NEBULAR Collection 2 - The Expedition: NEBULAR Episodes 6 - 11

by Thomas Rabenstein

  As inside the reception hall, the air was suitable for humanoids. The air smelled rich and possessed a slight smoky odor. Arkroid was certain that it contained other elements than those necessary for Humans to breathe, but he trusted that these elements weren’t poisonous to him and the crew.

  A slight pull at his lower leg muscles told Arkroid that they had entered a region with higher gravity. He estimated the station’s mass wasn’t adequate to produce this gravitation, so it must be artificial as on board the Yax K’uk’Mo’.

  What astonished Arkroid the most was that the dome-like structure was to the greater part filled with water … or so it seemed. And not like a swimming pool but in walls of water that reached to the dome’s top, and leaving a wide dry corridor through which the Shwakan was crawling unconcernedly. Even Vasina stopped short at the sight, then continued cautiously.

  »Scorge!« Arkroid shouted, causing the Shwakan to halt in his tracks.

  His voice echoed from the water walls as if inside a rock cavern.

  Scorge looked at Arkroid, who only spread his arms in an inquiring gesture.

  »I understand that this is not your first time around here, but could we get some explanations? What the heck is this room?«

  Scorge waited patiently for the rest of the crew to catch up, then he gurgled with amusement.

  »This is one of the contact rooms … subdivided into different sections. The Myzellans are on the other side of the water wall. I thought you could figure that out for yourselves. They need the water like we need the air. They’re maritime beings from Coip-Pertyl’s oceans.

  »I get it,« replied Pi and cautiously stepped toward the wall of water. He tried to touch the wall, expecting a hard barrier, but the fingers of his right hand penetrated the water effortlessly. Surprised, he pulled his hand back.

  »There’s no … physical … barrier!« Pi said aloud. »It really is a water wall! How do they do that?«

  »Probably a technical trick,« Arkroid suggested insecurely.

  »It’s no trick!« Scorge responded impatiently. »Finely tuned energy fields control the boundaries, and contain the water. One of many simple energy field applications, nothing else – Tricks! You Humans have a lot to learn.«

  »Okay, Scorge,« Arkroid rebutted. »It’s still new and strange to us. We just need some time to adjust.«

  Arkroid looked at Vasina, but her eyes didn’t reveal what she was thinking about him. The water wall had a bluish-green, milky color. Arkroid could not see far into the water, but he seemed to see movements in the water.

  »I have the feeling we’re being observed,« he whispered. His eyes were used to milky water conditions, so he was able to see more details than his companions.

  »That’s quite probable,« Scorge replied. »The Myzellans come here sometimes to study new arrivals. They’re highly curious – want to know everything.«

  »This is like a gigantic aquarium,« Pi remarked, still astonished, »only without glass windows.«

  »Right, but who’s the observer? Us or the ones in the water?« Arkroid whispered back to Pi.

  He slowly continued his walk.

  Arkroid was soon certain that some of the beings were watching them from their watery abode. As he entered the energy field at the other side of the dome, he looked back nervously and then followed the others.

  Duopeds

  Shug-har left the wet medium and stepped into a dry environment. He had no problem existing in either. Evolution had provided him with the means to survive and live in both. The Myzellans accepted him among them because he was able to also move in the water as they did. He was also the Trade Guild Inspector.

  He could easily penetrate the energy field that supported the water masses and protected the Myzellan environment. As he left the wet zone, most of the water pearled off his body in transfer and he entered the dry zone without leaving puddles of water behind. His metabolism adjusted immediately to the dry conditions and he began to breathe through his lungs. Gill-like lids on the side of his head closed to prevent dehydration. He had briefly slumped under the new gravitational conditions, but within seconds his circulatory system had adjusted, pumping the needed blood through his veins and muscles. Without the supporting water his powerful muscles were needed to sustain his body weight.

