Traynor headed to the landing ramp and hit some buttons to open it. The sounds of the huge hydraulic ramps coupled with the steam and pressure being released made for a deafening sound. If anyone were any good now would be the right time to strike while everything is in disarray. Frell that’s what I would do he thought to himself. As the ramp opened, he placed each hand on the pulse pistols that were on his waist, slowly unlatching the safety attachment to it. He lowered his hands so that he could place his fingers on the triggers; he wanted to be the first one to shoot if he did not like what he saw. As the noise subsided and the steam cleared he looked around. Moving his head in a methodical fashion he saw everything in less than 5 microts. He looked for snipers scanning the buildings, ships, and the crowd. He saw the three figures to his left that were quickly talking and exchanging credits and saw the crowd to his right that clamored next to a freighter that was auctioning off fabric and food, he saw the ground crew moving about. No threats. He could relax a bit. Two down, two to go. He started to walk down the landing ramp and stopped at the foot of the ramp and stood there purposely. He then proceeds to move forward then stopped and turned around facing the ship. He looked over at the crowd.

The Siecomians were funny looking people. Extremely short they had long arms that nearly dragged on the ground as they walked. They had broad shoulders, small waists with a large midsection. They had narrow faces and huge sloped foreheads. The females on the other hand were a sight to behold. Beautiful soft skin with silky long hair that draped nearly down to their waist. Some looked sebacean while others were clearly hybrids, slaves that have lived here for cycles. One thing was certain the Siecomians were very protective of their women. Its been said that the males will kill in an instant should they feel that their female was being looked upon and coveted. Three down. “It looks like its going to be number four” he said this out loud as if he was disappointed. He looked at Sat she was beautiful. He moved towards the ship to begin the inspection. Traynor placed his hand on the hull as he walked around her; it was black, sleek, shiny, and clean. He could see the traces of the silver alloy that was embedded in her hull that made up her defense screen. He glanced at where her armaments were, neatly hidden. He smiled like a proud father as he continued to run his hand gently over her. Because of Sat’s color and unique shape, it is nearly impossible to see her when she is coming at you head on. She was deadly when she wanted to be with three gun turrets, one at the front, rear, and center of the ship.

As he approached the rear of the ship, Traynor saw two burly figures; one he recognized immediately, the other he never saw before. He was a fellow hunter that he had run into on several occasions. He continued to walk around the ship moving on with his inspection trying to ignore them, but he could feel their eyes hovering over him. “Traynor Dekksin!!” one of them shouted out. Great why don’t you just announce me over everyone’s comlink he thought to himself. Traynor had no choice now but to acknowledge them. “Who wants to know?” he said sternly. “Its me, Cosa!!” one of the burly figures shouted back. Traynor just looked at him and smirked. Both figures moved towards him. Traynor slowly lowered his right hand to his holster and placed his hand on the pistol as if to rest on it while moving his left hand over the hull as so not to attract attention to what he actually had in mind. “How are you my brother?” Cosa said enthusiastically. “I’m not your brother Cosa.” Traynor snapped back. Laughing, “Come now. We are all brothers when it comes to this line of work. In fact this ugly thing next to me is my younger brother, Odosa. I’m teaching him the business.” “So you are the one that my brother speaks of so lowly of. An honor to meet you.” Both figures laughed Traynor just looked annoyed. “ I take it that you are here to start a job. Tell me, do you have room for one more? Things have been kind of slow for me.” “Looks like you’ve been feeding yourself pretty well” Traynor replied looking at Cosa. “ Can’t be that slow.” Cosa laughs rubbing his stomach, “ In this business you need to keep up your strength you never know what may happen.” “ From the looks of it you could stand to eat a little bit more” Odosa replied. “ I’m alright besides I like to look at my feet every now and then just to make sure that I still have them” Traynor deadpanned. Cosa looked at his brother’s face and saw that he was angry he immediately steeped in, “ In all seriousness, things have been very slow for me and I could use a little help. Traynor, you have been my competitor and my friend anything that you can throw my way would be greatly appreciated.” Traynor laughed, “ Friend? We’ve been competitors but never friends. And you know that I work alone. If things are so bad why take on a partner?” “ Partner? Oh yes of course my brother. Well you see I have gotten myself in deep with one of the houses and…” “What couldn’t pay the bill for your food?” “No traynor really, its serious this time. You know the casinos and me; I just can’t resist the game of chance. This time I ended up on the wrong side of it. I would not be asking you if it was not serious.” “ Is it your debt or your brother’s?” “ No mine. I figured if I taught him the business he might be able to help me out. He has nothing to do with this. They are going to take my ship and everything else I own unless in five solar days I can come up with ten percent of what I owe to show them good faith.” “ So why don’t you sell your brother?” Traynor snapped. Cosa’s voice grew angry, “ Look I hate to beg you, but if that’s what you want I will. I can’t afford to loose everything I have.” “Why don’t you just work off your debt to the house? I’m pretty sure they would like to have someone like you on their payroll.” “ No I tried that. They said that would rather have their money. Besides I know that there are others that they would like to hire on a more permanent basis.” Cosa stared coldly at Traynor. “ Yes it would be a lot easier for us if there wasn’t such a demand for a particular group of hunters” Odosa stated flatly. “ Look I’m sorry but you know I work alone. I hate the extra cargo that comes with taking on a partner. I’m sure you’ll find something if you look. It’s a big system. Good luck.” Traynor turned around and started back to the landing ramp, “But Traynor…” Cosa stammered. Turning around but not stopping, “ I said good luck” and he continued on to the ramp. Odosa moved towards him as if to grab him by his shoulders, and was abruptly stopped by Cosa. “ Call me if you change your mind” Cosa shouted at him.

