New Title 1 (The traveler) Read online

  The screen then went down and Owsee said, "I'm sorry. My reflexes are a bit slower than normal, I didn't mean to let you get zapped."

  I said, "it's all right. I could see the field was still on, but I just lost my balance, no harm done."

  Owsee, "I ate all the jumbo sticks while you were gone."

  I said, "maybe we should have something more to eat."

  Owsee, "they make a good meat sandwich here, at least sometimes it's meat. Sometimes it's a plant that taste like meat."

  I said, "do you want me to ask the bartender to make us some?"

  He said, "I'll do it." Then he taped a symbol on one side of the table and the barkeepers said, over an intercom, "yes sir, what may I get you?"

  "Two meat sandwiches and some jumbo sticks," said Owsee.

  "Yes sir, right away," said the barkeeper.

  Owsee, "you see, that's another advantage to being at this table."

  I said, "yeah, and that's the nice thing about a small place like this, it’s easy to get waited on. Say, I got an old riddle for you. How many ladders would it take to get to the sun?"

  Owsee, "I don't know, how many?"

  I said, "just one, but it would have to be a very long one."

  Owsee, "ha ha Ha, that's a good one, a long one. I need to tell that one to the barkeep."

  The barkeeper brought us our sandwiches and Owsee told him the joke. He then went back and told it to the rest of the bar. It got a good laugh. I guess that's one thing you can say about being so far from Earth, even the oldest jokes still get a laugh out here.

  Owsee, "I feel like some music, the controls are on your side."

  I said, "you mean the triangle?"

  "Yes," he said, "you have seen this before?"

  I pushed it down and it popped up. Then I turned it until I found something that I liked.

  As we ate our food I said, "this is about the best meat sandwich I have ever had."

  Owsee, "yes, they do a good job of it here."

  We then just sat back, smoking his pipe and listening to the music.

  He said he would be straight again before me, because he was going to the med lab and they would fix him up right.

  After a few moments, to gather his thoughts, he said to me, "do you know how I made my big money? Water, I have the sole claim to the glacier on the back side of the Moon. Mountains of water just waiting to be melted. I bought them before anyone knew they were there. I'll take you to my mine when we are both straighter, It does not take long to get there."

  And just as he was saying that a message came in, telling him that his arms were ready, and they were sending a stretcher for him.

  "Here," he said, "you take all of this stuff and put it in the bag. When you get a chance, use your cloak to slip past the guards and take it to the ship."

  We told the barkeeper to store the rest of the keg of rum in the back for us, and went to the front of the bar to wait for the men from med lab. I turned my cloak right side out, and put my hood up so no one could see me. Then waited in the corner until they got Owsee, and took him out, I slipped past the guards and down the hall.

  “One hole then another”

  I went to the ship and drop off the bag, then back to the shop where I got the telekinetic enhancer. I asked the storekeeper if I could operate it with the glove on, and he said yes because the energy was directed at a distant object. I asked if he could put a hole in the glove so I could turn it on, or off, without taking the glove off.

  He said, "no problem, just show me where you want the hole."

  I showed him how I wanted it, so the gem would show through the finger of the glove. He went in the back for a moment then brought it back with a hole in just the right place.

  I asked him how much I owed and he said, “this one is on the house, is there was anything else you would like to look at?

  I said, "no, not right now, I have someone else I need to see."

  The storekeeper said, "ah -- yes, the catalack."

  "How did you know about her?" I asked.

  Storekeeper, "I am a collector of information, you must remember, you can't order a meat sandwich on this station without me knowing about it."

  I said, "and do you also sell this information?"

  He said, "from time to time, to the right person for the right price."

  "I understand," I said, "thank you for the hole."

  Then I left his shop to go to the clothing store. As I went into her shop I could see her dealing with someone. She waved to me, I waved back and try to look interested in some clothing I was standing near. I listened to the way she dealt with this other customer. She was not flirting the way she was with me. They agreed on something, then the other men left.

  She walked over to me and said, "so, did you come back for your credits or me?"

  I said, "we have a saying where I come from, business before pleasure."

  She scanned my chip to add 100 credits. Them said to me, as she put her hands on my shoulders, "that takes care of the business, now how about some pleasure."

  Then she kiss me on the lips, gently to see how receptive I was. She pulled her head back a few inches and smiled as she slowly ran her hands down my arms, to my gloved hands. Putting them behind her, she slapped both of my hands on her butt, saying, "see how well they stick, now I cannot get away from you."

  She was turned pink all over, and said, "you just push on the fingertips to let go."

  She pushed my hands up her bottom and the grip let loose from her. Then she kept pushing my hands up her side until they were under her breast, and said, "see, no friction when you slide them slowly."

  She reached behind me, and pulled me close as she gave me a passionate kiss. My hands slipped around her back and I held her tightly.

  Then I said, "can we go in the back room? I like privacy."

  I'll leave some of the details to the imagination of the reader, but needless to say we gave each other pleasure.

  She told me there was no translation for her name so we settled on Kitty. As I was leaving, her skin turned yellow, then back to normal white with a bit of a tan, and a hint of a light green. I would have to look that one up.

