Ships arriving at Torax were 99% trade vessels, here to purchase the precious Suldr: fire gems, as Calegg informed me. The Torax people mined, prepared and sold these Suldr. They were apparently an invaluable energy source on spaceships and Torax’s only export. It was for the Suldr that we claimed to be here to buy, and we were in fact going to buy some while we were here.
Elyek had explained that most of the ship's functions were powered by the same fuel the ship used to go places. But the energy from the fuel had to be converted, however Suldr could charge many of these functions far more efficiently, thus allowing our fuel to last exponentially longer. It seemed like a bloody good idea to me.
Elyek and Calegg had come up with the plan together, and it was a fucking brilliant feeling, to trust in them to make these plans and decisions. The responsibility was an unwelcome weight, and I was happy to delegate at any time. They had informed the Empire guard that we would be landing the shuttle down on the surface to negotiate the purchase of Suldr. Once complete and our order made ready, we would take the Uprising down to pick up the cargo, which would indeed consist of Suldr. But more hopefully, it would also include a strong group of Torax fighters, hidden of course.
To Calegg’s credit, he transported us down in the small craft like an absolute pro, which was impressive considering how nervous he was looking. Facing his father was clearly an extremely uncomfortable prospect for him. We landed our shuttle in a docking bay. It would have been easy enough to find even without coordinates. The entire planet looked almost empty apart from one large city. And when I say large, I don’t mean massive, it was just a bang-average-sized city, and was the only place permitted to receive incoming space-faring vehicles.
Calegg told us it was the capital, unimaginatively named Torax Prime. He regaled us on how only the commercial and ruling Torax lived and worked here. The vast majority of the population were spread out across the planet in small mining villages.
This city was where control was exerted, where all money changed hands and where the Suldr was brought to be sold to races far and wide across the galaxy.
When we finally docked, I patted Calegg on the back. “Good job, mate. That was some good flying… I know this is difficult for you, but don’t worry about it. We’ve got your back. We trust you and think you’re the man. Okay?”
“The man?” he replied, looking at me, confused.
“You're cool. You know what you're doing, eh. We respect you. Yeah?”
“Yes, Captain. I’m the man. I can do this.”
“Sure you can, Calegg,” Ember said, smiling.
Not wanting to give him any more time to dwell, I clapped my hands together loudly. “Let's get to it, gang. We’ve got Suldr to buy, and Torax to smuggle. “I didn’t wait for a response and headed to the craft’s exit ramp, sending a quick thought to Havok, who flew over to my back with a whoop.
After our successes so far, I was feeling supremely confident about our chances here. That was until the ramp lowered and we were blasted with heat, like the opening of an oven door. It was unreal. I turned away toward Ember, who looked easily as uncomfortable as me.
“Dude, how damn hot is it here?” I asked him.
“I don’t know. It feels mild. The hot season can be unbearable at times,” Calegg said, nonchalantly.
“Calegg, you mad bastard. This temperature is right at the top end of what Ember and I can handle. Why didn’t you tell us?”
“How would I know to tell you? This is fine for me. I know you two like it cold on the ship, but that doesn’t really bother me either. Temperature is not a concern for Torax.” He turned, giving us both a deprecating smile.
“That’s not the point, mate. We’re not Torax!”
“Then maybe you should check the surface temperatures of the planets you land on now and again,” he said sarcastically. At least our discomfort had taken his mind from his stressful responsibility, although the worried look returned to his face a moment later as he stared intently at an approaching Torax garbed in robes.
All that the Torax knew of our arrival was that we were here to trade for Suldr. Even though there were plenty of people around, only this one old Torax approached us. He did a double-take when he saw Calegg, and his neutral expression turned to a frown. “So, someone gave you a job, Calegg. What do they have you doing? Cleaning their toilets?” he said as he came within a few feet of us.
Calegg stood up straighter. “No, father. I’m their pilot.”
The old man turned to look at Ember and me. “You let my son fly your ship?” he asked, genuinely curious.