  The Octavian swiftly regained his balance and got up. His home-world was also covered with oceans and the Octavians had learned early in their evolution to live in the water and on land. This ability had been a deciding factor for his superiors to send him to the trade station.

  Among the Guild inspector’s duties was informing himself of new arrivals on Lottruun. With new ships docking every hour, this was not unusual, but in this case the circumstances had made Shug-har curious. The new orders he had received from his superiors contained the remark that a Shwakan had arrived accompanied by a small group of humanoids. He had to read the message a couple of times until it sunk in. Shug-har knew that Shwakans usually came alone; they never allowed anybody else on their ships. His orders included specific instructions to inconspicuously observe the newcomers and find out what they were up to. It might even be the same ship the Guild had received secret messages about. They were not to be allowed to learn the Myzellan secret. Shug-har intended to keep his eight eyes open and to watch the newcomers closely.

  Skillfully, the polyp-like being moved on his eight legs to the nearest comm-terminal and called the reception center. As usual, a Tampian answered the call; they were responsible for the registration of new visitors on Lottruun.

  »You’ve registered some newcomers and didn’t tell me about it,« Shug-har began the conversation without a formal greeting, scorn in his hue.

  »That’s not my job to tell you about every trader coming to Lottruun. I have better things to do. Call central registration, they can tell you about new arrivals within the last trading period,« the Tampian replied sternly while Shug-har changed his color in anger. He held it back and continued in a muted voice, »I’m only interested in one arrival – a Shwakan, with a small group of humanoids. They’re supposed to have arrived today.«

  »That’s correct,« the Tampian acknowledged, while a loud bang briefly interrupted the comm-link. A static discharge of the stingray-like being had interfered with the communication. »The Shwakan has been registered; he’s not a stranger to us. Scorge owns the pyramid ship Yax K’uk’Mo’. He has traded on Lottruun several times in the past.«

  Shug-har calmed down and wound his arms around his body.

  »Was there anything strange about that Shwakan?« he asked.

  »No, it wasn’t the first Shwakan I’ve registered. They all look the same to me. But his companions were different. They’re erect walking duopeds, certainly their first time on Lottruun! The Shwakan vouched for them, and they were wearing their decon chips. There were no infractions.«

  »Duopeds, you said? How many?« Shug-har persisted.

  »Three,« replied the Tampian shortly. He seemed to want to end the conversation.

  »Wait!« Shug-har demanded. »Warriors, traders or researchers? What were they?«

  »How would I know?« answered the Tampian angrily. »Duopeds look the same too me. As long as they follow regulations, they can do what they please on Lottruun.«

  Shug-har disconnected the comm-link without a word. He looked with his eight eyes at the water wall behind him.

  Do I ask the Myzellans or do I check them out myself? he mused for a moment.

  He decided to investigate for himself. The strangers would take him for one of the many traders on Lottruun. Maybe he could gain their trust and find out more about their plans. If the Guild became suspicious about the visitors, he would be able to let his superiors know.

  Good to know

  »The evaluation center,« Scorge told them briefly.

  Arkroid observed the many booths and the alien beings in front and behind the counters. So far, Arkroid had been able to adjust relatively quickly to different alien lifeforms, but what he saw
here was almost overwhelming. They were in a large hall which resembled the former stock exchanges on Earth. Large holographic displays showed curves, symbols and diagrams that Arkroid didn’t understand. Even stranger were all the different alien beings who gathered here. Vasina observed the hustle and bustle with mixed feelings; Pi seemed to be spiraling toward a breakdown. Pi grimaced and his eyes reflected a cocktail of emotions, mostly panic.

  »Get a grip on yourself, Pi. I feel the same, but we’re on a trade world. We should have expected this. Stay calm,« Arkroid told him.

  »But … so many of them,« Pi whispered, awestruck.

  Arkroid nodded faintly. He could make out at least twenty different species moving – walking, crawling or flying – about in the large hall. Arkroid suspected that the home-worlds of all these aliens were not far from the Solar System.