  “New arms for Owsee”

  I then went to med lab to see how Owsee was doing. I still felt a bit naked without any undergarments on. Oh well, another reason to see Kitty again.

  As I walked into the med lab the doctor said, "hello again, are you well?"

  I said, "just a little tired thank you."

  The doctor said, "yes, those katalackeons can tire a man out."

  I said, "does everyone know my business?"

  Doc, "I sent you the med download at her request. I hope the information was helpful."

  I said, "what does it mean when they turn yellow?"

  Doc, "you mean yellow, then white?"

  I said, "yes."

  Doc, "this means they are pregnant."

  I said "are you sure doc? Could it be anything else?"

  Doc, "no doubt about it, she should give birth in four to six weeks."

  I said, "I don't feel so good."

  Doc, "have you eating or drank anything that may cause this?"

  I said, "I ate and drank at the Drink Drunk, but that's only part of it doc."

  Doc, "I see," he said, then gave me what looked like a small bottle of water, and said, "this will take the toxins out of your body. Drink it slowly. By the time you are done you will feel better."

  I said, "thank you, how is Owsee doing?"

  Doc, "he should be out in a few minutes, then he should rest."

  I drank the water, that seemed just a little bit salty, and thought about what the doc had said. Maybe the translator got it wrong. And if she is pregnant what will the children look like? Four to six weeks, that's fast. How many do they have at one time, and does she want me to be their father? There should have been a warning on that med download.

  I was sipping my whatever it was, and thinking about all of this, when Owsee came
walking out with his new arms.

  Owsee, "how do they look? I need to buy new shirts for only two arms now, but I have my hands and fingers back, just like new."

  I said, "you look taller."

  Owsee, "yes, they straighten my spine; all those years dragging four arms around. Now I can stand up straight. And you my friend, how are you feeling?"

  I said, "the doc gave me something to drink. Detox water I think."

  Owsee, "yes, that detox water works very well. They should serve it in the bar, but it costs too much."

  I said, "the doc didn't say anything about cost."

  Owsee, "and he won't. He knows you are my friend, and if it were not for me he would be rotting in a jail cell. Overprescribing is against the law in some places on the fourth planet. That's why he works here, I got him the contract. Let's go back to the ship. I need to rest, or at least that's what they tell me."

  I said, "I'm feeling much better myself, this detox water is doing the job."

  Owsee, "yes it's good stuff. Do you mind stopping with me at the clothing store so I can get some new shirts? Or is it too soon for you to see her again?"

  I said, "I'll go in with you, I need some undergarments anyway."

  Owsee, "what are undergarments?"

  I said, "just as the name implies, they are the garments you were under something else."

  Owsee, "why, are you cold?"

  I said, "no, they just feel good to me. And I may not always want to wear my cloak."

  Owsee, "and you do not want to run around without clothes on. I understand."

  I said, "there is something I think you should know. I think I may have gotten her pregnant."

  Owsee, "good, she has been wanting to get pregnant for a long time now. AI does not work on her kind. She will be grateful to you for this. I knew she liked you."

  “Nibor gets a new suit”

  We walked into the store together and Kitty said, "what can I do for you men today?"

  Owsee, "I need three new shirts."

  Kitty, "you have arms now. Why did you do that?"

  Owsee, "I wanted my arms back, that's all."

  Kitty, "I never knew you lost them. Help yourself. And you, just tagging along, or can I get you something?"

  I said, "I also need a shirt, and a pair of pants."

  Kitty, "how about some no friction pants?"

  Owsee, from across the room said, "you won't like them. When you go to sit down you will fall on the floor."

  Kitty, "how about some spray on clothes?"

  Owsee, again from across the room said, "they stink after three days."

  Kitty, "oh be quiet."

  Owsee, "I'm just trying to help."

  I said, "just something simple and inexpensive."

  Kitty, "I know, Elvin ware."

  Owsee, "the most costly thing you can buy."

  Kitty, "oh will you shut up."

  Then she said to me, "it's flexible, never needs cleaning, will stop a blade and some low energy weapons. I have some in the back. Let me see if it’s your size."

  She went in the back to look and Owsee said to me, "she is trying to sell

  you the most costly thing in the shop."

  I said, "so far I have gotten a good deal from her."

  Owsee, "yes, but now that she is pregnant she no longer needs you. Elvin ware is good stuff for sure, but I can't even tell you how much it cost. It's like buying battle gear, but it looked better."

  Kitty came out with a pair of pants and a pull over shirt.

  She said, "it only comes in this gold and silver weave, but this will fit you. And it is near zero friction, but not so much that you will slide off your seat."

  Owsee, "I found three shirts I want, how much do I owe you?"

  Kitty, "you know your money is no good here, just take them."

  And I said, "how much does this cost?"

  Kitty said, "your credit is no good either, at least for today."

  I said thank you, as she gave me a big smile.

  Owsee, "let's take these things back to the ship. I need to sit down for a bit."

  Then Owsee and I left with our new clothes.