“Your son is a fine man. We’re privileged to have him fly our ship,” I answered neutrally, but I already hated the shithead.
“Who are you that allows a Torax such an honored position? I do not recognize your race?”
“We’re humans,” Ember answered, voice dripping with distaste at Calegg’s father’s rude opening statements.
“Again, I do not know that race. Where are you from? Are you not aware of our reputation among the galaxy's inhabitants?”
“We’re from the Fystr Empire. We know of your reputation. We’re not gonna judge you by it,” Ember replied in clipped tones.
“The Fystr, you say. Now, I have heard of them. They annexed much of the galaxy. They are immensely powerful, are they not?”
“Sure are, although they’re our enemies. Most of the planets in their Empire are filled with humans like us, who are subjugated and oppressed,” she continued.
“Interesting. So, why are you here with my son? Something tells me it is more than Suldr that brings you.”
Calegg chirped up this time, which I was relieved about. “We need more crew members, father. I intend to smuggle those who would leave on to our ship. We’ve many enemies, enemies of the Torax people also. My friends here killed Mazltor, ten Tri-bor and an Ang-bor on Necrus. They have much honor.”
“Whether they are honorable or not, I will not risk our people, Calegg. We have peace, and we are left alone by the Empire for the most part. We are happy on Torax!” he shouted the last bit to leave us in no doubt about his stance.
I was surprised to hear Calegg reply so vehemently, “You’re slaves, nothing more! Mining our planet's precious resources for money-grabbing bastards, who despise us and underpay us for the pleasure. What’ll you do when the Suldr runs out?” Calegg started ranting.
“I see you have not matured in your time away,” his father said with an expression that conveyed both smugness and disappointment.
“I’ve matured. You just seem to bring out the worst in me. I’m sorry for my outburst. Please, don’t judge my friends by it.”
“I will not. Now, are you here for trade, too, or was that a ruse? If it was, then you may leave now.”
“We’ll still trade,” I said.
“Good,” he said shortly, “follow me. I will take you to the trade hall, where we can do business in comfort.”
We followed along, amid stares and whispers, although most seemed to be directed at Calegg. I was beginning to really struggle in the heat, and that took most of my attention. Our Fystr outfits were incredibly good at cooling us down and wicking away the sweat, but unfortunately they didn't cover my head, which felt like a slow-baked potato.
We approached a large building that looked like it was carved from the rock itself. I wanted to ask Calegg about the building techniques on Torax, but I found I didn't have the energy for it.
“Hey, Havok. Is there anything you can do for the heat? I feel like I'm gonna pop.”
“I can stop you dying, but not much else. You’re already becoming dehydrated. Ember, too. I’ll look after you both as best I can, just drink plenty and don’t stay too long,” he replied in my head.
I prayed that the trade building would be cooler than outdoors until that became my sole reason for putting one foot in front of another. We were approaching the entrance, and my hope swelled.
But to my unbridled horror, the building was just
as hot inside as out. I conjured just enough energy to look at Ember, who was trudging alongside me, head down and looking very much worse for wear, her sweat-drenched hair hanging down. That was enough.
“We're too hot, Calegg. I feel like I'm gonna melt here.”
He barely acknowledged me, busy as he was speaking to his father.
“One of you needs to sort out a cooler area for us. Now!” I said, loudly.
“Father, can we get Ember and Shaun to the diplomat’s room? Quickly, they’re unused to such heat.”
Calegg’s dad gave us a look of derision, then beckoned us in a different direction. We finally reached a room that had some kind of air-conditioning; it was pure bliss.
“Thank you,” I said to him, “and sorry, what was your name? We haven't been properly introduced.”
“I am Chancellor Dolegg,” he replied, full of his own self-importance. I was about to reply, when he continued talking, “I am surprised you are so delicate; I had heard the Fystr to be a highly resilient race.”
He was a dick, no doubt about it.
