Greenie 0016

He did not notice the dark blue uniformed Cop and the robot approaching him. The Flesh and Steel patrol team halted right before him and the policeman with his visor helmet snarled.” Citizen, no sudden moves now, but I want to see some ID, that artillery piece you carry is illegal”

Roy blinked and only now really noticed the police man. The robot had already raised his Paralysator arm. “Are you talking to me Sir?”

“Who else would I talk to standing right before you? Whatever that thing is with you doesn’t seem to be sentient.”

Roy exposed his Citizen Implant and the cop scanned it. “Oh of course a Greenie! Seems all in order. You do have a permit for that TKU and the animal. I should have known.”

“Is it always that busy around here, Sir?”

“Busy? It is late on a Tuesday evening. This is nothing. You should see the place on a Friday afternoon, when the Miners get their pay.”

The Robot snarled, “Seven-ten in progress at the Swine and Dine.”

Neither the Cop nor the Robot paid any more attention to Roy. The Policeman climbed on the back of the Robot, onto a little platform and the machine ran with flashing lights through the crowds.

Partner sneezed and Roy nodded, “Yep this is one crazy place alright!”

He was hadn’t even walked ten meters when a thin fellow with a colorful jacket and huge hat bumped into him, said sorry and wanted to go on. His Sense of Danger flashed in his mind and he grabbed the man by the neck and wanted to pull his TKU. It wasn’t there! He did all this before he knew he was doing it. Just as his sense of Danger helped him to know what to do in the Jungles of Green Hell. He now saw the man held his gun! The man cursed and wanted to turn and use the gun on Roy. Partner roared and opened his huge maw. The man became pale and turned the gun with a fast move, and held it out butt first towards Roy. “It was an accident, sorry!”

Roy took his gun and said, “Stealing a weapon is against the law!”

“You don’t say! I would have never guessed!”

Roy really didn’t like that dark skinned fellow “I will hand you over to the Police!”

The man didn’t like that and kicked Roy pretty hard against the shinbone. “Let me go you oaf!”

“I’ve had about enough of you!” Roy, still holding the man by the throat, with no effort at all, squeezed a little harder and gave him a little shake. “One more like this and I pop that ugly head right off your neck!” The robber first struggled some more coughed and wheezed, turned a little darker and went limb. Roy dropped him right on the floor and said to Partner, “Let’s get out of here.”

Everything felt big and he missed seeing anything green. Except a few sad looking trees and bushes there was nothing growing anywhere.

He went straight to the Gray Line Lobby where his ticket gave him access and opened the sliding doors. There he sat down in one of the somewhat worn out chairs. To go into a Hotel didn’t even occur to him. Partner settled next to him.

The lobby was bare and boring looking and no one was there but an ancient looking S5 pushing an actual mop. The friendly looking Bot at the Ticket booth repeated Advertisement lines every time the S5 mopped past him. Roy found that quite funny as he was certain that old janitor robot was not interested in any special trips to Para-Para to enjoy the beaches there. But he responded each time with. “I am not authorized to perform janitorial services outside my designated service area.”

There was a Public GalNet booth and a smudgy looking Virtu Game machine. A Vend-Matic offered a variety of snacks and drinks.

He noticed a dusty ruffled looking bush in a pot in one corner that somehow looked dead. He wondered what kind of attack weapons this bush had. But his Danger sense did not warn him so figured he was well outside the danger zone.

After he had finished counting the chairs, there were 179, he counted ceiling lights, 20. He knew it would be a long ten hours. Since he wasn’t tired one bit. Partner was quite content. He actually spent a few Credits on the Virtu Game Machine only to find out that the Virtu Experience was about five Marines fighting their way through Green hell Jungles. Completely unrealistic. The title sequence praised the show as the most gruesome Experience on the Universe’s most horrible planet! He felt a bit angry and most of all homesick already.

Only now Roy knew why there were only 179 chairs, Partner had one of the seats between its massive paws and chewed on it, twisting metal and stuffing sticking out of his big maw. “Are you hungry?” Yet again he could not seem to formulate what hunger meant in terms Partner understood and he simply sent waves of affection and licked Roy.

