Rennek
The first of the new suppliers is unfortunately only able to offer us more of the same old product. Mostly mid-sized cat-like animals that can be domesticated for the rich. I use my scanner to differentiate between cataloged and uncatalogued species. When I find anything that hasn’t been cataloged I search the sample cages for attributes that stands out--picking out mating pairs whenever I notice interesting features: a spiked tail, exceptional tusks, elaborate markings.
At the second supplier I press harder for something besides the “pets.” After listening to him trying to upsell the fuzzy creatures in his charge, the supplier scratches his head and reluctantly leads us to a large cloudy tank in the back. He explains what is inside is for food and says we likely would not be interested. But I do show interest and suddenly the merchant in him rears up and these small, ugly fish become a “delicacy” on many worlds. This is the part I can’t stand. I shrug off the supplier--which is Bossan’s cue to step in, negotiate a price, and gather as much information as possible on how to care for the creatures. Which more often than not isn’t much, these people are not zookeepers--they are traffickers.
On the way to the third supplier I take stock of the remaining space in our cargo holds. We have already filled one section with a variety of furred beasts. I am not entirely pleased with this portion of the cargo, but at least each mating pair stands out in some way compared to what we have brought Tennir in the past. The true crown jewel of this shipment however, is filling the majority of the ship’s two remaining cargo holds. Forty-seven large tanks filled with at least a dozen varieties of smallish fish--all uncatalogued.
They don’t look like much in the way of eating, I think as I inspect the tanks. Regardless, this is something I feel Tennir will be excited about, so I purchased the entire lot from the supplier. It was a very good development for us. Now this supplier both knows my tastes and knows I am a serious buyer. He will aim to please me in order to make another large sale in the future, and hopefully will continue providing more unique cargo.
The only unfortunate aspect of this acquisition is it leaves little room for the Ju’tup supplier’s merchandise. It is a shame because I know if I press the Ju’tup, he will likely produce some truly interesting new specimens. The Ju’tup are gamblers as well as smugglers and often collect large and majestic beasts for fighting rings. I had been hoping to get my hands on some of these creatures at our meeting, but I could not pass up the fish. I hope to still be able to purchase one or two large beasts to further build the trust with the Ju’tup smugglers so at our next meeting I may have better leverage than other buyers.
Beep Beep.
The comms click on. “Rennek, we are ready for entry into the atmosphere. Shall I notify the Ju’tup of our arrival?”
“Yes, Bossan. Please inform the rest of the crew as well,” I tell him. “And Bossan, remind everyone this meeting is with Ju’tup. We bring our guns.”
***
Our ship lands on a small desert moon in a system just beyond the reach of the United Planets. It is a neutral zone. Not the wild, lawlessness of deep space, but still none of the safety and structure the United Planets sun systems offer. Neutral or not, in a place like this… making deals with pirates… anything could happen.
My crew and I step down the ramp of our ship. Luckily, internment and UPC training has hardened us. We look like the last males in the galaxy anyone would want to mess with. We play it casual, but our hands rest on our holsters and we stay alert. Sometimes you hear of deals that devolve into robberies. It is unlikely in this case, since we have bought from this Ju’tup before. As return buyers, we are worth more than just the credits we bring on this day.
I survey the rocky surroundings and the black and angular ship sitting before us. Bossan holds up his wrist and speaks into a personal comm unit. Seconds later the gates of the Ju’tup ship hiss open and a ramp extends down to us. I lead my crew inside.
Ju’toktah sits at a lone table in the center of a long corridor lined with cages. The table is piled high with inventory lists, a large bottle of liquor and two dirty glasses. Two guards stand behind him waiting for orders to unlock cages, show specimens, and help move cargo from ship to ship.
“My friends! My Friends! Welcome!” Ju’toktah’s fat hands and spindly pincers paw the liquor bottle and he fills the two glasses until they overflow, sending the putrid smell of alcohol to my nose.
“Greetings to you Ju’toktah.”
“A drink for you,” Ju’toktah rounds the table, his heavy form swaying from side to side. He passes me the drink. I do not enjoy drinking. I prefer to stay alert, but to earn Ju’toktah’s trust? I will share a drink with the pirate. I throw my head back and swallow the contents of the cup. It burns on the way down and my nostrils flare. Ju’toktah’s laughter causes the slimy blubber on his belly to jiggle and mucus drips to the floor with a loud plop. With his own cup, Ju’toktah follows suit and we slam our glasses back down on the disorderly desk.
“Come my friend!” Ju’toktah snorts and bellows through his mucus. “I have much to show you on this day!” clapping me on the back, he begins to lead me past the walls lined with cages in the first cargo hold. Both my crew and Ju’toktah’s guards hang back while we captains conduct the business.
As much as I can’t stand the Ju’tup, Ju’toktah is our best bet for acquiring more of the items Tennir’s project requires. I follow the Ju’tup, studying him. All Ju’tup have three sets of appendages protruding from their bodies: two “legs” that fold out from the sides of their hips and two sets of “arms.” The center set are weak and underdeveloped. Other than that, arm and leg pairs are indistinguishable from one another. They have fat bodies and secrete a thick mucus from head to toe. They also stink fiercely because of it. My nostrils flare again as I follow Ju’toktah.
“Allow me to show you the wonders of the galaxy!” He waves his top set of arms and the little ones below them shudder as if desperate to mimic the larger set. Ju’toktah knows I typically buy in bulk and the last few deals he and I squared consisted of exactly what I am not looking for on this day. Ju’toktah likely assumes I am a pet dealer on-world somewhere. So, not surprisingly I notice all the sample cages are filled with the usual cargo.
