The Space Freighter Libereco - Navs Goes Home - Part 2

 

After the ship comes to a stop, you unstrap yourself and head for the cargo bay. From the walkway, you can see the ramp is down and 3 Uggos are talking with Cookie and Meko. One of them is likely the Port Master, and the other two are local versions of maristos, Probably intraplanetary serifoj

As you get closer, you see Cookie tapping on a vidi on the wall. “Yes, here is our request and our stamps.” On the screen you see your flight path, an attached document stating that the Independent Freighter Libereco is currently chartered by a UMP doctor, providing medical assistance on the Rim. A copy of the request calling Doctor Ion Novak to return to the Core upon the death of his father. The last is a digital memo stating that the Libereco crew is to take time to “refresh and refuel” while Dr. Novak takes care of family business.

The Port Master looks closely at each of the electronic documents. “So where’s this Doctor Novak?” He asks.

You step closer and point to your flight plan. “Sir, as you can clearly see, we just left Sankta Koro where we dropped the doctor. According to our Captain, he will give us a link when it is time to get him. Until then we are..”

“Yes, yes, yes. Refuel and refresh. All very convenient.” He then turns to Cookie. “As Cargo Master, where is your SG registration?”

“Sir, we spent the past few jaros as a medical charter. No SG cargo registration required.”

She then taps the screen again. “But if you want to see it, here is our original Independent Cargo Handlers certification.”

He looks at it. “That’s only good while out on the Rim. You can’t transport cargo in the Core with this.”

You are about to make a comment when you hear “What the hell is going on? And why aren’t you three in the market picking up supplies?” Skipper comes down the walkway and walks up to the Port Master. While Cookie was about his height and size, Skipper looks small compared to him.

“Skipper we were…” Meko says.

“These men came onboard….” Cookie continues.

“We were trying to go…” you add.

She holds up her hand to silence all of you in a very dramatic gesture. You want to smile because you know that the Skipper has it from here.

For being a smaller woman, her voice carries well though the cargo bay.

“Go get supplies now!” She says in a forceful tone. “Port Master, what is your problem? Why are you delaying my crew? What is your business on My SHIP?”

You look over at Cookie, “Don’t you need to stay to help her?”

She shakes her head with a wide grin. “No. If I did that, that would take away from her ‘angry little woman’ routine that she is going to pull on them. All of our documents are good. Port master was being a dick because we are independents. Skipper won’t take that.”

You hear the beeping horn of a ground transport, and a skinny but muscular, tan young man waves to you. “Yo, Miggy, I got the kamiono from the shop. That should hold enough groceries and whatever else you buy.”

You look at Meko, “Is that your cousin Roberto?” but before he answers, he runs up and hugs him. You notice how similar they look.

“Beto, have you been working out?” He asks as he releases his embrace.

“Probably as much as you. Who are your lovely companions?”

“Roberto, this is Navs our navigator and Cookie our Chef and Cargo Chief.”

You shake his hand and then look at the cab of the kamiono. “Are we all going to fit?”

“It will be a tight fit, but the market isn’t far.” He says with a smile.

He was right, it was a tight fit, and the drive wasn’t that far, probably only a few kilometers.

You had to sit on Cookie’s lap, which was a better choice than sitting on Meko’s.

Walking through the market, you forgot how big everything is. Cookie leads you to a grocery store that is larger than the supply depot of most Rim worlds. Meko and ‘Beto head in a different direction. Cookie holds up her minividi and says “Link me if you find something.”

He nods and takes off.

She turns to you, “That’s okay. I think the two of us can get everything we need.” She taps her minividi and pulls up the list. She taps the screen again and a copy of the list pings your minividi.

With practiced efficiency, Cookie has deliveries set for the ship of skatolvaroj, frostviando, and frostlegormoj. The only thing that she and you pick up is the fresaj produktoj.

At the kamiono, you find Meko and ‘Beto loading various repair parts onto the truck. They look at your baskets of fresaj produktoj. “Is that all you got?”

Cookie shakes her head and smiles “No, all of the long lasting things I had delivered to the ship. But I didn’t trust them to bring the fresh items in one piece.”

They nod and load up. “Anything else, or just back to the ship?”

Meko says “We can drop them off at the ship and then I’ll help you at the shop. Like I told you earlier, I got a few days planetside and want to spend it with you and your parents.”

When the kamiono pulls up, you happily get out, and grab the baskets from the back. Carrying them up the cargo ramp, you notice that Skipper is sitting, relaxing, but watching who and what comes up the ramp.

“Skipper, where’s the Port Master?” you ask.

“He and his Uggo goons said they had more suspicious ships to look at. Once we have everything, lets blast off and head to Brila Monteto.”

You follow Cookie and help put things away in the galley. When you walk back down to the cargo hold, you see a couple of delivery transports offloading.

An amplified voice yells “Stop there. Don’t load anything until I say.”

It’s the Port Master again, with more Uggos flanking him.

Skipper and Cookie meet him on the ramp and you stay by the vidi, in case you need to pull anything up. You also tap a message to Helm “Having problems with locals. Might have to make emergency take off.” He responds with “Prepped and ready”

Skipper and Cookie go back and forth, arguing with the Port Master. At first it is “purchase requests” then it is “delivery invoices” followed by “galley manifest”

This all seems just too irritating to be just local harassment, then it occurs to you, that he isn’t supported by Maristos. He’s using local Serifoj. He’s looking for a pay off but can’t say anything about it in front of witnesses.

You quickly look at the ship’s vault and assess what would be fair docking fees paid by SG, if you were an SG ship.

“Skipper” you yell and motion for her to come over to the vidi. When she is closer, you say in a low tone, “I think he is looking for a payoff. We expect that kind of thing from time to time on the Rim, but I think he’s working with the Fokalurbo crime families. If we were one of their smuggling ships, we wouldn’t have been bothered. If we were SG, we’d ask for Guild support. We’re neither so he thinks he can get something without coming out and asking for it.”

She nods slightly and looks at the vidi. “What do you recommend?”

You pull up SG docking fees paid by the guild. “If we offer to pay ‘standard docking fees’ directly to him this should all go away.”

She looks at the chart, then taps the screen and checks the vault. “That will cut into our holdings, but.”

“But if we can get things loaded, we can get out of here.” You finish.

She nods taps the screen and transfers the exact amount for Ciela Ripozo onto her minividi. Then disconnects from the ship, and closes the connection to the vault.

“Go to my cabin and disconnect the vault from the ship and put it back in my safe.”

She walks down the ramp and you hear, “Our navigator just reminded me that we forgot to pay our ‘docking fees’. We have been out on the Rim and forget about those things.”

You make your way up to Skipper’s quarters. You see the small black box connected to the ship’s system. You tap on the vidi on her wall and ensure that it is ready to be disconnected. You remove it and put it in the small security box she has mounted on wall.

With the vault disconnected, the valutos inside are as secure as they can be.