“Yeah, the Fystr are. We’re not Fystr. We’re the bottom rung of their Empire. Try to keep up, Dolegg.” Ember answered, full of snark. Whether he picked up on it or not, I couldn't tell. He sat down behind a desk, we three followed his lead and also sat, Havok adjusted himself seamlessly to allow me to sit.
“So, what value of Suldr do you wish to purchase?” he asked.
“How much are they each?” I replied.
“Four senlars, each.”
“Four senlars!” Calegg cried out.
“Is he trying to rip us off?” Ember asked Calegg.
“No, not at all. Before I left here, the agreed price was nine senlars, which was still insulting. They’re worth at least 15. More, really. But 15 is the minimum.”
“The Galactic Council has reduced the price to four, so it is four,” Dolegg answered, emotionless.
“We’ll take a hundred,” I said.
“Very good, human.”
“My name is Shaun, Dolegg.”
“As you wish, Shaun. I will take the payment now.”
“I’ve a banking chip for a Juntos account. Do you have means to take payment from there?”
“Of course we do. We are a trading hub,” he said, feigning offense. He pulled out a small device from the terminal at his desk before continuing. “The amount is 400 senlar. Please place your chip over the scanner.”
“No. We’ll pay what they're worth. I won’t be part of the system that keeps your people down. One that underpays you for your hard work and resources. I’ll pay 15,00 senlar, if you feel that’s fair.”
“It is not about what is fair. It is about what we are allowed to take for our produce. Four hundred, if you please.”
“Dude, seriously. You're being shat on from a great height. I could understand you wanting to stay here and mine if you were left alone, but you’re not. You're little better than slaves, like Calegg said. This planet is a prison.”
“You speak of things you don't understand, human,” he replied.
That prompted Calegg to respond angrily, “But I understand, father. There are others here who are not so happy with the arrangements made through you, as I remember. We’re being driven into poverty, and when the Suldr have run out, we’ll be left with nothing. A shell of a planet with no resources and no future. If you won’t stand up against that, then you should give our people the chance to at least leave, if they want.”
Dolegg began to laugh, “Of course most of the miners would leave on a wild Chugubi chase. Following adventure, rather than toiling relentlessly for little pay. But they often forget that it is their hard work that keeps our people safe. If they left, they would be leaving our people to certain doom when we cannot meet our quotas. Not to mention they will be killed in the great void.”
I was about to ask what the fuck a Chugubi was and assure Dolegg we would take care of the people we took. But Calegg got in long before I could articulate the thought, “All my fucking gods. You’re in the Galactic Empire’s pocket, aren’t you? It all makes sense now!”
His father started blustering speechlessly, “I… how… how dare you! I am a well-respected, trusted member of our governing council. The people understand that the negotiations I carry out are the only thing that keeps food in their mouths. The hard work I do is for the good of us all, I do not just run away because things are hard!”
Turns out his bluster was a ruse; he must have somehow signaled for guards while he waffled on about how important he was.
Seven large, armed and uniformed Torax men came pouring in the room. I jumped up, Havok almost instantly in my hand, as I moved to stand in front of Calegg and Ember. The guards carried rifles, but they weren't lasers, they were more like our Earth assault rifles.
“Guards! Arrest these people,” Dolegg shouted, with outrage in his voice. The guards moved forward, but Calegg commanded them to stop.
“Calegg?” One of the guards said, clearly recognizing our friend.
“Koparr, my friend. It’s been too long a time,” Calegg said with a sad smile.
“Stop talking and arrest them,” Dolegg shouted again. The man looked over to Dolegg, confused.
“What for, sir? This is your son, and they were all sitting peacefully when we entered,” said the hulking Torax named Koparr.
“They are dissenters trying to bring ruin to our planet! Now do as you’re bid, officer!”
Koparr seemed offended, “With all due respect Chancellor, you’re not in charge of the guard force. Although I respect your position, I’ll not just arrest people on your say so.” He turned to Calegg, “What's going on?”
Dolegg started ranting and raving, threatening Koparr's career, his life. Anything he could come up with to have his own way.