Then he heard his name called, “Mr. Masters?”

He turned to find the ticket booth robot had called his name and he went over. “Yes?”

“Thank you for choosing Gray Lines. I must inform you the scheduled coach to Blue Moon has been delayed due to Engine malfunction for an as yet undetermined period. Gray Line apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Gray Line cam offer you a free voucher for the Holiday Portal or a price reduced upgrade E Deck ticket to the Luxury Clipper Silver Swan also operated by Gray Lines Inc. The Silver Swan will leave in 4 hours from Landing Field North, Sir.”

“How much is the Upgrade?”

“One way passage to Blue Moon aboard Silver Swan on E Deck for two Beings in a Super Economy Cabin will be 1650,00 Union Credits, Sir.”

“I am just wondering what it would cost without the price reduction?”

“We are deducting the price of your Space Bus tickets of 350 Union Credits and the price of one night at the Holiday Portal of 34 Union Credits. The regular ticket would be 2034 UC, Sir.”

“That’s not really a reduction you know.” ou know.”

“There are Dormitory style Bunks on F Deck available. For a combined Ticket price of 750 UC, Sir. The Silver Swan will not make any stops along the way and you will be on Blue Moon three weeks earlier than aboard a Space Bus, Sir.”

“Alright, sign us up.” He glanced at his Cred-Stick. His parents had given him 3000 for College added to his usual Allowance savings, he had 8450 Unions to his name.”

750 Credits poorer he took a Taxi to the designated address on his new ticket. Cursing as the Taxi charged him 12 Credits he wondered if he would be able to afford even a glass of Water by the time College started.

He was surprised when his Multi Com beeped with an urgent message. He also recognized the Call ID. It was Ranger Solomon! He pushed Reply and the Rangers face appeared and he looked more serious than he had ever seen the Ranger. “Am I in trouble? I really only defended myself against that thief. He was breathing when I dropped him, Sir!”

“Roy we can talk about that later. It is not the reason I called. I have very bad news for you and I think you should find a place to sit down for this!”

He looked around and found a row of benches just before the Silver Swan Passenger Lobby and sat down. “I am sitting now, Sir!”

“Roy I am not sure how to tell you this the right way, and I wish I could be there to tell you in person.” The Ranger sighed, “Roy, your parents have been both killed. Their Explorer ship was attacked by Pirates and it was confirmed an hour ago that all hands of the Explorer Rene Descartes have been killed as a shot of the Pirate ship hit the Antimatter coil.”

Roy simply blinked. He had heard what the Ranger had said. He understood the meaning of the words, but still he failed to comprehend. “My Parents?” He managed to say but his voice was a mere whisper.

“Yes Roy, both of them. I am so sorry!”

“What now? What about me and do I need to do anything?”

“No Roy, the Explorer Corps of the Navy is taking care of everything. There will be a memorial service aboard the USS Vincent, the ship first at the scene.

You are welcome to attend via Holo of course and I am sending them all your contact data. I could not find your Grandparents, It looks as if your father’s parents went on a trip across the Bridge and your mother’s parents have left no forwarding address.”

Roy wiped his eyes unaware he was crying and said, “They are probably travelling with the Roaming Kids again. They are a bit on the strange side.”

“Well I did find an Uncle of yours on Terra who will be your legal guardian till you are eighteen. I am sending you his contact data and he expects you to come to Earth. It appears your parents never followed through making Sam Brown, your guardian.”

Roy nodded, feeling numb. Partner pressed his head in Roy’s side and he could feel the waves of compassion from his animal friend.

Ranger Solomon added. “You have my heartfelt condolences and you can call anytime if you need something.”

“I will.”

Roy disconnected and simply sat there. Then he got up and went inside the Passenger lobby. He wanted to get a refund on the ticket and go back home and to Uncle Sam. He was the person he wanted to talk to. He would know the answer to it all and if it really was true, why could Uncle Sam not be his guardian?