You tap another message on your minividi. “I’m coming up. Think things are okay now.”

“Understood” he responds.

In the cockpit, you see Helm changing everything from “stand by” to “launch”.

“Hey, lover, I think we are okay now.” You say as you take your seat.

He continues prepping “Uh-hu” he says absentmindedly. You see that the course is already set for Brila Monteto.

“I think Skipper has it all in hand.” You try to say reassuringly.

Without looking up he taps the main vidi. There is a small message in the corner “Get us off this damn rock when I say.”

“Oh.” You say softly. “Do you need help prepping?”

“Check all of your settings. The engines are going to continue cycling in ‘Pre-Launch’ mode.”

You nod and tap your screen. Nav points are locked in. Thrust levels are set. Everything is ready for an immediate take off if needed.

You tap your vidi and switch to Cargo bay view. Skipper and Cookie are directing the delivery drivers where to place things in the cargo hold. Cookie opened one of the ‘cold storage’ bins. You point this out to Helm. “Skipper must want to go. They aren’t even putting things in the galley.”

A few minutes later, Skipper’s voice comes over the vidi, as you watch the ramp raise. 
 “We are ready. Transmit our request and let’s go.”

“Will do” Helm says.

You link with Planetary Control. “This is the Libereco, ready to take off.” You say and send your flight plan.

A minute later a voice says, “Independent Freighter Libereco. You are cleared to leave. Your launch window is open.”

“Thank you Planetary Control”

Once you are in orbit, Skipper comes up. “Good job. Both of you. Navs, I should have recognized his greed for what it was when Cookie’s documents weren’t good enough.”

“It’s okay Skipper. I wasn’t sure at first, but when I realized that he didn’t use Maristos, but local Sarifoj, I remembered back to my training.”

Helm smacks his forehead with the palm of his hand. “When local authorities are delaying you, either contact UGA forces or meet the local’s demands.”

“Yes and it wasn’t worth calling in the Maristos for something they probably had turned a blind eye to, so I thought a ‘pay off’ was in order.” You explain.

“I should have thought of that. I thought he was just trying to throw his weight around, and show that it was his port.” Skipper says.

“We hit our window to leave orbit.” Helm says and adjusts the thrusters. You feel the artificial gravity compensate for the change in inertia.

“Thanks again. I’m going back to my cabin. Link me if you need.” Skipper comments as she turns and leaves.

You get up from your seat and lean over to Helm and kiss him on the cheek. “You are so smart and sexy.”

He turns his head and kisses your mouth with a bit more force and passion. “You are the smart and sexy one. When Skipper takes her shift, I’ll show you how much I really want you.”

You return his kiss. “Promises, promises. I’m going to get some rest. Link me if you need anything.”

You head straight for your quarters. You feel a little tired after everything you did planetside.

(If you enjoyed this, then come back tomorrow for the next part. If you enjoy my writings, leave a comment, follow, and subscribe. See you next time.)

The Space Freighter Libereco - Navs Goes Home - Part 1

 You are sitting in your seat, charting out the path to go from Sankta Koro to Brila Monteto with a side trip to Ciela Ripozo. According to your official log the Libereco is returning from the Rim after being an independent medical charter (at least that is the official story), so there shouldn’t be any issues with the Uggos while traveling through the Core.

Helm taps an icon on the main vidi and a voice comes on, “You are approaching Sankta Koro air space, please transmit your ship ID and destination.”

“Sankta Koro planetary control, we are the independent freighter Libereco, linking our information.” Helm says and nods to you. You tap your vidi screen and the information including your in-atmos flight plan is transmitted.

In a moment the voice comes back on. “Freighter Libereco, you are cleared to drop off your passenger. Remember that if you change your status to ‘Cargo Transport’ you must file a new request.”

Helm is about to respond but you tap the icon first. “Understood Planetary Control. We are completing our charter mission and taking crew rest afterwards. No cargo is to be hauled, in accordance with SG rules and regulations.” You respond in an almost automatic manner.

“Very good. Proceed to the landing terminal”

You tap the intraship-link, “We are on approach to the main planetary terminal.”

Helm guides the ship in, hitting the landing thrusters, and turning off the artificial gravity.

You feel the inertia on your body as the thrusters and planetary gravity work against each other. He pushes the thrusters a bit higher to slow your descent even more, slowly circles the landing pad and then touches down.

“You are so sexy when you do that.” You say to him and he puts everything into ‘standby’ mode.

He smiles and winks at you. “You just like the feel of real gravity on your body again.”

You unstrap, stand up, and kiss him on the cheek. “If we had more time here, I would show you how much I appreciate it.”

He kisses you back but keeps in his seat. “Skipper said that we are only dropping Kurgio off. Do you have the next leg plotted?”

You tap his screen, and your next flight path loads. He looks at it. “That’s a pretty easy run. Ciela Ripozo and then loop to Brila Monteto.” He turns to you. “So you really are going to visit your parents. Are you going to introduce me to your father?”

You lean on him and whisper in his ear “Oh Yes, I am going to bring you home so I can show Komandanto, the man who convinced his little girl to leave the service and run away with him.”

You hear him give a nervous swallow. “Really?”

“My sexy man, I love you more than anything and want to show you to my parents, and prove to them that I am doing all right.”

He smiles a bit more confidently. “Besides, it isn’t like we are seeing my father. He basically disowned me for leaving the Academy.”

“Navs, Helm. The ramp is back up. We are ready to go.” Skipper calls up on the link.

“Yes, Captain.” You respond and strap back into your chair.

Helm taps the icon, “Planetary Control, this is the freighter Libereco, requesting permission to launch.” he says as he transmits the flight plan.

“Libereco, you are clear to launch. Stay to your flight plan and good luck.” The voice says.

He hits the thrusters and you feel the g-forces press against your body. Even when you know it is going to happen, you never feel ready for it.

Minutes later the pressure eases. You check the status and hit on the artificial gravity. “Skipper we are clear. Next stop is Ciela Ripozo.” Then you unstrap and start to leave the cockpit.

“Where are you going?” Helm asks.

“If you check the path, it’s a day trip to get there. I’m going to grab a snack and a nap.”

“And leave me here all by my lonesome?” He responds like a little child.

“Maybe later, if you are a good boy, I will give you something nice.” You say with a wink and blow him a kiss.

Down in the galley, Cookie is scrolling through recipes on the vidi. “Hi Cookie, got anything to snack on?” you ask

“Hey Navs. I think I still have some biscuits and jeleo from matenmango.

You go to the cooler and pull out the jar of jeleo. It’s a mixture of berries. It smells and tastes so good. Then you take the sack of biscuits from the bread box.

You slather some on a biscuit and walk over to her. “What ’cha doin’?” you ask between bites.

The large woman taps the screen, then scrolls to the next item. “Looking at what to make for our next mango. I just need to make sure whatever I pick, we have everything to make it on hand.”

“Why don’t we just pick up more stuff at Ciela Ripozo or Brila Monteto, or one of the stations in between?” You sit down on a stool close to her and pull another biscuit from the bag.

