The Bond sat in its assigned orbit outside the main traffic area of Estevan. CoDee waited for clearance to take the flyer down to the port. The gems they planned to give to their attorney, Mr. Sebe, sat inside Cat's throat. She would regurgitate them when they were safe inside the man's office.
For this journey she must be on a leash, a situation which irritated CoDee far more than it bothered her. When that portion of their agenda was dealt with, they would make their way back to the port area and Lady Pia's and Tonio's restaurant.
After enjoying a leisurely dinner with the couple, Dave Yerks, and Lute, they would spend the evening at Dave's house. In the morning they would conduct corporate business.
He had two purposes for this trip. CoDee wanted to tour the junkyard to make sure it was in good order. And there was something he hoped to find in the yard--the last piece to set up the computer interface for Cat. Once he had the last part, Cat would have access to the ship's controls.
Business accomplished, a visit with family and friends would lift everyone's spirits. But it must be kept short from necessity. They did not want the administration of the planet to discover Cat's abilities.
With the gems in Sebe's hands, and family business complete, they would go back up to the ship. She would be safe from discovery in the Bond. CoDee tried to curb his anxiety as they waited for control to give the go-ahead for landing.
Dear one, all will be well.
He responded to Cat's assurance through thought. He would not take a chance on being overheard. No one knew how sensitive the port authority's equipment might be. Since he must maintain open status, it seemed better to exercise due care.
When you are on board the ship and this visit is complete, I will breathe easier.
The port's computer contacted the flyer. "You are cleared to descend in a concentric pattern of one point two miles spacing per pass until you reach hard atmosphere. At which time the proscribed path will be displayed. You may begin descent."
It appears the port has upgraded things. I do not recall having a designated landing path.
Nor do I. This is a welcome addition, however.
We need to speak privately with Dave. I wonder what other improvements the port authority made since our last stop.
Nothing having to do with security, I hope. But that remains to be seen.
As stated, the computer guidance system of the flyer received coordinates for descent. With a small thump, the flyer made landfall on CoDee's home world. But the port authority hadn't finished with them yet.
"You are in a secured landing area. A customs official will be with you soon. As Estevan is your home port, this is a nominal visit. Welcome home, Captain CoDee."
With that, control of the flyer returned to CoDee. "Computer, release locks and deploy stairs. Prepare for boarding."
The slight hiss told him all would be ready for the individual they were told to expect. Cat dropped to the floor behind the pilot's chair and curled her tail up over her nose. Now she was a pet-- an exotic one--, but no more than the property of the man standing beside the door waiting.
In a uniform declaring the person to be an employee of the Port of Estevan, an older woman entered the first stage of the airlock. As soon as CoDee saw her in the monitor, he opened the second door.
It slid into the skin of the flyer and the official stepped into the cabin. "Captain CoDee. It is a pleasure to meet you. Will you be bringing any cargo down from the ship later?"
"No. This is nothing more than a visit home. I've not been back for a while and need to deal with a few matters of business."
"Ah, your salvage yard needs attention?"
CoDee laughed. "My yard always needs attention, but my employee seems to be up to the task. I'm making a quick stop before keeping another appointment. A few minor matters need to be dealt with."
She nodded and looked down at Cat. "Your pet?"
"My comrade." Calling Cat a pet raised his irritation level higher.
"I understand. I have a furry friend and would never think of him as nothing more than a pet. They fulfill us in so many ways."
Both his anxiety and anger levels dropped. "They do."
"I can't imagine being in a trading ship on long voyages without companionship. Anyway, you are cleared. If you wish, you may move the flyer to another location or leave it here. As a citizen you get a choice."
With a nod he acknowledged her statement. "It can stay here as I hope to be on my way tomorrow evening. My schedule doesn't allow too much leeway this visit. I see there are several improvements to the port since I last landed."
The woman grinned. "Yes. Although Greenhouse 2 does a lot of refitting, we catch the jobs they don't have time for. That has given our coffers a slight boost. We had to invest in the substructure if we wanted to keep that business coming." She turned to walk out of the hatch.
CoDee picked up the leash.
Tell me to come. Cat's thoughts slid into his.
"Come, Cat."
Laughter filled his mind. You are not to growl. Someone might think I made that sound and I must be seen as harmless.
He huffed out a breath and turned to instruct the flyer to lock up once they were on the ground. The official stood to one side and watched as Cat leaned against his left leg.