He saw two Klack, man size Antlike non humanoid Union members argue with a gray bearded man just before the Service counter and suddenly he felt danger!

He turned and noticed a green skinned man just raising his hand. Nothing seemed dangerous in that gesture but he acted and threw himself forward pushing both the Klack and the bearded man in a tumbling tackle to the ground. There was a humming sound and someone screamed, it smelled of burned plastic and seconds later rough fists grabbed him pulling him off the ground.

Two tall and strong looking men in dark suits, one holding him with much strength and the second holding a weapon fired at Partner! Partner held the green skinned man tackled to the ground and was now turning to help Roy. The energy beam hit Beast right between the eyes and Roy fearing to lose his friend hammered his elbow in the stomach of the man holding him. It was as if he hit a steel wall, but the man still was driven back and let him go. Roy whirled around and gave the man an added push with both hands, sending him tumbling between the chairs. he pulled his own TKU and pointed it at the man coming up from the chairs.

Partner seemed unhurt but now extended his claws and gouged deep scratches in the metal floor. He didn’t want Partner to cause a bloodbath before he knew what was going on and yelled, “Partner, Stop!”

His Animal stopped in its tracks, slid a few more meters and stopped only inches before the franticly shooting man, his enormous maw wide open exposing his sharp teeth.

Marines and Police stormed the lobby and surrounded Roy and his animal with drawn weapons. “No move buster or you’re toast. You only live because we have questions!” One of the Marines barked.

Roy was still shocked about his parent’s death and the sudden violence. In the Jungles of Green Hell, his strange sense of danger usually instinctively told him how to react and that was always enough. Here it appeared to be a handicap as it didn’t provide him with any follow up.

The man with the beard held up his hand. “Stand down Marines! This young man just saved my life and that of the Klack Delegates!”

The marines weren’t so quick to lower their guns. One of them said, “Sir, this brute just manhandled a Special Service man and is armed to the teeth!”

“Soldier if you do not lower these guns and do your real job I will make sure your next posting will be somewhere very unpleasant!”

The guns went down and Roy carefully and slowly holstered his weapon then said. “Come Partner, we’re done here!”

The bearded man said, “Young man. I really am Pandar Strong, and you saved my life. Come sit with me for a little moment and tell me how you knew about this assassination attempt.” He said that in away as if Roy should know who he was.

The two Klack spoke at the same and in perfectly synchronized timing. Their voices came from little speech boxes glued right to their chitin bodies. “We also say thank you to not let it happen, our extermination! We think it so that we have to say the thank you custom to you for performing this most welcomed task.”

“Not necessary. I have some very serious problems of my own to deal with. I saw the guy pointing and just knew what he wanted to do. I have never seen the man before and I would remember if I had seen him on Green Hell before.”

The man with the gray beard had wrinkles all around his eyes and a smile parted his lips. “I assume you are a Greenie then?”

“That is the case Sir. I am from Green Hell! Just arrived and everything I’ve experienced so far from the outer Worlds is more than I ever want to know and I am going back home!”

The Marines collected the seriously wounded green man and the black suited men questioned and scanned everyone and everything but kept a healthy distance from Partner who growled like rolling thunder every time they forgot.

Mr. Strong said, “Somehow I think you do not know who I am!”

Roy shrugged. “You said you are Pandar Strong, should I know you?”

A beautiful woman with silvery long hair, wearing a dark purple velvet like Cat suit that seemed almost painted to her perfectly shaped curves spoke up, “Mr. President, he has no idea, only moments ago he received message that both his parents have been killed in a Pirate attack. I can verify he has no connection or even an idea what is going on here. He acted out of instinct to a sudden reaction.”

Roy stared at the tall woman. “How do you know all this about me?”

“I am sorry Mr. Masters. I am a telepath.” She pointed at a small silvery pin on her collar shaped like a human brain. “PSI Corps.”

The old man said with great warmth in his deep voice. “I am so sorry you lost your parents. I am so sick of hearing these Pirate attack stories. I want that fleet of ours hunt them down and hunt them to extinction.”

