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They were all back in the ship lounge. Milo sat with Monica, Everet and Sarge at one table and Kelsey, Jake and Weoria sat at the other. Onyx leaned against a wall sipping coffee while Hubert stood at the stove cooking something that smelled wonderfully like bacon.
“Well,” said Weoria, “I've been asking around but no one seems to have seen Anderson in days. His ship is still in its berth, but he hasn't been seen coming or going for some time.”
“Doesn't mean anything,” said Sarge, “he could be anywhere. This place is huge and Anderson has friends, if you can believe it. He's probably holed up in a room at the Casino or hiding on another ship.”
“I don't think so.” said Kelsey, “Anderson is many things but a coward isn't one of them. Besides, he has no reason to hide here. For one thing, he does indeed have friends here and for another, there's the Injunctiion.”
“What's that?” asked Monica.
“It's the one law here on Rendezvous. With all the thieves, con-men, robbers, smugglers and whatnot who come here, there would ordinarily be a high probability of violence but the founders of the guild came up with the Injunction. It states, very simply that anyone caught or even suspected of violence against any other members of the guild while at Rendezvous will be summarily thrown out the nearest airlock. No trial, no appeal.”
“So then,” said Monica, “even if we do find Anderson, there's nothing we can do about it.”
“Oh, I plan to do something about it.” said Onyx.
“What can you do?” asked Monica, “If you try anything, you'll be spaced.”
“I don't care.”
Kelsey cleared his throat.
“Be that as it may, the man's vanished and I think it's because he's no longer on Rendezvous.”
“What makes you say that?” asked Everet.
“Because, when I was in the Casino, I heard talk. It seems Anderson is after the Moonstone again.”
“Is he nuts?” asked Onyx, pushing herself away from the all so abruptly, she nearly splashed Milo with her coffee, “That's probably the hottest gem in the galaxy. Only a fool or a suicidal maniac would go after it right now.”
“So?” said Milo, “Why should we care? He goes after the Moonstone, the Governor has him zapped, he'd no longer among the living. Problem solved.”
“That bastard is mine!” snapped Onyx, “When he dies, I want it to be my hands around his throat!”
Jake looked at Hubert, a smile splitting his face. Hubert returned the look with one of resignation and worry.
“She's back!” quipped Jake.
“What?” asked Milo, “Who's back?”
“Nevermind,” said Onyx, looking daggers at Jake.
“Onyx,” cautioned Everet, “I know you want justice, but this is not the place. I suggest we make the most of our time here.”
“I agree,” said Sarge, “regroup, resupply, reconnoiter, just like we did back in the war. Let's lay low for a while longer, ask around a bit more, find out if Anderson has indeed left the station. Then we find him, tie him to a plasma vent and watch him as he slowly melts.”
“Sarge, old buddy,” said Milo, “sometimes you really scare me.”
“Sounds fitting actually,” said Jake, “besides, they're right. I was able to acquire an item which may be able to help us on our quest and it needs to be retrofitted on the ship which, according to Sarge, will take a day or two to accomplish.”
“Excuse me?” asked Milo, “No one talked to me about adding anything to my ship.”
“Your ship?” asked Kelsey, “What makes you think..”
“Sorry, youngster,” said Sarge quickly, cutting off any arguments, “Slate's been Captain of the Greyhawk for a long time and we're all trying to get used to her being under someone else. Won't happen again.”
“Thanks, Sarge. So what's this device and how can it help us?”
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