Free Star Risk - 01 Star Risk, Ltd by Chris Bunch

your offer was most reasonable.
    "I propose that I, meaning Transkootenay Mining, offer Star Risk, limited, a tentative contract for six months service. You can have your lawyers go over the contract as soon as it's drawn up, assuming you accept the general terms, but, in brief, I propose to offer you a traditional 'no cure, no pay' contract.
    "However, I do realize this is an expensive contract. The raiders are costing us a minimum of five million credits per day, which is intolerable, even for a company the size of Transkootenay.
    "You'll be given half a million credits per diem, plus full expenses to the tune of two million credits per diem, said expenses to be vetted by Transkootenay's business office, for a period of six E-months, during which time you are to attempt to discover these criminals who are attacking Transkootenay Mining, its employees and representatives, destroying Transkootenay's equipment, and stealing valuable resources that are the legal property of Transkootenay Mining, as attested by a legally binding contract between Transkootenay Mining, and the Foley System Government.
    "At the end of that time, this contract may be renewed, in six E-month intervals.
    "Satisfactory completion of this contract will be rewarded with a minimum of ten million credits, plus bonuses for exceptional or early completion of the task.
    "These sums will be paid by the Foley System Government, routed through Transkootenay Mining.
    "Welcome aboard," Reg Goodnight said sincerely.
    "And may you do Transkootenay as much good as you have my brother."
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    ELEVEN � ^ � An N-space transmission, coded with one-time-only pad:
    UNWORRY ONE RISK. FOR UNKNOWN REASON TRANSKOOT IGNORED CERBERUS OFFER, SIGNED SECURITY PACT WITH UNKNOWN SMALLIE. NEW FIRM LACKS SHIPS OPS LOCAL INTEL. PLAN SOONEST OPS TO PUT THEM IN PLACE. HAVE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS TO CONTINUE AS PLANNED WITHOUT REAL INTERFERENCE.
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    TWELVE � ^ � The onscreen ship looked like a flattened pyramid, with its electronics suite mounted in two winglets stretching ahead of the central control area. Delta wings, for operation in-atmosphere jutted from the back third of the fuselage, and there were four enormous drive tubes.
    "Eighteen Pyrrhus-class patrol ships, plus spares, and so on and so forth," the young saleswoman said, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice. It had been a very dead day for sales before Friedrich von Baldur came into her office.
    "Chamkani Starship Systems is delighted to be doing business with you," she said. "So, as a free bonus, we'll throw in any auxiliary ship you choose."
    Baldur smiled. "Yes, I was advised your firm has such a generous policy, which is one reason I came here.
    "I think I would like that converted transport at the back of the yard, the Corsair, I believe it is?"
    The woman touched sensors on her screen.
    Something that was either an ocarina carved by a deranged misanthrope or a starship appeared. Its control area sat atop the bulbous mass which narrowed down to a surprisingly small drive area.
    "Yes, sir. Uh� that's a rather unusual craft," she said. "It was listed as a transport on the Alliance Registry, but it was actually an illegal conversion, done by a certain admiral, who was relieved in disgrace when he was discovered. It's most palatial on the inside, and mostly roboticized."
    "So what makes that undesirable, Miss Winlund?" Baldur asked.
    "It's described here as rather wallowy in-atmosphere, and its drive isn't adequate for the listed Gross Registered Tonnage, sir."
    "I do not plan on taking it racing, but rather to use as a headquarters for myself and my staff."
    "There's another thing. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I appreciate your order, and would hope to have further business in the future. It's considered unlucky."
    "How so?"
    "After it was