Variations on a Theme

[Pher 0]

“Master? We’ve got something… interesting. I think it’s your call.”

 

As they walked away from the job interviews, finding a small bit of privacy, Pher listened to Captain Joe's firm if exasperated repetition that Pher was not a slave. Of course she wasn't a slave. Still, she liked to hear Joe say she wasn't a slave. She listened patiently, smiled, and answered with a false and flirtatious submissiveness. "Yes, Master."

 

It seemed a proper time to change the subject, “Look, Dash found a dealer, and got the bulk of what we need in for medical and foodstuff. Thing is, we think most of us is hot. The dealer wants to deliver it to the ship without it getting looked at by the Guardians. Claims he can do it too. He’s got a bribed port employee who can supposedly get us to the ship without Guardian escort. Maybe he could do it in normal times, but with the Minos situation, I am not at all confident he'll make it through.

 

“If he can get through, this is a plus for us. It’s base for a rumor that we can and have thumbed noses at the Guardians, and might be able to get stuff off world. Thing is, I’m not sure we should be taking the chance. It might be better to warn the Guardians off, to be sure they let us through. We can give them a smuggler, a crooked port employee and a better chance at their big prize. We can offer them an inspection if they absolutely must. This does assume there are no leaks in the Guardians.

 

“Or we can roll the dice and hope our supplier has a real hole through port security. I've put the transaction on hold waiting on your word, but I don't think we can hold it long.

 

“How you want to play it?”