Blood And Profit: Chapter 15

Sorry for the lack of content the last few days! Real life has been keeping me busier than I normally like. As a form of apology today's post is a bit longer than usual. Enjoy :D


The Ship lifted off the ground and wavered for a second in a way that could not be described as calming. The soldiers in the bay were far enough back that none of the cargo containers that got knocked over were able to reach them. Still, they backed up a little closer to the door.


“Sorry! Sorry! Later someone will have to tell me why any ship would have an gravitational stabilizer button! I always want stabilizers on, when would I not want that?” Toll yelled, mostly too himself.


Carter leaned over and whispered to Rusty. “What's a gravitational stabilizer?” Rusty shrugged his shoulders and gripped his seatbelt tighter.


The rest of the departure was smooth. The ship backed out through the containment field without further incident. Once they were clear of the positively enormous Decency, Rusty's jaw hit the floor as he took in just how huge their previous vessel really was. No matter how far away from Destiny Toll got the ship just seemed to keep going, until they were far enough away that they got their first glimpse of the Corporate Asset 3175. And if the Decency was huge, the Asset was colossal. Rusty sat down hard. “Damn!” he gasped. Cater glanced out the window at the ship.


“Yeah, it's almost like they're compensating for something.” He quipped. Rusty was still in awe.


“The Decency can't defend itself against a ship that large.” he said. Carter shook his head.


“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”


“What?” both Rusty and Toll asked at the same time.


“You probably don't have dog fighting on your planet do you?” Carter smiled. “It's an old Earth saying, basically that size, while intimidating, is often out-shined by determination.” Toll turned the ship toward the Earth.


“So I'm pretty sure that the planet is Earth, but having never been there, is there a specific spot I should be headed for or what?” Carter scanned the passenger side control console, and pushed a button that bought up a 3D interface projection in mid air. He worked with the 3D interface and entered a series of numbers. A video feed of an unfamiliar young man popped up.


“Oh thank God your still alive!' The kid said. “We are in dee -”


“I know. I saw the papers.” Carter interrupted. “We can talk about that when I'm planet side, but right now you need to tell me how close we have to be for that assisted guidance thing.”


“Five hundred miles.” The kid didn't miss a beat. “why? where are you?” Carter looked to Toll for the answer.


“Don't look at me, I just fly this thing.” He shrugged his shoulders. The kid groaned and started messing with systems on his side.


“Ok look, just broadcast the numbers 3474 repeatedly on an open channel.” He commanded. “I'll find you.” Carter nodded and used the 3D interface to broadcast the number set as instructed. The kid looked away from the screen to get the computer to search for the signal. “Ok I found you. Please tell me you got permission from the captain to take one of her cruisers.” The kid looked exasperated.
Carter smiled “I never have before. I don't want her to think anything has changed.” He said.


“Because that would just be weird.” The kid said sarcastically. Carter glared at him. “Who's flying the ship?” The kid asked ignoring the glare.


“A runaway from colony six, his name is Toll. He and his friend Rusty arrived this side of the gate about a day ago.”


“Colony six turned their ring back on?” The kid asked. “That's going to cause some problems we weren’t counting on.” Carter shook his head.


“They came through without permission.” Carter transferred the information about Toll and Rusty to the computer The Kid was using. “Hijacked a ship and a ring console. As far as they know, the ring was shut off and is most likely being dismantled.” The kid scanned over the data.


“So by total fluke, two randoms from the colony that started this whole mess just happen to show up -” Carter muted the signal and checked to see if Toll or Rusty were following along. Both of them were. The kid saw that he was on mute and was miming knocking on the screen.


“What mess is he talking about?” Rusty asked. Carter sighed and turned the audio on the call back on.


“Warren would you be so kind as to prepare a small presentation about what the current situation is between the corporation and the settlers? I'd like to get them up to speed while I am dealing with BoBo.” Warren nodded and continued to mess with the computers on his side of the call.


