Fortunes of the Imperium by Jody Lynn Nye

Author:Jody Lynn Nye [Nye, Jody Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, science fiction, General, Action & Adventure, Space Opera
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2014-09-02T04:00:00+00:00

“An excellent find, captain,” Parsons said, as he escorted the Doyobes into the hold. He reached into his belt pouch and drew from it the sound deadener. Doyobe’s nephew stepped politely out of range of their conversation and began to load what was left of their goods into the shuttle. The skid load had been greatly reduced, as Parsons had assumed it would.

“The find of a lifetime, commander,” Doyobe said. “After you asked, I was sure I had a copy in one of my caches. Glad to see I was right. I am delighted it’s going to such a good home. I could have gotten three times the price for it on the open market.”

Parsons refused to allow himself to be baited on such an easily disproven statement.

“The price you received was more than fair. It was nearly twice the auction price for an authenticated copy.”

Doyobe smirked.

“Weeeeel, I suppose that’s all right. I do owe you a few favors. Are you sure you don’t want me to tell the boy you commissioned me to locate it for him?”

“Not necessary, captain,” Parsons said. “He had rather a traumatic experience recently. I believe this will assuage the damaged feelings.”

“Very nice,” Doyobe said. “You’re a good guy, commander, if you don’t mind my saying so. Mr. Frank always says the same. Oh, by the way!” The beefy trader’s hand reached into one of the myriad pockets on his suit front and emerged with a slip of crystal no bigger than a fingernail. He placed it carefully in Parsons’s palm. “This is for you.”

“A full manifest of the ships coming and going from Way Station 46? Dating back how long?”

“Fifteen months. I just took over the vigil four months back. Kung Won on the Bargain Hunter swapped his files over to me when I came in. We’ll be here just one more month unless you need us.”

Parsons shook hands gravely with Doyobe. The silver-haired trader was an old and trusted colleague.

“I hope I will not have to call upon you.”

“Hope not,” Doyobe said, as Parsons put the cube away in his pocket. “But you can if you need to. It’s been nice profiting off all of you, my friend.”

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