“Oh we can. And some of the items will be cheaper here in the Core. But I’d rather hold off until we really need to.” She says as she is focused on the screen.

You spoon some more jeleo onto a biscuit and then you remember Cookie once told you about her childhood.

Unlike you, she was from a Rim planet that was brought into the Core, by relocating and ‘civilizing’ the ‘hill people’ and ‘free holders’. UGA Ataka Sipos glassed the dwellings from orbit and had the UGA planetary organizers work with terraformers to ensure that the planets were properly set for civilized colonization. New families with official credential and authorization were brought in and made these planets proper members of the Core.

All the ‘free holders’ and ‘first ones’ were relocated to existing Core worlds and given jobs and education.

You think for a moment. “If you want, I know some of the good trade markets on Brila Monteto. Meko probably can find you what you want on Ciela Ripozo. If you give us a list we can do the shopping, and you can stay here.”

She looks up from the vidi. “But aren’t we just dropping each of you off to visit family?”

You realize that you aren’t as hungry as you thought so you seal up the bag and set it on the table. Then you close the jeleo jar and go put it back in the cooler. “We are, but a quick shopping trip won’t cut into things. I have been to Ciela Ripozo too if Meko says he’ll be too busy. There is a large market near the cargo landing terminal.”

She taps the screen again. “I’ll think about it.”

You place a soft reassuring hand on her shoulder and leave the galley, heading for your quarters. Everyone knows you are from a milita familio, but no one holds you responsible for acts that members of your family might have committed jaros ago. You don’t want to think about how either your father or Helm’s father might have commanded the ships that relocated her and her people. You know that your parents were probably too young to be in command of a ship, but that doesn’t excuse that they are part of a system that caused a lot of pain for “the greater good”.

You see Meko, checking one of the access panels. “Hey Meko, are you excited about going home?”

He smiles at you brightly, “You bet. I sent a link to my cousin. He’ll meet at the landing terminal.”

“Can you switch it to the Cargo terminal? Cookie might need us to get a few things at the interplanetary market.”

He closes up the panel, and secures it, then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his midividi. Tapping the screen, he sends out a message. “Do you know what she needs to pick up?”

“I dunno. She was looking at various recipes. Let’s ask her.” You say as you turn back to the galley with Meko in tow.

“Hey Cookie” Miko says as you both enter. “I sent a link to my cousin, and he will meet us at the Cargo Facility at Fokalurbo on Ciela Ripozo. That’s the largest interplanetary market in the area.”

Cookie looks away from the vidi, and cocks an eyebrow. “You don’t have to do this. I can have Skipper file a ‘refuel and resupply’ plan. We don’t need to take you away from your family.”

“It’s not like that at all. Roberto loves to go through the market at Fokalurbo. That’s were we get the best parts for his parent’s repair shop. If it wasn’t for us watching the ships load and offload cargo there, we might never have gotten the ideas to be ship’s engineers.”

You look at Meko, “Is your cousin an engineer like you?”

He smiles broadly, “No one is an engineer like me. ‘Beto’ is a really good mechanic though. He talks about signing on with a ship, but his parents really need his help keeping the shop going, or at least that’s my thought.”

You nod and then turn to Cookie. “You don’t have to come along. Just give us the list and we’ll do it.”

She wrinkles her brows, “What makes you kids think that I trust you to get quality nutrajvendejoj? You might be able to trade for things on the rim, where choices are limited, but I don’t trust you youngin’s.” she says with a smile and a wink.”

“Ok.” You say slightly confused. “I thought you didn’t really want to come back to the Core.”

“What’d you think a thing like that?” She asks, her ‘hill country’ accent trying to creep in. 

“You were really quiet after that planet with the asteroids and wrecks.” You say in a soft tone.

She leans back in her chair for a moment. “Oh.” She says with a long pause. “I’d have liked to stay with Kris. Her set up reminded me of what my Granp and Pa built.”

She gets up and grabs a mug, fills it at the instahot spout, and drops in a tea cube. You silently watch as she stirs the dissolving cube into the hot water then sips it. She has a sad look in her eyes. “As beautiful as it was, my place is here.” She says, sips and then focuses on you and Meko. “Besides who’s going to cook for you?”

Meko starts to raise his hand, “I can cook..”

But you take his hand, “We can all assist in the galley but no one makes mangoj like you do. I’ll make sure the heading has us landing at Fokalurbo.” You say as you pull Meko from the galley to let Cookie enjoy her tea and finish making her lists.

“But I can cook.” Meko tries to say, though you quickly remind him of the time he tried to make Cookie’s gulaso without using her recipe, and it was almost inedible.

“Anyone can make a mistake with the seasonings. She doesn’t label everything clearly.” He tries to say in his defense.

You kiss him on the cheek in a sisterly manner, “You keep telling yourself that. I’ll tell you when we are on approach.”

After making minor adjustments to the course and adding a “refuel and resupply” addendum to the plan, everything is ready. Helm hands things off to Skipper, and for the next few hours you go back to your cabin, strip out of your coveralls, and lie in each other’s arms. You playfully stroke the soft hair on Helm’s chest. “How do you think Kurgio’s doing?” you ask.

He softly caresses your ass. “He’s with family. He’s probably alright.”

“Do you think he has to explain things like I’ll have to do when we see the Komandanto?”

“I don’t know. I heard his father was disappointed he was a ‘ship’s doctor’, but that’s who’s dead, so he won’t be arguing with him.” He says.

You lift your head up and kiss his mouth. “You are probably right. So should we continue just snuggling, or do something a bit more vigorous?” You ask in a playful tone.

He sighs and holds you firmly. “Let me rest for a bit. When we get close to Ciela Ripozo I am going to need focus on landing. That’s a really busy port.”

“I can land us if you don’t feel you are up to the task.” You say, still in a playful mood.

“Are you questioning my abilities to fulfill tasks?” He responds with a wink.

“Maybe. Maybe I don’t think you can focus enough to give me what I want.”

“And just what is that?”

You reach down into his shorts and grab his soft prick. “What I always want.”

He hugs you tightly and kisses you. In true form, he licks you to an orgasm and lets you stroke and suck him until he gives you a hot load of his ‘lakto’.

Skipper’s voice comes across the vidi, “If you two are done, we are making our initial approach.”

“I’ll be up Skipper” Helm says as he pulls back on his coveralls.

“Do you need me?” you ask.

He kisses you, “No. I got this. If you are going with Meko and Cookie, you should probably get cleaned up and dressed. Or do you want to walk into the market smelling like fresh sex?”

“It was only oral. This time.” You teasingly respond.

(If you enjoyed this, return tomorrow for the next part of Navs’ story. If you enjoy my writings, leave a comment, follow and subscribe. See you next time.)