“Oh, by the way, we've got you on assisted flight. We'll have you dirt bound in about fifteen.” He said and ended the call. Toll let go of the controls and turned his chair to face Carter.


“You didn't just need me to drive you here, did you.” He accused. Carter nodded.


“You two have a lot to learn. I didn't have the time to fill you in until now.” Carter explained. “Warren will make sure you learn everything you want to know when we land. Then we can talk about where we go from here.”


“Any chance going home might be an option?” Rusty asked. Carter shook his head.


'Not since your arrival here proved to the corporation that Colony Six still exists.” He said sadly. “You boys and the Pacific Free Zone are the only thing keeping your colony safe right now.” He stated as the California coast line became visible on the planet below.

Blood And Profit: Chapter 14

The door to the docking bay opened without warning and weapon fire flashed through, harmlessly hitting the wall on the other side of the hallway. One of the soldiers threw some sort of grenade through as one of the other soldiers pressed the button to shut the door. Toll realized the grenade had gone off when he felt a wave of force press into him, the sounds of the energy weapon discharges hitting the door stopped and it was clear that the walls and distance must have greatly reduced the effects on everyone in the hallway. The invaders in the docking bay were most certainly shaken if not knocked totally unconscious. The soldiers opened the door this time and charged into the bay as a single unit. Carter looked back at Toll, who got up and moved over by the door, his pistol in hand.


“You're the only pilot I have access to right now.” Carter snapped. “Stay back with Rusty because if you get shot this will all be for nothing.” Toll nodded, handed his pistol to Carter and rejoined his friend. Carter did not enter the bay even as the sounds of the fighting got louder and more intense.


“You're not going?” Toll asked Carter. Carter shook his head.


“Hate to say it but I'm even more important than you. We can afford to loose a few soldiers. I absolutely have to get back to the Pacific Free Zone.” He said with grim determination. Neither Toll nor Rusty was comfortable thinking of the soldiers as expendable. They came from a planet that had a global population of less than one billion people and a history that included one 'war' in the entire time the colonists had been there. All three men were lost in their own thoughts as the fighting raged on the other side of the door. Then suddenly it was silent. One of the Decency soldiers opened the door.


“It's clear sir. We have one dead, four wounded or unconscious and three detained.” The soldier summed up. Carter stood up.


“Ok boys, they cleared the way, let's go.” He turned his attention to the soldier and handed him a card. “This is my personal information. Request to speak with the Captain. She will make sure that the penalty fee for the dead soldier and a bonus for you and each of your men is taken from my account. I appreciate what you did here today, its very likely you just saved the entire PFZ.” The soldier took the card and nodded. Carter entered the bay and headed for the nearest multi passenger ship. Toll and Rusty scrambled to follow him.


Rusty was the last one aboard the cruiser. Toll practically dove into the pilot seat and got himself acquainted with the controls and the layout of the flight systems. Rusty took in the rest of the ship. “Kind of overly dramatic with the soldier back there wouldn't you say Carter?” Rusty asked.


Carter was leaning over the pilots chair watching Toll's process. “not really.” He responded. “The PFZ has been growing a bio computer for a long range battleship that The Corporation ordered two years ago. The bio computer has exceeded the maximum size requirements for the ship we're installing it in. If I can't get the thing to loose some weight in two weeks, the PFZ has to refund a two billion dollar contract which is enough to sink the entire operation.” He explained with a relaxed tone that did not match the subject matter he was discussing.


The color drained out of Rusty's face. “You're growing a computer that costs two billion dollars?” he asked.


Carter nodded. “Pretty much, The other seven are much smaller and less expensive.”


Toll flipped out. “Everyone who's going to fly the ship needs to be where I am, everyone who is not flying the ship and talking smarty smart computer talk, needs to be not where I am.” He snapped. Carter stepped back.


“sorry, didn't mean to get in the way of an artist like yourself.” He joked.


“I'm not an artist, I just would like to not crash into the wall trying to get out of here.” Toll shot back. “You want me to get clearance or just go?” He asked.


