Knapp 38 Tolobar.

KNAPP 38. TOLOBAR.

Science fiction tale written by Alfredo Francisco Umberto Juillet Frascara.
12.VI to 03.VIII MMXIII.
Epoch: 5.500 to 5.600 E.C.
Cast of characters.
136 voy
Crew of the Sphere spaceship:
Captain Tolobar
Cartelia.
Weldan Oftor.
Logor Rotner.
Consanesco Clago
Haveo Suller.
Capio Corpus.
Sphere crew of Synthetic personnel:
Male Models ED: Serial numbers: 781, 672, 227, 772, 707, 711, 171.
Female Models: AR43C , EDBL 32 , EDAR 85 A Edara, EDBL15 .
Clients: Johser Varin, Gudor Olmin, Bauker Listel, Trator Ungenfor, Schinglen Bahn, Hautel
Flug, Petrubat Fartule.
Miss Shuler (widow), mother of Erson Wollenrubias.
Client Mr. Sachsen and film crew: Kongbor (Director), Actresses: Slusha, Silenca. Actors:
Rongorful, Jokaton. Cameraman: Fixo Felip; General Assistant: Mr. Datingo Fongoto.

Chapters:
1.- Escaping from the pirates. Page 1
2.- Swastica V- 3 Page 4
3.- Swastica V- 3- Igitur city Page 15
4.- 37 years later Page 31
5.- Aurea II- 3 Page 33
6.- Delta Swastica. Pedisequus 2 Page 47
7.- Trip to Rogue planets Page 51
8.- Aurea 2- 2 Page 53
9.- Landing on Aurea 2- 3 Page 65
10.- Erson launching with Ladia parents Page 72
11.- Shopping with Ladia and her mother Page 73
12.- Smell of bacon and fried eggs. Page 73
The End Page 78



1.
CHAPTER #1.- ESCAPING FROM THE PIRATES.
Colonel Telluij, after destroying the pirate spaceship, saw five other vessels coming and
realizing they were pirates, set prow unto them firing at will. Soon his spaceship was in
flames, dying everyone on board, included the heroic Colonel.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Captain Tolobar, having heard the call for help issued from Colonel Telluij, arrives with his
battle cruiser to the nearness of planet Aurea VII-8, fighting the five enemy crafts with valor.
The fire against his battle cruiser was so great, that the hull begins to melt and in amid the
smoke and explosions, Tolobar slides to the Sphere spaceship, his personal and smaller vessel,
calling all Natural persons to follow him: seven of them could arrive before departure.
Soon afterwards, the Sphere leaves the battleship, the one that was doomed as it was probed
minutes later, when exploding its engines.
As they were followed by an enemy battleship, Tolobar starts the Warp engine, escaping at
Warp 8, saving his life and the remain of his natural crew.
Wish our commander Skizler could win the battle! But its highly difficult he could succeed!-
He said to Cartelia, his lover.
Hope he will! Where are we going now?- She asked.
First, were not able to fight against five battle cruisers! This spaceship is not originally built
for battle- this spaceship is mainly a yatch, able to carry some passengers and some cargo
only. Secondly, we now must search for a place to repair the ship.- there are many dentures,
holes and fissures.- Tolobar said, keeping an eye on the long range radar screen. Hours later,
he was sound asleep on a cabin, while Cartelia fights the need to sleep taking pills- the whole
crew were five persons: Weldan Oftor, Logor Rotner,Consanesco Clago, Haveo Suller, Capio
Corpus, that were skilled in their posts- but of course, the minimal crew was seven persons.
Hours later, Tolobar was fully awake again, and felt a tremor on the floor, so he went to the
engine room.
What is happening?- He asks to Weldan Oftor, the man in charge.
I am as puzzled as you, Sir. Pity I am here as the mechanic, as I was a gunner at the battleship!
I had revised the indicators available- there are all in green color- nothing bad happening? -
The man replied- he was young and inexpert.
Tolobar revised the controls, and while he was at it, there was a muffled explosion out of the
hull.
Are they attacking us?- He asked, by the Intercom to whoever was at the controls.
Nothing in sight! Must had been a meteorite - His woman replied.
A meteorite!- Tolobar said to Weldan, and walked out.
When reaching the main cabin, three more hits resounds out of the hull.
We are being hit by asteroids?- He asked.
3
Another person was there now: Sambigor Tobar, former crewmember in charge of airlocks-
who said: We are without energy at the force fields! The magnets possibly collapsed!
Tolobar knew where to search- at pope. What he found was a malleable mass of plastic and
burnt cables. He looks around- nobody there, as it was the automatic section- no need to
calibrate a thing there
He returns to the main cabin, saying:- The generator is fused. We must use the radar and the
pilot must see how not to hit or being hit by rocks.
Weldan Oftor said: The pilot is in automatic, Sir. Its the main computer that has the ship on
course.
Tolobar remembered he had given that order before going to sleep- he touch the panel, and a
yellow line indicates him the course the main computer had devised as the best of all: the star
was Swastica V.
