The Anomaly

[Rodent]

Chapter 2-Maturity

816 AS

"Hey Ansel! Come here and help with the unloading!"
"Uh-huh. Right away."

Ansel Xavier moved over to the Transport, his mind still seething with thoughts. The man who had hailed him, was supposedly his "friend", but he was so Stupid. Somehow, he kept his emotions hidden.

"Hey Jack, What's up?" He said. Jacques Deveraux, known in short as "Jack", was a huge man, around 6 foot 7 and 200 pounds, he completely dwarfed everyone else on the station, including Ansel who was a modest 5 foot 7. The only reason Ansel had chosen to make him his friend was that he was top dog in the area, and potentially useful to get what he needed.

"Nothing, just the same old ****, stupid work to be done before I can take the lady out to chug." He replied. The lady was a reference to the Adeline, a L'Ane class transport. Jacques was the owner and captain of the ship, it further added to his reputation in these parts. Ansel had no idea how a dumb oaf like him managed to get there, he suspected a few shady deals.

"Ha, right. Let's finish this up and then talk for a while." He said, taking up one of the cranes which would load the containers onto the Adeline.

"Sure. Yo you lazy arses, get your piece of **** working right now! The lady needs to go quickly." He shouted.

Ansel sighed as he went through the motions. They were too easy, too demeaning for a person like him, but it was necessary. After he left home, he knew he needed to get away as soon as possible. Child labour was forbidden, but Marne was a place where laws were little more than pieces of paper. He flitted from one small job to another, never staying in one place for too long, and in his spare time, he studied in the public database.

At 16 years of age, the person he was employed with decided to leave Marne to go someplace else. Ansel decided to go with him, leaving this planet was essential. To this, his employer agreed with delight, because Ansel had been a useful servant.

That "someplace else" turned out to be the Gallic Brigands. Apparently Ansel's employer, who went by the name Aleron, had a number of contacts in the shady side of things, and decided that the unlawful side was best for profits. He turned out to be wrong, as he was killed soon on a convoy raided by the Royal navy.

But for Ansel, things went well. He picked up a job at the station, and made progress towards what he had in mind. Ever since he had left home, he had thought on that one question. The world's irrationality. And after nearly 11 years, he thought he had the answer, or rather, the solution.

After finishing his shift for the day, he met up with Jack.

"Yo buddy, what did ya need?" Jack said in his large voice.

"Actually Jack, I needed a favor from you." Ansel replied.

"Favor? What sort of?"
"Actually.... I need a loan."
"A loan? What for buddy? You seem pretty well off"

It's true.Thought Ansel. He had been living a frugal life, saving all the money he could, for this. He did not have nearly enough, but it would have to do, time was passing by.

"Actually....I want to buy a ship."
"A ship! Ho ho, want to explore the stars do we!?"
"Not really. I just want to make more money than sitting in this job."
Jack Subsided. "Oh, I see, What sort of ship are you looking for?"

"An Aurochs class. I saw one in the hangar not too long ago, Owner looking to sell it, for around half a million."

Jack considered it. "Well, that's not much for me, I guess I can manage it for a friend. When do you plan to return the money?"

"As soon as possible" Ansel replied with a grin.

"I want it back in 6 months kid, If you don't, you know what I can do."
"I do."
"Awright then, I will transfer the money to your account as soon as I get on the lady, time to go, she's leaving."

"Thanks a lot." Ansel replied with a smile, a genuine one.

As soon as Jacques had left, he sighed. Dealing with these....mediocres was so tough, but he marvelled at the way in which he had learned to bear with it. At least, his plan was finally in motion now.