"What a beautiful creature. Is it feline? If so, it is the largest one I've ever seen. It seems to be somewhat overawed by this. Is it shy? Might I touch it?"
"Cat is feline. She is quite shy. I hope you don’t' mind, but I'd rather you didn't touch her. We must go into Estevanna and that will be trauma enough on its own."
"I'm not offended in the least. You need to do what is best for her. May I suggest you get a personal ground car to take you to the city? There's no regular company providing that service yet, but a few enterprising people will provide transportation. You'll find them outside the port. That is sure to be easier on your friend than public transportation."
CoDee warmed up to the woman. "Thank you. That sounds like the best idea. Leaving the ship is always difficult."
"As soon as I get back to the office, I'll transmit an entrance code to your flyer. That way you can enter the secured area without hinderance. Have a good visit, Captain."
It seems Estevan is profiting from the new motor mount as we and Greenhouse 2 are.
True. But as soon as the new mount gets installed in the older ships, all the traffic will slow down.
That may happen, but I expect it to take a long time. Meanwhile, something more may come up we can profit from.
His personal com unit pinged. The official, as she promised, had transmitted a code to allow easy access to the flyer sitting behind two rows of fencing in the customs’ yard. Outside the building which housed the port authority, three dented land craft stood in the bright sunlight.
CoDee had forgotten how fast the dry air sucked moisture from a person's body. All three of the craft waited beneath large umbrellas which barely covered the machines.
It didn't surprise him to see the owners of the vehicles sitting on small stools in the shadow of their vehicles. Not a breeze stirred the street. The minute they exited the gate, drivers bounced to their feet.
Two touted their vehicles for smooth rides and quick power up of the interior cooling systems. The third, a young man, collapsed his umbrella and stowed it.
He started his vehicle and turned to smile at Cat and CoDee. "This one is ready and you will be cool in a few minutes."
CoDee grinned. "Good. We need a ride into the city. Once we're inside, I'll give you the coordinates."
The young man opened the back door and swept a hand toward the seats inside. "Sure thing, Captain. Ready when you are."
Enterprising young one. He reminds me of the young owner of a certain junkyard.
CoDee felt his lips twitch upward into a grin. He controlled the outward show of amusement with difficulty. The driver might think CoDee was laughing at him.
Does he? Perhaps. Make yourself comfortable on the other seat. Keep your head down.
Understood, dear one. The sooner we complete this part of our business, the better. Perhaps the driver would wait for us?
I will ask. A quick getaway out of Estevanna would be for the best. We are approaching the city airlock. Stay alert. You may need to block a curious mind or two.
"Driver, we aren't staying in the city and will need transport back out to the port. Can you remain in Estevanna or do you have other business?"
"No pressing business. I'll be happy to wait, but I might need to drive around until you finish so there could be a short delay until I get back to pick you up. Where am I taking you?"
"Our appointment is with Mr. Sebe. His office is over his home in the eastern sector, corner of Third and D."
"I know it. I'll cover the toll in and out and add it to the bill when we settle up at the port. That will get us into the city faster."
"Agreed."
Cat's ears twitched forward as she curled tighter into the seat. Her tail covered her nose as they reached the outside toll booth which allowed entry into this side of the city. CoDee noted the city had added a second booth. He found the addition interesting and transmitted the information to Cat.
"Do they get that much traffic from the port to justify a second booth and people to run it?" CoDee asked the driver.
"They do. There's a lull in trader traffic. There's a rumor that the Mercenaries Union has put out a call for contract labor for a big project. Some huge disaster or something happened on a planet in the Stellar United Nations sector. I'm surprised you haven't heard."
The vehicle stopped with its nose against the barrier. "Hi, Toms. I've got a captain with business in the eastern sector. You're on duty for the next couple of hours, right? You can tick the toll charges and I'll get it on the way back through. Your pleasure."
"That's a deal, Jerak. Same as usual?"
"Yes. The captain wants to get in and back to the port without delay."
"You got it. See you later."
They got waved through and Cat's laughter flitted through his thoughts. Those two have something already set up. The man gets extra tals for waving the driver through later.
I wondered. We picked the right driver.
He picked us. But what is this about the Mercenary's Union? Why didn't we hear of this before?
A good question. When we are alone with Dave, we will ask. I understand we are out here on the fringes of everything, but I would have thought word would have come to us.
They quickly reached Ivan Sebe's office and the young driver dropped them off with a promise to see them when they finished.
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