Asked, the main computer said: Swastica V has seven planets and thirteen satellites. The
third planet has life, the rest are of rock, some with ice, and there is on giant gas planet with
four moons. The last one is very small and has two small moons.
4
We need people to help us. Cartelia said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

There is a small colony there: Knappians arrives eight hundred years ago. The main
computer informed.
Let us see if we could arrive there!- Cartelia said.
Two months.- Tolobar said, looking at the numbers in the console.
From then on, only spray food was available. The crew was: Tolobar, Cartelia, Weldan, Logor,
Haveo, Consenesco, Capio, and they understand the situation: thankful they were to stay alive.
They were not to forget about the escapade with the fire everywhere- certainly was
something most of them could not erase from their memory.
The first month they used trying to repair the internal damages and at the second month they
were forced to get out and soldered sheets of metal to prevent air to get out.
Cartelia, being a woman among so many men, stays at the main cabin- the rest works on the
hull- also Tolobar, who was the best welder of the lot.
5
Five days of work and we had accomplished almost nothing!- Tolobar complained, when
resting at the main cabin.
Nothing? I see you work ten hours a day, for nothing? Cartelia asked, ironically.
Ten hours? We went out for three hours in a row! Even here, away from the stars, the cosmic
radiation is strong- enough to fry a man in the long run! We work in shifts of three hours
outside, three hours at the airlockwell; guess the damage comprises all sides of this orb.
Tolobar said- a hit of a rock unto the hull advises him a new storm of pebbles were coming, so
he said: See? The gods wants us dead. No matter how we patch outside, more holes appeared
at the next day.- Tolobar said, thinking in those showers of rock they found from time to time.
Three days later, the stones begin to dwindle in numbers- then Tolobar sent three men
outside, saying: Patch only the big ones! Theres no time to put a patch in every hole!
Soon the work was all what was to think of- the moments of tranquility were over. Cartelia , at
first, was at the main cabin, but afterwards she make shifts for repairs as everyone else. It was
a matter of survival.
When they reach Swastica V- 7, they were exhausted. V-7 was a rock covered by ice, and two
small moons were circling- the closer takes twelve hours to make a full circle, and the other
moon takes eighteen hours so there were times when both of them seems to be racing above
the planet.
Carnifex and Octogeni are called these moons by our databanks.- The main computer said.
6
Tolobar landed where big high mountains scratched the stars- 31 kilometers high, half
covered with ice. The Sphere landed and soon a thin cap of ice was covering it.
The light of the star arrives very faint- almost nil luminosity: lights from the Sphere must be
used- lamps around the worst spots were positioned.
Wow! What a mess! It looks like the game ball of a cat!- Weldan Oftor said.
Worst!- Haveo Suller commented.
Sheets are gone. Well weld and weld.- Logor Rotner added.
Tolobar begin to work, and the sparks rains into the snow, melting it for a moment. The rest
begin to work at different parts of the Sphere- the work was hard but easiest than at the
space, where they had to use ropes not to fly away.
Four days later, a radio signal was received, and soon the main computer had it translated.
After hearing it for some time, Tolobar said: A mining spaceship! Its calling somebody on
land.
Pinpoint the source of both emissions!- Tolobar said, and putting all lights off, he waited.
The location appears on screen some minutes later and Cartelia said: Very far. Good- we
dont want any alien neighbors.
Alien- like a beast?
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Cant be! _Theres no atmosphere at all in this planet! They are some humans from the inner
planets.- Tolobar said.
Perhaps they could help us with some iron scrap.- Weldan said.
Tolobar growled: he does not want any crying guys around, as they were only seven persons
aboard a very beaten ship- not able for another flight.
A week after that, Tolobar uses a sensor to know if the air was going out in quantities or not-
finding three holes not fully detected previously. After repairing it, he said: We could go now!
Well be soon at Swastica V 3. The thing is: did we tell them what happened to us, or just say
we have a failure and end of the question?
Why do you ask that? Cartelia asked.
Because I prefer to pass unnoticed! Or we will be interrogated by the authorities!- Tolobar
explains.
All right, then we all must have the same discourse! So, we come from Aurea 7, where
nothing is happening?- Logor asked. He was thinking in to speak, so perhaps the government
could help Aurea 7 people from the pirates.
Cruel? But we are no government asking for help. We are just a group of persons without any
importance for them.- Tolobar said.
8
At the V- IV Swastica planet, a police patrol asks them to identify.
Sphere spaceship, Captain Tolobar, seven persons on board.- He replied.
Prepare to be boarded!- The officer asked. When appearing on deck, the officer said:- I am
KB 634, Synthetic person. Show me the hauls.
Is it mandatory?
This royal kingdom has laws, Sir. One of them is that every old spaceship must be visited.
Oh. Sorry we are traveling in an antique!- Cartelia said, sarcastically.
Perhaps you have reasons to travel in this kind of spaceship. Have you any?
No, Sir.
Come with me, officer. I will show you the hauls. Watch out with the cobwebs.- Weldan said,
smiling.
