Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) by Kenneth E. Ingle
Authors: Kenneth E. Ingle
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commission opened many doors that otherwise he'd never enter. Of course, being just a freighter , he'd thought the same thing about meeting his monarch.
Situated on a small rise, Government House resembled the old Terra colonial buildings he'd seen in vids. It was impressive. Tall colonnades fronted the white marble structure. A number of steps led to the main entrance.
"Captain Fryman, welcome to Borcom," said the small man who met him, hand extended. The Governor-General will see you now."
Buck entered the office ahead of the guide and greeted the Governor. The man blinked at the freighter's height and size.
The governor-general's oval face and bald head reminded Buck of a well-tanned melon.
For an outpost, Buck thought the furnishing a bit overdone. Maybe being this isolated from the rest of the empire made ostentation a necessary perk. They had to keep the morale up somehow. Wainscoted carpeting, trimmed in something resembling wood, focused the guests view on upper part of the wall, which was plastered with artists’ paintings from around the galaxy. A large desk, slightly smaller than what he'd seen in the Emperor's office—a smart move—fronted a bay window of the same kind of material. Expensive was the thought that came to mind.
"Captain Fryman, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Sir," said the governor as he met Buck at the door. "The Emperor extends his gratitude for rescuing the women from those awful men." Good sized but not as tall or heavy as Buck, the man seemed in reasonable physical shape. Then there couldn't be much to do on Borcom—maybe exercise filled the day.
"Thank you, Sir. I wish we could have saved more."
"Of course. We all feel the same. Some are better than none. What those women had facing them," he paused, "they could expect the most terrible experiences. Please be seated."
Buck passed on the form fit chair knowing it too small and sat on a hassock as a steward brought in coffee.
"I understand you plan to space for Iona in the next few days." The man's manner put Buck at ease, a trait most useful for a politician.
"Yes, Sir," Buck answered. "Want to give the crew some time to unwind before we leave. It's a three-month trip, as you know. Very tedious and not much to keep the crew occupied."
"They are most welcome to taste the pleasures of our little world. We may be at the edge of the empire, but we can offer most of what Iona has and turn our heads when others might be a bit more jaundiced in their attitudes."
Borcom had a reputation that bordered on bawdy. For fifty T-years, it had been primarily a Marine outpost, recently upgraded to allow civilians to immigrate. That immigration started a thriving business and industrial community. The governor had found it necessary to curtail some of the seedy side, submitting to residents demand for civility.
"I know you have other matters to attend so I'll get to the reason I wished to see you. Would it be possible for you to take two passengers and, five hundred kilos of cargo back to Iona with a stop at Grisham?"
"Glad to, but I hope these folks realize this is a freighter and not equipped for hauling passengers."
"I understand you are more than a freighter. You carry armament isn't that correct?"
"We can defend ourselves, Governor."
That brought a deep laugh. "Good, the passengers are my two daughters and of course, with the reputation you and your ship are building, I'd say a few inconveniences are acceptable as a fair exchange for a safe trip."
Buck would have much preferred male passengers. Women aboard any ship not equipped to offer the proper amenities created problems, Molly being an exception. "Well, it will take a little adjustment; might delay our departure a couple of days… have to prepare suitable accommodations. I hope they understand what we can offer will be less than first class." He tried to not be negative.
"It just might do them some good, Captain. Being the governor-general's children often shields them
Situated on a small rise, Government House resembled the old Terra colonial buildings he'd seen in vids. It was impressive. Tall colonnades fronted the white marble structure. A number of steps led to the main entrance.
"Captain Fryman, welcome to Borcom," said the small man who met him, hand extended. The Governor-General will see you now."
Buck entered the office ahead of the guide and greeted the Governor. The man blinked at the freighter's height and size.
The governor-general's oval face and bald head reminded Buck of a well-tanned melon.
For an outpost, Buck thought the furnishing a bit overdone. Maybe being this isolated from the rest of the empire made ostentation a necessary perk. They had to keep the morale up somehow. Wainscoted carpeting, trimmed in something resembling wood, focused the guests view on upper part of the wall, which was plastered with artists’ paintings from around the galaxy. A large desk, slightly smaller than what he'd seen in the Emperor's office—a smart move—fronted a bay window of the same kind of material. Expensive was the thought that came to mind.
"Captain Fryman, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Sir," said the governor as he met Buck at the door. "The Emperor extends his gratitude for rescuing the women from those awful men." Good sized but not as tall or heavy as Buck, the man seemed in reasonable physical shape. Then there couldn't be much to do on Borcom—maybe exercise filled the day.
"Thank you, Sir. I wish we could have saved more."
"Of course. We all feel the same. Some are better than none. What those women had facing them," he paused, "they could expect the most terrible experiences. Please be seated."
Buck passed on the form fit chair knowing it too small and sat on a hassock as a steward brought in coffee.
"I understand you plan to space for Iona in the next few days." The man's manner put Buck at ease, a trait most useful for a politician.
"Yes, Sir," Buck answered. "Want to give the crew some time to unwind before we leave. It's a three-month trip, as you know. Very tedious and not much to keep the crew occupied."
"They are most welcome to taste the pleasures of our little world. We may be at the edge of the empire, but we can offer most of what Iona has and turn our heads when others might be a bit more jaundiced in their attitudes."
Borcom had a reputation that bordered on bawdy. For fifty T-years, it had been primarily a Marine outpost, recently upgraded to allow civilians to immigrate. That immigration started a thriving business and industrial community. The governor had found it necessary to curtail some of the seedy side, submitting to residents demand for civility.
"I know you have other matters to attend so I'll get to the reason I wished to see you. Would it be possible for you to take two passengers and, five hundred kilos of cargo back to Iona with a stop at Grisham?"
"Glad to, but I hope these folks realize this is a freighter and not equipped for hauling passengers."
"I understand you are more than a freighter. You carry armament isn't that correct?"
"We can defend ourselves, Governor."
That brought a deep laugh. "Good, the passengers are my two daughters and of course, with the reputation you and your ship are building, I'd say a few inconveniences are acceptable as a fair exchange for a safe trip."
Buck would have much preferred male passengers. Women aboard any ship not equipped to offer the proper amenities created problems, Molly being an exception. "Well, it will take a little adjustment; might delay our departure a couple of days… have to prepare suitable accommodations. I hope they understand what we can offer will be less than first class." He tried to not be negative.
"It just might do them some good, Captain. Being the governor-general's children often shields them
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