The Space Freighter Libereco - Kurgio is Called to the Core - Part 5

After you have seen the headlines for the third time, you hear the door unlock and Mateo walks in. “Hey, Ionny. Anything interesting?” he asks as he sets down his small travel-bag, sets his minividi on a charger, and pulls a bottle from the cooler. Unlike the water you were drinking, your brother grabs a beer.

He collapses into a lounger near you and takes a sip. “I’m a little surprised that Charlie isn’t down here.”

“She is probably resting. We ‘worked out’ when I arrived. Used her bedroom and then took a shower.” You say as you lean back in the living room sofa.

“I’m glad I timed it right. I would have hated to walk in on her again.” He says in an almost bored tone.

You lean forward, “What do you mean ‘again’?”

“You saw for yourself. She is an attractive woman, who knows what she wants. If I’m on shift, she has a full run of the house. I do the same in her place.” He responds.

“So she does this with other guys?” You ask, though in the back of your mind it makes sense. She seemed very comfortable and relaxed doing it.

Matty leans forward. “It isn’t the other guys that I mind. It’s catching her with family where I get irritated.”

You were sipping your water, and cough as you try not to choke. “Family. You mean Pacjo? Charlie was fucking our father?”

“Actually, I think he was fucking her at the time, but yes.” Matty explains.

“Does Panjo know?” you ask as you lean forward and lower your voice.

“About Charlie, probably not; about most of the nurses and assistants that worked with him, probably.”

You know you have been away for a while, but you aren’t sure how you didn’t know about your father’s infidelities. It’s not that you are a prude, you were raised with an understanding of sex and marriage being separate things but after being on the Libereco for so long, you got use to couples that were exclusive, or at least mostly so.

Matty sets down his beer. “But you didn’t come here for Pacjo’s sex life. Why are you here?”

You stand up for a moment and collect your thoughts, slowly pacing around the living room. “You are right. I am here to find out about his kankro. How did it go undiagnosed and why weren’t you able to treat it?”

“Ok. First, grab yourself a beer and sit back down.” Matty says and he moves the lounger into a sitting position.

You pull one from the cooler, take a sip, and then walk back into the living room. The beer is the first one you’ve had in the Core since you left. It tastes smooth, cool, and almost pure. Out on the rim, you drank mostly tea but would have something stronger when it was time to celebrate. Most of the time it is alcohol that was locally made and not up to UGA purity standards.

You sit and face your brother. “Ok. Tell me.”

“Pacjo was officially retired. He only worked in the clinics from time to time to help out and earn extra valutos.”

You nod at that, confirming what Panjo told you.

“He was also having sex with a few of his assistants before or after shift. I don’t think there was any romantic feelings with them, just physical sex.”

“Sort of like Charlie?” you ask.

He sips his beer and nods. “Yeah, like that. Think back to your Sociology classes. ‘Marital partnering in the UGA is for the creation and raising of families. Sex outside of that partnering is highly encouraged so long as it is done as a recreational and physical activity for the health benefits of all involved’.”

You nod and continue “Yes, ‘Romantic partnering is a biological drive and should be pared with Marital partnering for couple stability.’ Yes I remember that from Medschool. So you are saying that Pacjo was just being a good citizen and exercising his right for sex outside of his marriage?”

He sets down his beer again. “Yes. Panjo does too, apparently. At least according to her medi-log.”

You want to be shocked and surprised by this, but all of the UGA values you were raised with just lock back into place. Marriage is separate from sex. Something that the more religiously minded types have fought against and fled to the Rim.

“Ok, but what does all of this have to do with his undiagnosed kankro?” you ask to get back to the topic.

“Well, apparently when he was supposed to be going in for his physicals, he was using his professional authority to modify his medi-log. Instead of getting examined by either the medi-comp or another doctor, he would come down, have sex with an assistant, log the time as a medical physical, and give himself a clean bill of health.”

You shake your head in disbelief. “That was selfish and stupid. He was jeopardizing his stamp and his status as a doctor.”

“It wasn’t until he was feeling weak and tired, that I had Charlie give him a full work up.”

You wrinkle your brows in a confused look. “But you just said that Charlie and him..”

“That was here. Not in the hospital. Charlie, once she is in the building, is a total professional, and apparently immune to Pacjo’s charms. She diagnosed him as Stage IV that spread though his system. It probably started either colon, testes, or bladder. But by the time we found it, there was little to do but keep him comfortable.”

You still must have that confused look on your face as you ask, “But why didn’t he see an oncologist?”

Matty picks up his beer and finishes it. “He did. Afterwards when they offered very little hope, Pacjo asked for me to become his personal physician. We tried a couple rounds of gene replacement therapy, but there wasn’t really any healthy tissue to use. It had spread to most of his systems.” He bows his head for a moment. “Panjo and I agreed we would do what we could to keep him comfortable for as long as we could. She was the one to administer the fina pafo. He selected the date and the location. She administered it, and I declared him dead, with Charlie as a medical witness. He was at peace and it was beautiful.” Matty says raising up his head with tears in the corners.

“I’m sorry I missed it.” You say after a moment of silence.

“It’s okay Ionny. You and Pacjo fought and argued before you left. I don’t know if you being here would have really changed anything.”

He stands up and looks at the time. “I was going to make something to eat before I go to bed. Are you hungry, or do you want to take the metrooj back to Panjo’s house?”

You wipe the unshed tears from your eyes and stand up. “I’ll stay. How about I cook for you. I’ve learned a few things out on the Rim.”

Both of you look at what he has in the cabinets, pantry, and cooler. You have all the ingredients to make kokido alfredo. Your brother’s cooker is larger than the one on the Libereco, but easier to use. You cut up the kokido breasts and throw them in the pan, quickly cooking them. Matty measures out water and noodles for you, which you add to the hot meat. Finally he melts some fromago into a sauce, which you stir into the mixture until it is all creamy.

“That smells good! Can I have some?” you hear Charlie say as she comes down the stairs.

“I made enough for leftovers. That’s what Cookie normally does.”

“Who?” your brother asks as he grabs plates and silverware.

“Hand me a serving bowl and I’ll tell you all about the crew of the Libereco.”

You dish up and eat. During the meal you tell about your life on the Rim, as you listen to both of them tell too.

When it is done, Mateo grabs three small glasses and a bottle of Unicum. “Welcome home.” He says as he fills the glasses and offers you one.

You sniff it. The strong herbal scent reminds you of traditional holiday meals and your father offering toasts in a language long since forgotten.

You hold up your glass, “What would Pacjo say?”

Matty smiles “I could never pronounce it, but Panjo’s people would say ‘E ku’.”

You and Charlie hold up your glasses and say “E ku.” The strong herbal liquor burns the back of your tongue and throat as you sip it.

Charlie’s glass is empty, and Matty refills it. “You did it too fast. We aren’t back in Medschool.”

You continue. “Yes, this is a traditional drink from Pacjo’s heritage, and you sip it after a meal, during times of celebration.”

“Before we continue, how much longer do you have before you start your next shift, Charlie?”