The officer looks on the hauls, corridors and asked about the motive of their visit.
We want to repair our Sphere at Swastica V- 3. They say there are good mechanics here.-
Tolobar said.
Who said that?- KB 634 asked.
Wellwe come from Aurea VII Constellation. They say that.- Tolobar explains.
Very good workers in here: synthetic people. I will give you a list to where you could repair
your Sphere.- KB 634 said, and gives those addresses verbally.
You can go now: ninety days is what you could stay in here without much documentation, but
if you stay more than ninety days, you will need to explain the reasons to the Foreign Office.-
KB 634 said.
Thanks, officer.- Tolobar said, seeing how the synthetic person disappears in thin air
We are free to go! I will choose a nice spaceport. Ill bet there are good technicians there.-
Tolobar said, happy the way things were presenting.

Chapter 2.
SWASTICA V 3.

When at the spaceport, section C (For the Medium sized spaceships) the Pole 20 was their
location. Thousands of vehicles were seen milling around. Others landed like the sphere,
some flying in line before landing.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

This is really astounding!- Cartelia said: I had never dreamt such profusion of spaceships
could exist!
Tolobar looks at his Assistants, saying:- I will announce a shore leave for you all!
They cheered him and then he adds: But you will return at the eight day! I cannot lose you:
certainly we will stay here enough time to get relaxed, but money moves the world around
and I confide that you, guys, help me earn money, perhaps using the Sphere as a passenger
ship or, in the worst case, as a small freighter!
They said yes to all, and received 500.000 sopes each. Cartelia said: And us? Are we the
slaves, here?
Why did you say that, darling? - Tolobar asked although he knows what she means.
10
Are we the baby sitters, here? I want to enjoy life, for a while! I am almost blind, because I
had been soldering sheets for an eternity!- She complained and not with a smile in her face-
reddened now, because of the work with the soldering gun.
Yes, we deserve vacations. But to whom I give my responsibilities? I give release to the whole
crew, ad they were anguished in here- same as us, darling.- He said, not caressing her
because she was red hot.
Rent a Synthetic! They know how to take care of a spaceship! And use a radio receiver or a
cellphone to communicate with him! He will call on you if theres any problem!- She
recommended.
Tolobar calls on a Synthetic personnel service, and rents two units at a fair price. One hour
later, they arrived and one of them said: As you tell to our office, you need guards in here, to
protect your property. Alas, this battered old fashion out modeled discontinued Sphere.- The
electric man enumerates.
Thanks for your compliments! I wasnt realizing how old this artifact was!- Tolobar said, half
in joke, not to get mad at the first encounter.
Dont you worry. We could try to sell this vehicle. I had already calculated its value: thirty
eight million sopes.- KB 30 said.
And to get another, in better conditions?- Tolobar asked.
Eighty three million sopes. Of course, with installments of a million sopes per month; with a
first payment of 37 million sopes. The interest would be around the seven and a half per cent,
of course if you pay in retard, the increase interest will be a nightmare for you.- KB 30 said.
I understand. Forget it . Call for repairs: I want the hull shinning anew! Call me when you
finish asking for fair prices: I want the best but cheap.- Tolobar ordered.
The best but cheap. That means you ought to be thinking in offers! There are three offers: I
will call them here, Sir. Could you wait for them?- KB 30 asked.
YesI guess Ill be going at 20:00 hours to the city, find a hotelcheap but nice.- Tolobar
said.
There are nice but they arent cheap! And there are cheap but nothing close to nice.- KB 30
commented.
You speak a lot! Cartelia said, becoming mad at the synthetic person.
Oh, its a new improvement, beautiful lady! I have several new modifications other units
havent!- KB 30 explains.
Dont tell me about it!- She said, ironically.
Later, the repair team arrives and after looking the Sphere by all sides, including by the
interior, they give their budgets and stayed at attention.
12
Let us see1.300.000 sopes is what Repairs S.A. asks for this job, while Turubelco Lt.
asks 937.243 sopes .Guess Turubelco Lt. is the one!- Tolobar said.
Oh, yes, but see what they do for those prices!- Cartelia asked him to know.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Let as seeRepairs S.A. takes all bent beams, and the most damaged sheets for 1.3 million
sopesLorenzini did the same but installing brand new sheets and beams.. .Turubelco Lt.
only straightens the old beams and usable sheetsand put only where is neededsecond
selection sheets or old onesadapted to fit our Sphere.- Tolobar reads.
You better pay for the best! Or do you prefer to be traveling while the Sphere rips apart?-
Cartelia asked him
Tolobar makes the deal with Lorenzini Lt. and asked when they will begin to work.
In two hours time, Sir! We will strip your Sphere of every damaged beam and we will be
replacing one by one, not to damage the interiorthen the sheets. All of it in seven days.- The
man in charge said.
Very well. I have two Assistants on board- see they dont get damaged, as they are rented.-
Tolobar said.
We will be extra careful, Sir.- The man said, with a grin.
13
At 20.00 hours, Tolobar and Cartelia walks out of the Sphere, with the workers already
making their job amid a lot of noise.