He’s in trouble. Only a fool would place a bet so large that he can’t cover it. And Cosa was a fool. He was the most inept hunter that Traynor ever met. But he always got by. Traynor knew that the house would take more than just his ship, a whole lot more. Cosa knew that too. Sebeaction slaves were hard to come by. He wondered how much of a price Cosa would fetch. He did not want to do anything for him. Traynor walked to the base of the ramp and turned to see the trading going on, and then made his way back up the ramp. What he saw made his stomach turn. He had a couple of arns to kill before he met up with U’ave. Maybe if he lay down for a bit the pain in his stomach would fade. He hated how he had to pretend he was one of them. He hated the greed.

Traynor boarded the transport pod and headed to meet U’ave at the usual place, a bar on the western part of the city where everyone goes to when they want to talk about serious business. It’s a place where money and information is exchanged. The trip took about half an arn from the docking bay if the pilot didn’t take you on the extended tour to all the gaming parlors. “ Make sure that we head straight to Attan’s, no detours.” The pilot nodded his head yes and mumbled something under his breath. Attan’s was just another bar in a different system, like the hundred others that he had been to. But Traynor had a connection with this one. It felt like home to him. Since he never knew what a home was it was the closest thing that he was going to get. It was Attan that helped him get his first job, one that did not pay well, but it was a way in. And he had helped him buy Sat. Well, not really. The delvian that owned her was someone that Attan did not like so he rigged a card game. Traynor paid him what he had and worked out the rest in trade. He did not trust him, but the same could not be said of Attan. He trusted Traynor explicitly. But both of them knew that business was business and if Attan needed him for a job that he would have to pay like all the rest. If Traynor showed him any type of favoritism or kindness, he would be considered weak and a liability in the eyes of his retainers and fellow hunters. The two of them knew what type of relationship they had and never spoke about it or crossed the boundaries.

The sun began to set as the pod started to land and the he would soon begin to see the real scum come out from their hiding places. He paid the pilot and began his short walk to the bar. As usual people came up to him trying to lure him to the gaming parlors with promises of free alcohol and women while others tried to push off different types of goods. He walked by them ignoring them as he made his way to the entrance of the bar. That’s where the street hustlers would stop dead in their tracks knowing that anyone who heads to Attan’s had better things to do than to be bothered by petty street vendors. Traynor stopped at the entrance of the bar and looked at the doorframe looking for the spot where all the notches were. The number of notches was even on both sides of the frame. Attached on the left side of the frame was a box that he opened up revealing a small but sharp knife. He took the knife out of the box and began to crave another notch on the left side of the frame then placed in back the box. He rubbed his fingers over the newly carved notch and looked at it briefly then went inside the bar.