She looks at the time, then at the bottle, and sighs. “Let me finish this one, and I’ll go to bed. I have my alarm set to get me up in time. You two can continue without me.”

“E ku” you say raising your glass towards Charlie, then sipping a little more.

When everyone’s glass is done, Charlie goes to bed and you and Matty clean up.

“You know, Ionny, you don’t have to sleep on the couch. You could ask Charlie for some more hospitality before morning.” He says with a wink and a grin.

“No. I have enjoyed this. Just catching up, remembering some of the traditions. You seem to be doing well here.”

“I am. As well as a UMP doctor can in the Core.” He says with a smile.

“I see, but this isn’t the life for me. Tomorrow, I’ll take the metrooj back to Panjo’s house and spend a few days with her. My Captain gave me a window of time when she would be ready to return. I’ll send a link then.”

You spend the next few hours talking and drinking, which alternates between beer and water. Matty listens as you talk more about the crew. Asking questions from time to time about why you aren’t sleeping with Cookie, Skipper, or Navs. You explain that Skipper has a lover, Oficiro Lee, a Maristo; and Cookie, she is a friend, and prefers sex with women. As for Navs, she and Helm are exclusive. Vocal, obvious, and open, but exclusive. They are all like family. Even Meko, who can be like an irritating little frateto.

You stare off into empty space and say. “They are like family.”

(I hope you enjoyed Kurgio’s story. It took longer than I originally planned. If you did; leave me a comment. If you enjoy my writings, follow and subscribe. I try to post new stories every Friday.)

The Space Freighter Libereco — Kurgio is Called to the Core — Part 4

 

Your brother’s house is very similar to your parents.  “UGA really standardized everything in the Core. Almost to the point of making everything the same.” You think to yourself.

Using your minividi, the door unlocks and opens.  The vidi in the living room turns on and starts showing local news and weather.

“Matty is that you?” Calls a female voice from another room.

 “Hello?” you respond loudly.

A woman wearing exercise clothing walks into living room. She pulls audiloj from her ears and taps her minividi.  “Oh, I missed Matty’s message, earlier. You must be, his brother Ion.” She walks closer and extends her hand.

You shake hers.  “Yes, I’m Ion, but he hadn’t mentioned you. You are…”

“I’m Charlie.” She says with a smile.

“It’s been jaros since I talked with my brother. Are you and he?”   

“Oh, no. I’m a colleague from Suda Okcidenta.  He lets me stay here when I need and he stays at my place there when he needs.” She explains as she heads to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of water from the cooler.

You follow her, watching how shapely she is as she moves. “That makes sense. No fast metrooj going between the continents. Are you working at the local clinics?” you ask.

She sits on a stool in the kitchen, crossing her ankles. “Yeah, every few months I do a rotation to help out up here, and Matty does the same. UMP is still trying to increase the number of doctors on the planet, but other planets have greater needs. I’m lucky that I am only bouncing between continents. I’ve heard of whole med staffs who are bouncing between planets.”

You realize that you could use a drink, so you open the cooler and take a water. “At least in the Core, UMP is trying to keep things stable.” You say as you take a sip.

“That’s right, Matty said you’ve been on the Rim. How does that work?” she leans forward genuinely interested.

You walk around the kitchen, explaining how you are part of an independent crew going from world to world, making cargo runs and that you offer medical help when needed.

“That sounds like a lot of work and very little stability.” She says as she stands up and stretches.

“By the way, did I interrupt your workout?” You ask nodding at her attire.

“Yeah, I finished a full day shift and wanted to workout to relax.  Matty won’t be home for a few more hours and I thought I would work up a good sweat.” She says putting the cap on her almost empty bottle. “Do you work out?”

“All the time. In space, even with artificial gravity, I still need to keep the muscles strong and flexible.” You respond.

She reaches out and squeezes your bicep. “Mmmm that feels solid. I think I can find some of Matty’s workout clothes if you want. I’m always happy to have a ‘workout buddy’, to help me focus.”

Her hand feels good on your arm, even through the fabric of your shirt.  “If he has a shirt and shorts, that will work.” You say as you pull off your long sleeved shirt that you are wearing.

“Wow” she says as she looks at your bare chest.

“What? I’m not really built, just toned.” You respond.

She step walks closer and rubs the soft curly hair on your chest. “I haven’t seen anyone with body hair. It feels so soft.”

You chuckle for a second. “I keep forgetting about that. Our ship uses water recycling and reclamation, so we don’t use sonic showers or sonic cleaners for most things.”

Excitement enters her voice. “You mean you have hair other places on your body? Maybe we should work up a sweat in my bedroom?”

You remember what your brother said about ‘making yourself at home and enjoying local hospitality’ “Lead the way.”

She goes to the back of the house, and you follow. As she does, she pulls off her top and sports bra, revealing that her dark tan is all over, at least all over her torso. Her dark hair is in a ponytail that goes to the back of her neck.  

She enters her room and turns and faces you. She pulls down and steps out of her workout leggings. Her tan is all over her lower half too. “You must enjoy the sun.” you comment.

She straightens up, fully naked. “Oh yes. I enjoy going outside and letting the sunlumo tan me all over. Natural vitamin D, is a UMP recommendation for everyone.” She says walking closer to you. “You must not be getting enough. You are lighter than your brother.” She rubs your chest and reaches to help undo your trousers.

You lean forward and kiss her mouth. Her lips are soft and damp, warm and alive. As good as cybersluts are, they don’t compare to a live human.

She unfastens your pants, and you push them down. She reaches into your briefs.

“There’s soft hair there too.” She says.  Dropping to her knees, she pulls them down, freeing your hardening cock.  “Mmmmmm I like how you look.” She says running her fingers though your trimmed patch of pubic hair and grasping your shaft with the other hand. You feel her warm breath across the tip and then you feel her tongue as she slowly licks you.
“I forgot to ask. Are you a Generalist or a Specialist?” you say trying to distract yourself from how good she feels.

Before she answers, you feel her take you into her mouth. A mouth that is warm, wet, and has a gentle suction. She pulls you free and strokes it, using her saliva as a lubricant. “Medically, I’m a generalist, but when it comes to the bedroom, I’m a specialist.” She then sucks you again, but firmer this time. You also feel her fingers along the crack of your ass as she plays with your anus.

You place your hands on her head.  “You are good. But if you don’t want me to finish quickly, then let’s move to the bed and let me show you my ‘specialist skills’.”

She takes you deeper into her mouth and you feel her nose rub your pubic hair.

You grab a handful of her hair. “Let’s switch for a moment.” You say, breathing harder.

She releases and smiles up at you. “Ok.” The she stands up and kisses you. A kiss that is harder and more passionate than you kissed to her.

She backs up and lies down on the bed. Her firm ass near the edge, allowing you full access to your beautifully smooth pussy. You spread her legs and kiss the inside of her right thigh. The skin is so smooth and warm. You slowly kiss your way closer her labia. Her lips are so wet and ready. 