We better sleep outside the spaceship or well be awake all night.- Cartelia recommends.
I assume its the most sensitive thing to do is to take a good meal and end up in some cheap
hotel room.- Tolobar saidshe stared at him, saying: Dont you dare to do that, or Ill never
come back to your old fashioned, out modeled Sphere!
Tolobar still had those adjectives lurking inside his mind, and realized he had to keep the
beautiful woman at his side, because everything else was falling apart around him
They enter a Restaurant, and while she asks for salads and a small piece of meat, he asked for
scrambled eggs, bread and a bottle of red wine.
At the other tables, whole families were chatting and eating, with a lot of noise of forks,
spoons and clatter of dishes. The attendants here were a couple of big Negros- the fashion
nowadays dark synthetic persons made to order.
Where are black persons, dear?- Cartelia asked.
14
I ignore! He said, drinking from his bottle- a luxury he had not known at the last voyage
among the stars.
Its good to be here, surrounded by people- it seems so secure in here!- She said, and a
couple of minutes later, a couple begin to yell at each other the woman gives him a slap and
turn to get out, when the man throws her his half eaten dish- the object collides with her head,
and the rest of the food oozed down her neck and shoulders. She gives a terrific yell and fall
over a gentleman who was taking an artichoke soup.
Nice and cozy!- Tolobar said, smiling.
Let as get out of here!- She begged but before they could move, the man from the artichoke
soup went after that angry man and begin to beaten him - some other clients realize it was too
much beating for the guy, and run to the rescue.
Dishes and food begin to fly; women yelled and chairs and tables seem to be there just to be
smashed over.
Part of a shrimp salad come flying to decorate Cartelias bosom, stained her dress and yellow
clothes. She search for the culprit and decided it was a laughing brunette, the one with a funny
pink hat.
You, lousy woman!- She yelled, falling on her with clenched fists- the brunette receives her
with outstretched arms and both went under a table, while Tolobar begin fighting with two
men as he try to approach her- he hits a man on his mouth, sending him reeling to a fat
womans lap; the other man grabs him by the back so he went to the floor where he fight with
shoes on air- someone fall over his assailant and grabbing the opportunity to crawl, he
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

approaches the pair of harpies , banging the brunettes on the floor; Cartelia grabs the
opportunity and scratch her face big time, before Tolobar said: Please, stop that! Let as
crawl to the door!
It was not an easy task without beginning new fights, but at last they stumbled out and walked
away, with torn clothes that were nothing but filthy with food.
What a fight!- He said, when arriving to a square- there was a beautiful fountain with lot of
water falling from figurines; they clean their faces and she said: Hope we could find a hotel.
They will believe we are a pair of beggars!- And they both laughed.
16
At a side street, they found a small hotel, where they stayed for the night.
A shower at last!- She said, and although there wasnt any shampoo, she was happy using the
soap over her body.
Tolobar gets inside the bathtub full of water and using the soap he said:- I was almost
forgotten about how good is this!
With me inside?- Cartelia said, and she, too, takes the opportunity.
The rest of the night passed in silence, so they could sleep until eleven hours.
Were becoming lazy!- He said, but when she embrace him and kiss him, he forgot about
duties.
They lunched at a place where there were lots of tents and common people milling around-
the different meal smells was intoxicating; from that place they were to buy clothes.
Look how nice I look with this piece!- She kept repeating when testing different clothes-. He
paid for eighteen different women dresses, as they were non expensive.
For him he bought four sets of clothes and two shoes. She chooses three sets of fine shoes and
two fancy boots.
With the bags full of clothes they arrive to the Sphere using a taxi Flier; KB 30 said: Good
afternoon, Sirs! The works are advancing but youll had to wait for days until the din slows
down. This he said because the beams were being pulled down and new ones puts into place.
Tolobar looked at them for a while, noticing there was just one natural man among dozens of
electric men working.
Dear: why dont we go away? I am catching a headache here, with all this noise!- Cartelia
said.
All right, I am feeling the same thing.- Tolobar agreed, and when walking down the ramp,
they saw Consanesco Clago approaching.
Hi, Sir and Madame! Nice day, eh?- He said.
Yes. The workers are making a lot of noise. We are moving to a hotel. Tolobar said.
Consanesco smiled and said: Im finish with hotels! Too much silence in them! Could I sleep
here, for a change? And Ill keep an eye on the team. (He was referring to the workers.)
Well. Yes, at your usual cabin?- Tolobar replied.
All right! Farewell!- He said, walking up by the ramp.
Good! I am more at ease right now. Tolobar said.
Why? I am sure the guy will be here just for the night!- Cartelia replied.
The streets have moving ways, pneumatic and Transporter cabins- in the same order, the
prices: cheaper of them all was the moving ways, and the more expensive was the Transporter
system, that was used mainly to travel to other cities on the planet.
18
This new hotel has every appliance I had dreamed of! I will suffer when the Sphere
reparations will be over.- Cartelia said.