Carter didn't hesitate. “Just go.” he said.


Toll nodded. “You might want to sit down and belt up, most passenger ships tend to have the turning radius of a house.” Both Rusty and Carter took their steats and buckled themselves up without further comment.

Blood And Profit: Chapter 13

The uneven standoff continued quietly. The soldiers didn't move and neither did Carter, Toll, or Rusty. After 30 seconds the elevator beeped a calming chime and closed it's door. Carter put his hands down. Rusty looked like he was going to throw up. Toll was totally confused.


“What just happened?” He asked. Carter pressed the button for the elevator again.


“A successful hostile take over has to control engineering, the bridge and the shipboard weapon systems. This is a civilian quarters deck, so there is no tactical advantage to getting into a fight on this level.” Carter explained. The elevator doors opened to reveal an empty elevator. The trio got on and Carter selected the docking bay deck.


“I don't think I've ever been happier about being too pathetic to be a threat.” Rusty commented. Toll and Cater laughed.


The elevator let them out into the complete chaos of the docking bay deck. A group of four Decency crew ran past the elevator.


“Lieutenant, what's the status of this deck?” Carter called after them. The foursome stopped.


The Lieutenant answered “Several boarding craft breached the docking bay on this deck. The emergency containment fields are engaged so there is breathable air and we've got them bottled up pretty tight. We just need to hold them there until they can secure engineering."


Carter looked troubled “We're going to have to do more than hold them to the bay, lieutenant. Unless you know the status of the starboard docking bay?” The Lieutenant shook his head. “I figured as much.” Carter nodded. “Ok. We're going to have to advance into the docking bay so I and my companions can take a shuttle.” Carter stated.


The lieutenant looked concerned. “Sir I understand where you're coming from but -”


“I know the guild imposes a twenty thousand credit fine for every death in a hostile takeover, the PFZ has an account set aside for paying those fines.” The soldiers were shocked, Cater continued. “but gentlemen, aim to subdue. I'd rather not have my yearly bonus spent on a bunch of dead nobodies.” The soldiers nodded and turned to the docking bay door. Rusty grabbed Carter by the shoulder.


“What kind of society has fines for murder?” he asked. Carter smiled.


“Kind of a deep question before a fight isn't it?” He asked. Rusty held up his gun.


“Well since I'm no good with this thing I think an intelligent conversation might be a better use of my time!” He was on the edge of a melt down. Carter tried to calm him down.


“It's ok Rusty, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. As soon as the bay is clear we'll come get you.” At his assurance Rusty relaxed a little.


“I've never killed anybody before.” He said with defeat.


Carter smiled sadly “And there's no reason you should start now.” Rusty slumped against the wall. Carter nodded at Toll to let him know he was going to check with the soldiers, turned and left. Toll slid down next to Rusty. There was silence between them. Toll looked at the ceiling.


“Hey, wanna check Earth out? I'll bet it's way cooler than the history books say it is.” He said with sadness in his voice. Rusty smiled.


“Stop apologizing, I knew what I was getting into.” He said.


“If I didn't how could you?” Toll asked.


“I'm a lot smarter than you.” Rusty responded.


“Modest too.” Toll smiled.

Blood And Profit: Chapter 12

Despite the combat happening elsewhere on the ship, Toll and Rusty were attempting to get comfortable in their quarters. Rusty was immersed in a computer terminal sifting through any areas he could access for relevant information. Toll was laid out on a couch and flipping through different entertainment channels on a larger wall screen. None of this was drowning out the dull thuds of weapons fire on the floor above or below; even when the room was filed with a soft two toned electronic beep for a quick second. Toll and Rusty looked at each other.


“What did you do?” Toll asked. Rusty shrugged his shoulders.


“Nothing, I swear!” He replied. The Tones rang out again. Then there were two dull thumps on their door. Toll looked at Rusty and nodded his head toward the door. Rusty shook his head quickly.


“I'm not opening the door, you open the door.” He said. The door opened on its own and Carter entered the room. The door closed behind him.