“Mmmmmm you are a specialist too, I see. Doctor.” She says with a playful tone.

Using the tip of your tongue, you slowly lick up and down the folds of her outer lips, going around and across. Then you slowly lick between the inner lips. She is so damp. You lick up and use your fingertips to pull back her hood. You lick around and then softly suck her clitoris. “You are better than your brother at that.” She says.

You know it isn’t a competition, and even if it wasn’t true, she wouldn’t say so, while you are going down on her.

You suck it firmer and use the tips of your fingers along her lips, lubricating them with her juices. Once your fingers are wet, you slide them in. Going a little in and then out.  Each gentle thrust, you go a little deeper. You alternate licking and sucking her clit.

You feel her fingers in your hair, grasping and pulling as she enjoys what you do.

Your fingers are now fully in and so you work them in and out, twisting and trusting, faster and deeper. 

“Ooo fiko”  she moans as she climaxes around your fingers. You stop sucking her clit and lick her wet pussy, so you can taste her pleasure. You are so hard now and stand up. You rub the head across her wet open lips, and then thrust into her.

“If you enjoyed that, then you’ll enjoy this.” You say as you grip her strong, toned legs and fuck her as hard as you can. She grabs her hard, dark nipples and pulls them firmly. “Yes….just… Like….that…” she pants. You are working up a sweat as you are almost done too.  You feel the pleasure moving though you, as you pull out, and stroke your lubed shaft. Shooting your semen all across her bare mound and flat belly.

She releases one nipple and rubs her clit in small fast circles, using your cum as lube. In a moment, she tightens her thighs around her hand in pleasure.

Stepping back you look for a towel.

She sits up. “You made a mess on me.” She says in a mocking tone.

“Yeah, I was looking for a towel or rag.” You respond.

She gets up and takes your hand. “As much as I love the feel of your body hair, it is time for a sonic shower.”

She hands you a protective cap for your head, and then places one on hers. She leads you into the stall.  She then hits the button. You feel the sonic heads direct the sound waves that removes the top layer of your skin and all of the body hair with it. You grew up using one of these, but after a jardeko of water showers, it feels different. When it turns off, Charlie hands you a towel to rub on your skin, removing any loose skin left behind. When she steps out of the stall, you hand her a towel. As she rubs it along her skin, she looks at you. “I think I liked the body hair better. Maybe when I finish my shift tomorrow, I will have you come by and compare.” She says with a wink and a smile.

You get dressed and then head to the living room. You watch the news and weather on the vidi until Mateo gets home.

The Space Freighter Libereco - Kurgio is Called to the Core - Part 3

Stepping off of the cargo ramp, you look at the red sun low in the sky.  It has been jaros since you were here. The landing terminal is all plasteel and duraglass.  The curves of the buildings are supposed to give it an organic look, but that makes it look so artificial and fake. Out on the Rim, you had a mix of prefab and hand made. Here, it is all so industrial but made to look natural.

As you enter the terminal, your minividi beeps. Skipper sends a voice link. “We’re leaving, once we are cleared to take off. Reach out if you need anything.”

“Will Do. Safe travels.” You say as you shift the strap of your bag, higher on your shoulder. 

The signs point to “Planetary Arrivals” and “Planetary Departures”. A smaller sign on the arrivals side points to “Intraplanetary Transportation”.

At the Arrivals desk, a friendly woman greets you. “Bonvenon al Sankta Koro. Cu ci, tio estas via unua visito, kaj cu vi restos longe?”

You hold your minividi against the reader and it pulls your information.

“I’m here to visit my family.” You respond in flawless Esperanto.

“Dankon. Guu vian restadon.” She replies as your planetary access is granted on your minividi. You give her a quick smile, which she returns with a long practiced familiarity, and motions you to move before she says, “Sekva” and helps the next person.

You walk past the Medical Access office and flash the “All Clear” stamp on your minividi. If you didn’t you would have had to answer a long questionnaire and receive, robotically, whatever shots you were missing.  While still on the Libereco, you did all that in advance, and made sure you were medically cleared. That last thing you wanted was to be placed on a “medical hold” because you forgot a shot or didn’t properly record it on your medi-log.

You follow the signs to the intraplanetary transports.  They always remind you of large bugs.  The flying ones are like libeloj, and the land ones are like skaraboj. 

You go the large round passenger door of a flying one. “Where would you like to go?” the computerized voice asks you.  There is a human in the driver’s seat too, but he is basically “emergency backup” if the computer fails.

You give him the address of your childhood home. “Very good. We should be there in approximately one hour.” The voice responds as you put your bag in the luggage space and strap in the seat. The large door closes and the engines power up.  The large flapping wings start to move and vibrate until they generate lift.

You lean back in the seat and close your eyes, feel it ascend, and drift off to sleep.

When you wake, you are circling over the family home as the ship verifies that the neighborhood landing pad is clear.  “We will be descending in 5 minutes, please prepare yourself.” The computer voice announces.

It touches down softly and gently. When the engines pause, the voice says. “Please take all of your belonging and exit the craft.”

You unstrap, get up, grab your bag, send a few valutos as a tip, and wave to the human in the cockpit. He gives you a lazy “thumbs up” and then checks his vidi for their next passenger.

The house is a short walk from the pad, so you are home in minutes.

It looks almost the same as when you left it. Standard UGA construction. Not too big nor too small. Environmentally friendly and plugged into the local grid.

As medical professionals your family made a comfortable living, similar to UGA teachers or other necessary planetary civil servants. The Core is “fair and structured”. At least that is what everyone believes.

You hold your minividi to the electronic lock and the door opens. Your mother is walking into the foyer.  “Ionny! You made it.” She says as she hugs you tightly. It has been over 10 jaros since anyone called you Ion or Ionny.  Ion Ladipo Novak is your full and official name. But you prefer Doc or Kurgio. Ion seems like it belongs to another person.

Your mother kisses your cheek. Her naturally dark skin contrasts against your lighter tone. She then steps back.  “Let me look at you. You mustn’t see any sunlumo. You have gotten pale.” But she then squeezes your arm.  “But you keep in shape. Good. I worried that you’d let your muscles atrophy with all that space travel.”

“Panjo, you know we have artificial gravity on the ships. And I spend a fair amount of time planetside on the various Rim Worlds.”

She kisses you again. “I am so happy to see you. Your brother will be too. Go put your bag in your room. Then come down and we can catch up.”

You hug her tightly again and then walk upstairs to your old bedroom.

The door is open and you see your old furniture: a durasteel frame bed, a faux wood dresser, a plasteel desk and matching chair, and of course your old wardrobe. The place you played in as a child.

You set your bag on the bed. You will unpack it later, because you want to know what happened to your father, so you head back downstairs.

Your mother is sitting at the dining room table, sipping a mug of coffee. “Ionny, do you want some coffee or do you still drink tea?”

“I still like tea, Panjo. Do we have some in the kitchen?” you ask, realizing that your mother wants you to sit and drink with her, like she taught you kids to do when there was something serious to discuss. 