We have plenty of time to enjoy city luxuries!- Tolobar said, from his side of the bathtub-
this one has a holo-jacuzzi, with the option of to see movies while on it- surrounded by the
scenes.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

You will be melted, so much time on the water! Let us go shopping! Electronic gadgets this
time.- Cartelia said, giving him a wonderful smile that had the power of to move him out of
his personal Nirvana
They hired another electronic man for their personal security, as there were many burglars
around- they saw three assaults in half an hour while on the street.
Model KB, one million sopes. Model AB, 700.000 sopes. Model ED 500.000 sopes, Translucent
AJ 250.000 sopes. - The Vendor said. They were looking at rows of mechanical men, standing
as statues- male, female, and there were others- fine models of exquisite design, down to
hideous looking figures for specific works where efficiency and not beauty was the goal.
Cartelia chooses a male design, and it was an ED made in Knapp, serial number AR43C.
It has a warranty of three years. Its waterproof, accept temperatures from minus seventy
five Centigrade to plus sixty Centigrade: beyond those ranges, warranty just dont apply.- The
Vendor said. The model comes with a pack of replacements and stuff the ED knows how to
use, if necessary: it was dressed in a pale green one piece uniform with a lapel on his right
arm, the sign of the maker: Easy People Company.
19
Once at the street, she said: Look! A gambling place! Let me try if I am lucky today?-
He never likes to gamble, as the money usually goes as easy as a whisper out of his wallet, but
he condescends and gives her a thousand sopes.
She played at dices: she bets a hundred sopes at the time: five times she lost, and then she
begins to win- when she said: Its enough! My nerves are eating me! she already had won
five thousand sopes.
Once at the street, the ED said:- Where to go now, boss?
We are at a hotel, the Neruda. Let us go there, but I prefer the walking ways.- He said, but
the ED negate with a movement of his head, saying: Better to take a Taxi Flier, Boss. We are
being followed.
All right, call for one of those.- Tolobar said, thinking in that someone saw his woman
winning that easy money and were jealous of it.
Are we safe now?- Cartelia asked them, when already traveling on that vehicle.
Yes.- Tolobar said, looking to all sides
The Flier arrives safely to the hotel Neruda, where Tolobar paid the fare with his Credit
Card; she said:- I will give you the money, dear! If I want something to buy, Ill ask you to
pay.
Of course.- He said, and at the automated selling machine ATM he makes a deposit of five
thousand sopes.
When at the suite, Tolobar seats at a sofa, while she went to her bedroom. He calls ED AR43C,
saying: Look here, man: I am the owner of a rotten old Sphere spaceship, thats being
repaired at the local space field, section C , pole Twenty. I have two KB units taking care of it.
If you want, boss, I could call on them from time to time, just to make you know about the
repairs.- ED AR43C offered.
Yes! Call them, identify yourself, and it will be good to know about a man I had there- crew
member Consanesco Clago- strange man, he dont care about the noise the workers are
making there.- Tolobar said, handling him his cellphone to call.
ED AR43C calls to the ones, and soon has the information: Boss: Lorenzini Lt. has half the
work ready. But then comes the wiring and thats take some more time.
Four days to go?- Tolobar asked.
Approximately.- ED AR 43C replied.
And Mr. Clago?
He slept the night you departed and since then he hadnt appear.- ED AR43C said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Well, must have been the noise that get on his nerves.- Cartelia said, having heard some of
the conversation when arriving to that room and Tolobar laughed her occurrence.
That night he went to dance with Cartelia, that in fact did not dance too much but she loves to
be there, amid happy people hearing music.
21
This place is something to remember.- She said to him in his hear (too much noise to be
heard in any other way).
Yes, I am happy that you like it. He said, oblivion for a moment of his problems with the
Sphere and the loss of commander Skizler and the others.
Then, after a time of music and enjoying the presence of happy people, they give a tour above
the city looking all those commercial centers brilliantly lit, other places were parks, with dim
lights showing dirt traits going through trees and statues.
Back at the hotel, they slept embrace in a pink cloud of love.
Days passed fast in that way, and soon the Lorenzini Lt. calls on him to show the end results.
Wow! Its new!- He said, looking how the Sphere was shining under the sun (Swastica Star).
Nice looking.- She approves.
The KBs were there in attention, so Tolobar said: Any comment?
There are several malfunctions we could detail to you, only the list comprehends 102 errors.
It was KB 30, of course. Tolobar reddened and said to the chief of the Lorenzini Lt. team:
What do you get to say about these errors?
The man puts an angry face, saying:- To me, our work here is over. If you had any complaint,
just call to our offices.
Tolobar gets into the main cabin, finding everything with a light cover of dust. Cartelia said:
How dirty is everything in here! These Synthetic persons did not clean up their mess!- And
she coughed; Tolobar said to ED AR43C: Copy the list, revise what is wrong and come back to
me.
Yes, boss.- He said, departing from his presence. The workers from Lorenzini Lt. went
away, without any more ado.
Guess we had to wait!- Tolobar said, seating on a chair- a cloud of dust timidly goes up from
it.