  “A trip to the ice mines”

  Owsee, "I have never seen her so generous. I understand my free shirts, I set her up here, I always get free stuff. But to just give you the Elvin ware? If she had asked for 1000 credits I would say it was still a bargain. I don't understand, unless she is picking you as a life mate. What do you think about that?"

  I said, "well, she seems pleasant enough, and passionate. But if she is going to get pregnant every time I'm with her, or each four to six weeks, I'll need my own planet before long."

  Owsee, "no, no, it does not work like that for her race. She may be in heat two days a week, but she can only get pregnant once a year."

  I said, "how many children do they have at a time?"

  Owsee, "two or three, sometimes up to five. They grow up very fast, and reach adulthood in a year, but only live to be about 45; most a good deal less."

  I asked, "how old is Kitty?"

  Owsee, "Kitty, so that's what you're calling her. I don't know how old she is. But she has been here for a good seven years. You'll have to ask for yourself."

  After getting to the ship, we went up to the front observation room. He let out with a moan as he sat down and said, "it's good to have my arms back. I should have done this years ago. I'm more administrative these days than hands on. I have one creature working for me, that calls himself, "Do do," that has 14 tentacles, and he can control each one to do something different all at the same time. But he has a small brain. If he goes a week without doing a certain kind of work, he forgets what he had learned; he just can’t retain it. It's too bad that brain boosting chips don't work on his kind."

  I said, "I've never heard of them, what is a brain boosting chip?"

  Owsee, "for a small fortune, maybe 100,000 credits, you can have a chip put in your brain. It makes you a lot smarter because you can remember everything you see or hear. But most say they get bad headaches and it takes away your dreams. I would not want to lose my dreams. Sometimes I think they are the best part of my life."

  I said that dreams are the inspiration for creativity, and that I would not abandon them for mere intellect.

  Then Owsee said, "as long as I must sit for a bit, let's go see my ice mine, watch this."

  And he flipped up a control panel from the table, then started to input commands.

  He said, "separation sequence engage," and the room began to shake a bit.

  He said, "hover mode on," and the whole room started to go up.

  He said, "forward thrusters on," and we were on our way.

  He said, "destination locked and that's the way we do it."

  The observation room was now flying high above the ground, and on its way to the mine. Two thirds of the front of the room and the top was all transparent.

  I said that the view was amazing, and he said, "this is just technology, learning to read and write stories, that is amazing I think."

  I said it was still a thrill, and he said, "yes, I enjoyed it myself. And it is so easy to fly, it even has a voice interface. With the help of your translator even you could fly it."

  I thought it was interesting he would share that kind of information with me, considering he had only known me for less than a day.

  We were now entering the dark side of the Moon, and he told me it would take another hour to get to his mine.

  Owsee, "how about you show me how to read your language while we’re waiting to get there."

  I said, "tell me why it is so important to you, when you could just record my stories on a data chip?"

  He said, "my planet has a pulsar nearby. Together with certain minerals in our soil, a wave from time to time runs through, and around my planet. It's harmless to life forms but causes problems with data chips, they just don't last long. Even ships that land there must leave within a day, or pull all their chips and put th
em in storage."

  I said, "then what good will it do you to learn to write, how will you record it?"

  Owsee said, "with art, we have a rich culture of art. I can paint or print your words. It will be a new art form, stories in print."

  I said, "for a long time my people on earth used paper to write on."

  Owsee, "what is this paper you speak of?"

  I said, "it’s like this roll out view screen, you write on it but it has no chips."

  Owsee, "I would like to find some of this paper to see how you do it."

  I said, "I have not seen any paper in a long time. Maybe one of the other races, around here that writes, has something like it."

  Owsee, "maybe, but for now show me what you can."

  So I showed him the alphabet and how to sound out words. We practiced with it until we get to the mine.

  The mining operation was enormous. With large machines cutting pieces of the ice mountains apart, and ships coming and going.

  Owsee, "these mountains are all ice, glaciers from long, long ago. When I first moved here I bought the mining rights to them. They were covered with 10,000 years of dust, and no one thought I would find anything of value. The rest of the Moon has no precious metals or minerals. But one day, while doing some blasting, I found that the mountains on the dark side of the Moon were made of ice. The water on the fourth planet is all under guard, and they don't sell much of it. They want to keep their world green. I can't blame them. After all, once it's gone, it's gone forever. This makes water so costly around here they all come to me. I have been selling water or ice for over 20 years. And I have not sold half of it yet. I bought the mining rights to the dark side of the Moon for 100,000 credits, a lot of money for me back then. But I made it all back on my first shipment of ice. After that, the moon became a main port for water, and to make repairs. I supply the only water to the station at cost. That is why went something like that creature, that tried to hit you in the bar, happens -- they get their head stopped in. Even med lab could not put him back together. I have had many offers to buy the operation from me. But that would have changed things too much. I started most of the shops here, and took a loss until they were on their feet, so to say. When I sell the mine, the shops may find it cost too much to stay open for long. I admit I will miss this place when I go, but there is no place like home."