Conversations started with strangers in bars never end well…
“You are from the Earthworld, yes?”
“Sorry?” Jan looked round at where the trilling voice had come from to see a young Gren staring at him in some drunken wonder.
“You are from the Earthworld. I am correct?”
“Yeah, what of it?” Jan was in no mood to talk. He had been dumped on this ancient space station after a heated argument with his, now former, boss and had made his way immediately to the station’s only bar with little intention of leaving.
“I have heard a great many things about the Earthworld. Is it truly covered in liquid?” the Gren asked.
“Kinda… I guess. Listen, kid, I don’t feel like talking right now, so why don’t you go bug someone else?” Jan turned back to his pint and stared intently, hoping the Gren would get the message and go away. It didn’t.
“But I have heard that the Humans of the Earthworld are always eager to talk to visitors to their home.” The Gren seemed more confused than hurt.
“Look. I don’t really care what you’ve heard. I’m having a really bad day and I don’t want to spend the rest of it fielding questions about a planet I haven’t seen since I was five years old. You wanna know about Earth? Go there. I’m sure you can get a bus from this hole. But I’m warning you now, you’ll be disappointed. It’s nothing but dirt and water, same as every other planet. Now push off.”
Jan felt something in the small of his back. Unmistakably the barrel of a gun. Then he heard a voice in his ear he had tried for years to forget. “Now, now, Jan. The boy was just being curious. Weren’t you, Alan?”
“Yes, Mr. Graves.” Said the Gren, who now looked surprisingly older and a lot more sober. His voice had also dropped in pitch.
“Alan? Seriously? Your name’s Alan?”
“What’s wrong with Alan?” Asked Mr. Graves still from behind Jan.
“Nothing, I guess. It’s just not very ‘alien’. Now, are you gonna tell me why you had your friend here distract me so you could sneak up on my with a gun?”
“Because I have a business proposition for you.”
“I told you last time. I don’t like the way you do business.”
The gun was removed from the small of Jan’s back and Mr. Graves moved round next to Alan. He was wearing a well tailored suit that must have cost someone a great deal of money given his size. “Perhaps we should move somewhere a little quieter so we can talk over my proposition. My ship, maybe.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
“Okay then.”
Given Mr. Graves’ love for the finer things in life, his ship was a very utilitarian affair. It looked to be at least forty years old and almost every part of it had been repaired or replaced at some time in the past. The only things that gave any clue to its owner were the two armchairs in middle of the large cargo hold where Jan and Mr. Graves now sat. Alan had been sent off on some errand as they made their way to the ship.
“First of all,” said Jan. “How did you know I was here? I’ve only been on the station for a couple of hours.”
“Yes, but I have been monitoring your whereabouts for some time.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“No, you should not. I was greatly upset by the way our last dealing was concluded, and I have been looking for a way to rectify the situation ever since.”
“I did the job you payed me for, I don’t owe you anything.”
“What in the world do you think of me, Jan? Do you think I am some sort of hardened crime boss? A man concerned only with personal gain? It is you that I feel indebted to. I know you felt poorly treated and I want to make that up to you.”
“Poorly treated? You told your men to kill me!”
Mr. Graves looked hurt at this. “Simply a misunderstanding. I called them off, didn’t I, Jan?”
“Only after they shot me in the leg.” Muttered Jan.
“Enough of that.” said Mr. Graves, leaning forward in his seat. “To my proposition.”
“I’m really not interested.”
“You will be once you know what I’m offering you.”
“Fine. Go on.” said Jan. Clearly still unimpressed.
“Have you heard of the Aramax Sphinx?”
“Of course I’ve heard of it. I was a child once. It doesn’t exist.”
“Fortunately, you are wrong. The entrance to the lost city of the Aramax has been found on Tellos and I would like you to travel there and gain entry. It is believed that many treasures were left behind when the Aramax disappeared and I would like you to use your particular skill set to see if this is true.”
“What’s the catch?”
“Only that you take young Alan with you. He is young but eager to learn about the universe.”
“I’d rather take someone I trust than a Gren.”
“Oh, come now, Jan. Xenophobia is such an ugly thing to exist in these enlightened times. You will be able to assemble a team of your own, but keep it small.” Mr. Graves stood and began walking to the hold doors. Jan followed.
“Okay. I’ll do it. For double my usual fee.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less.”
“And I’m going to need a ship.”
“My dear, Jan. What do you think this is?” He said, gesturing to the ship around them. And with that, Mr. Graves disappeared.