The place is life an ancient tomb! I will not get in here after you send to clean it up!- She said,
walking out of the cabin.
Right.- He smiled- when ED AR 43C comes back saying half of the problems was minor, and
that he could fix them. Tolobar said:- No, by now well lean on that Company! Send a message
saying there are problems with their work. I am sure they will be here in a minute. I still had
to pay half of what they had charged.
Yes, boss, sending . Now they are replying. Hope you had found our work satisfactory. A new
team will arrive there for minor details. Dont worry. Signed. Lorto Foko, second Master in
terrain.
Good. You wait here- tells them what is wrong and that I will come back tomorrow to see
hows going.-
Very well, Sir.- ED AR 43C said.
When going down the ramp, Tolobar saw the two hired KB, and said: I dont need more of
your services, men. You can go now.
KB 30 said: There will be a person coming to collect our renting fares, Sir. Good day.
Bye.- Tolobar said, looking how both Synthetic persons walks away.
Well, I guess ED AR 43 C will take care of the spaceship from now on?- Cartelia asked.
Yes, he will be here when other workers from the Lorenzini Lt. comes to fix those small
failures.- Tolobar said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

How do you know the failures are of not much importance? In space everything blows up
big!- Cartelia reminds him.
Possibly.- Tolobar said, touching her hair.
Why dont you hire personnel to help him? Or buy another one? Your crew members havent
appeared yet.
I will fix that in due time! Let us go to have lunch, darling.- He cut her out, and just the same
admiring her good figure inside a beautiful dress.
24
While lunching, he used his cellphone to ask for another cheap ED to Easy People Co., and
this time another vendor said: Oh, yes, Mr. Tolobar! You bought an ED last month! See,
theres a promotion, a special offer this time and for only a few days long.
Tell me about it, man.- Tolobar smiled.
Two EDs for the price of one and a half! There are just like the one you bought- a special unit
that goes with a pair of space hands for hard work, night vision, radio incorporated and
resisting from minus forty centigrade to plus seventy centigrade without a flinch.
Waterproof! Tolobar said, remembering one of the attributes of the one he already have. A
silence, and then:- No, pity but this models has that inconvenience. You arent a sailor per
chance?
No, as I am a spaceship owner.
Then its solved! You will be not having any problem in space!- The Vendor said, in a
triumphal tone.
And if its raining heavily, in some other planet?
Please, Mr. Tolobar! They can stand a rain! The vendor said, with a laugh that seems to be a
whining sound.
All right, send that offer of yours! I will be at wait a minute- Tolobar said, and turning
towards Cartelia, he asked: Where are we right now, darling?
At the Santos Dumont Restaurant. And hang up! Your meal is getting cold!
Santos Dumont Restaurant.
We will send your request there, or have you a problem with it?-
No, but you better get hurry: I cannot be here all afternoon!- Tolobar said.
Good afternoon, Sir.- The Vendor said, and hang up.
What was that?- Cartelia asked him.
I request for another two EDs, darling.
Two? - She asked, almost choking with a piece of meat.
Yes, there is an offer. Half the price.- Tolobar explained.
Good.- She said, attacking a Brontosaur steak.
25
When the desert was being waited, the two EDs and a salesman appears asking for him-
Tolobar signaled, and the salesman shows the two EDs with a slight movement of his eyes,
saying: Here they are, Sir: your two Assistants.
Fine.- He replied, looking at both Synthetic persons- they were using blue one-piece
garments, and backpacks were hanging from their shoulders so they look as a pair of young
scouts.
They look rather young.- Cartelia said.
Well, if you want Assistants looking older, I could ask for a change.- The salesman said.
Its better to look unto young faces.- Tolobar said, taking his credit card from his pocket.
Very well, the price is the same- and any complain you could want to present us, just vie me a
clal and a team will visit you in the hour.- The man said, cashing the money with the help of a
pocket size in-line credit accreditor and bowing, he left the place.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The two EDs were there, standing at attention both with a size of a meter and seventy five
centimeters high.
Seat down at my table! No need to be standing there.- Tolobar said.
The two EDs seats- Tolobar said:- Tell me; can you connect your selves by radio with ED
AR43C?
One of them said: Yes, Sir.
Very well, he is one of my Assistants. Ask everything you must to know about me, the Sphere
and so you will be able to assist me fully.- Tolobar ordered.
Yes, Sir. Connecting. Data incoming.- One of them said, and after ninety seconds, the same
ED said: All data storage, boss.
Thats fine.- Tolobar said, smiling. Cartelia makes a derisory gesture: she finds nothing
funny about Synthetics.
After lunch, Cartelia said: I am deadly tired, Ill go to our hotel room.
Fine, and Ill go to the Sphere, to see What is going on there.- Tolobar indicates.
When he arrives there, ED AR43C was supervising reparations made by a team of Lorenzini
Lt. and said:- Good afternoon, boss! Half the numbers of important repairs are already
donned. Possibly tomorrow all will be repaired for good.
Perfect! Keep on with it!- Tolobar said, walking to the main cabin. There, he said: I dont
know you know much of this Sphere and controls?
