[Untitled]

[Mao]

VI

Bright Star jumped to Coronado through a jump hole. It was the first jump hole used by Trevize. He had seen them in documentaries and photos but never used them to travel between systems. Pelorat was the pilot, this time. He said he is the most experienced and he should be able to get out of hostile situations if they appear. Luckly for them, nothing was waiting on the other side and the route to Barrier Gate Station seemed clear.

- Now, I think it's better if you two wait on the ship while we're on that station. All kinds of people come here and I wouldn't one of you to say something and... who knows what happens?
- That bad, eh? said Trevize.
- Pretty much. Kate will be a nice company while I'm gone, I'm sure. I'll try to secure a channel to Baffin to make sure the Librarian is there, then we can go.
- Alright, Pel, you go and we'll wait here, said Kate.
- Ah, there's the base. Looks amazing, doesn't it?
- It really does, considering it was built without the support of a huge corporation or a government.
- Very true. Let's dock.
- Barrier Gate, this is zoner freighter Bright Star, requesting permission to dock.
- Bright Star, deactivate your weapons systems before docking.
- We're not equipped with weapons.
- You're some kind of suicidal sect or what? Proceed to docking bay 3.

Pelorat set the ship moving with constant speed. The landing procedure was all automatic on Bright Star.

- By the way, you said you'll show me those hidden weapons once we're out of Bretonia.
- I didn't had the occasion. You'll see them if we will be under attack. There, we docked. All systems green, not a scratch. I'll go and bring some supplies after I talk to the man so you'll have to wait about an hour or so.
- Fine, both of the younger crew members said.

With Pelorat gone and the whole ship at their disposal, Kate and Golan decided that one hour was enough for a little love affair.

One hour passed and Pelorat didn't come back but the two never seem to realize that. After two hours, someone was calling them on the ship's comm device. Trevize answered.

- This is Bright Star. What is it?
- You paid the docking rights for two hours, amigo. You got five minutes to get your crew and your stuff inside before I flush you out of the station.
- Two hours passed already? But the captain is...
- We understand. We're ready to take off. Sorry for the inconvenience. said Pelorat and stopped for some seconds to gather his breath. Never, NEVER tell them that the captain is not on the ship unless you want to be killed and without a ship.
- Sorry, didn't know.
- I know you didn't know. You know now.
- Oh, come on... what supplies did you get? Cookies? Kate asked.
- They only have cardi cookies here so, no.
- Damn. I'm going to eat some cheese or whatever this is.
- Yeah yeah, go. Now, Trevize, I found your man. Some guy told me his ship is still in Baffin. So, after I undock, send a message to Baffin. Maybe he'll get it.

The ship started the undocking procedure. This time, Pelorat was doing it manually because he was in a hurry. After setting the coordinates of the Baffin jump hole, he let Trevize take command and send the transmission. Golan opened a channel and introduced some numbers and then he started recording.

- Greetings, Librarian. My name is Golan Trevize and I'm a student at the University of Cambridge. The reason I'm contacting you is because I'm looking for some ancient texts and I understand from my friends that you have the greatest collection of such texts. Is it possible for me to come on your ship and study the needed materials? I'll wait for your answer. Thank you. That's it... now, to send it.

Trevize pressed some buttons and then continued to look pilot the ship through the ice asteroids in the Barrier Pass.

- Golan, said Pelorat, I will go to sleep now. I need some rest. You take care of the ship, alright?
- Yes, sir!

Bright Star was dancing through the asteroids at an optimum cruise speed. The estimated time to Baffin was of three hours.

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