He passed through the doorway into a small hallway that was nearly pitch black. The only light that penetrated the darkness was that of the holes that were on the ceiling obviously caused by patrons who finished their business transactions with a pulse blast. He stepped over a few bodies in his time but he never once thought about who they were or the life they led. They were just in his way. But Traynor would always glance at them as he passed by just to make sure that they were cold.

As the entrance of the bar grew closer he began to hear all different types of voices, talking loudly, laughing, shouting most of them drunk. The music grew louder as the steps that he would have to climb down to get to the bar approached. The air began to smell. Not a foul odor but that of alcohol mixed with cold filtered air that was being piped in through the vents. It was a sweet fragrant smell that he liked and that was familiar to him. Traynor was home.

Attan was at his usual spot behind the bar working to quickly fill the drink orders. You could see that some of the servers were growing impatient by their expressions on their faces. He was a tall delvian, lean and muscular for a man his cycle. His face was covered with distinctive wrinkles that creased his blue face anytime he would show emotion. He was an imposing figure and had a reputation of being a fair man, when he wanted to be. Anyone coming into his place looking to start trouble and better think twice. All the real players knew that his place was a haven to do business. Anyone foolish enough to disrupt “business” was dealt with permanently. Attan had three rules; that you settled your bill before you left, take any trouble outside, and the bar received a transaction fee, the cost of doing business in his bar. Everyone was happy to oblige. Attan looked up from behind the bar just in time to see Traynor come in. They both exchanged a look.

He walked over to the bar accidentally bumping into two tavleks that were drunk. One of the tavleks stopped and waited for Traynor to turn around but he ignored them and continued to the bar. The Tavlek mumbled something at him, and then fell onto his knees, fell forward, landed and his face and passed out. His friend helped him to his feet and they both left the bar. One of the servers, Elantras, a sebacean, and an ex-smuggler smiled at him when he approached the bar. Squeezing his left arm, “Hi Traynor. Welcome back. Come to take me away from all of this?” “And take you away from your adoring subjects?” he replied looking at the table where some Siecominans were getting rowdy waiting for their drinks. Attan placed the last drink in her serving tray while she planted a kiss on his left cheek and whispered into his ear, “ Its good to see you again.” Saying that she picked up her tray and was off to serve her impatient guests. He turned around and looked her over as she walked away. Frell, she is beautiful. “ I don’t know why she picked you” Attan said in a surprised and disappointed tone. “ Hey, don’t look at me. I haven’t done anything to encourage her.” “Uh-huh…you don’t have to Traynor.” He began to feel uncomfortable with what Attan was saying so he tried to move onto a different subject. Before he could ask for a drink, Attan had already placed on in his hand. He took a sip of his drink and looked around the bar. Based on what he saw took another sip; this time a longer one. Aged to perfection he thought to himself as the last drops hit the back of his throat. “ He’s been sitting at his usual spot for a bit.” Attan said without looking up. “ For how long?” “ I don’t know. I had to go to the docking bays and unload a freighter that came in with supplies that I needed. When I came back he was here. But Elantras has been here all day.” Attan motioned her to come back to the bar. She nodded her head and looked at Traynor and smiled. She was only to happy to return growing tired of being groped by her raunchy guests. She playfully brushed up against Traynor when she got to the bar. Attan just rolled his eyes. “ How long as he been here?” Attan asked as he looked at this patron suspiciously. “ He came in about a half an arn after you left. He sat down and ordered as usual. Not long after that he began to do business with his regulars and he has not stopped ordering since.” She placed the serving tray on the bar top and then frowned. “ What?” Traynor asked. “ There was someone that he was with but I did not recognize. They were speaking for quite awhile. I didn’t see him come and I did not see him leave.” Attan looked at Traynor, “ She knows everyone that comes into this place. If she doesn’t know him then he’s not a regular.” “ Well might as well get this over with. I’m tired.” Traynor replied. Attan just looked at him.

