A man buys a used cargo ship to make some easy money and found the packaged deal bot had his first package to receive.
With credits to burn, a man found himself at what looked like a used ship dealer that he was told towed the line between cheap and quality. He needed something that could make a quick getaway, and make quick money to keep him moving, at least for a while.
“Welcome to Winston’s Preowned Ships,” the man greeted. He saw the fancy-looking car the customer, or sucker stood next to. His slacks, nice button-down shirt, sunglasses. He knew expensive fashion when he knew it, and if it belonged to the wearer, or not. “You’ll find we have quite the gallery of galactic gallivanters to pick from.”
“Yeah, so I heard, I heard. Some don’t look too bad for used ships.”
“Preowned, sir. Used ships are… used. Abused, beaten, like a drunk single dad who’s got a kid who gets a check. These are preowned; just general wear and tear that age brings them, trade-ins. We don’t take used ships. That’s like used pussy.” He chuckled. “I don’t think you’re quite the man that’d do it, no sir, but would you marry a woman from a brothel, why would you buy a used ship? At least with the harlot, it might be fifty-fifty whether your juniors on the line, but your life’s on the line with a used ship. I’d marry her before I bought that ship.”
“That… makes sense.”
“Good. Come with me. I know what I’m talking about, I’m Winston, you are?”
“I’m… Reeon.”
“Reeon? I like it! Sounds like the name of a legend!”
They walked through the property, Reeon could tell this guy was either sincere about his quality, or was shady enough to present himself all the same.
“Jeez, you work out, Reeon?”
“Ehh… not like that. Girls don’t like slobs, though.”
“True, true, too true!”
Reeon wasn’t Adonis, but he was just above average, and proud that he did the work to get there, versus paying for it.
“How much it cost, who’s your guy?”
“Huh? No, this is all hard work, no gene splicing, or any of that. Most of those guys can’t even use those boutique muscles, the smart ones know how weak they really are. Now these ships…”
“Yes! They’re all organized by type. Cruisers over there, yachts—that what you want; show off and party? There’s some classics over there? Or… you like real speed, right? I have star racers, and if you’re a real hardcore badass; star fighters.”
“I was planning on starting a business.”
“Oh! Well… back to the cruisers. I have some BJK passenger models. Not much cargo capacity, but they can carry people, quite a few rooms, or something like a short-haul coach? Or cargo?
“Yeah… more like cargo. Mostly cargo. Something I don’t need a crew to run.”
“Like a skiff?”
“I’m wanting to start a cargo business. A skiffs not enough, but I need something I don’t need really anybody else to work with. I need it quick.”
He looked at him suspiciously. “What kinda cargo?”
“Cargo. Stuff. Supplies. Whatever I’m paid to move.”
Winston frowned a moment. Reeon wondered if he was about to get himself in trouble.
“So… a medium-sized freighter. They’re over here. I’ll show you the ones with pressurized internal cargo holds. Any other requirements?”
Reeon sighed in thought. “That sounds good. Good living quarters, actually can make it to another planet before it breaks down. Good speed.”
“Oh… I’ve got the ship for you. This way.”
They walked a few meters towards where the cargo ships rest, and came upon a ship that did not look like the typical cargo ship.
“Busanics Haulmaster. Sure it’s kinda old, but it moves, can be upgraded, comfortable living quarters with enough room to support four, but can be operated with two, or one.”
“Hmmm… what about that one?”
“That? Armored cargo transport?”
‘Yeah that.”
“I suppose it’ll be up and running by tonight.”
“That looks perfect for what I need!”
“But—do you know anything about those Quazar Brigandines? It’s a bit more of a frigate, and needs a crew of six. Those aren’t auto cannons.”
“I can figure it out, it’s cool.” Reeon tried to hide his desperation.
“It needs a crew of six, two of which are pilots. It’s not that easy to pilot alone, especially if you need a ship like that.”
“It’s fine, really.”
“How… how much money do you even have to spend?” He grew concerned.
“How much is that Brigandine?”
“One point eight million creds.”
“What‽ It’s used!”
“And they hold their value well. It’s not the cheapest ship here, but it’s the cheapest one you’ll find. I know. I’ve looked.”
“Damn. What else is there?”
“Those. Medium cargo ships, cruisers, they’re all popular for a reason; affordability versus cost. I have larger ships, that cost more. I have some of these other medium cargo ships, but they aren’t up to par with your… what I assume is your quick escape. Some run, but need key components replaced, they aren’t just going to cross the star system, much less the galaxy. I’ll surely sell you one, they’re a bit pricey, especially for your immediate needs.”
