[Untitled]

[Mao]

IV

Kate's voice woke Trevize up. He was sleeping for over ten hours now.

- Good morning sunshine! You sleep too much...
- Sorry, said Trevize while streching his arms and back. Where are we?
- New London. We completed the jump one hour ago and now, we're heading to capital planet.
- To New London? Why? The lane to Kensington was...
- I know, I know but Pel has to meet someone on the planet. It shouldn't take long. He said that this evening we're gonna be in Manchester.
- Heh, nice. I guess you're tired after flying this thing all night, right?
- Just a little. Well then, the bed is yours. I'm gonna stick around Pel and won't disturb you.
- You're not running from me, are you?
- What? Why would I do that?
- I'm just playing with you, Golan. Come here, she said and dragged him next to her.

The two melted in a passionate kiss and Trevize was convinced to spend some more time in bed.

When he got to the cockpit, he saw Pelorat leaned over the computer and focused on some red dot on the map.

- What's that?
- That's an unknown object in the vicinity of a trade lane ring, close to the planet. Might be pirates or some damaged ship. Either way, I think we'll just wait here until the Armed Forces or the Police show up.
- Can't we...

He was interrupted by a flashing blue light that started blinking on the main screen. An incoming transmission was waiting to be received. Pelorat typed something on the ship's terminal and the screen flickered for a second. The face of a woman appeared on the screen after that.

- Bright Star, this is BPA traffic control of New London. We noticed you exiting the trade lane unannounced. Is there something wrong?
- Good to hear from you. There's an unidentified object near the TLR-3.
- Bright Star, the object is a maintenance vessel. Carry on with your approach.
- Why is it shown as unknown object?
- It's an independent contractor that was called for an emergency. We didn't have time to register his IFF, yet.
- I see. Thank you for the info. We'll resume our trip.
- Traffic control, over and out.
- Well, seems like there's nothing to worry about. Let's continue.

When the ship passed the unknown object they managed to scan it and it was indeed a repair ship. The landing on New London went well, without any problems. While Pelorat took a cab to the meeting point, Trevize and Kate visited the surrounding of the space port. Of course, they were wearing their rain coats.

- I don't think I'd support living on this planet. How could they make it capital with this climate? asked Trevize, a rather rhetorical question.
- Yeah, you're right. Gaia or Cambridge would be more suited.
- Gaia? If the gaians would hear you, we'd end up with a plasma bomb in the cargo hold.
- I kinda hate those guys. They have no idea what they're doing. That planet has a huge economical potential. If they'd be smart enough, they'd find ways to get rich and not damage the environment, while respecting the laws and all that.
- How would you exploit the riches of Gaia?
- I'd build a station in the orbit. Something big to be able to hold over 3000 souls in lux and harmony. Water and oxygen would be imported from the planet and everyone could go to a small colony base on the surface. That base would represent a starting point for trips and excursions; limited hunting areas and periods; no houses or anything on the surface and huge taxes for all the services on the planet. Imagine that only rich people would come here and give their money to the state. This means over 300 new jobs for bretonians and a huge annual profit. The damages made to the environment would be little to none.
- I see... have you informed them of your idea? Who knows, maybe your sweet voice will convince them.
- Don't be silly. I'd rather remain unnoticed.

Kate's datapad started ringing and blinking. She had a new message from Pelorat saying that in 10 minutes Bright Start was about to take off.

- We go in 10 minutes. We should get back to the Star.
- After you.

Back on the ship, all three members of the crew were on board, getting ready for take off. Pelorat was checking the systems, Kate was in the cargo hold, sorting the food supplies and Trevize was playing with his camera.

- What are you doing there, Golan? asked Pelorat.
- I'm taking pictures of places where I went. I want to have an album filled with places.
- Nice, nice but cut it out and get here. I have something for you.

Pelorat gave him a flight license. The license was only available for light fighters, heavy fighters, very heavy fighters, bombers and freighters.

- How did you get this? asked Trevize.
- I know some people.
- Without exam, without courses?
- You don't need them. Besides, if there's something that you don't know already, I'm here to teach you.
- Thank you, sir!
- Pel, not sir or anything. We're friends and we're equal, no matter the age. Now, come here and take us to orbit.
- Sure thing, Trevize said while taking the pilot's seat.
- I already checked the systems. Just contact the docking ring and let's go.
- Aye! Docking ring, this is Bright Star, requesting permission to exit the atmosphere.
- Bright Star, you're clear to proceed.

Trevize powered up the vertical thrusters and the ship took off. He managed to take the freighter to space without problems and then he flew it towards Manchester. When Kate came to take the command, Golan remained in the cockpit to observe different styles for piloting the craft. However, he was tired and felt asleep. Kate made the jump to Manchester late in the night and then let Pelorat take her seat, right after they took Trevize to his room and let him sleep on the bed. Kate nestled beside him and slept

---