“Come on guys, do you really think a Corporate boarding party would ring the door bell?” He asked tossing Toll a pistol. Toll caught it and set it on the couch.


“What's going on out there?” He asked.


“About thirty seconds after I left the bridge a Guild Hall, er, that's a really, really huge spaceship, warped into the area.” Carter tossed a second pistol to Rusty. “The Corporate Asset got permission to attempt a hostile takeover of the Destiny. There are about two hundred Corporate soldiers onboard right now.” Rusty held the pistol as if it were a newly dirtied diaper. “Pretty standard stuff really, it just takes a really long time to sort everything out, even longer now that the Guild is here. Time I don't have.” He opened the door long enough to check both directions down the hallway. When he pulled his head back in Toll was picking his pistol back up.


“So why are you here?” He asked.


“The Decency is going to resist this takeover attempt, but we're not going to be here to see it happen. I have to get to Earth and make sure that a year and a half of work hasn't already been ruined by mother nature. To put it simply, I need a pilot.” Rusty was shocked.


“You want Toll and I to come with you and attempt to fly a shuttle through a space battle, just so you can get to Earth faster?” He freaked. Carter nodded.


“yes, no, yes. In that order.” Carter stated matter of factly. Then he softened and explained. “Look, I want you to come with me, there is no space battle, the Guild didn't approve ship to ship combat, boarding soldiers only, and for like the fifth time it is of dire importance that I get to Earth post haste. Now come on let's go.” he opened the door again checked the hall, and exited the room. Rusty looked to Toll for the decision. Toll shrugged his shoulders and followed Carter out into the hall. Rusty ran after them.


“You two are going to get me killed!” He grumbled.


The trio made their way, with guns drawn, down to the elevator at the end of the hallway. Carter pressed the down button and they waited with increasing nervousness.


“What happens if the elevator is full of boarding soldiers?” Rusty asked. The door opened and revealed five corporate boarding soldiers inside. Carter's face was deadpan.


“I'm sure there's very little chance of that happening.” he said raising his hands in the air as five weapons were aimed at them.

Blood And Profit: Chapter 11

Toll, Rusty and their two guards were left standing awkwardly on the bridge. The captain didn't miss a beat.


“ Gentlemen, I welcome you aboard the Decency, but if you'll kindly get off my bridge, your escorts will take you to civilian quarters.” As she finished, another bridge officer spoke up.


“Captain, Corporate Asset 3157 is requesting to speak with you.” The captain spun to face the viewer which was showing a huge ship along side them.


“Open the channel.” She said as the guards escorted Toll and Rusty off the bridge.


Toll noticed immediately that, unlike their previous escorts, these soldiers did not have their weapons at the ready. The first soldier stopped at the first available wall interface and used it to bring up a green line of light on the wall and a green line of light on the floor.


“If we get separated.” The soldier started, “The green line will lead you to the civilian quarters.”


“why would we get separated?” Rusty asked. The soldier shrugged.


“Just a precaution.” he offered. The group followed the line through the ship. At the end of a long hallway they got onto an elevator and went down. Way, way down.


“How big is the Decency?” Toll asked. The second soldier offered a description.


“The Decency is a third generation Conglomerate class destroyer.” He recited from memory. “It has twenty six decks, three of which are geared for non-military personnel.” The elevator door opened and they followed the green line out of the elevator. The ship rocked violently. “Looks like the Cog wants to do a little more than talk.” The ship rocked again.


“They're firing on us?” Rusty asked looking worried.


“It happens when we liberate a member of the PFZ that they “accidentally” detain without notice.” the first soldier commented.


“What does PFZ mean anyway?” Toll asked.


“Pacific Free Zone.” The first soldier explained. “We're an autonomous organization not controlled by The Corporation.” The ship rocked again as the second soldier opened a door. “These will be your quarters until we arrive on Earth or the Asset shoots us out of the sky.” Rusty glared at him.


“Bit depressing of an outlook don't you think?” He asked.


