Free A Dark and Hungry God Arises by Stephen R. Donaldson Page B

You haven't been away all that long - not as long as some - but it's always a pleasure when you visit.
    'I gather you've led an interesting life recently. It isn't every day that you arrive here escorted' - he relished the irony of the word - 'by Amnion defensives. You must tell me all about it sometime.
    'But not now, ' he added quickly, like a solicitous host.
    'I know how busy you must be. For the present, tell me how I can serve you. Somewhere here, we have' - he made a gesture which seemed to encompass the galaxy —
    'everything you can pay for. '
    Nick was in no mood for blather. Nevertheless his ship
    - as well as his life - depended on his ability to match the Bill. Deliberately casual, he remarked, That depends on how much money I've got. I have a credit-jack' - Nick named the sum - 'but Operations tells me you won't honor it. That limits my options. '
    '"Won't, "' Captain Nick?' the Bill put in promptly.
    'Surely Operations didn't say "won't"?'
    Nick tried to grin with his old, dangerous amusement.
    'Maybe I've missed something. I requested a shipyard berth. They docked me with the visitors. ' A little of his anger leaked into his voice, but he kept it quiet. 'And they told me my credit-jack has been revoked. Doesn't that mean "won't"?'
    'Not at all, not at all. ' Whenever the Bill moved his head, the light made his face look like it was being eaten by shadows. 'It simply means the situation has become delicate. The "issuing authority" of that credit-jack has
    "instructed" us not to honor it. ' Apparently the Bill enjoyed euphemisms. This is not strictly - shall we say, not strictly legal? If it were, no one would ever pay me for anything. Men in your position - not you, of course, Captain Nick, certainly not, but men with fewer scruples
    - would give me credit for goods or services, and then after they were gone they would simply "revoke" my remuneration.
    'I don't do business that way. I'm the Bill you owe, Captain Nick. ' Behind his light, enthusiastic tone, he was fatally serious. 'That means I get paid first — and I make sure the money is good before I accept it. If I accept your credit-jack, you can be certain the Amnion will honor it. '
    'Fine, ' Nick said, 'good. ' His poise was fraying. He would have loved to hit the Bill a few times and hear those thin bones snap. 'How do we get there from here?
    I need repairs. I have a credit-jack to pay for them. But you're suspicious. Now what?'
    'Simplicity itself. ' The Bill smiled so that his teeth shone. 'Ask the Amnion to rescind their instructions. As soon as they inform me that they no longer object to our transactions, your credit will be good, and I'll provide repairs which will satisfy you completely. '
    Without realizing it, Nick had tightened his shoulders, clenched his fists. By an act of will, he uncurled his fingers. But he couldn't undo the knots in his voice as he said, 'I can't do that. It's up to you, not me. You have something that belongs to me. It's something I've already promised to them - payment for services rendered. As long as you have that, I can't satisfy them. And as long as I can't satisfy them, they're going to be a threat to all of us. They may decide to just take my property away from you. '
    Smoothly the Bill said, 'I may decide to "just" give it. '
    'And if you do, ' Nick countered, "you'll be cheating me. ' He stifled a need to brandish his fists. 'I may not look like very dangerous right now, but I can do your reputation a lot of damage. Ships will stay away when they hear you've started cheating.
    'No, ' he continued harshly, 'the really simple solution is for you to give me what's mine. I'll pay your costs, of course - and a salvage fee. Then I can satisfy the Amnion, and we'll all get what we want in the end. '
    The Bill shook his long head. 'I'm afraid that's a little too simple. ' Boyish high spirits seemed to bubble in the background as he spoke. 'Just as an example of the complexities you've neglected - salvage fees depend