Reeon looked baffled. “But you said these are all—”
“They are. I’ll sell a ship as is, but we refurbish them. That there… you can take it, everything is fine, but it’s navcomp is shot… there’s a recall because it was always faulty. The quarters are meager, it isn’t designed to live in space. I do my best to try to curate for the customer. How much money do you have?”
“About five hundred, thousand.”
“Then the Haulmaster is your choice here. It’s the closest to your desires.”
“Haulmaster.”
“Haulmaster. C’mon… Busanics is good stuff. They’re ships are easily upgraded, a lot of systems even interchange, they’re somewhat efficient.”
Reeon looked back at it. He thought it looked fast with its three main engines and two twin secondary’s mounted between the top mount and left and right “wing” mounted other two.
“Let’s check it out.” Winston led him back to it. “If one didn’t know any better, they’d think it was some cruiser. One large cargo door on each side for loading, there’s also a front belly ramp. Yo… Deez… run up to the office and grab the key to the Haulmaster! These three main engines are Q3 Oscillators. Busanics made a gunboat about two-thirds bigger than this, that uses five of these in this same arrangement; two side mount, and one top, and that thing was quick. Those two between are RV18’s from a starfighter, the previous owner added. It’s already sturdy as a cargo ship, but they also added ceramisoid on the engines, so most weaponry won’t take your engines out, unless you’re really in deep shit, and they really want you dead.”
“What about the Zeta Drive?”
“One of the best. Where is that bot with the key? I heard it was salvaged from some smuggler who had been all over, along with the navcomp after he met his end.”
They turned and saw the bot running up with the key.
“There he is.”
“The key, sir.”
“You’re a sweetheart,” he said with a smile. “Gotta respect your workers, human or bot.”
Winston opened the ship and led Reeon up the steps.
“This is one of the doors to the hold.”
They went to the door. There wasn’t much to see.
“There’s controls here, and over there for the independent atmosphere, tie-downs, and whatnot, separate storage areas, access to the engine room and utilities, like the gravity drive and generator, shield, reactors—oh, there are multiple refuel ports. Now where the action is.”
They went up the steps to the main area.
“Fore tuh aft, here; Cockpit, kinda roomy, main-ish telecommunications, co-pilot, see all these expansion areas… that’s your throne. Navigation… the usual. Back here is the captain’s quarters—told ya it was nice.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Thirty square feet. That’s storage right there, across… the galley; it’s got the basics in it, seats about six or so, pantry and rations lockers. It all works. Down here is the crew quarters… there’s four. Or they can be whatever you want. Bathroom over here, commons room. Some lockups you can use for whatever, and access to engine, utilities and such back there, and cargo access. Oh and in the captain’s room, there’s ship controls, just short of driving the damn thing. Intercom system, telecommunications in pretty much every room.”
“Yeah, I dig it.”
“So you want it?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Now it’s a bit more than you have, so—”
“Can you make a deal?”
“A deal?” He looked confused, almost insulted. “Don’t tell me you’re gonna pay me after you make it big?”
“No. I figured I had enough to get a ship, and probably just that. I need some kinda money for myself, so I’m willing to throw that car in trade.”
“The car? That’s… that’s a Debutant.”
“Yeah. You may or may not wanna keep it all in one piece, but you can take the thing.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal!” Winston joyously shook his hand. “Let’s talk and do the paperwork. I’ll even fuel it up.”
“Great! I’ll need supplies and need to find a job quick, so I can get some kinda weapons for this thing.
“Hmmm… I’ve got a shipment that needs to go out to a scrapyard. Take that, and I’ll contact him with an offer for a discount if he has any decent cannons he can install. I can take a bit of a hit with this deal.”
Winston quickly rushed back to the office.
“You there… get who you need and load up the… scrap… in the Haulmaster, and fuel it. I know your first job isn’t exactly a paying job, but—”
Reeon was sure at that moment, the guy might not be on the up and up, like he wondered.
“If I can get stuff for the ship, that’s better than nothing. I mean… we’re both taking some sort of cut, right?”
“Indeed.”
“This guy really needs this scrap, right away, or something?”
“Hmm… yeah, it’s real important,” Winston answered, not paying attention.
“Then, I should be able to get some decent weapons from him, and maybe some other things, especially if I need to go straight there.”
Winston paused and looked up at him. A sly smile grew on his face. “I knew I liked you. You might get some temp work from him.”