“Each of us has the outlook we can afford.” The soldier shrugged. The ship rocked again, and the ship wide communication system beeped on.


“All boarding personnel report to your battle stations. All boarding personnel report to your battle stations.” The speaker clicked off. The soldiers looked at each other and split off in separate directions.


“What should we do?” Rusty asked.


“Stay out of the way.” Toll said as he pressed the button to close the door.

Blood And Profit. Chapter 10

Once they exited the prison transport they found themselves in the docking bay of a much larger cruiser.


“Welcome to the PFZ Decency.” Carter said. Toll counted six other ships docked in the bay that he could see. One of the soldiers handed a Carter a little metal stick that he stuck part way into his mouth. He breathed in through the stick as he lifted up his left sleeve, revealing an implanted piece of hardware set neatly into his arm. There was a little red light flashing. Carter pressed the only button visible on the plate and the red light popped up, as it was attached to a cartridge that he removed from the hardware. Rusty was stunned.


“What is that?” He asked.


“Folly of youth.” Carter offered. Which was not nearly enough for Rusty and Carter saw it in his eyes.
'I'm a bio programmer. Two years ago I decided that it would be easier for me to get my work done if I modified myself the same way I modify the bio-computers we make.” The group had exited the docking bay and gotten into an elevator. “So I created a small biomass designed to enhance my brain function. All the tests we ran in simulations worked perfectly and the mice we injected showed incredible performance gains. So I took the bio mass.” They exited the elevator and started down a new hallway. “The theory was sound. To put it very simply, the cells were programmed to integrate with my brain matter and double my cognitive capability.”


“So what went wrong?” Toll asked.


“Turns out there are more than a few differences between mice and men.” Carter chuckled to himself sadly. “The cells integrated correctly but to the wrong part of my brain.”


“Oh damn.” Rusty uttered.


“Yup. Instead of getting smarter, my cellar growth process accelerated.” Carter entered a code into a wall pad and a door opened. He passed through and everyone followed him.


“So what's with the stick then?” Toll asked bluntly.


“It's a 3D printer that makes nanobots that I inhale. They flood my system and keep me alive. It also makes me look cool. Like a movie star from the black and whites.” Toll and Rusty looked at each other in confusion.


“Black and whites?” Rusty asked.


“Oh man I wish we had the time to get into film history.” Carter sighed. “But we got more important things to do.” he pressed the button on yet another door and led the group onto the bridge. Both Rusty and Toll had been on large ships like the Decency, but no matter how often you see it there is something spectacular about the audacity of the will of a trained crew moving artificial leviathans through space. The captain of the Decency spun her chair around to face Carter and the other's.


“So, it turns out that the conference was a trap.” She stated.


“Is that why they arrested me?” Carter asked.


“I told you not to go.” still stone but her tone was softening.


“Good thing you're not the boss of me.” He responded.


“Dammit Carter.” she ranted “We can't keep spending this kind of time and money making sure The Corporation doesn't learn what you know.” Carter was handed a data pad by a member of the bridge crew.


“I missed you too.” he responded only half listening. The captain gestured to Rusty and Toll.


“Who're they?” she asked.


“Their from colony six.” He commented off handedly, lost in the information on the pad.


“I don't have time for games Carter, who are they really?” She asked but Carter wasn't paying attention any more. He grabbed the tech who handed him the pad.


“is this actual growth or the 72 hour projections.” He asked. The tech glanced at the data.


“Actual growth sir.” He offered. Carter headed for the bridge door.


“None of us have time for games captain. I need to get planet side now!” He shouted while exiting the bridge.

Blood And Profit. Chapter 9

It had been almost an hour since the ship had left the station and the three prisoners were becoming fast friends.


“So Toll's a professional pilot which is pretty cool, what do you do Rusty?” Carter asked. Rusty smiled. Toll shook his head.


“Don't say it Rusty.” He warned. Rusty smiled, proud of himself.


“I'm a mainframe mastermind.” he bragged.


“And what does that entail?” Carter asked.


