Swallow the Sky: A Space Opera Read Free Page B

spacecraft service points on
the vast floor, few showing any sign of activity. Despite the rain he had
probably lucked out – he could imagine the chaos at the height of the tourist
season.
    He glanced over his
shoulder at the ground crew clustered around the shuttle. Aiyana was right; the
only thing anyone was wearing was body paint. How long would it take him to get
used to this?
    The sphere led him
through a door into the integration hall which, like the hanger, was carved
into of the flanks of the volcano although this room held a more finished
quality: the floor was carpeted and the glare of the landing area was replaced
by soft lighting. The walls were covered with decorative murals but it was the
display in the center that brought him to a halt. Mounted on a black stone
obelisk was a huge piece of diamond coral.
    The organism was as
translucent as real diamond, and artful spotlights had been placed to create
clusters of prismatic color that slid and merged as the viewer moved. At its
heart refracted light burned with the intensity of a white dwarf star. The
coral was shaped in the form of a flexing shark but he knew that this was no
human sculpture; in some unfathomable way the organism mimicked the surrounding
sea creatures. What conceivable purpose could that serve in the abyssal
darkness? And the mystery was deepening: new coral figures were emerging on the
ocean floor that had an unnerving resemblance to the tourists’ submarines.
    He dragged himself away
from the exquisite display to the integration area. The reception stations were
empty except for one lonely individual sitting at an instrument panel. Clearly
extrasolar business was slow and he appeared pleased to see a new visitor.
Carson placed his right hand in the green circle on the top of the identification
pod and waited while the machine sucked out his data.
    The official brightened.
    “Ah, the mailman! Welcome
honored guest Carson. Do you by chance have the last episode of Exodus?”
    “You’re the second person
to ask me that. Sorry, I have no idea.”
    “My mate won’t give me
any peace until she’s seen it”
    In a brisker tone he
asked “How long do you plan to be visiting the Mita People’s Republic?”
    “Twenty to thirty days I
imagine. I buy and sell artifacts and I’m hoping to do some business while I’m
here.”
    The bureaucrat sat up. “I
must advise you that the export of diamond coral is strictly controlled.”
    “Not my field – I mainly
deal in ancient technology.”
    “Hmm… there’s a market
for that?”
    “You’d be amazed”
    The official became
businesslike again “You are authorized to reside in the People’s Republic for
thirty days. Enjoy your stay.”
    “Thanks. Do you have any
idea how long it’s going to keep raining? It’s weird – I can’t find any weather
information on the net.”
    “Who knows? Maybe one,
two million years.”
    Carson began to laugh
politely then realized that he had simply been told the truth. Well, he should
have guessed. Sighing, he shouldered his bags and followed the ball, which had
turned green, to the exit.
    “Hey” he yelled at the
sphere as they hurried down a corridor “how do people stay dry round here?”
    “Pardon me honored
visitor that question is beyond my functionality.”
    They emerged into a huge
transportation area. This too had been hollowed out from the interior of the
mountain. In the far wall was a series of tunnels. A small vehicle shot out of
an opening and circled over Carson’s head.
    “No thanks” he yelled at
the taxi and continued to follow his guide.
    Eventually it led him to
a parked bus. “This vehicle will take you to your hotel; I wish you a pleasant
visit” the ball said and promptly vanished.
    “Your destination honored
passenger?” the bus asked as he clambered aboard.
    “Caldera View Hotel”
    “Third stop, please be
seated.”
    While he waited for the
bus to get moving Carson got onto the net and searched for a valet –