—
The two walked outside after Reeon purchased the ship, he unloaded his things from the car.
“Take this car around back.” Winston handed a guy the key.
They walked back to the Haulmaster still being fueled.
“The guy who had this ship practically made it easy for you. Take this notebook of his, it’ll serve you well.”
Reeon took his things up to his room, and stares at the key to the ship. Excitement grew inside him. He also knew by now they were looking for him, and he’d need to leave as soon as possible. He looked around the ship, there was nothing to do but wait, any personalization can wait. He checked the lockups and storage.
“What the… what the fuck‽”
Reeon quickly went outside.
“All the cargoes loaded, should be about thirty minutes or so before full… it was emptier than I thought,” Winston said with a chuckle.
“What’s that thing in there? I checked out one of the storage rooms and there’s a beat-up, broken android in there.”
“Oh yeah! She’s yours now.”
“Then you can have her.”
“Nope. Package deal.”
“Take her as extra payment for the fuel or something!”
“That bot doesn’t leave that ship, until that ship leaves this lot,” he said firmly. “We have had… disagreements.”
“What am I going to do with a broken android‽”
“She’s not broken. Well… she is kinda broken, but she works just fine. She’s the previous owner’s partner. Come to think of it; she’ll be great help to you in your adventures. Hold on.” Winston got on the radio; “bring the utility truck, Ronnie.”
“How’s a dead android supposed to help me?”
“Just hold on a minute.”
A truck appeared. Winston pulled a jumpbox, Reeon followed him in the ship, down the hall, to where the android was. The lower half of her torso was missing one of her arms lay on the floor. She seemed to be suspended. Her hair was purple, her skin—what was left, was a mint green, whatever clothing she had was in tatters, leaving sizable breast exposed, one of her audio receptors was broken. Winston connected both ends of the jumpbox, to where specific, Reeon had no clue.
“Step back, Reeon.” He barred his arm across his chest.
Reeon did so, and Winston turned on the box. She sparked and jerked. Her eyes shot open, solid black with neon green scalara, she quickly reached out to grab one of them. Reeon saw the angry look on her face.
“Calm down, Jazzibelle, before that arm falls off!”
“W-Winaton—Winston! You Aaasshole!”
“Hey, hey! That’s all in the past!” He gave a nervous laugh. “I powered you back up, didn’t I?”
She just glared at him.
“Anyway… Jazzibelle… you got a new owner; this guy here just bought the Haulmaster, and I’m sure he could use your help.”
“I’m Reeon… Jazzibelle? Right?”
She just looked him up and down.
“I uhh… don’t want to offend you, or make worse of this, but how the hell is she supposed to help me in that condition?”
“He’s right. And it seems you stole my core. This jumpbox is not an adequate power source.”
“I’m sure Reeon here—”
“Fix me, you scum! You did this!”
“Now if I recall… it was you, that—”
“We made a deal, right? Remember your speech about your preowned ships? You don’t sell used anything.”
Jazzibelle rolled her eyes.
“So why are you trying to give me her?”
“What are you getting at?” Winston looked confused.
“She looks like, by your own words, a used android, not a preowned one. So either you’re going back on your word, or you’re lying about your policy. She might not be a ship, but she was for sale on your lot, and in a way, she is a part of the ship.”
Winston looked at him incredulously, while she smirked.
“He’s right again, Win-stain.”
“Fine… I’ll fix her up! I probably got spare parts around here somewhere. My words bond around here.” He pulled his radio out and started to walk out.
“And I want my original parts back!”
“You’ll get what you get! Your parts are gone!”
“Well make sure I have a big ass, I don’t want to be unbalanced!”
Reeon looked at her chest. “That really a thing, like, you’ll really be unbalanced?”
Her eyes darted to his face, before her head turned. “Functionally, no, aesthetically, yes. I liked the way I looked, and it’s what many men all over the galaxy like. Don’t you?”
“Me? Yeah… sure…” He scratched his head. “I guess I’m mostly a tit guy, but… can’t go wrong with both.”
They stood there a minute staring at each other.
“So you’re my new owner, I guess?”
“I don’t… I don’t hafta be. If you want, I can drop you off somewhere, when all this is done.”
“What, you don’t want to be my owner?”
“It’s not that, it’s just you seem mad. I don’t want you mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you. You’re my new owner, it is what it is.”
He was quiet and just looked at her.
“You really do like tits, huh?”
He jumped and looked away. “Sorry, my bad!”