“See now you sound like an idiot.” Toll admonished.


“I design both hardware and software for networked systems, like space stations.” Carter laughed at this.


“Here we call guys like you IOmancers.” He offered.


“What does that mean?” Rusty asked.


“Well back in the way back days we were hackers or keyboard cowboys, but the culture changed and all the 'cool' names got changed with it. You know what a necromancer is?” He asked. Rusty shook his head.


“no.” He responded, totally lost.


“It's someone who can bring the dead back to life using magic. Very popular gaming character class.” He waited for Rusty to put it together, which wasn't happening. The ship rocked heavily. “We're out of time right now so i'll explain it more later. Three guards came from the front of the ship and took cover behind chairs, their weapons facing the back of the ship. Carter ducked down behind his seat as much as possible.


“What's going on?” Toll asked to anyone who felt like answering, which turned out to be one of the soldiers with his weapon pointed just over Toll's shoulder.


“Shut your mouth! prisoners don't speak unless spoken too!” There was a loud hissing sound somewhere behind them followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the floor with finality.


“Get your heads down below the top of your seats!” Carter yelled. Both Rusty and Toll did as they were told. Both of them watched as beams of light passed back and forth overhead. The light show was quick and ended with the deaths of the three soldiers that had come from the front of the ship.


“CLEAR!” a voice rang out from behind them. Carter sat up in his chair again, Toll and Rusty followed his lead. Several new soldiers entered the passenger compartment from the rear. The first soldier freed Carter from his cuffs. Once his hands were free, Carter motioned to Toll and Rusty.


“They're with me.” he said. Two other soldiers took the cuffs and chains off the two stunned friends. Carter stretched extensively, nearly bending over backward. Once he was upright again he smiled at them both. “Well, you coming or what? He asked.

Blood And Profit: Chapter 8

Toll and Rusty were escorted onto the shuttle by two armed guards. Once they were seated, instead of removing their wrist cuffs, the guards secured their feet to their seats. Once they were completely belted in and locked down the guards exited the shuttle. Toll wanted to say something to Rusty but he had no clue what he could say. His decision to hijack the slip tunnel had landed them in the biggest mess either of them had ever been in, and Toll had no clue how he would get either of them back home.


The guards came back onto the ship, escorting a third prisoner. This prisoner was escorted by two guards in front and two in back. Once he was secured the same as Rusty and Toll the guards left the ship again.


“So, you two came back from your colony to see what Earth was like.” The man started out of nowhere. When neither Toll nor Rusty answered the man craned his neck as much as he could to look at them with a smile on his face. “Was it everything you hoped?” He asked. The pair remained silent. “Either you're both the strong silent type or you're intimidated by my roguish good looks. I prefer the latter to the former. Either way your trip here must have sucked. Probably not as much as what's happened since you got here.” He relaxed his neck and faced forward. “Might want to relax a little bit, we're about to detach from the station.” The ship rocked slightly and there was a brief moment of zero gravity which was sickeningly destroyed by the shuttles own artificial gravity system. “You would think after three hundred years we would have worked all the kinks out of artificial gravity.” He craned his neck back to look at Rusty and Toll again. “The name's Carter, Carter Goody. I'd shake your hand -” He wiggled his shackled wrists. “but I'm a germaphobe.” Rusty smiled in spite of himself but remained quiet. “No worries boys, everything is going to be fine. We've got a long trip ahead of us, which would go a lot faster if at least one of you talks.”


“Why are they sending you to Mars?” Rusty asked.


“They're not. I'm being transferred to a station in Orbit where they will attempt to scan my brain and look for some information.” Carter explained. Now that Rusty was talking, Carter faced forward again to take the strain off his neck. Toll's curiosity got the best of him.


“Can't remember or don't want to share?” He asked. Carter smiled to himself.


“Don't want to share. I also know the scanners inside and out so it'll be a good long while before they get what their looking for.” He assured them.


“How is something like that even legal?” Rusty asked. Carter laughed.