In the kitchen, you easily find a mug you preferred when you lived there, an old style, hand-thrown ceramic mug. Perfect for tea or coffee. Then you find a box of tea cubes. The mixture of herbs and seasonings that your father preferred, and you learned to like.

Instahot water fills the mug and the cube quickly dissolves, creating the hot, fragrant mixture you enjoy so much.

You sit in a chair close to your mother and set the mug on the table. “Panjo, what happened to Pacjo? How did he die?”

She takes a slow sip of her coffee, then sets it down. “Kankro.” She says.

You sit back for a second and think “Cancer? That doesn’t make sense, not with all of the technology available.” You reach your hands and grasp hers.  “What kind of Kankro? And why didn’t it get found during his physicals.”

Tears well up in her eyes. “Ask your brother. Matty treated him before he died, and knows what happened.”

You feel confused. Mateo is a very good doctor but not an oncologist. Your frateto is a general doctor, doing rotating shifts at various local hospitals. “Tell me what you know.”

You say holding her hands more tightly.

“After your father and I retired, we talked about traveling. Visiting other parts of the Core, and maybe even seeing some of the new Rim.” She pulls her hands free of yours and takes her coffee mug. She sips it again before continuing. “He started volunteering at some of the local clinics, which were shorthanded, and staffed by Medi-comps.

“We have one onboard the ship, but I never use it. Pacjo told us to never trust them. Go on.” You say taking a moment to sip your tea.

“UMP paid him for his time, on top of his pension. So we were saving up the valutos to take a trip. It was easy money for him, just verifying that the Medi-comps diagnoses were correct before patients should follow them.” She continues.  “After a few months of doing it, he seemed run down and tired all the time. I asked him to get a physical at the hospital. They said it was stage IV and spreading through his system.” Tears run down her face.   

“Why didn’t it get caught earlier?” You ask genuinely curious.

She took a tissue from a dispenser near her and wiped her eyes and face. She then paused for a moment. “You should ask your brother.”

You sip your tea and wonder what isn’t being said.  It seems like your father was keeping secrets from your mother. You finish your mug, get up, go to rinse it in the sink. You see the sonic scrubber and use it to clean the cup, then set it where it was.

“It’s been years since I use one of those.” You say aloud. “Our ship is an older one and has a water reclamation and recycling system.”

“None of that here.” She says, following you into the kitchen. “Water is for cooking and drinking. Welcome back to the Core.” She finishes her cup and then cleans it, too. Quick and efficient, just like UGA proclaims everywhere.

“I’ll unpack and then link with Matty.” You lean and kiss your mother on her cheek, “Thanks for the tea, Panjo.”

 After hanging things up in the wardrobe, and putting things in drawers, you sit on your bed and look at your minividi.  You could link with your brother but you aren’t sure if he is working, or even awake right now. He might be on the other side of the planet, if he is even on Sankta Koro. You stare at the blank screen. You have too many unanswered question concerning your father. You close the door to your old bedroom and sit down on the bed. You tap your brother’s name on the contact list. In a moment his face fills the screen.

“Ionny! Panjo said you might send a link. From the look of the background, you’re home.”  He says, the collar of his scrubs and coat are just visible.

“Frateto, are you at work? If you are busy, this can wait.”

“Ionny, don’t call me that and, I won’t call you maljunul.  I thought we outgrew all of that.”

You smile for a moment. “Of course Matty. Or would you prefer Doctor Novak?”

“If we both ‘Doctor Novak’ each other, we won’t get anywhere.” He says with a wink and a smile. “So what do you need, Ion?”

You sigh for a moment, realizing that the playful banter is over. “Realistically, I need answers. You were Pacjo’s doctor? What happened?”

His eyes glance off screen. “I’ve got about 5 more hours on shift. Why don’t you take the metroo over to my place.” He taps his screen and an address and access code are added to your minividi. “Make yourself at home. Heck you might even enjoy the hospitality of some of my neighbors.” He says with a grin.

“Ok. Will do.” You say. He taps his screen closed before you can say anything else.

 You tell your mother you are going to Mateo’s house. You hadn’t seen it but he invited you over. She kisses you and says “Be careful.” All of a sudden you feel like you are a 10-jaro old kid going out to play at the local park. You shake your head at that and walk to the metroo.  You had been away from the Core for so long, you forgot that metrooj run all through the planet, connecting communities with a clean and easy way to quickly move lots of people. When you are at the statio, you look at the map on the vidi. Tapping the screen, you see which lines you need to take to get to your brother’s house, or at least to his city and neighborhood.

You download the information onto your minividi and board the tube. Minutes later you are at the main city station.  This line continues where you need to go so you wait a moment and then you are in his city.  Your minividi shows you how far you need to still walk to get to his house. “I forgot how easy somethings are in the Core.”

(Come back for the next part of the story.)

The Space Freighter Libereco - Kurigo is Called to the Core - Part 2

 

While the ship is planetside, you are standing on the gangway and watching as both crew and colonists unload the cargo. It is all in non-descript boxes, but Cookie scans the code on each box, and ticks off on her minividi. You have your emergency bag beside you, and are waiting in case something happens. More than once, you have joked with the crew that if this ship was in a story or a video, something would go wrong all the time and you would have to patch up blaster burns and bullet holes, but it is reality, and people just want what they paid for. No cheating or double dealing. If they did, then no independents would service them, and SG would enforce their shipment with Maristos. That is something that no “Free Holder” out on the Rim really wants.

You watch Skipper shake hands with the lead of the trading team, as Cookie gives a “thumbs up” to her. Everything paid for was received. You sigh and pick up your medbag to put it back in Med Bay.

“Doc.” You hear Cookie call. “When you are done, meet Skipper and me in her cabin.”

“Will do.” You say as you walk away and hear the ramp of the cargo bay lift up and close.

After putting the bag away, knock on the open door of the captain. “Skipper, you wanted me?” You see her sitting in her chair with Cookie sitting on the bunk.

“Doc, Shut the door.” She says.

You close the hatch behind you, “What’s up? This looks serious.” you ask in an extremely curious tone.

Skipper pulls up a star chart on one of her Vidis. “We need to take you to Sankta Koro. That will take us through a lot of main shipping lane checkpoints.”

“I’m sorry about that Skipper. Should I find a commercial transport or…”

Cookie interrupts. “No need. We just need to have you sign agreement where you have chartered us as ‘non-standard medical transport’.”

“Yes” Skipper continues. “You have spent the past few jaros visiting and providing routine and emergency care to rim system colonists.”

Cookie gets up and clicks on another vidi. A multi-jaro log fills the screen. It has dates and locations already filled in. Some have your stamp next to the entries, and others are various colony stamps. “This is your medi-log. It has your name and not the Ship’s Doctor title on it. Keep the Libereco Med Bay log separate. While we are traveling though the Core, this is your medi-log.” She explains.