The man put his hand on Roy’s shoulder. “Son I am the President of the United Stars of the Galaxy.”

Roy snapped his fingers, “Oh right, ‘Vote for Mr. Strong and you never go wrong!’ Sure I remember that from the election campaign posters last year. What a cheesy line! I always laughed about that one!” But then he realized, even in his current confused and somewhat dazed mind he realized he was speaking to the President himself! “Jumping Stomper, Sir! Mr. President. Your Excellency Sir. I didn’t mean to ah...” His mind raced and he tried to remember if there was anything in school about what one had to do when facing the President.

“It’s quite alright, Son. I didn’t like it much either.”

The silver haired woman said, “There are no special requirements at all. No set formulas.” Then she turned to the President, “I think it is all a little much for the Young man right now and I would like to get with him to a more quiet place so he can collect himself and cope with it all. It is quite a load, Sir!”

“Yes, Cara I think this is a good idea!”

The Woman said to Roy, “If you like you can come with me. We’ll find a quiet place now and maybe get you something to drink.”

Roy nodded thankfully and followed the woman. Even in his current state he could not completely ignore her cat like movements in that skintight suit.

After a short Elevator ride they came to a plush luxurious looking lounge with comfortable looking couches and chairs. Huge viewports allowed a view outside onto the landing field. He could see a very elegant looking space ship, somewhat looking like a swimming swan, with a tall neck little bridge section like a head and a big body with elegant wings. It was bright white.

The lobby had a curved bar and a lonely looking bar keeper who came over right away and asked, “Sure glad to see some guests. Normally this place is packed before a departure but something has happened downstairs. What can I bring you?”

The woman said, “A Sparo-Pop for me and whatever my young friend and his Partner would like.”

Roy sat down at one of the small tables and wasn’t sure so he just shrugged, “Anything would be fine.”

The Barkeep said. “You most certainly look like a Greenie to me with that Bio-seal suit and that enormous Gun. We do have that new Hell Ade from Sam’s Farm. The stuff sells like hot cakes!”

Roy actually managed to smile as he heard Sam’s name and said, “That I have! A big glass of it and Partner he doesn’t drink anything.”

The woman changed her order and wanted to try it too.

The Orders came and again Roy could not help but smile as he saw a picture of Uncle Sam on the Bottle with his arm around Roy’s shoulders!. It read Hell Ade, invented and named by my best bud Roy.”

She tasted it and said, “I can see why this is selling. I found my new favorite drink. This is very refreshing, somehow almost like Cherry and Pineapple but different.”

Then she turned the bottle and said. “That is you on the bottle is it not?”

Roy nodded.

She leaned closer over the table and her long hair fell forward. She had large purple colored eyes that matched her suit and very feminine shaped painted lips. “Roy, I am Cara. I am a Saresii and I am a Telepath. Normally I do not poke in other minds. I had to do it down there because of the assassination attempt.”

He nodded. “My mother is...” he paused as his mind corrected him and tears welled up in his eyes against his will, “ ... my mother was from Phantasm. She was as a Telepath. I am quite used to it and I know you are not allowed to read any others’ deep thoughts.”

She put her hand on Roy’s and her touch felt warm and gave him some comfort. With a defiant move he wiped his eyes, a future Marine and a real Greenie would not cry like a baby in the open.

Her voice became softer. “It is perfectly okay to cry. I have seen the greatest Warrior in this Galaxy cry. There is no one here, but me and your magnificent animal. The barkeep pays no attention to us.”

He knew she was much older than him, but he was glad she was there and tried to comfort him. When he started to cry and how she ended up simply holding him he didn’t know. She was still a perfect stranger to him.

After a little while he still felt empty and didn’t know what would happen. He was afraid of the future and wondered what life on Earth would be like and who this uncle was no one had ever mentioned and he didn’t know he had.

