the center of the globe, forming a conduit that held a catwalk terminating in a sturdy framework called the control nest. Within it were four black acceleration chairs mounted on gimbals. Control panels curved before each of them.
George sprang toward the captain's chair. He caught hold of the framework and pulled himself into his seat.
The Reeshi was right behind him. "Strap yourself in," George said, pointing to the flight engineer's post. "Don't touch anything."
The Reeshi complied.
George settled into his station. "Ship: enable outside viewing mode."
The data grid vanished, to be replaced by a holographic vista of the docks and star-filled sky. The Reeshi Moon floated beneath, luminous and beautiful; George and his guest seemed suspended in space above it.
"Ship, have the docking clamps disengaged yet?"
"No. The Dock Authority has refused to release them. Pertinent information: they have also refused our request for departure clearance."
"All right. Gravpulse on line. Full power. Prepare to back away slowly."
He took the control grips in his hands and fed power to the gravpulse drive. A deep bass throbbing flowed through the ship's structure.
With a great, shuddering lurch the Lucky Star pulled out of her berth. There was a distant grinding sound and a deep, echoing boom, and then they were free.
"There is an urgent signal from the Dock Authority."
"Gee, what a surprise. Display forward."
A comm window appeared in the simulacrum of sky. The giant image of a Reeshi loomed before him, twitching nervously.
"You're George Wells, master of the merchant vessel Lucky Star?"
"That's right."
"There appears to have been a misunderstanding. Regulations require that we grant permission before a ship departs. I regret we didn't make this clear to you."
These Reeshi had to be the most polite race in the Galaxy. "I'll remember in the future," George said.
His hands flew over the control panel. The rumble of the gravpulse generator rose in pitch. The Lucky Star rotated away from the docks and moved off smartly, accelerating away from the planet.
"We request that you return." The nervous twitching increased. George wondered if it was about to go frolf. "There are fees for damages you might wish to pay."
Make that the most polite race in the universe. "That seems fair," George allowed.
The Reeshi hesitated. "The berth your ship occupied requires maintenance. We'll happily assign you an undamaged berth."
"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry." George keyed the long-range nav display. Additional windows opened beneath the comm display, maps of the entire system from various perspectives, with pinpoints of light indicating other ships. There was a great deal of traffic here, many vessels coming and going. Surely there were those who could be persuaded to intercept Lucky Star. What if the Reeshi offered a reward? George's pulse began to race.
The Reeshi jerked in agitation. "Why the hurry? You listen to the traitor who sits beside you. He is in error."
"Hear me out. For payment I have a variety of crystal-pattern catalysts in my hold, suitable for growing data matrix components—"
"I know what they're suitable for! Our world is the primary distribution point for them in this sector."
"Sorry, I knew that, I bought the stuff here; the sales pitch is a reflex. I'm willing to jettison a portion of this valuable cargo—"
"Unacceptable. Surely you realize how common this substance is here? We've a tremendous surplus right now."
"I've prepaid all fees except the most recent, haven't I? All we're discussing are the last installment due and fees for damages. Agreed?"
The Reeshi hesitated, seemed to shrug. "Stipulated."
George kept one eye on the nav window. They were moving off at better then ten gees, so far with no sign of pursuit. He had caught them all napping, by God!
He called up a status display for the fusion drive and positioned it below the other windows.
"Now, someone in your office told me I could pay any further fees with this stuff. Say, if I decided to stay on your delightful planet a little longer. It's just like currency, I was told. Did they lie?"
Damn it, the fusion drive would take several minutes to come on-line from a cold start. But it couldn't be helped.
"The situation has changed."
"That's what I'm offering. Take it or leave it."
"I refuse it. We require acceptable payment."
"By what precedent do you refuse?"
"I'm setting the precedent."
It occurred to George that there probably weren't any lawyers on the Reeshi Moon. This was too easy! His record of the conversation would free him from obligation, he knew; now the Reeshi couldn't request a wormhole embargo. Any vessel attempting pursuit in violation of G-web legal parameters would be blocked.
The Reeshi bureaucrat seemed to read his mind. "We'll send a ship after you. You'll be brought to justice before you can leave the system."
