranger, "you will. That's another 1.5 mil for the water, 13 five in all."
Kilroy, "yeah sure, like I got those kind of credits. Is there anything else you would like me to do that is out of the question?"
I said, "the fish."
Ranger, "the fish, you will take two containers of fish to the starving RATS on the other two stations. And I imagine that will need to be done right away, as there probably is not much air in those containers."
Kilroy, "would you like me to give you a back rub while I'm doing all this?"
Ranger, "now that you mention it my shoulders have been feeling a bit tight."
Kilroy, "I need to make some inquiries to see how much of this is even possible."
I said, "do you smoke?"
Kilroy, "from time to time, why?"
I handed him a 4 inch bud and said, "put this in your pipe and smoke it."
Kilroy put it to his nose and smelled it, then said, "that's the good stuff, thank you."
I said, "my pleasure."
Ranger, "we will be on the ship, just call me."
Kilroy left, then the Ranger and I went back to my ship.
I thought to myself that it was too bad I didn't get to look over the shops on the station. I knew there would be no chance to shop at the other stations.
When we got to the ship the Ranger told a dock worker to unload 2500 units of water into the station to tank and another 5000 into the ship next to us.
We then went on board and I said, "I better lock down the tops to the cargo containers with the fish in them."
After doing that we went to the bridge. By the time we got there, Ranger got a call telling him the ship next to us was ready to take on the crystals. The Ranger assured me I would get my payment. So I went to the computer, and input the command for auto unlock on the cargo storage doors. The containers were moved and empty ones were put back in place. While this was going on they also moved the containers on the other side with the fish.
I started to feel like this might all be a setup. They get what they want then turn me in to the CM. But I was putting my trust in the Ranger. I had never heard of one going bad, and hoped that still held true.
I sat there at my table, staring at the monitors and smoking my pipe, while wondering if I had just been subjected to the biggest con of my life. Or was I starting something that would change my life. Either way it didn't feel right.
Then the Ranger got a communication that there was something at the docking hatch for me. He said he would go get it.
I sat there wondering if this was how he would make his move. Would he leave the ship now or let station guards onboard? A number of things ran through my mind, about how I would get my revenge if they were messing with me. They don't know how much power I really have, I thought to myself.
But the Ranger did come back, and with a large crystal credit ball that read 13.5 million. I was relieved, but I tried not to show it. I now knew that all that was said was true. As well as all that was going to happen. I was about to start a rebellion, or perhaps a small war. I took a deep breath and said, "and so it begins."
Ranger, "have you thought where you will put the dockworkers, for the trip."
I said, "the mess hall, it's big and they can have anything they want to eat or drink."
Ranger, "and when you get to your planet?"
I said, "I thought they could use a few days to rest up before looking for jobs. They can be my guest for a short time. And if any of them want to return to their own planets or someplace else, I will arrange a ride for them."
Ranger, "yes, they could use a little time in a grassy meadow under a warm sun."
He then received another communication and said to me, "it has begun. I need to cut the long range communication for the station, and send all the workers that will go with you. When you see my face again wave goodbye, close the hatch and leave."
I said, "good luck, and thank you for your help."
Ranger, "and good luck to you my new friend."
He left at a quick pace. I was not far behind him as he headed for the hatch and left without turning around. It was only later that I heard what he did and how.
He went to the communications room and pulled the chips to the long-range circuits. Then he went to the dock storage bay, gathering workers as he went, saying, "free water, free water, follow me and get your free water."
When they got to the bay he said, "the freedom ship is here. You have tasted it’s fruit now taste its water."
And he took the top off the large cargo container of fish and water. There were over 20 workers standing or leaning over the sides of the container. They started drinking and splashing the water. One man even fel
l in the container with the fish. Others help him out quickly, for fear the fish may want to eat him; they were not that kind of fish.
"Quiet, quiet," said the Ranger, "the freedom ship has shown you its water, now let it show you freedom on a world where water is free and there is no CM to stop you. This water is for those that will not take a chance and come with us to freedom. The fish is for those that will not go to catch their own. As for the rest of you, follow me to the freedom ship!"
There was a great cheer as he led them to my ship. I had been nervously waiting at the hatch to my ship, wondering how long it would take him, when I heard the cheer. Then I saw a group of workers heading for my ship, led by the Ranger. He stood at the end of the dock as each man passed him to get on the ship. As the last worker was aboard he raised his hand to say goodbye. I returned the wave and closed the hatch. After locking it I blew the connection to the dock and told the man to follow me to the mess hall. After quickly telling them they could have whatever they wanted from the replicator I went to the bridge.
I disengaged the docking clamps and backed us out. Turning toward the Star gate, I moved over to it slowly. Taking a large gulp of spice dew I pushed my mind to the bottom of the gate and turned it on. I was then pulled back to my body as the ship was pulled through the gate. Safe in hyperspace and on course, I went down to the mess hall to talk to the men.
I tried to think of what I would tell the men, but it seemed before much of a thought came into my head I was there.
A man stood at the hatch to the mess hall and said, "there are 17 of us Captain."
This was more than I thought would come, ran through my head, as I looked at the thin ragged men that have gone silent waiting to hear my words.