“Jungle cats, from the far reaches of the galaxy! Wild and fierce in their natural environments, but space travel has dulled their animal nature. Perfect now for training, bringing into the home. Good companions. Protection. Shoppers love this,” he tells me as if the deal is already made.
“Today Ju’toktah, I have different tastes. I am looking for something special. Unique. Do you have anything like that?”
Ju’toktah swipes a hand across his brow, causing the smaller hand below it to convulse slightly. He motions to one of his guards who fills a cup and carries it to him, drinking it as quickly as the last.
“Different tastes, you say?” he eyes me blinking and I am reminded of the fish back in my cargo hold. “What kind of tastes does an ex-enforcer have?” Ju’toktah says, laughing as if he knows some dirty truth.
“It is not for me Ju’toktah, it is for my buyer and I remind you I am not an enforcer any longer. I am looking for something... “I seek to choose my words carefully, but Ju’toktah jumps in.
“Do not worry yourself, my friend. We have a little something to satisfy all tastes here. Come, let me show you something that might be of more interest to your buyer,” he emphasizes the last word as though he thinks I might be telling some falsehood. He may think what he likes.
Before Ju’toktah leads me through a door beyond the sample cages the guard hands him another drink which is tossed hastily down the pirate’s throat. Beyond the door is a much smaller room with two large cages on either side. To my disappointment they are filled with more cats. One in each cage. But these cats are huge. Bright orange with black stripes, they stalk their cages showing large fangs as they let out warning growls in our direction. Ju’toktah grabs some type of rod from the wall and shoves it toward one of the massive cats. It roars and swats at the device, showing claws as menacing as its fangs. Both the cats go wild at the sight as it crackles and pops with an electrical charge at the end. I frown.
“Fighters, for the rings. Make you much money these two. Or to hunt, some enjoy testing their skills on large game, as sport.”
I did not like either prospect for these magnificent beasts. But I worry on disappointing Tennir by bringing back yet another cargo dominated by homogeneous specimens. “I will take these two, do you have any more?”
“No, my friend, my friend. Sold all the rest this morning. Just these two left.” He shakes his head apologetically. This disappoint me, I hate the idea of these proud creatures being sold for awful things.
“Still Ju’toktah, I search for something different…’
He is silent for a moment before he breaks into laughter. The alcohol he has been drinking seems to be making him excrete more mucus. “I have just what you need enforcer! I should have known when I saw you and your crew. I give you something special for long space travel. My males are the same!” He bellows another laugh, “I am the same!” He slaps my back conspiratorially. “Come my friend, we have known each other long enough now I think. Let me show you the real merchandise. This will please you!” his laughter gurgles and bubbles as slime slides down his face like perspiration.
I might not yet be the most expert transporter, I may not know enough about biology to find the best specimens for Tennir, but in my blood, I am an enforcer. A protector. And I know right away what this pirate speaks of, what his real merchandise will be. My blood boils and I take deep steadying breaths and flex my fists to calm down. I cannot keep my wings from fluttering though. Ju’toktah does not seem to notice my agitation, he is hurriedly swaying back the way he came, back through the main sample corridor.
Ju’toktah calls to his guards and asks them to begin loading my purchase onto my ship. Bossan steps forward to deal with payment and catches the look in my eye. He can likely smell the rage emanating off of me. He nods and I know my crew is prepared. Something big is about to happen and they are ready.
Ju’toktah whispers to the Ju’tup guard and they both sneer. The guard types something into the personal comm on his wrist. Ju’toktah takes this as another opportunity to grab a drink and once again offers a glass to me. Apparently, he is happy enough to share his liquor again. I am thankful for his inebriation, it is likely influencing his sharing of information and will make the job ahead of me that much easier.
“If you will excuse us,” he bows to the males, “this exhibition might take a bit longer than the last!” he laughs as though his commentary is hilarious, though he is the only one laughing. I follow him down another long corridor with a metal door at the end. Ju’toktah mashes his slimy fingers into the security panel and the door hisses open.
I survey the room. It is easily as large as, if not bigger than, the main sample room. Though this room only holds one large cage. Other than single worn bunk and a waste receiver, the cage is empty. Not that that offers me any relief. In the center of the room there is a reclining chair. With restraints. Mounted next to the main door are more of the electric prods Ju’toktah used on the large cats. There are collars hanging there too bearing the same electric components as the prods.
What worries me the most is the room itself is lined with metal carts. Each cart holding half a dozen large hanging bags filled with a cloudy white fluid. Disposable cryo bags. Too many to count. Too many to leave here with. Even if I had the space on my ship, I do not have the credits to clear out this number of slaves. Because that is what Ju’toktah is selling here. Dozens, if not hundreds of slaves.
My instinct had been correct. Ju’toktah is violating the most sacred laws in the systems. He is selling sentient beings. And violating them. As I take in the size of this atrocity everything in the depths of my being suddenly goes still. I will not be able to leave here with all these beings. I will not be able to kill all the Ju’tup to liberate these beings. There are too just too many Ju’tup on board. I will have to leave with as many as I can buy on this day and return for the rest. I am enraged that some of these beings might be sold and violated before I can return.
Another door hisses open and a new guard joins us.
“Ah, perfect timing Ju’keef. Let’s wake a new batch for our friend here. He is shopping for something unique on this day, so we will let him shop!” Ju’toktah and the guard both sway with anticipation, their secondary arms fluttering. I watch as the guard wheels one of the carts into the cage and pulls a jagged knife from his belt. He slits each bag open, from top to bottom, the fluid spills out unceremoniously and the beings within dump out onto the metal floor, unconscious. The guard steps forward and yanks a thick tube from their mouths--pulling the length of it from their throats. That wakes them.