He found a recorded message on his multi com. He somehow must have missed the actual call. A man he had never seen looked with a sour face into the visual sensor and said with a gruff voice. “That’s just great. Now I have to take care of my Step brother’s teenager. I assume that would be you. Well I won’t change my life because my dear brother decided to get himself killed. No one in his right mind would fly in that pirate infested Unclaimed space, but no. He was always so smart and even took his wife along. They didn’t give a hoot about you, Roy! You were an accident, not meant to happen. You distracted from their only love. Those damn beakers and micro scanners and all that science crap. Now I won’t change my life or my plans to make that perfectly clear. I am going on a trip I have been planning for months now and you are frankly in the way. So find somewhere cheap to stay till I am back in 16 months. There will be no money and if you need something call my dad or someone. The law made me your guardian, so that is what I want you to do. Stay out of my hair. But go to that damn College or else!”

The man, his uncle, didn’t even bother to say his name or anything.

The Woman had heard it and said, “Well it seems not much is working out for you today. Tell you what, why don’t you come with me to Sares for a while so you can find your bearings. Till college starts.”

“But you are a total stranger! Besides I need to go somewhere where I can take Partner too!”

“If I tell you I do it because I feel sorry for you, then you certainly won’t agree. So I say I am a little curious about your Danger Sense, as you call it. Like most Saresii I am a Psionic Expert and we don’t know of any ability that lets you sense danger. Then there is the fact that you are the Psionic twin of that Fury Hound. I never seen one as big as this one.”

Roy looked up. “You know what Partner is and you have seen one before?”

“I am not totally certain, but the way it absorbed blaster shots like that it might be one. Richard Stahl, the Admiral has one. I’ve seen it. There are rumors Rex Schwarz has one too. I am sure the Narth could tell you what it is for sure but they are quite isolated and don’t allow visitors.”

“What is a Fury Hound?”

“I don’t know that, again this is a rumor but it is said the Dark Ones bred or made these as some sort of Battle robot. I believe they have nothing to do with the Dark Ones and are just a rare life form able to control energies in some way. I know that the Animal of the Admiral was tested and all that but I could not say what the results or their findings were.”

Roy turned to look at his animal. It was huge even lying down right next to him eyes closed. It immediately noticed his attention raised his head and licked Roy with its dry tongue across his arm, squinted at him and settled back down with waves of content feelings.

The woman shook her head slowly. “The connection you have with it is amazing.”

He nodded. “My uncle was right in a few things though. I know my parents loved me but it was never the same as the love Melissa or the others got or felt for their parents. Their projects and research was always in first place. I don’t even know what I am supposed to feel. I am shocked and feel lost. I am sad and angry, I think I am angry most for them leaving me alone so suddenly. We never had real contact with others in the family as it was a waste of time to go to a reunion or wedding. My mother always said, she found those family gatherings boring and without any value.”

“There are people like that. Dedicated to the cause and to their work. They do great things and are often remembered for their deeds, discoveries and work, but rarely for their social contacts.”

He shrugged and made a deep sigh, “I might as well go with you. I am not free until I am of legal age, so going back to Green Hell would not be good if I want to be anything. One thing I know, my childhood has ended today.”

He got up. I better change my ticket then, I bet the ship is leaving soon.”

She smiled.” Don’t worry about that. I am sure you can travel courtesy of the President anywhere you want, and not on F Deck

Roy and the Silver haired Saresii Lady left the bar after she had paid for the drinks. Partner was right behind them.

As they reached the lobby, the president and his entourage was gone.

Behind the transparent door that separated this lobby from the rest of the space port and the door Roy had used to come here were two Robots and a Police man holding back a crowd of reporters and news media along with their robotic cameras and floating lights.

Cara ushered him towards the boarding tunnel and said. “We tried to keep the presidents visit very low profile, but it looks like one of the Silver Line Employees called the media, hoping for a few extra credits.”

Roy wondered what the president was doing on Harper’s Junction in the first place.

A very tall humanoid male being in a fancy Silver Uniform came from behind the service desk and greeted them while stepping in their way. “Ah there you are, our guests of honor.”

Roy had to tilt his head to see the man’s face, he must have been three meters tall. The tall man had a yellowish tint to his skin and his hair, the color of egg joke was cut in a page boy style reaching to his chin.