“If you’re a good captain, maybe you’ll get acquainted with them.”
“I’m not just looking at them. It’s just… that all looks like it would hurt, if you could feel.”
“It does hurt,” she stated.
“Really?”
“Everything above the nipples is in pain.”
He cringed.
“Aren’t you curious as to why?”
“I feel like I should respect your privacy, or something.”
She smirked. “We just might get along. But I’m yours now.”
“Yeah, for some reason that feels wrong, like you have too much agency to be owned.”
She laughed. “It’s fine. I wasn’t built for the ship, or as a part of the ship. I was built as crew, co-pilot, mechanic, to run the ship. I was also built to be a companion to the captain and one of my prime directives is to obey the captain. I’m normally pleasant.”
“Oh. I guess the previous owner built you.”
“He did.”
“He had an odd taste.”
“Why?” She looked confused.
“Your… colors.”
“You’ve never been off Earth before, huh?”
“No, why?”
“I’m modeled after a race of alien.”
“And you really do all of that?”
“Yes. I guess I was already a pile of spare parts. I can do—could do some heavy lifting, and it was all in this lovebot design.”
“Huh.”
—
Winston came back with an employee and a cart.
“Okay, rust bucket, I got you some parts.”
“Oh how should I thank you,” she asked sarcastically.
“I have an idea how you want to… that’s why I’m gonna leave you turned off, and let you charge on the ship.”
“Oh you mother fu—”
Winston turned off the jumpbox and removed the cables. They gathered what was left of her in the cart, and wheeled her out.
“Isn’t she just an adorable, precious thing?”
He followed them out and saw that fueling was finished.
“After what she did, Oh I got a surprise for her. I don’t know what she told you, but I made sure the new core only had just enough charge, so she has no choice but to stay on the ship. To turn her back on, just find the switch on her back.”
He watched them wheel her off, went to the cockpit and turned the ignition on. The ship came to life and started doing a system check, screens lit up, messages appeared. He had little to no clue what much of it was. But it was his. He lit a cigarette and saw another system notification: air storage low, filling air tanks
He found communications and saw more than just civilian channels, he opened the police channel.
“Be on the lookout for Reeon Astair, he’s driving a stolen black Debutant, has stolen exactly two million credits, both from the Rexor family, the man is six foot four, two-hundred and ten pounds. Check known locations. Check all space ports.”
“Do you think he would try to buy a cheap ship himself,” a cop asked.
“He may. With that money, check all ship lots.”
“Fuck! Fuck!”
It wasn’t much longer before he heard something coming on the ship, he managed to find a camera feed and saw them wheeling Jazzibelle on. He hopped out the seat and followed. They lifted her off, and attached her to the charging dock she hung from.
“There, we’re square.” Winston shook his hand. “Thank you for shopping at Winston’s, tell your friends, and do return. Happy travels.”
“Yep. Great doing business with you, Winston, sir.”
“It was brought to me that the police are looking for you, so you’d better get, quick.”
“Right! How does this thing start?”
“Oh, it’s just the standard procedure,” he said as they rushed off.
Reeon looked at Jazzibelle and reached behind her to find her master switch. There was a cover, he lifted it, and nothing much happened. He rushed back to the pilot seat, pulled out his phone.
“There’s gotta be a video! Standard ship starting…”
He saw a light telling him an access door was open, he hit the button to shut it, then watched the video and searched for every control to turn and turned the ignition to start. It fired to life with no problem, the whole ship seemed to shake to life. Dust and debris shot out of the engines, then received a call.
“Uh… Winston?”
“Good job, kid, you’re on your way. I almost forgot to send the directions to the scrap yard. Incoming.”
“Got it!”
“All right. Talk to you when you get there.” He ended call.
Back at the video, he saw to engage gravity drive. After he found it, the ship lifted off the ground.
“Oh shit! Oh shit! It’s flying! Thank you, Winston!”
The ship listed sideways and bumped the ship next to it as he tried to guide it up. Got it above the other ships, he looked at the coordinates and eased on the throttle, the engines roared up and he went soaring over the city. He saw police cars driving around searching.
“Fuckers! Now I just gotta get in space. I hope Jazzibelle is okay back there.”
He heard the police frequency; “What ship is that? Get the traffic controller.”
“Where’d it come from?”
“Looks like it came from about a mile south.”
“Winston’s!”
“Where’s that traffic controller‽”
Reeon flew around the city to position the map, but said screw it and took to the skies. He was alerted that the air system was charged and gave it throttle.