We can manage.- One of the EDs reply.
How?- He smiled back.
We have the standard knowledge on spaceship guidance systems, although we have never
used that knowledge.- The ED said.
Why not?
We are brand new items, boss. Out of the box, shall we say?
Wow! Well, Ill teach you as much as I know of this particular Sphere control panels- more
will be teach later- when a pilot and other crewmember arrives.- Tolobar said, and begins
teaching them- so they were adding that information unto their electrical brains.
When he has nothing more to teach, he seats and said: Well, thats all by now! There is plenty
of information at the main computer databanks.
Order that, please. Hes refusing.- One of the new models said.
Main computer! I order you to open all databanks files to this new ED models I had recently
purchased.- Tolobar said.
Hes opening.- One of the EDs said.
Good, learn from it now.- Tolobar said, hearing the distant sounds the team from Lorenzini
Lt. was doing.
27
He gets asleep at his own cabin and two hours later he awakes. The EDs were there, at
attention.
Guess I dozed out. Have you learnt something new from the main computer?
Lots of information, boss. Now we know how engines work and the way to repair it.- One of
the EDs said.
Right. Now, tell me your serial numbers, to recognize you by names.- Tolobar asked: they
were ED BL32 and ED BF05.
Good, and now clean everything inside this Sphere, beginning by the main deck and following
by the cabins. Guess you know where to find the utensils to perform our job?- Tolobar asked
them.
EDBL32 said: Yes, boss.- And they both went to work. Tolobar seats at his desk on his office,
looking at the news on the holographic set. Mostly economic and mercantile news were in
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

abundance. He mused on what to do next: open a shop, begin a freighters career, or fly away
carrying some passengers
He heard the buzzer on his door and he said: Come in.- That was the password to allow the
door to slid open.
Pardon me, Sir, but the workers are looking for you to talk.- ED BF05 said.
Why, what happens?- Tolobar stands up in attention.
They are quarreling with ED AR43C.
Tolobar went to the third level, section Four.
28
He heard the screams of the workers that were very angry.
Stop a moment, please! What is happening here?- He said loudly.
This Synthetic is telling us what to do! We know our trade! Tell him to go away!- The chief of
that team said.
Boss: they are misaligning the wiring in this section and- Was saying ED AR 43C, but the
same man interrupted him, saying:- What he knows of this? Else he goes or we go!
Hes at home here. If you want to go, the airlock is opened!- Tolobar said defending what
was his pertinences.
The crew went out with their tools, and ED AR43C said: Let them be gone, Sir! I know how to
fix this section, now we have more personnel!- And he was referring to the two EDs newly
bought.
Wait.- Tolobar said, and talked by holographic set with the office at the Lorenzini Lt. ; soon
he was receiving much explanations and the Vendor said, finally: Wait for an engineer, Sir, so
your Assistant could explain to him what our team does not comprehend.
Very well; I will wait here. He said, and then he calls on Cartelia at the hotel Neruda.
29
Darling: dont wait me up, because there was a problem here with the team of workers and
Ill stay here until its fixed.
What? Do you fight with them?- Cartelia gets worried.
No, but they went away. Another team will come here, but I am not trusting in them now, so I
will personally supervise it. Tolobar said.
As you wish, Bye.- She said, after a pause. Tolobar turns to ED AR 43C, saying: No need to
do it by ourselves. They will send an engineer, so you are sure to explain our point of view.
No problem, Boss. I will be here- or better still, I will wait at the airlock for his coming.- The
Synthetic person said.
Yes.- Tolobar said, seeing him depart through the corridor. To the other two he said: Do you
clean the cabins, Deck one, etcetera?
All was cleaned, Sir. Now we could clean in here, if you want.- One of them said.
No, as therell be plenty of dust after the new team comes along. Come with me.- He said,
walking to his cabin; there, he said: In this spaceship I have several hidden weapons, just in
case pirates or other evil people come along. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
ED BL32 said: Yes, but only to defend our boss- in this case, you. But we cannot hurt or kill a
human being. Prime Directive is on.
So, you could put it off?- Tolobar questioned them, but they did not reply: by the force of the
First Directive.
30
Tolobar arrives to the same conclusion, so he said: Dont answer that question!
Thanks you, Sir. - ED BF 05 said.
And now, do you know why both of you were sold with a discount?- Tolobar asked.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The ED production will be cancelled next month, boss. Soon the company Easy People Co. will
be making only KB and AB models; when clients come to realize this, the sells will plummeted
down. And the price will also be going down, as a consequence.- ED BL 32 said.
And spare parts and repairs?
That will keep on working, boss. Dont you worry about that.- BL 32 said.
The Vendor told me you were with a discount because you are not waterproof.- Tolobar
commented.
That is true, boss. We cannot be submerged in water, but we can stand a rain, or drops of
water.- ED BF 05 said.
Tolobar scratched his chin and said: Let me see why you cant be waterproof.
