Somewhere in the long forgotten future. Kevin Colbran
The Odyssey begins
Somewhere in the long forgotten future, in a far distant solar system, Killa ambled into the warehouse dressed in flight overalls replete with a large parrot on shoulder, pilot’s cap and a pirate beard. A low-slung gun completed the outfit. This planet was on the rough side of the Galaxy, and it is usually better to look dangerous than seem an easy victim.
I could spend several pages describing the warehouse. Hey, you've seen one you've seen them all, a big box of a building with office and counters in front of stacks containing the merchandise.
Unfortunately today, Killa's welcome was somewhat less than cordial, instead of exchanging the usual banter. “What the hell do you want? Your credit is non-existent, so if you don’t have cash plus what you owe; do us all a favour and buzz off,” Roxz grumbled.
“Now Roxz, is that the way to talk to your best customer?” Killa asked trying to smooth things over. “Here I am ready to do you a big favour, and that’s the way you greet me?
Roxz grumped, “OK, in that case just put the money on the desk, and we can talk. I hope you notice that I am not turning pink from holding my breath.” He couldn’t turn blue because that was his natural colouring.
“I am offering to work the balance down a bit by collecting your outstanding bills from those not able to deliver them.” Killa offered, “I noticed that several of your friendly bill-collectors have retired.”
“Hilarious, I can do without the hospital bills. What makes you think that it would be easy since you are one of the worst offenders?” Roxz replied not bothering to look up from his work.
"Sorry about Toxz but trying to stand over Humph was a silly thing to do,” Killa sympathised, “Then again I suppose Toxz wasn't to know old Humph was a bit irritated with the exciter coil. I am sure that his arm will grow back just nicely, and he should appreciate the flowers.”
“Yes, out of my wife’s garden, which will be on the bill if ever I collect. I suppose you know that Jaya has added your name to the list, now that he has made an example of Sol?” Roxz said as he quirked an eye at Killa. Then he asked, "There is the problem with the Bogan corridor?”
“Yes, the proverbial flash rat is not brave enough to go down there in case they plan to nick his gold tooth,” Killa agreed.
“And hold a BBQ in his honour, so that didn’t answer the question,” Roxz carried on the saying.
“I can ask Humph to come with me as Jaya the Hut. Scared the hell out of me the time he did that,” Killa returned, “I have a fully operational Fearnaught suit with an additional accumulator; it can absorb anything that can move on a planet.”
“So what about Humph?” Roxz asked curiosity tickled.
“He treats a ray blast as an extra snack. He lives mostly on any radiation with an occasional bite of anything organic together with some dirty water. As he excretes fresh air and water, it is like having a free air plant on board,” Killa said.
“Bully for you. Does that suit have one of those Firebrand fields that blows-up the beam emitter and the target as well? I don’t want that happening in my town,” Roxz focused both eyes on Killa.
“If someone fires a beam that big at you; the hole that it bores goes through at least 3 metres of something like bedrock, would make it moot for the target surrounds. If the gun blows up as well just too bad,” Killa said, “However once the story goes around about me wearing one, no one should be crazy enough to test the theory. A small gun just takes the hand-off clean, doesn't even need dressing.”
“So if they just pile on and smoother you?” Roxz asked.
“Well as Humph is a being of many parts. He can either come as a dozen Imperial troopers or perhaps create some real excitement he could be one Allosaurus,” Killa was enjoying the reactions as Roxz just about choked on that idea, an Allosaurus is a couple of tonnes of talons, teeth and bad attitude. “Humph has a drawer full of trooper carbines and can form the armour with a thought.”
“Ha! As I said, put the money on the table, and you will make me a believer; the how I could care less.” Roxz was becoming irritated ready to give Killa the boot but relented. “OK, here are a couple of names as a start and a deposit card.”
Roxz shoved over a list with authorization to collect. Taking that as a farewell, Killa returned to his ship with no need to brief Humph as he was the parrot on his shoulder. They decided that rather than cause a panic; a troop of Imperial soldiers would be the go, with the Fearnaught suit tricked up to look like one of Adept Vater’s spare suits. As no-one in their right mind would tangle with that team; an empty corridor was soon opened through the Bogan area. The Bogan Corridor is infamous for neglect and rundown appearance, a haven for the local unemployed and those who would prefer to hide from authority.
The route taken was between derelict buildings held up by improvised hovels assembled from scrounged building materials; most people likened the Bogan area to a rat nest, which would be a flattering description.The progress was almost incident free. One idiot decided to test the suit with a handgun; there was a resultant flash and boom as the gun blew up. This event demonstrated that ‘yes that is what the Firebrand field does’ and was no rumour. One wonders about the mentality of taking a pot shot at Adept Vater as he would convert the area to the Great Bogan Desert.
Without further excitement, the team traversed the Bogan corridor, and the party emerged into relatively open suburban and manufacturing area. This area was fenced to keep the rabble away from the politer society of the harbour town; as the team entered the market area. Ahead, there was an array of shops and wholesale supply businesses. The troop marched into the first store and presented the bill to the stunned proprietor after removing the visor so that he could be recognised.
“Hi, Killa Mike Cox here to pick up the bill for Roxz,” Mike informed him.
“What’s this?” he asked after he recovered, “Where is Toxz, he hasn't been for months?”
“He had an accident. So out of the kindness of my heart, I am doing the task to help you settle accounts,” Killa explained, “Roxz would appreciate you completing the transaction so that he can continue providing the goods that you require.”
“Yes of course. And could you pass on a list of a few things that we are short of?” The shopkeeper asked scribbling a list and adding the required credits onto the card, "They keep cutting the phone lines through the Bogan area."
“That would be my pleasure to do business with you,” Killa responded gathering up the card and shopping list before leaving with a wave.
So the tour became an anti-climax as they went to each on the list and without further argument collected all the outstanding amounts. There was the usual number of shadows hastily ducking for cover as the troop clattered through the narrow alleyways to return to the city. Entering Roxz’s warehouse the funds were placed on the table to Roxz’s delight though he worked hard at hiding it.
“I had some grumbles from my customers, but I suppose they could have come themselves and saved the hassle,” Roxz said not smiling in case his face would crack, conceding, “Well I believe I can make a slight adjustment to your bill.”
“Big of you, I am sure,” Killa returned.
“Very liberal of me indeed,” Roxz stated, “Now to settle the rest and perhaps put your ledger in the black. I need someone to pick up an item from Grnatz and bring it back. I will provide enough fuel for the trip, but no more.”
“Grnatz, interesting place. I've heard most people avoid that sector like the plague,” Killa mused, “The merchant route is through Jaya’s sector and several cordons of Imperials; sounds easy.”
“Think about it otherwise, you will have white whiskers before you leave here,” Roxz added seeing that Killa was interested, “With Sol tied up at the moment, no one else is desperate enough.”
“’Desperadoes’ that is what they call us, I will get back to you shortly,” Killa decided.
“You aren’t going anywhere soon unless I say