He began to walk over to where U’ave’s table was. He usually liked to pick a spot in the bar where his back was up against the wall to see what was going on, but mainly so that he would not get shot in the back. As Traynor approached U’ave looked up and smiled. He put away what to Traynor looked liked money and technical diagrams. “ Ah Traynor, good to see you again. Sit. Sit. Can I get you something to drink?” Traynor raised up his left hand showing his drink. “ Well I mean after you’ve finished that one.” “ Yeah, sure.” He took a seat in front of U’ave and placed his drink on the table, U’ave watching him closely. “ I have the items that you have requested. They are on a freighter called the Takayi at docking bay 3744 awaiting your inspection.” “ Good once I take a look for myself and I like what I see than I will pay the agreed price. If not then one of us is going to be very unhappy.” Traynor replied tilting his head back finishing his drink. “ Traynor, everything is a negotiation…” chuckling, “ Life is a negotiation.” “Maybe. But negotiation is about power, leverage. About who has the advantage. No one ever gets what he or she wants when negotiating. You only get what you really want by taking it.” Replied Traynor. “ Hmm. Interesting point.” Motioning to a waiter, “ I’ll have to remember that for the next time. Waiter!! Another ocono for my friend here. As a matter of fact make that two.” The waiter nodded.

The waiter returned with the drinks and started to place one in front of U’ave, but before he could place the drink down on the table, U’ave grabbed the drink out of his hand and drank it one long gulp. Traynor just looked at him. “ Better bring him another one. And quick before he tries to say something intelligent.” U’ave let out a hearty laugh. “ You know what? Just keep them coming.” Traynor said to the waiter throwing several gold coins onto the waiter’s tray. “ Thank you sir.” replied the young delvian waiter and placed the second drink in front of Traynor.

“ But enough small talk,” this is small talk? thought Traynor. “ Lets get down to business.” Traynor took a sip of the ocono and looked at U’ave as if to say go on with it. “ I have something big…very big that’s going to pay you very well indeed.” Traynor finished his drink and looked over to where the waiter was and signaled to him that he was ready. The waiter brought over two more drinks. “ How big?” Traynor asked. “ Big enough that the retainer came to me over a cycle ago and now that the opportunity has presented itself the retainer wants to use your services exclusively.” U’ave took a sip of his drink this time. “ Who else knows about this?” “No one just me. The retainer knows that I can get things done in a quiet fashion. And that you and I do business quite a bit and maintain a somewhat open line of communication.” “ Let me get this straight? The retainer contacted you over a cycle ago, been paying you all this time waiting for the right opportunity all in the hopes that you may be able to contact me?” Traynor said angrily finishing his drink. “ What and if I get paid is no concern of yours” U’ave said sternly. “ YES IT IS.” Replied Traynor loudly, slamming his glass on the table. Attan and Elantras and some of the other patrons looked over at where they were sitting. “ It makes it look like that I work only for you. And I don’t. I work for whom I want and when I want. Is that what you told the retainer?” U’ave just glared at him. “ You lying filthy trat! You did say that. You’ve been making money off of me…off of my name!” Traynor said loudly. “ Now Trynor…” Uave stammered. Attan whispered into the waiter’s ear and placed two drinks on his tray and he left for the table. Traynor regained his composure, “ Lets negotiate. Those items on the Takayi, I’ll pay half the price that we agreed upon regardless of the condition.” “WHAT? You must be drunk,” U’ave shouted back. The waiter approached and placed the drinks on the table. “ Compliments of the house,” he said and went back to the bar. Traynor quickly glanced over to Attan who was looking intensely at the both of them anxiously waiting to see what may happen. Traynor focused his attention back to U’ave who began to feel uneasy. “ Half and then I will decide if I still want to hear what you have to say.” “ Fine its agreed. And I know you want to stay and hear me out. If you didn’t than you would not be sitting here right now.” He was right. Anyone will to spend money a cycle in advance before any actual work was done was someone who had nothing to loose and everything to gain and would be willing to pay any price to get what he needed. Traynor couldn’t resist. “ Go on.” U’ave slyly smiled. The music began to grow louder and both of them reached for their drinks at the same time. As U’ave began to talk a group of people entered the bar shouting and laughing heading to the table where the other rowdy bunch were. Traynor and U’ave paid no attention to them. U’ave continued to talk, Traynor closely listening to him hanging on his every word that came out of his mouth. The music and the crowd grew louder but to both men it was just background noise something to tolerate. As U’ave finished Traynor looked at him in disbelief, “ You want me to go after WHAT?”

Chapter 2 | Chapter 4