Human Chronicles Part 2 Book 2: The Apex Predator Read Free Page B

proprietary information exclusive of the Guild. As a first-traveler, I assume you were not aware of this, yet you or your shipping organization should have researched our protocols more vigorously.”
    “I was not aware of all your particular rules,” Riyad answered quickly. “Thank you for clarifying. A pilot will be fine, although the accommodations may be a little cramped.”
    “The transit will take nineteen hours and there will be no time for anything other than navigation and precise piloting. The Nebula is a very treacherous place to travel without guidance.”
    “I’m sure it is; any assistance will be welcome.”
     
    ********
     
    After learning that his convoy would be leaving in under an hour, Riyad quickly returned to the Ifrit to begin preparations. Minutes later, a beep sounded from within the pilothouse. His guides had arrived.
    Even back on Earth, pilots were common aboard shipping and military vessels. These were very skilled navigators, familiar with ports, rivers, canals and other areas where local knowledge was crucial. They were put in temporary command of the vessel during the transit, with their every command expected to be followed precisely and without question.
    The pilot for the Lucon-Por transit was a Tel’oran, as was his assistant. They entered the ship with a superior, condescending attitude and asked to be shown the pilothouse. When they entered the control room, the eyes of both the aliens grew wide.
    “I am not familiar with this control alignment,” said the older alien, obviously the main pilot.   “I will require a briefing – no, ample time does not exist. Your passage will have to be delayed.”
    “A delay won’t be necessary,” Riyad countered quickly. “You are here to provide navigation – you can still do that – and I can pilot the ship.”
    “That is not how it works.” The two aliens turned to leave.
      “Wait!” Riyad called out. “I have something here that might help you with the controls.”
    Prior to embarking on his mission, Riyad was provided with a supply of Tel’oran money called ruiens , along with half a dozen other currencies Kroekus’s people thought might be needed. These were contingency funds to be used at Riyad’s discretion, and to him they were nothing more than stacks of worthless plastic.
    The pilot turned back to him. “And what is that? We are to leave within the hour; there is not enough time for me to learn these controls.”
    Riyad opened a small drawer in a side console and withdrew the equivalent of ten thousand dollars in Tel’oran ruiens . “Like I said, I can pilot the ship. All you need to do is guide me.”
    This was a gamble on Riyad’s part, and he carefully watched the reactions of the two aliens, ready to act if necessary.
    The Tel’orans leaned in closer to the money in Riyad’s hand; they glanced at each other, the younger of the two – the assistant-pilot – looking anxiously at the other. The pilot hesitated, before turning his attention back to Riyad.
    “For each,” he said as he snatched the stack of plastic credits from Riyad’s hand.
    Riyad smiled. Yes, the Tel’orans were very Human-like, which opened up a whole other set of possibilities for the two aliens. He withdrew another ten thousand ruiens from the drawer, yet as he went to hand this stack to the assistant, the pilot quickly intercepted the credits. Riyad watched with amusement as the pilot counted out five thousand credits and handed them to his assistant, keeping fifteen for himself. It was obvious that even in Tel’oran society rank had its privileges.
    “Very well,” said the pilot. “But you are not to record any of the navigation coordinates. Just do as I say, when I say it. Is this clear?”
    “Crystal,” Riyad answered with a smile.
    “What?”
    “Yes, I understand.”
    Riyad took his place in the pilot seat, as the two aliens hunkered down at the navigation console. Maybe I should have tried that with the Tel’oran trade