Freelance On The Galactic Tunnel Network by E. Foner (best beach reads of all time TXT) 📗

species have mastered various levels of field manipulation technology,” Larry explained over his shoulder as he climbed the ladder. “Even the Drazens and the Hortens can manage the atmosphere retention field generators that make it possible for ships to enter docking bays without a giant airlock. The older species can do much fancier stuff, like autoparking ships with manipulator fields, or on a smaller scale, lifting crew from the cargo deck to the bridge. And don’t plan on wearing skirts during the trip. They aren’t practical in Zero-G.”

“So we’ll be living on the bridge?” Georgia asked as she climbed through the open hatch behind him. “What are all of those machines on the ceiling?”

“Stationary bike, rock climbing machine, rowing,” Larry pointed to the exercise equipment in rapid sequence. “We’ve got magnetic fields to protect us from the worst types of radiation, but if you don’t exercise every day in Zero-G, your muscles start shrinking in a hurry.”

“But how can you ride a bike upside down?”

“You really are a newbie, aren’t you. There is no upside down when you’re weightless. See the harness hanging by elastic straps from the treadmill? That’s what keeps me in place when I’m running.”

“Oh, right. I wasn’t thinking. So we sleep in the chairs?”

“In Zero-G, I just tether off to an ankle and float. When we’re parked on a spinning station or a planet, I string a hammock, and I have a spare.”

“The bathroom is behind there?” Georgia asked, pointing at the fanfold door pulled across a nook created by a section of storage lockers along the back of the curved bulkhead.

“Right. I can let you have one of those lockers for your clothes and another for food. You’ll be responsible for your own eats. The chandlery is a good place to stock up, and Kevin, the guy who runs it, was a trader himself. He can tell you what you’ll need.”

“And you’ll be willing to drop whatever you’re doing and follow the Colony One people when they move to their next stop?”

“It’s not like we need to tail the ship. They publish their schedule a cycle in advance. It’s in your paper,” he added, pointing at her press ID.

“I know that. I just mean, can I trust you not to get hung up on a deal somewhere and start ignoring me? I may not have any experience as a trader, but I know a little about guys.”

“And I know a little more than I’d like about gals,” Larry shot back. “Maybe it would be best for both of us if we take it a week at a time.”

“Deal,” Georgia said, and the two shook hands for the second time in ten minutes. “When do you need the first seventy-five creds?”

“Now would be good. I was going to try stretching the filters for an extra cycle, but with another person on board, I may as well change them while I’m here and can get them for a good price.”

“Air filters?”

“Air and sanitary water. You’re in luck with me because I traded for a Dollnick Zero-G shower a couple of years back, uses some advanced field technology to keep the water contained and moving. You wouldn’t want to drink it even with the filter, though I’ve heard of some traders having to do that in emergencies.”

“I think I’ll buy extra water.” Georgia fished in her purse and came up with the programmable cred the Galactic Free Press provided all employees to make their payroll. “Can you take it out of this, or do you need cash?”

“I’ve got a mini-register, all independent traders do,” Larry told her, accepting the coin. He opened one of the storage lockers next to the bathroom and removed the alien device. Then he inserted her programmable cred, entered the amount, and nodded when the ‘sufficient balance’ light turned green. “I’ll need your voice approval,” he said, gesturing at the amount that now appeared as a holographic projection above the mini-register.

“I approve seventy-five creds for one week’s passage,” Georgia said, deciding to err on the side of caution.

Larry gave her an appraising look as he returned her programmable cred. “Maybe you aren’t as much of a newbie as I took you for,” he said. “Remind me to add you to the Stryx controller once we’re underway. When do you want to leave?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll go buy my supplies at the chandlery now, but I have to stop back at the paper’s office in the morning to see about my advance. Is there anything I need to bring other than food and water?”

“Coffee or tea, if you’re a caffeine freak like all of the reporters I’ve met. We don’t brew in Zero-G, so buy the boxes with the built-in heater tabs. They aren’t expensive. And bring at least two sets of workout clothes. I have a sterilizer unit that will keep clothes from stinking, but they feel kind of gross after getting soaked with sweat and drying out a few times.”

“How long will we be spending in Zero-G between stops? I thought it was usually just a half a day or so.”

“That’s true between Stryx stations in the area, but some worlds and orbitals on the tunnel network are days away from the nearest entrance or exit, and that assumes we aren’t going to any outer planets or moons in those systems. And tunnel traffic controllers intentionally stretch the time it takes to travel long distances to keep us from getting nutty. Our brains have trouble readjusting to large moves relative to the galactic core.”

“I didn’t know that,” Georgia admitted in dismay. “What if weightlessness makes me sick? Can I buy medication?”

“You can, but I advise against it,” Larry told her. “Drugs are fine for a few hours here and there, but we’re going to be spending a lot of time in Zero-G, so you may as well tough it