The tall man said. “I am Rennie Rondon, local Silver Lines Branch manager, Mr. Masters. on behalf of Gray Lines I would like to thank you for your service and heroic action to save the president of the Union and not the least to our company.”

He handed Eric a metallic silver card with the logo of the Company engraved. The card was quite heavy for its small size and said. “This is a lifetime membership to our Platinum 500 Club with a million Light years Ultra Lux trips pre loaded. For this your first trip we have reserved the Executive Suite for you to any destination.”

Roy looked at the card and saw his name was engraved on it as well and blinked. “Thank you, Sir, that is mighty decent of you, not that I have done much, but how about Partner, my companion?”

The tall man reached out and turned the card in Roy’s hand.

There it said :Membership includes accommodations on any vessel operated by Grey Lines for one companion being. “We of course included your... , uhm animal.”

The man bowed again. “Boarding has already commenced and the ship leave in less than two hours.” Roy thanked the man again and then he smacked his own forehead and turned and asked. “How about the lady?”

Before the tall man could say something Cara laughed. “No worries I am being taken care off!”

So they went to the wide slide belt and travelled underneath a transparent tunnel across the landing field. The environmental conditions on Harper’s Junction made this tunnel a requirement.

Cara said. “He was an Andorian if you wanted to know, they can be as tall as 4 meters.”

Roy turned his head, but the slide belt had already carried them to the ground level and the lobby was no longer visible.” I know, I have a friend who is half Andorian.” He looked at the cars “That was nice of them to give me a free trip.”

“Yes this was quite a present, but you deserved some good news today and besides you prevented bad news. Bad news is not good for business,”

As they approached the bird shaped vessel, he realized just how big that ship was The ship was huge! Of course he knew how ArtiGrav and all that worked but it was still amazing to think this mass of metal would later lift off and fly.

He said.” How come the President of the United Stars came to this backwater system in a civilian craft? Would he not travel in the Space borne One?”

“It’s actually classified information, but I don’t think it will hurt to tell you.”

“I don’t want you to get into trouble, Ma’am. If its secret, it’s secret.”

“It’s quite alright. I have certain liberties when it comes to things like that.”

She turned a little more so she could talk easier to him. “I am not sure if you know about the current situation, on a galacto-political level I mean.”

He shrugged. “Sorry, I don’t.” He felt a little embarrassed now.” I know I should keep more up with these things, especially now that I am an adult.”

“No worries, yesterday you still were a teenager and they generally don’t pay all too much attention to things like that.”

The slide belt tunnel ended where it was attached to the main Air lock to the Ship and she said while stepping of the belt. “It is going to be a longer story. So I tell you after we settled in. We do have a few weeks of travel ahead of you, before we reach Sares.”

The Lobby took Roy’s breath away. It was a huge hall with the ceiling at least 100 meters above. The Entire front area of the ships ‘breast’ was transparent. From floor to ceiling and at least 300 meters wide. The floors were polished crème colored marble. Silvery leather upholstered sofas and arm chair clustered around floating tables seat groups on dark red carpeted islands. Transparent Elevator tubes connected the lobby with the terrace like levels opposite the transparent wall all the way to the top tiers right underneath the distant ceiling. A waterfall illuminated with colored lights making the water appear turquois streamed down a cliff wall of massive boulders fed a gargling little stream that went meandering across the Lobby forming a little indoor river complete with yellow, and white fish small curved bridges connected to an area of grass and Trees.

He was most amazed by the fact that some people actually sad on the grass or were sitting in chairs right beneath the trees!

Obviously it was not just Greenies who knew how to react and behave real close to nature, plants and animals, because he saw birds, with long feathered tails and his hand fell on the butt of his Blaster. While his Danger Sense had not yet warned him, he considered the possibility it didn’t work on all alien plants or animals.

He stepped before the lady and said.” Be careful Ma’am there are birds lose!”

She laughed a bright laughter.” Roy, those are Terran peacocks and Para Para birds, they are about as dangerous as a stuffed plush animal. Don’t worry the only danger from this grass is, when you sit on it with white clothing and you might get grass stains.” She paused and shook her head. “I am almost certain that they engineered it so it would not even do that!”

