|
0
|
|
|
Deal Hunter approaches a space trade station at the L2 stable gravity point behind Blazes-6.
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Locals quickly replace the scientific designation for a star with another name in every system where...
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
This system has a hot blue star, making all the planets extremely hot.
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Blazes-6 is the sixth planet, and it has an atmosphere that is just enough to be breathable, which i...
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
The temperature becomes so hot during the day that everyone needs to wear an environmental suit.
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
Most of the trade activity is at the station.
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
Builders set up this trade station like most.
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
There is a central area, usually a sphere but sometimes a cylinder.
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
Around that center, there are as many landing pads as the builders could fit.
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
Some are just a platform open to space, and some will have an enclosure with doors to pressurize the...
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
It costs more to dock and pressurize an area, so most ships land on an open space platform and let r...
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
Other trade stations are much bigger, with force screen tunnels so a ship can enter and land in a pr...
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
Deal Hunter prefers the lower profile of the smaller trade hubs.
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
Only going to the large ones when there is something specifically requested.
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
Trader Wakam starts a connection.
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
After establishing the connection, the video feed starts.
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
Wakam sees Captain Weston, a middle-aged man with short blond hair, brown eyes, and a large nose.
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
Wakam says,
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
“You always look the same.”
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
Captain Weston replies,
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
“So do you. I use camera filtering software, so I always look good. What you don’t see is I’m in sho...
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
“What do you have?”
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
“I have salvaged from a freighter that crashed years ago in an asteroid field. The warp drive is int...
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
“That is an old ship that was lost. Good find. What else do you have?”
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
“I have broken devices and components. You won’t give me a good price, so I will get them melted dow...
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
“Hang on. Tell me your list.”
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
“Sending the list now.”
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
“Vic, some of this equipment has parts inside that are very hard to find. Are you going to melt it d...
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
“I will get a better price in another system for metal scrap than what you will give me, so yes, I a...
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
“Vic. You know I don’t normally do this.”
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
“Exactly my point.”
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
“Okay, I will figure out a price.”
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
After several minutes of negotiation, Wakam says,
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
“You work a tough deal.”
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
“Wakam, I am not screwing you with this deal. You tell people they are tough negotiators, so they do...
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
“After paying you all these credits, you want a bounty?”
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
“I need to finish repairs on Deal Hunter, and your oh-so- not -generous price for these parts means ...
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
“Alec, you have been good at bringing in hard-to-get bounties. I have nothing that would meet your s...
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
“Just tell me what you have.”
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
“While we are talking about money you need, have you collected your reward?”
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
“What reward?”
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
“It came in with several ships from the Albert system. You are credited with saving Princess Kainda ...
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
“Sure, I’ll get right over to that trap.”
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
“You think it is a trap?”
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
“That yacht was sabotaged. She was lucky I passed her on the way out. If someone is after her, they ...
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
“Hey, a million credits are nothing to sneeze at.”
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
“I will look at any open bounties there and do both.”
|
|