Free Torian Reclamation 3: Test of Fortitude by Andy Kasch Page B

assignment of three sleeping compartments. The beds were small and hard, just the way Alan liked them. Trodenmark gave Jumper a compact communication device so he could reach him anytime. The three of them were welcome to roam The Measure at their own will through any of the sections included on the tour and enjoy all the food and beverages they cared for.
    “Can you take us back to that trading game?” Jumper asked. Alan laughed and Kayla rolled her eyes, but Trodenmark obliged. Alan made a mental note of how to get back to their rooms as they followed him to the game room.
    Trodenmark set it up for three people. Alan, Jumper, and Kayla sat at stations on opposite sides of the round terminal. Each of them had a ship like The Measure to command. A simulated Erobian Sphere full of advanced worlds, some friendlier than others, was out there for each of them to explore. Their mission was to make friends, establish relationships, and catalog trade goods. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded, Trodenmark assured them, so he set it at a beginner’s level. He also showed them how to work the defense features, though he sternly reminded them that this wasn’t a meant to be a military video game.
    “The real trick to it is customer profiling,” he said. “Remember, everyone wants to sell and no one wants to buy. But as you learn things about your sellers you’ll discover needs even they don’t yet know they have, and find creative ways of fulfilling them.”
    He showed Jumper how to reset it for a new game in case they wanted to play more than one round.
    “But I’m warning you, this can be addictive so you might want to go get something to eat, or relax in the lounge with a drink at least, between games. And don’t let it rob you of sleep.” Trodenmark rose to leave, but stopped before exiting the room.
    “Oh, and one more thing. The programmers added some new logic based on our crew’s recent findings. I haven’t had time to personally test it yet. But supposedly, the worlds on the outer edges of the known galactic region are now prone to being more hostile. You’ll be a lot more likely to find yourself transforming your vessel into a warship if you spend too much time in those areas, from what I’ve been told. Especially if you don’t take the hint and leave right away when you’re not finding yourself welcome. I’ll remind you one more time that such activity is unproductive.”
     



Chapter Four
     
    “Rupert, where do these mini fire starters go? I thought there was a place for them at the front of the aisle.”
    “Open your eyes, man.” Rupert didn’t move from behind the computer terminal. “It’s right next to you.”
    Derek instinctively looked to his left and saw the correct bin, slightly hidden by the portable beam-hoes hanging over the top of it.
    “I see it now, thanks. Real campers don’t use these things, anyway. Jumper wouldn’t be caught dead with one.”
    “Yeah, you’re proud of your son,” Rupert said. “We all know.”
    Derek shot Rupert a scowl, but when he realized Rupert wasn’t even looking at him he laughed to himself. Derek liked Rupert. He reminded him of himself, about thirty years ago. Derek used to love a good conspiracy theory, too. But here on Banor, there wasn’t all that much to be suspicious about. In a way, that made things …boring. And it made Rupert sound insane much of the time. Derek decided to have a little fun with him.
    “Hey Rupert, you hear about this planet the kids went off to? It’s like businessman heaven or something. An entire world of pure capitalists.”
    “Not possible,” Rupert said. “For capitalists to thrive, a lower class must exist for them to exploit cheap labor from. I’m sure they have slums hidden there somewhere. And that’s where the inevitable revolutions are born.”
    “Not according to what they told Brandon. They’ve worked it out somehow where everyone on the planet is self-employed.”
    That made Rupert look up.