[Untitled]

[Mao]

III

The two days of waiting passed very fast for Trevize. Usually waiting days go slow but he was excited, not about the long trip he was going to make but about meeting Kate everyday until the departure. He liked her a lot, maybe more than that but wasn't showing it. The feeling was mutual, or at least that's what he thought.

After talking to Pelorat via NeuralNet, Trevize went to the space port with two hours before the departure. There he saw a freighter of Border Worlds design. Pelorat met him right after he parked his car.

- Good day, Golan. How's it going, kid?
- Going great, now that we're leaving.
- Good to hear. What do you think of that? asked Pelorat while pointing at his ship.
- Series YX "Dromedary" Border Worlds Freighter, custom lights, modified engines, additional armor mounted around the cargo compartment and extended living area.
- I must say, I'm impressed. It has two rooms and 630 cargo space.
- Also, good name.
- Bright Star? Yes, I picked it. Glad you like it. This will be your home for four days.
- I expected a longer trip to be honest.
- I calculated the exact times for jumps and all that. We should be able to arrive exactly when the jump holes are phased and the jump gates are clear. I personally hate the traffic in the houses. But enough talking, get in and make yourself comfortable in one of the cabins.

Pelorat showed Trevize the entrance but didn't enter in the ship with him. He still had some papers to sign. Inside, the student found the two cabins but both of them were occupied. He analyzed them a bit. One of them had a one person bed and a small bath with shower. He recognized the models and he remembered their particularities. The bed could be deactivated so that a big drawer appeared in its place. Also, the shower could had two more levels. One with a microwaves cooker and a fridge. "Great use of those items for space economy", he thought. He moved to the other room where he saw the exact same systems. The only difference was the double bed that looked new. "Guess this is the captain's room. I'll leave my thing in the other one and go see him." Outside, Pelorat was discussing with Kate and an employee of the space port. When she saw Golan, she excused from the conversation and came to him, giving a big kiss.

- You came to say good bye?
- Nope.
- No? Why are you here, then?
- I'm coming with you.
- That's... nice, actually, it's perfect. I guess this trip will be amazing.
- Naughty, I know what you're thinking of.

Pelorat came to them with a bunch of papers and electronic cards in his right hand. He looked content.

- The guy didn't believe me when I told him this is an unarmed vehicle. He wanted me to pay a bigger rent. I had to show him all the IDs to convince him we're unarmed.
- We're unarmed? What if someone attacks us? asked Trevize.
- If someone attacks us, we run. I'm good at that. Also, we're not unarmed. I'll show you, once we're out of Bretonia.
- Interesting. You got them masked somewhere around or what?
- You'll see, kid, you'll see. All aboard!

Inside, Pelorat found Trevize's luggage in his room and called him from the piloting room.

- Hey, Golan! Come to my room, said Pelorat via Inter-Com.
- Yes?
- Your stuff, take them to the other room. You will be sitting there, with Kate. I'm sure you two can work something out, said Pelorat and started smiling.

Trevize took his luggage and started to arrange the clothes and all his personal things inside the drawer, next to Kate's. He finished just in time to be witness to the take off. In the cockpit, Kate was controlling the ship.

- You can fly this? he asked.
- I sure can. You should be able to fly it as well. it's really simple.
- I don't have a flight license.
- I'll let you control it in Baffin. That system shouldn't be a problem for you. Alright, Kate, take us up.
- Aye, captain.
- Docking ring, this is Bright Star, requesting permission to exit the atmosphere.
- Permission granted. The gate is open, Bright Star.

The ship started ascending in circles, guided by a laser beam. To avoid friction, the trajectory couldn't be straight up. At the final part of the ascension, the speed increased and the ship move through the middle of the docking ring.

- We're out, said Kate.
- Indeed. Let me set the path and then we start the autopilot, so we can talk.
- Right.
- Done! Let's see, I guess we should know more about each other. Trevize, care to share with us details of your life?
- Sure, there's not much to talk about, anyway. My name is Golan Trevize. I'm from Leeds and I'm studying physics at the Cambridge University. I'm passioned by spaceships and... that's about it.
- What about your relatives, your friends, girlfriend, maybe? Pelorat asked.
- I had a few friends back on Leeds, most of them are gone to different locations around Bretonia because of the war and all. My family is still living on Leeds. Girlfriend... I'm single.
- Nice! said Kate.
- Ha ha ha, I guess the situation with the girlfriend will soon change. Alright, alright, my turn. My full name is Ian Pelorat, I'm also bretonian by birth but when I was really young, my family died in an accident and I was given to another couple. They were zoners and so, I became one as well. I'm 47 years old and I love traveling. I've study ancient myths and legends and I'm willing to get back to Sol to see what's there. That's more like a dream if anything. I know it's impossible.
- Nothing is impossible, said Trevize.
- Oh, the drama! My turn. My name is Kate Seldon. I was born in Liberty but I moved to Bretonia three years ago. I started with small, part time jobs and ended, if I can say that, in the library of Cambridge Uni. I'm 21 years old, and I know I look and act younger than that...
- Yeah, something around 15, added Pelorat.
- Oh, shush!
- I like reading but I never attended a college or anything.

The ship was entering the trade lane between planet Cambridge to New London jump gate. It was a long lane but all they could do was hoping no pirates would have disrupt any of the rings.

The 12 hours of their "day" were nearly over and the first pilot was Kate. Pelorat was going to take her place in four hours. Trevize was already sleeping in his room, dreaming of great ideas, maybe...

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