You give both of them a confused look. “Why?” and then it dawns on you what they did. “As a charter, you have reason to travel to various planets, and wouldn’t require SG stamps. You aren’t carrying cargo; you are ferrying me from place to place. I got it.”

They both nod. Cookie points out the dates and the star chart lights up. “Anyone verifying our travel logs will show that we went to each of those worlds and the dates coincide with an entry in your medi-log. Most were routine “health checks” but in those few cases where you gave medical attention to someone, we used your entry from the ship’s medi-log and copied it.”

“Wow! That’s brilliant. Is there anything else you need from me?” you ask.

Skipper pulls up a prefilled financial statement, “I need you to sign and say that you paid us these amounts on these dates.”

“But where did I get the valutos for that?” you ask.

“From the colonists you provided treatments for. Remember, it’s the Rim. If you want to charge for services, you can.” Cookie says.

“But I would never…” You try to protest, but realize you have to show that you are paying the Libereco and it’s crew somehow. “Ok. I get it. I’m charging the colonists, the same they paid for whatever we delivered.”

Cookie sits back down on the bunk, smiling. “Yep. It balances our books, explains our travels, and makes you look like a medical hero.”

“Ok.” You say and sign the statement.

Skipper gets out of her chair and shakes your hand. “Thank you, Doctor. As of now we are officially working for you. We will set a course for Sankta Koro, as per your official request.” She says as she nods at the last entry on the log “Travel to Sankta Koro, due to request from family member.”

“All of that should keep the Uggos happy.” Cookie says with a twinkle in her eyes.

You are a couple of days from a saltopunkto. Once you get there the pordego will jump you from the Rim to the Core lanes. You spend that time reading Cookie’s log entries. They are mostly true. You try to remember the things that are exaggerated, in case you have to explain them. Then you modify your Med Bay to look more like a traveling doctors facility and less like a ship’s doctor’s bay. You adjust and place more emergency trauma kits in easy reach, and pack two large bags with ‘standard colonist needs’.

When you are about done, you hear. “Wow! Kurgio, you really changed things around.” Meko walks in, looking at how you rearranged everything. “Why? Was there something that wasn’t working for you?” the curious mechanic asks.

“No. But if you are my Medical Transport, I should have things better set to reflect that.”

“Ok.” But Meko gets a serious look across his face. “Is this going to change what or how you do things?”

You realize that he is doing that “plan for every emergency” thing that makes him such a good mechanic. “No. When it comes to ship board emergencies, nothing has changed. This layout makes it easier to go and grab things to take off ship.”

The young mechanic nods, then quietly says “I’m sorry to hear about your father. I’ll make sure we get you home.” He then turns and leaves.

Right before the saltopunkto, there is a Maristo inspection station. Skipper has you stand by in the Med Bay, watching on your vidi and ready to respond if needed. You hear Skipper come across the link, “We are the Independent ship Libereco, chartered as Medical Support for a UMP doctor working the Rim.”

You hear a bored Maristo respond, “Transfer your logs but prepare to be boarded.”

“Will do.” Skipper responds, but you click on the link.

“Oficiro, is this really necessary? I have an official request calling me back to the Core. Specifically, to Sankta Koro.” You transmit a copy of the message from your mother.

He reads it, opens the log that Skipper sent, glances at a few entries, then quickly closes both.

“Go through. Sorry to delay you, Doctor.” He says, still with a bored tone to his voice.

You strap yourself into the chair in Med Bay. You hate going through a pordego. You know the theory behind it, that subspace is opened and the ship passes through and comes out the other side. You know that, medically it doesn’t do anything to you, but you always feel like it does something to you. In your mind you imagine being pulled and stretched, and passing through a tiny hole until you are in normal space again. If you were to monitor your vitals, it would show that nothing really happened. The ship just moved from space through subspace and back into space, all because of the technology of the saltopunktos.

On the other side of the pordego, you once again hear the Skipper say, “We are the independent ship Libereco, chartered as Medical Support for a UMP doctor working the Rim.”

Another Maristo, with the same bored tone and a look that made almost the twin of the one on the other side. “Transfer your logs but prepare to be boarded.”

“I really didn’t miss the bureaucracy of the Core.” You say to yourself as you unstrap and repeat what you did, again.

As you move through the Core systems, there are more stops and checks. Being an independent freighter, it’s like having a big target on your back, and everyone wants to check you out. Skipper and Cookie were right that listing them as a “chartered transport” shuts down most of the questions from the Maristos. Your Med Bay gets searched a couple of times, along with the main cargo hold. When one oficiro sees the animal pens and cages, collapsed and set aside in the hold, you and Cookie explain that on some rim worlds there are animal diseases too, and the pens are used for quarantine purposes. He quickly steps back and then leaves.

“Kurgio, We will be in orbit of Sankta Koro soon.” Navs says on your vidi.

“Thanks.” You respond as you finish packing. You take a week’s worth of clothing, and download most of your valutos from your account in the ship’s vault.

Skipper knocks on the open hatchway. “Hey Doc, are you almost packed?”

You look at her with a slow smile. “I think so. I’m taking my share of the profits. I have no idea how expensive things will be planetside.”

“I figured as much, when you asked me to connect the vault to the system. When you finished withdrawing funds, I disconnected it again.” She says as she steps in and looks around. “It’s going to be strange without you here.”

You look at her as you seal up your travel bag. “It feels strange to be leaving. Even for a short trip.”

You take a moment to realize you have been onboard the ship for over 10 jaros. “Wow, Skipper, I hadn’t realized until now how long we’ve been doing this.”

She gives you a sad smile, “Yeah when you signed on, It was just Cookie and me.”

“We picked up Navs and Helm a few jaros later, and then we added Meko after that.” You comment in a sad wistful tone.

“We’ll put down at the main planetary terminal. Will you have someone meeting you there?” She asks in a slightly professional tone.

“Yeah. I’ve been sending links back and forth. My mother will send an intra-transport. Will you guys be okay?”

She looks around the Med Bay again. “Yes. Navs wants to see her parents and Meko said something about family on Ciela Ripozo. So after you disembark, we have places to go. Once we drop you off, we are a ‘recently released charter, allowing her crew to take some much needed leave in the Core’.”

You pat your bag, “I packed enough for a week, but I am going home. Is a week enough for the crew to do what they need?”

She turns and places a hand gently on your shoulder. “Is a week enough time for you to do what you need?” she says in a soft tone.

You really hadn’t given it much thought. “I’ll send you a link if I need something different than a week.” You respond placing your hand on hers.

Helm comes on the vidi. “Skipper, we’re in orbit. Shall we request a clearance code?”

“I’ll be up in a second.” She says and taps the vidi, closing the link. “Are you ready or should we orbit a few times?”

“I’m ready. Let’s land.” You say.

She nods and leaves.

(Come back for the next part of Kurgio is Called to the Core. If you enjoyed this, leave a comment. If you enjoy my writings and stories, Follow and Subscribe.)