Fragments

'Ah, I guess the scan was taken before you grew into that,' Laura whispered even more quietly. Ayan barely heard her. 'Sorry.'

'It's all right, I've come to terms with the missing years. Was I like that often after the wedding?'

'More and more, mostly because you wanted to push projects ahead and it helped if people took you seriously. Some people started comparing you with your mother,'

'You're kidding,'

'Not at all, they used to call you; 'the smart Rice woman,' and well, that pretty much said it all as far as command was concerned. If it weren't for your persistence we wouldn't have finished work on the Silkstream Four.'

'Thank you Laura. Somehow knowing that I've had that side before helps me with my resolve now. I have no idea what we're in for.'

'Me neither.' Laura created an encoded channel and gave rights to the Triton soldiers and Ayan then used it to ask; 'Have any of you ever been to a Carthan administration office?'

'Are you kidding? I still can't believe I've been in three solar systems in as many months,' chuckled the young woman behind them.

'No, but if it's like any other beaurocracy, expect a long line,' replied Victor.

'So, it's all new,' Laura concluded.

'Too bad, someone with a bit of experience would be useful here, but I suppose that’ll be us before long. You two will probably find yourselves going on a lot of trips after we’ve returned.' Ayan said with a glance back at the Triton soldiers. She didn’t have to check Victor’s information, she’d spent tense time with him at Ossimi Ring Station, but she checked the other. Her name was Jenny Machad, a soldier who had served with Victor on Pandem, and she qualified on tactics and weapons on her first day aboard Triton. This one doesn’t like to waste time. I think I like her already.

They were led to a large elevator and Ayan made sure to stand right beside the nervous officer who they had been assigned to. 'How's life here?' She asked him.

He stared at her for a moment, startled before replying; 'Fine, it's fine. Pretty safe since the Carthans got here.'

'It wasn't safe before?'

'No, Ma'am.' He answered in a rush. Instead of elaborating he stared at the pitted metal doors of the large lift.

'Do you get a lot of visitors in Greydock?'

The Customs Officer rushed out the doors as soon as they started to open. 'Not as many as before the Carthans took over, I guess,' he called over his shoulder.

'This guy's hilarious,' Victor uttered under his breath as they caught up.

'Here we are,' their guide announced as they came around a corner and faced a broad corridor with foot paths worn into the ancient metal floor. There were dozens of concave indents in the walls spaced out at regular intervals. In front were dips in the floor where speakers were supposed to stand.

There were over a hundred people gathered around high tables, reviewing information on thin tablets, personal holodisplays, arm units and every other type of personal information device they could imagine. Several looked like they were just staring out into space. At a glance Ayan counted five races, three she knew and two she'd never seen before. One was in an outfit that allowed for six legs and four arms. As far as she could tell there was no head, everything just ended at shoulders that looked like a collection of fleshy bulbs. One of them was stopping to stand in front of one of the circular dips in the floor when she noticed him, or her, she couldn't discern which and she was relieved when an image emerged from the wall. That was the best way to describe it, an emergence. The old stone of the wall became the texture, colour and shape of a woman. Whatever the material was, it changed as smoothly as any holographic image, only it was some kind of moving three dimensional portrait.

“Expansion Age technology,” said Jenny Machad in awe. “I never thought it was a big deal until now, but I think I’m getting it.”

“They invented things we haven’t begun to understand before the collapse,” Laura added.

“What, this? I’m pretty sure one of you could build something that does the same thing,” Victor said quietly.

“Certainly, but it would probably require a large power source and we’d have to change the medium every month. I bet that display system barely uses any power at all. I’m sure this city has more impressive things in store anyway.” Ayan said, looking around the room. “Who knows what’s been stripped from here since this city’s high days.”

'You present your query or whatever you like while standing on a designated point and a representative will assist you. If your matter is sensitive, they may instruct you to enter the internal office,' their guide interrupted, pointing to one of the petitioners as the indent in the wall opened and he stepped inside. 'If you need further instructions, well, ask a representative.' The nervous young man finished reciting awkwardly. He made long, hurried strides towards the hall behind him and was gone in a rush.

'It's sort of like the licensing office back home,' Laura said as she looked around the room. 'A lot like it, actually.'

'Only without so much invisible security,' Ayan commented.

'You're right. An all out riot could break out here and everyone behind those walls can just sit back and watch. Whoever built this place must have been either paranoid or used to trouble,' Victor commented.

'Well, no time like the present.' Ayan marched to the nearest empty dip in the floor and stopped to stand in front of one of the shallow, indented alcoves. The wall had evidence of some food stuff or other substance splattered against it, as though someone who had been there was displeased with the outcome of their bartering or petitioning.

'Hello, Commander Ayan Rice. I have your file in front of me,' said a woman whose image rose from the stone wall’s surface as though she was surfacing from a calm pool. She was in a uniform similar to that of the Customs Officer, only she had no studs on her cuffs. 'I understand you're representing some refugees and other ship Captains who have landed in the Dower Wastes.'

'That's right,'

'Before we get started, I'd like to remind you that you and your people have been denied refugee status, so you are not eligible for any aid or assistance at this time.'

'Why were we denied refugee status? I was never told.'

'Oh, that's unusual. It says here that it was due to how heavily armed your group is, and because you were found in possession of a ship stolen in Carthan territory. Would you like to contest the decision?'

'No, we're not here for handouts, and those claims are true. What I'd like to do is acquire landing permits for a proper port.”

“For which ship?”

“All of them please.”

“Ah, and what is your business in the Rega Gain System?”

“I’d like to privateer for the Carthans. I'd also like to trade for food and supplies.'

'Let's start with the matter I can assist you with. Normally we would probe your background, especially since you don’t even have a surname attached to your Freeground identification, but considering you have arrived with so many ships and have no criminal record in this or adjacent sectors, I’m going to issue you Carthan identification.”

“What about landing permits and-“

“All in good time. How will you be paying?”

“I have certified platinum bullion.”

“Good. All right then, I’m assuming your companions require identification as well; Victor Davis, Jenny Machad and Laura Everin.”

“Why would I need Carthan government identification when you seem to know who we are on sight?”

“So you can have access to our services, apply for a visa or special clearance.”

“What is this going to cost me?”

“Twenty three credits per crewperson.”