  »What’s wrong with you?« Vasina asked. »You look pale, Arkroid.«

  Arkroid clenched his teeth.

  »All these years we thought we were the only ones in the universe – and now this! It’ll take time to digest.«

  Arkroid noticed with surprise that Vasina didn’t offer a reply or even a mocking remark. She only looked at him, deep in thought. Scorge had vanished in the beehive of activity. Moments later, Arkroid saw him at one of the many booths, involved in a heated discussion with a turtle-like being.

  »What brings you here?« a hissing voice came from Arkroid’s left side. »Are you looking for something special?«

  A being with a snake-like neck was addressing Arkroid and Pi, while his large, sparkling green eyes estimated the two. Pi swayed a little bit, trying to regain his composure.

  »We’re here for business,« Arkroid answered calmly.

  The snake-like being moved around and positioned his head before Arkroid’s – just a hand span away. The look in his eyes made Arkroid feel uncomfortable – they were ice cold! The long neck was covered with triangular, fingernail sized scales which glittered in different colors.

  Forget your Human fears! Arkroid told himself. This is not a snake, it’s an intelligent being!

  »I understand,« the being hissed. »Are you the delegation leader?«

  Arkroid looked at the snake-like being a bit closer. It had a thick torso, equipped with hundreds of small legs. His snakish, long neck extended from the front of his body, rhythmically swaying between Pi’s and Arkroid’s heads.

  »I am,« Arkroid replied, clearing his throat. He looked for support from Vasina, but she just smirked and looked the other way.

  »I’ve never seen a species like you; which space sector are you from?« the stranger inquired.

  »We’re from the other side of the galaxy, we’ve never had contact with your people,« Arkroid lied through his teeth.

  »Did you say from the other side of the galaxy?«

  The stranger hesitated a moment then hissed a couple of times.

  »I see … a joke, right? Nobody travels that far to get to Coip-Pertyl. You would be the first visitor from the other side of the galaxy. Don’t tell such stories to the people here or you won’t find any trading partners!« the stranger snipped and walked away.

  »What was that? Did I make a mistake?« Arkroid asked Pi.

  »Looks like it,« Pi whispered.

  Interested, he observed a plant-like being with leaf-like outgrowth between lily-white flowers, who hastily passed them on the right.

  Pi looked astonished at Arkroid.

  »Uh … could you’ve imagined that?«

  Arkroid just shook his head.

  »It’s busy, like at an exposition. This seems to be a vital business center on Lottruun.«

  »Scorge called it an evaluation center,« Pi reminded him. »I think the trading partners establish exchange rates here.«

  Arkroid looked up, surprised. Pi had made a point he had been wondering about. How did these traders pay each other – what did they use for currency?

  »You know how I think this works?« Pi whispered. »As soon as the traders arrive, their goods are assessed for their true value according to a pre-established credit standard valid all over Lottruun… and probably throughout this space sector. A common credit system guarantees fair payment for goods offered.«

  »How do you know that, Pi?«

  »Simple! A galaxy-wide trade can’t be run by bartering alone. That only works for small business deals. Still I can’t believe that all these traders from all over the galaxy use only one method of payment or exchange rate. The local credit system is used as a reference. That also sets for the trading power of a potential trader. Let’s say, a trader with great buying power will probably get a preferred rate of exchange, based on his credit history here on Lottruun. It’s like a big casino. You’re worth x-amount of credit chips which you can spend inside the casino. The individual chips have the same buying power as anybody else’s, except that according to what you have to offer and according to your business strength, you’ll have more or less chips to bargain with.«

  »Interesting theory, Pi. I hope you’re right!« replied Arkroid.

  Suddenly, Arkroid felt a cold touch on his right shoulder. As he turned around he saw a odd being who had approached him unnoticed. Vasina and Pi seemed to hold their breaths. Arkroid squinted as he noted a resemblance to an octopus. This stranger moved about on eight arms or legs of which some were more strongly built than others.