“You really are back water hicks. Let me guess. Your colony has a bill of rights?” Carter asked and Rusty nodded. “Yeah, I figured. Earth gave up on democracy a long, long time ago. You yourselves are a product of the corporate monopoly that was established over seven hundred years ago.” Toll seemed less than entertained.


“We don't need a history lesson.” He said.


“I'm just saying, we have the guild now, but they mostly arbitrate between the corporations. On this side of the ring, a person is nothing more than a corporate asset. At least until you buy out your contract.” Carter was on a roll now.


“So we're basically slaves?” Rusty asked. Carter shook his head.


“Noooooo. Far from it. Slavery was abolished over a thousand years ago. Everyone has the freedom to buy themselves out of their contract at any time.” It was almost as if he was quoting from a text book.


“How much is the average buy out?” Rusty asked. Carter turned to look at Rusty with a predatory smile on his face.


“How much you got?” He laughed.

Blood and Profit: Chapter 7

Toll and Rusty sat in the interrogation chamber for several hours. There was no guard in the room and after twenty minutes it was clear their hosts were in no hurry to speak with them. After forty five minutes Rusty had reached his limit.

“Fantastic idea! Lets reactivate the slip ring and see if Earth still exists! Well it does Toll, and I think they're just as awful as the history books say they are!” Rusty made no attempt to stay quiet and Toll gestured wildly in an attempt to quiet him. “I will not be quiet! I don't care if they hear me!” Toll put his face in his handss shook his head and took a deep breath.

“Rusty I know this has been a mess from the get go, but we're here now. This is what we have to work with and I would really appreciate it if your mouth didn't get us killed!” He yelled back. Rusty shrunk under the weight of Toll's anger.

“You didn't have to yell.” He grumbled as he sat in one of the three chairs in the room. The room went silent again.

Two hours later the door opened and the woman in the gray uniform entered the room and sat in a chair on the far side of the table.

“I do appologise for the delay gentlemen. It took us longer to process your ship than I expected. It appears that your colony has made some incredible strides in crystalline computing.” She pressed a button on her data pad and a three dimensional image of Rusty and Toll's home planet popped up. “Is this your home?” She asked. Toll nodded.

“What do you mean by 'processing' our ship?” Rusty asked, trying not to sound worried. She smiled as she answered him.

“It has been completely disassembled and I'm happy to report that we found no weapons or contraband.” Her response did nothing to calm Rusty down.

“Of course you didn't!” he shouted. Toll winced and the woman's smile fell off her face.

“This is your own and only reminder. Do not raise your voice when you speak to me. In fact from here on out, only speak when spoken to.” Her voice was as cold as her gaze. Rusty nodded dumbly. “Now then, the corporation is very glad to see that asset PC 8197163 chose to turn it's ring back on and reestablish contact.”

“They didn't, I did.” Toll offered. “They were supposed to be dismantling the ring a few days after we left. I acted on my own and forced Rusty into helping me.”

“Well then.”The woman was less than pleased with this information. She typed something into her data pad. “I am sad to hear that the colony has made that decision.” She picked her data pad up off the table and stood up. “Thank you for speaking with me gentlemen. The corporation appreciates your time.” She turned for the door.

“Is my ship ready to go?” Rusty asked, hoping against hope. The woman turned to face them again.

“Oh heavens no. Your ship was never reassembled. We sent the computer systems to Research and Development and the rest of the craft was recycled.”

“Then how are we getting back through the tube?” Rusty's voice was edging on panic.

“You won't be. You're being transferred to Mars to register as corporate assets under a five year minimum contract. Slip travel is not cheap gentlemen and you have no accounts on record, you have come from a colony that broke away without filling the proper independence paperwork. You should be tried for embezzlement but The Guild denied our motion, so you will pay back the cost of your journey by completing your labor contract. Now, if there are no other questions, your shuttle to the employment facility on Mars leaves in an hour. Good day.” She finished her speech and quickly exited the room. Rusty was in shock. Toll sighed heavily.