Koparr ignored him, as did Calegg, who responded to Koparr’s question, “I believe my father is acting in the best interests of the Empire and may actually be in their pay. My captain here,” he pointed to me, “has just offered 15 senlar per Suldr, as I told him that is closer to their true worth. My father refused, and said he could only accept four senlar, as per the terms of the Empire’s agreement, which seemed very odd.”
“That is odd,” Koparr said, turning to Dolegg, “You actually turn people’s money away, when our people struggle so badly?”
“That is not all they came for; they are attempting to put our whole planet at risk by trying to take Torax as crew members,” he said, trying to deflect from the accusations thrown his way.
I worried how Koparr would take this revelation. He turned back to Calegg and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Calegg shrugged, “We came to trade, but also to offer some of our people a chance to become crew on the fastest ship in the galaxy. When I told my father this, he outright refused, saying it would destroy our people by reducing the miners available, and that unless we were trading, we should leave immediately.”
Koparr looked angrily at Dolegg again and pointed a finger. “Out of respect for your son, I have put up with you, but long since have I had my own suspicions. I’m taking this matter to Moulagg,” Koparr said authoritatively, then spoke to one of his squad. “Guparr, go and bring Moulagg. Tell him it’s urgent, and I will consider his debt to me paid.”
Guparr nodded at once and ran from the room. The other guards had relaxed their weapons slightly, and in a gesture of good faith, I slipped Havok onto my back, although he grumbled at the lack of action.
Dolegg began ranting again. “You're finished for this, Koparr!” he said as he began to head for the door, “Let me know when Moulagg arrives and we will have a discussion about your future.”
“You’re not going anywhere, Dolegg. Currently, you’re on the cusp of arrest yourself.”
“You can't hold me; you do not have the authority,” he retorted indignantly.
“Of course I do, Dolegg. If this goes badly, then I know how much trouble you can cause for me. But I believe you won't ge
t away from it this time. You think I'm the only one who suspects you’re double-dealing, taking pay from the Empire? It's long past time your foot was removed from the necks of the Torax people!” he said, angrily. He turned to face Calegg, “Are you willing to defy your father in court?”
Both Ember and I looked to Calegg. I knew it was a big request, yet he didn’t hesitate.
“I most certainly will. I left because he's a mean spirited, selfish, man, and now I've come back, he's even worse.”
“Very good, Calegg. So, why did you come back again? You said something about a crew?”
“I did. My friends here have a large spaceship and a desire to build a crew.”
“A crew for what, though? What are your objectives?” Koparr asked, eagerly. His men also seemed to hang on Calegg’s every word. He was about to answer when Ember kicked him.
Calegg let out a yelp, turning to Ember, “What was that for?”
“I'll admit I don't know everything going on here, nor do I wish to offend anyone, but your father,” she said nodding to the fuming Dolegg, “seems openly hostile to us. How much information do you want to divulge in front of him?”
Calegg nodded thoughtfully, Koparr responded by looking dubiously at Dolegg, and replied,
“Yes. I understand your point.”
I whispered over to Ember, “Divulge? Aren’t you getting better with your words?”
“Yes. I am, and it’s called a vocabulary you dumb fucker,” she whispered back, smiling sweetly back at me.
We were stirred from our little conversation by Koparr speaking up. “I’d like to say that there will be plenty of takers to join your crew, depending on your purposes. I might even be tempted myself.”
“You’re a traitor to your people,” Dolegg snarled.
Koparr just laughed, “Ha. Good one, Chancellor. Really? Coming from you, that's brilliant. Just take a seat and we can sort all of this out once Moulagg comes.”
Dolegg quietened and sat down at his desk pretending to be busy. Ember and I sat back down, too. Koparr watched me as I did. “That axe is a marvel. How did you get it into your hand so quickly when we entered? And how does it move when you sit? For that matter, how is it even attached to your back?”
Condition Evolution 3: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure Page 2