  »Just arrived on Lottruun?« the stranger asked; a small beak in the bottom center of his head opened and closed as he was speaking. »My name is Shug-har. I am an Octavian. May I ask who you are?«

  Arkroid, Vasina and Lai Pi exchanged quick glances.

  »We’re Humans from … far away,« Arkroid replied. »We’ve heard of Coip-Pertyl and wanted to look around. Maybe we can make some deals.«

  »So, so …,« the stranger answered. »Are you traveling alone?«

  »No, we came with a friend of ours. He was so kind to allow us to travel with him,« Arkroid replied cautiously.

  Arkroid took a closer look at the stranger. He was about one meter tall and his streamlined body and long tentacles suggested he had evolved in the oceans of his home-world. »That is really courteous of him,« the octopus replied. »Then you probably don’t need me as your guide. I assume that your friend knows his way around on Lottruun?«

  »Yes, he does,« Arkroid smiled at the stranger, hoping he’d understand the friendly gesture.

  Arkroid saw how the Octavian’s skin color changed frequently. He wondered if that was how the being had been able to sneak up on them. Arkroid intended to pay more attention to alien abilities like this in the future. Many traders on Lottruun had probably developed similar abilities. It was not something he could ignore if it might jeopardize their safety.

  »Have you spoken to the Myzellans already? Did you go through the questioning procedures yet?« Shug-har inquired.

  »No, we haven’t had the chance,« Pi replied cautiously. »Is that what’s next on the agenda after the evaluation?«

  »Indeed,« the Octavian replied in a friendly manner. »I’m certain the Myzellans would like to hear what you have to tell them. They’re always interested in newcomers like you.«

  »Are you from Coip-Pertyl?« Arkroid asked directly. »It looks like you were born in an ocean and used to it.«

  »No, no, no,« the Octavian rejected the premise. »I’m from another world, here to do business like everybody else. Perhaps we can make a deal, or at least see each other again in one of the auction halls.«

  The Octavian suddenly seemed to be in a hurry, cutting the conversation short and leaving without salutation. Seconds later he had vanished from Arkroid’s view.

  »Hmm … that was a weird encounter,« Vasina remarked. »Be a bit more cautious next time. Don’t trust every being you meet!«

  »Vasina is right,« sounded a familiar voice. Scorge had returned, holding a glowing sphere in one of his tentacles.

  Arkroid glanced again in the direction the octopus had disappeared, but he couldn’t see
him anywhere.

  Why was that Octavian in such a hurry all of a sudden? Was it because Scorge was returning? Arkroid pondered. He shrugged.

  »What is that?« he asked Scorge, glancing at the sphere.

  »This is a holozygraph,« Scorge explained. »It serves as a databank, credit chip and collateral on Lottruun.

  »How does it work?« Pi asked in fascination, observing the light emissions coming from the fist-sized sphere’s center.

  »The holozygraph has a certain tachyon charge, one that cannot be replicated nor manipulated by outsiders. The charge represents the value of my goods that I intend to trade. The declaration and evaluation of my goods had to be done first before we could meet the Myzellans. We can see them now.«

  »Wait a moment! Not so fast, Scorge,« Pi interrupted. »The holozygraph is used as legal tender on Lottruun?«

  »Yes, you use something similar on Earth, no?«

  Arkroid and Pi nodded briefly.

  »But, how does a transaction work?« Arkroid wanted to know.

  »Child’s play. First comes the haggling and after both parties have agreed, the trade values will be transferred to the traders’ accounts. Since the holozygraph is also a data bank and comm-device, it sees to it that the ordered goods will be transferred to the appropriate loading docks where the trading partners can pick up their cargo.«

  Arkroid and Pi nodded. It seemed to be a startlingly efficient system.

  »The transfer of the equivalent tachyon charges between accounts is done by the Tolmekans, another species working for the Guild, also known as The Guardians of Cosmic Trade,« Scorge added.