I said, "you are on the freedom ship. Starvation and thirst is behind you. In less than a day we will be on a green world with lakes of water for you to swim in, and the CM has no say there. More of you will join us from station two. Don't worry about the CM ships, we have arranged for them to be somewhere else and deaf to the stations. Feel free to eat or drink whatever you like. For your own safety, please stay in this room. I will return to talk to you before we reach Station two."
I turned to leave as many said thank you and bless you.
The one that had been standing at the door said, "Captain, may I be your liaison between the men and yourself sir?"
I said, "well, you'll need to know how to find me, this way to the bridge."
As we walked, I ask his name and he said, "they call me Gripper sir."
I said, "well Gripper, how long have you been stuck on the docks?"
Gripper, "only three months sir."
I said, "well that explains why you are in better shape than the rest of them."
Gripper, "are all the stations as bad sir?"
I said, "I'm afraid so, at least the ones run by the CM."
Gripper, "I don't understand sir. They pay the mine workers well enough, why treat the dock workers the way they do, sir?"
I said, "the mine workers have the Guild to stand up for them, the dock workers have nobody."
Gripper, "but it would not cost them much to see to it that the dock workers get enough water."
I said, "that’s true, but you are not men to them. You are an allotment of water and water is credits. That is why they use the CMA’s, because they are so hated. They don't dare send the men that do this to you, they send their androids instead. Some even believe there is no top man, just another android."
Gripper, "I can see why some may believe that sir. It's hard to believe that a man would cause so much suffering for so little profit. Plus water shortages cause the black market. This must cut into their profits as well. And trying to stop the market cost them even more credits. Not to mention the loss of productivity by men that can’t think of anything else other than their thirst."
I said, "that's all true. Well here's the bridge, have a seat."
Gripper, "thank you sir. This is not like any bridge I have ever been on. It's more like an observation lounge sir."
I said, "you're right, that's why I like it so well myself. And it can be run by one man and the computers."
Gripper, "it must have taken a lot to automate a ship this size."
I said, "it took the owner a good 20 years for some of the parts."
Gripper, "this is not your ship Sir?"
I said, "not yet, I'm still -- let's say making payments on it. I have a large favor to do before I can call it my own. You worked on ships before have you?"
Gripper, "oh yes. I was the first mate on the cruiser Decon. After its last trip to the sector, I decided I wanted to live off ship for a while. The contract for dock workers seem to be a fair one. No one warned me they would not live up to it, or that no one would help me get off the station. When I was young things were not like that, and our ship had been in another sector of space most of my life. We have had very little news about what has been going on around here. I guess I picked a bad time to leave the ship, or at least a bad place."
I said, "yes, that's how they get their workers."
Gripper, "well I’m very glad you came along, some of the workers have been there for years sir."
I said, "yes, well I feel bad for the ones that did not come. It's only going to get harder for them until they can get a new crew. I can only hope I will be able to go back to free them next month."
Gripper, "you're planning on going back sir?"
I said, "if I can come up with a different ship and a new plan. I'll keep on going back until they have an open port and workers have it so good they don't want to leave."
Gripper, "well sir, if you need a crew on your next ship please consider me available."
I said, "you know the danger?"
Gripper, "I understand we may not make it through this day sir."
I said, "I was hoping to find men like you among the workers, that would help with the movement to free other workers, have a drink."
Gripper, "oh no sir, I'm much too dehydrated to drink anything but water today sir. But your pipe smells rather good."
So I let him have a few tolks then he went to get something to eat.
I knew it would not be long before we got to station two and I hoped the jammers were in place. I put some fire powder in my rum, and a splash of juice, and drank it down.
I wondered if I would see the black ship again. It seemed to only show up near star gates. I would like to go overboard again but I knew the gray would not like it, and I had to respect that. How did he know I was there? He must be a natural telepath, which meant he knew a lot more about me than I did him.
I started thinking about what I would do when I got to the next station. We needed to make it up fast stop. What would I tell the workers to get them to come? Maybe I should ask the ones onboard what the Ranger said to them. And then there was the question, in the not so back of my mind, about leaving my ship with a bunch of desperate strangers on board. That just didn't feel right, I had a hard enough time trusting the Ranger.
Time went by, as it does when you're talking to yourself, and Mr. Gripper came back.
He said, "Captain Sir, I would like to report that there are five of us willing to go ashore, at station two, in order to tell the workers that the freedom ship stands ready to take them away sir."
I said, "well now that will certainly be helpful Mr. Gripper."
Then it caught my eye, the black ship, just a glimpse of it.
I said, "look sharp Mr. Gripper, tell me what you see."
A few moments later he said, "I see nothing sir."
I said, "keep looking." And it passed our bow.
Gripper, "a large black ship that shimmers in the dark as if it was not all their sir."
Then it was gone and I said, "make ready, we will be docking soon." And we dropped out of hyperspace.
He said, "I'll tell the men sir."
I said, "take this bag of fruit and tell them that this is the taste of freedom."
He sa
id, "yes sir," and took the bag.
As I headed for the station, I could see three ships not in dock just setting off to one side. I turned on the transceiver to see what I could hear. There was the normal chatter. Then as I got close to the dock, the three ships moved to different sides of the station and the jamming began. I made dock and went down to the port hatch to find it already open, and the workers coming aboard asking if this was the freedom ship. Others were welcoming them, and showing them to the mess hall. In a matter of minutes Gripper came running back saying, "that's all that are coming sir."
TheTraveler - book 1 Page 26