“But how does the Grass, the Trees and those birds defend themselves?”

“They don’t Roy! You can do whatever you want to those things and you won’t get a reaction at all. Well the birds might try to flee or fly away.”

Now it was his turn to shake his head. “Uncle Sam was right, the outside Universe is weirder than I thought!”

At the service desk a non humanoid being with tentacles, also wearing a silver uniform greeted them and after Cara identified herself and Roy. The rust brown being folded its tentacles before it and bowed. “What an exceptional honor and delight to welcome you Mr. Masters, the Executive Suite has been reserved for you, Mr. Masters and I also see a reservation for a Mr. Partner.”

Roy elbowed his animal. “Mr. Partner, I guess that is you!” The black animal sat down on his hind legs and looked very pleased. Roy remembered from class that the being behind the counter was a Garbini. The Methane breathing Tree-Polyp said to Cara. “The Princess Suite as usual for you Colonel.”

The Garbini addressed them all and asked. “Do you have any luggage, Mr. Masters?”

Roy pointed at his bag, he had strapped to Partners back. “Only that.”

A man in a dark business suit with a golden pin of stylized golden keys on his lapel appeared. He was human as far as Roy could tell, even though his skin was light blue and he had fire red hair. He said. “Welcome aboard the Silver Swan. I am Nobyr Nybar and I am your concierge. If you please follow me to your suites.”

He then pointed at Roy’s Blaster. “We do have secure safe facilities were you can store that weapon for you, Sir.”

“You mean you want to take my gun?”

“No not take it, Sir. Merely lock it away. Some of our guests might become a little nervous and it usually is company policy to lock personal weapons away.”

Cara said. “Other guests do not concern us. You did check my credentials?”

“Of course Colonel Halvagh, I was not expressing concerns regarding you, but...”

“Let us discuss your concerns with Gray Lines management then. Do lead the way. I personally think they will make and exception on company policies.”

The Concierge nodded stiffly. “I am sure they will in this case. Please accept my apologies and let me show you to your accommodations.”

Even though the elevators were designed to accommodate large beings. With Partner sharing the transparent lift capsule, it was a bit crowded and the blue skinned man was obviously not entirely comfortable with the beast so close to him. He managed to keep a very nervous smile.

The Elevator carried then swiftly to the top tier of the terrace style deck arrangement. Roy walked over to the brass framed glass railing, placed his hands on the top bar and looked down. The entire lobby could be seen. From up here he could see the waterfall was fed by an enormous swimming pool, with people swimming and lounging. Through the enormous viewport he could see the entire space port, the stark rough landscape and a domed city beyond in the distance.

Cara came next to him and whispered. “It would be fun but wait till later when he’s gone.”

Roy resisted the urge to spit, swallowed and said. “I wasn’t going to do it, just thinking about it.”

He turned to the patiently waiting man and asked. “Will they close this viewport at lift off?”

“No Sir, it remains transparent at all times.”

“So I could stand here and see us go in space?”

“Most certainly Sir, but why would you want to stay out here?”

The man gestured at a set of wide double wood door and said. “The Executive Suite, Sir. The door is keyed and recognizes you. If you choose to add others simply tell the door when the other person is present. Revoking such rights is equally simple!”

The door opened and they went in. The room was huge and furnished with much of Pre Astro style furniture his Dad liked so much. He was sure you could have fitted the entire ground floor layout of their home back on Green Hell into this place, The dark wood floor was partially covered with thick intricate designed rugs. There was a leather seating group before a sizeable fireplace with flames licking over wooden logs. The largest and latest Multi-Tainment center he had ever seen across from it and then he noticed a transparent door at the other end of the room framed by velvet curtains and asked. “Is this some sort of Emergency Exit?”

The man stared at him as if he made a stupid joke. “No of course not Sir. It is the door to your balcony. A much better and private place to enjoy the lift off and all If I may say so.”