"So? My ship is a hybrid. In addition to gravpulse she has a powerful fusion engine. Gravpulse lets me max it out at acceleration levels which would otherwise be too much for me."
The Reeshi seemed to wilt. "Your ship is probably fast enough to reach a gate. There remains the matter of your moral obligation."
George had to laugh. "Okay, what the hell. I'm feeling generous. What if I authorize a third party—"
"Unacceptable! No third party."
"Are you forfeiting your right to payment?"
"I haven't said so."
"I'm aware you're trying to get me in custody for the Zhianese. I'm telling you, that's not going to happen."
There was a long pause. "Who would this third party be?"
"First, though, how much?"
"Call it four thousand credits."
George curled his lips in disgust. "I won't quibble."
"You're in no position to. I doubt there is anyone who will help in these circumstances."
"Oh, I intend to make it worth his while."
"Whose while? Does this mythical being have a name?"
George felt amused. These Reeshi could certainly be as adept at rudeness as they were at politeness.
"Let me check with him first."
"I seriously doubt anyone will help you."
"He might. I'll be giving him a third of my cargo."
"So generous!" The Reeshi seemed to be sneering.
"That's my business. I'll call you right back."
"The arrangement would be acceptable."
Moments later Lychel's homely countenance towered before him. "Why, hello George! It's good of you to call."
"Hey, Lychel! I've got a business proposition for you."
"Oh, excellent. What is it?"
George felt a surge of affection for his Dalhou friend. "It may entail some risk. Feel free to turn it down."
"I listen with interest."
"I'm in a bind here." George outlined the situation. "I'll jettison the stuff where you can pick it up at your leisure. If you don't want it, no hard feelings. The Reeshi will just grab it then, is my guess. In spite of what they're telling me, it's a valuable commodity."
"They don't deserve it. I'm happy to make this deal, but I don't ask such lavish payment. Decrease the amount by half, and I'd still be willing."
"I insist, Lychel. That's my offer."
Lychel gave his keening laugh. "Very well. I'll make it up to you if you ever visit Dalhou space."
"I'd love to visit Dalhou space, Lychel."
"And I'd like to visit Earth, George."
"Let's stay in touch, okay? Maybe we can visit each other someday."
"I look forward to that day."
"Take care, now." George cut the connection.
He switched back to the bureaucrat and gave the details. "The cargo will become his, but he'll pay my debts."
"The Dalhou will be permitted to keep his unseemly profits. This is most irregular."
George
had been keeping one eye on the nav window. He saw with dismay that two ships were moving toward him. "Look, you and I both know I'm giving up an ungodly amount of profit to try and appease you. And aside from that, someone in your department originally told me I could make payments with this stuff. So to hell with you! End transmission."
The Reeshi's image winked out of existence. The remaining active displays repositioned themselves in the space it had vacated. "Ship, prepare to deploy fusion drive."
"Command executed."
"Ship, intercom on. To cabin 2A: Lydia, are you secure for acceleration?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Hang in there. Intercom off." George studied the display, and then shoved a seldom-used throttle forward.
With the suddenness of a thunderclap, a brutal hand shoved him hard into his seat. A huge, roaring thunder filled his ears. The Lucky Star blasted away from the Reeshi Moon at better than thirty gees. Even with gravpulse set to shield from excess pressure, it was a crushing force.
With an effort he lifted his hands to the controls. He reduced perceivable acceleration to one standard gee, and then fed more power to the gravpulse drive. Soon the old freighter was boosting at better than sixty gravities.
He was leaving his pursuers behind! He felt a burst of pride in his ship. Thanks to a synergy of human and alien technologies, with her dual drives working in tandem she was probably the fastest ship in the system. The Reeshi official had all but admitted as much.
In truth he was less worried about pursuit than being intercepted. Luckily, the way ahead remained clear.
They were heading out toward an arc of seldom-used wormholes. When he had programmed this course weeks ago he had thought to do a little exploring. Now there seemed no choice. It was the only part of the sky free of traffic.
These portals led to abandoned and uncivilized parts of space. A lone ship could be waylaid in such places. Would a