Fool's Gold: Carson Lyle's War - Part One Read Free Page A

just call it," the foreman said, teasing Lyle with the gavel.
    I can't say I'm sorry to do this, Shorty. "Let's put this one to bed...Eight-eighty."
    The uproar, from the other haulers, got the attention of security. Half a dozen marines ran in from all directions. The two foremen had to wave them off.
    No one could believe Lyle undercut an already bare bones bid by thousands. Some even started exchanging the money from the side bets, even though the foreman hadn't banged the gavel.
    "Geez-Louise! Eight-eighty...going once..." The foreman held a hand out to Shorty, as if to plead for another bid.
    Some of the others tried to get him to bid again. Most of all, the guy hanging on Shorty's shoulder. The back and forth bidding exchanges like this were Lyle's favorite part and he was having a blast...especially since he had the upper hand.
    "Going twice…"
    Shorty's face had turned red and sweat had started to form along the wrinkles on his forehead formed by his furrowed eyebrows. He was fuming more than Lyle had seen since Mad Jack bluffed him in a game of Botchi with only a low pair, a few years ago, that cost him another sweet contract.
    "That's my job. That's my job! I need to be the one to do that job!"
    "Sold!"
    There was another round of cheers and applause. More side bet money was exchanged. The foreman had stepped in front of Lyle to complete the transaction.
    Shorty lunged at him, grabbing at the chop token around his neck. "It's mine! It has to be mine! It has to—"
    Lyle firmed his stance, ready to fight, but it wasn't necessary.
    The other haulers didn't take too kindly to the outburst. It was a violation of an unspoken code among haulers. One didn't whine about losing a bid for work, especially if there was nothing squirrelly about it. Everyone had to fight for the same work, but there was respect for the risks they each took for their livelihood.
    There were just a few rules that they all followed, but they were the cornerstone of what they regarded as something of a brotherhood: Bid honestly, and accept the result. Don't mess with another man's work. Never leave another hauler stranded in space. And always keep a promise. It was a loose brotherhood, but one that Lyle appreciated…probably more than most.
    Two of the men had grabbed Shorty - one was the guy with the goatee - each taking an arm, and escorted him away from the platform and tossed him out into the open concourse like garbage.
    He jumped up and instinctively reached to his right hip, forgetting his gun had been taken at the security checkpoint. He faced the unyielding stares of twenty-plus grizzled freight haulers.
    Shorty knew he'd messed up.
    He scoffed at the entire crowd, turned, tried to wave them off as he was the one done with them.
    There was boisterous laughter, as he walked off and the attention turned back to the platforms.
    The foreman kneeled down to Lyle, holding out his data pad.
    "Nicely done, sir. Put your chop right there," he said pointing to a round port in the bottom left corner.
    Lyle pulled reached into his shirt and pulled out a chain he had around his neck. Hanging from it was a black rectangular data chip, about six centimeters long and two wide, that had one rounded side. He slid the rounded side into the port. After a few seconds, there was a chirp. Lyle saw his hauler registration information appear on the contract and his signature code on the bottom. The deal was done.
    The foreman shook his hand. "That was entertaining. Thank you. The load order has been sent and your ship will be ready to boost in six hours."
    "Fantastic."
    A number of the haulers around him shook his hand and patted him on the back. He caught sight of Shorty standing at the corner of the concourse for a moment, looking back, then disappearing from sight. He figured he could give it a few days and go find Shorty, maybe send some work his way.
    No need for the man to carry a grudge, he thought.
    He checked the time and looked at the shuttle schedule