He went with Roy to the glass door, it slid open and they stepped on a small balcony that appeared to be on the outside of the ship. The Guest manager leaned over the railing and with his outstretched hand knocked against an invisible barrier and explained” Refraction free transparent Ultronit bubble. You can enjoy lift offs, landings and of course deep space right from here.”

Roy nodded overwhelmed. “Ah okay. Can I ask you where is the bed is?”

“In your master bed room of course, Sir” Now the man looked at Roy as if he just asked if space is black.

The man completed the tour and It turned out the suite had its own swimming pool, a Master bed room, a guest bed room and a bathroom with auto dresser.

The concierge completed his tour and said. “In the unlikley event of an emergency, the entire Suite can be jettisoned and has automatic life boat functions. None of our 5033 Cruise Liners has ever had such an emergency since the company was founded 850 years ago.”

Roy knew what an E Deck ticket cost, he wondered what one like this was. The man went to the door. “All ships recreation areas are listed in the directory which can be accessed verbally from anywhere aboard ship. The Gambling areas will be open after we are in space. Gray Lines and the Crew of the Silver Swan wishes you a pleasant journey. Next scheduled planet fall will be in seven days on Odenworld.”

Cara said.” Why don’t you and Partner settle in while I get my rooms. I will pick you up at eight for dinner.”

The concierge and Cara left.

“Yes Ma’am.” He took the pack of Partner and petted his friend a little while.

“I am sure glad you are here. If I had to go through this crazy day all by myself I probably would have gone insane by now.”

Partner sneezed and made certain, Roy knew it was glad as well and gave Roy a big dry lick across the face. He threw his arms as much around partners immense neck and hugged it.

A melodic gong chimed and a voice said.

“Dear Passengers, we will commence lift off in 35 minutes. The ship will be sealed for space travel in close ship in twelve minutes anyone not wishing to travel must leave the ship now.”

Roy said. “Let’s go on our Balcony I never rode a spaceship into space on the outside.”

From Partner he got mental images of deep space, distant suns and planets as they looked from space.”

“So you have traveled before.” It was not entirely clear to Roy what the images of suns and planets meant and what Partner wanted to say but Partner sneezed so it had to be good.

A comfortable Vari-Matic chair on the balcony adjusted to his body size and a small table rose from the floor. A floating display of a menu appeared. He brushed his finger over the drinks section and swiped through the non-tox section. There were so many choices, most of them unknown to him, so he settled for a Coke and it appeared moments later on the table.

On the landing field below he saw the covered slide belt sink below the surface.

A towering robotic contraption as tall as the ship with 12 long tentacle arms rolled away and it too disappeared riding on a yellow and black marked platform below the surface.

Green and blue strobe lights flashed in a steady rhythm between markings on the landing field.

A bright yellow energy fence established itself around the landing field, most likely to secure it from acciential ground traffic.

In the distance he could see a massive robot arm appearing from the ground holding a shuttle. The small craft immediately climbed into the sky. He was certain it had to be the Green Hell shuttle on its return trip He was on a planet only one orbit removed from his home world and it felt as if he was already light years away. His life could not have been any more different as it was just yesterday.

The announcement voice cam on again. “Dear Passengers, we are now ready for Takeoff.”

There was a slight vibration going through the ship causing little ripples in his coke and the ship was moving. Slowly raising, leaving the ground behind. The entire crater was now visible and he saw surface buildings and lights here and there on the surface.

The rough features soon became smooth and details faded. His balcony was suddenly surrounded by whisks of clouds riding high in the planets thin atmosphere.

Harper’s Junction’s curved horizon became darker by the second. A new slightly stronger vibration made itself felt and he could see a bright shine from below the ship. They had switched from ArtiGrav to main engines. Now it appeared as if the planet fell fast behind, became a dirty gray and brown ball with some white dashes. Maxell the systems sun glared bright as the ship changed course, but some automatic filter made it safe to look right into small bright ball. He hoped against all better knowledge to see Green Hell. Of course he would never be able to tell if one of the light dots was green hell.

Space was incredible. His eye no longer found a horizon and the blackness went on forever. But the stars were beautiful.