ED BL 32 and EDB F05 takes off their clothes and shoes- ED BL 32 said:- Look unto our
organs, Sir, where water could leak, if with certain pressure, as it is a lake, river or in the sea.
To his surprise, Tolobar realize that ED BL32 was a male, while ED BF 05 was a female. He
dont peek on their sexual organs: they look normal to him, so he said: I understand. Dress
you up.
They dressed- in fact, there were scant clothes on them both- and Tolobar yawned and said:-
Wake me up when the engineer comes along.
Yes, boss.- ED BL 32 said.
Soon he was sleeping. One hour later, ED BF 05 awakes him, saying:- The engineer arrives,
Sir. ED AR 43 C is guiding him to sector four, third levelin this moment.
Fine. ED BL 32: you stay at the airlock. Nobody enters without calling me first, with the only
excuse of lady Cartelia.
All right, boss. On my way.- He said. Tolobar takes ED BF 05 by the hand, saying: You come
with me!
At the fourth sector, there were three humans and his Assistant: in that moment, the Assistant
was explaining something. When he finished, Tolobar said: Good evening! I am the owner
here. What do you think about what my assistant was explaining?
One of the men, a fat, bald man in his thirties, said: We had been listening to him, Sir. We
understand his concern. What he say is right. But that not necessarily means our team was
wrong: there are two ways to cope with this problem, but of course, we are here to make the
client happy with our services.- And the eyes of the man sparkled, full of other reasons he
prefers not to mention.
Let us do it as my Assistant said, if hes right.- Tolobar said.
The engineer looks unto his wristwatch and said: Very well, well do as you prefer. This will
take a few hours as a new team will be in charge, now. The engineer said.
No problem at all! I will be on the spaceship until things works fine.- Tolobar said.
The men from Lorenzini Lt. went out the airlock and as Tolobar left them at the entrance, he
saw the sky was not blue as before, but black some known stars were blinking faintly.
Its dark already!- he said, looking now at his wristwatch: 21.10 hours. He calls to the
Neruda hotel, but Cartelia did not answer.
Guess shes asleep! I will go sleeping myself too. EDAR 43C, ED BL 32: you stay here, inside
the spaceship, close the airlock: when the new team arrives, one of you stays here, the other
goes with the new team to do exactly as we want: any problem and you call on me, get it?-
Tolobar asked them.
33
Understood, Sir.- Both assistants replied.
You, come with me!- Tolobar said to ED BF 05.
At his cabin, he said: I am a man of habits: close the door with the lock, and well sleep
together. Any problem, you just awake me.
Yes, boss.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

And another thing: when nobody is around, I am Tolobar for you.
Yes, Tolobar.- She said, locking the door.
In the morning, at eight oclock, she said: Tolobar, awake! The workers want you at the
fourth sector, level three.
He opens one eye- what he sees likes him, and embrace the E-woman, saying: Are they ready
for inspection?
Yes, Tolobar. They finished the work.
He kissed her warm lips, and said: You are beautiful.
Thanks.- She said, smiling.
Well, Let us see what they want! You just dress yourself and wait me here.- Tolobar said,
while he puts on his monopiece and walks out the room.
When arriving to the sector, all were smiled; ED AR 43 said: All is ready and in function,
boss.
See? Our workmen are top notch!- The Natural man from Lorenzini Lt. said.
Good to know its all set and donned! I am satisfied if my men are satisfied, and now let as
pay the final quota.- Tolobar said, producing his credit card.
The man handled a machine to insert the card and the payment was donned.
34.
The team of workers departs from the sphere, and Tolobar said: We arrive here with an
almost broken spaceship and now I assume its in working order.
ED AR 43 C said: To be sure, boss, you get to use your Sphere in space; make a trip: we could
help you at the controls.
Tolobar said: The fewer crewmen I could have in here are eight persons, provided I work
with you hand in hand, plus Cartelia that only makes five persons.
Eight persons are only necessary if you man the weapons. ED AR 43 C said.
True. You never know when evil people come along. I will call my natural men on board:
there are a few jewels among them- skilled, honorable people. You will see.- He said,
beginning to use the holoset, he calls on the men: Weldan Ottor, Logor Robner, Consanesco
Clago, Haveo Suller and Cupio Corpus: none of them answered their cellphones, but the
messages were sent.
Strange: they not respond. No matter! They will find the message next time they use their
cellphones. Tolobar said.
But several days later, the idea begins to set: the old crewmen were not to return to the old
Sphere
35
Tolobar said to Cartelia: Certainly its disappointing: I trust in them to keep on going- one of
the main reasons was to begin a freighters trade, but pitifully, I guess now it will be not with
them.
They are tired of to be in space, far from the rest of mankind! Also, you give them too much
money: they possibly are working by their own.- Cartelia said.
Are you accusing me to be an overgenerous person? Tolobar asked.
In part, yes. By the way, are you going to sell that machine, now that is repaired? Because you
pay too many millions in this refurbishing! You should try to recover the expended money
you said you wanted a farm, or was it a commercial store?- Cartelia said.
In the days aboard the Sphere, Tolobar realized he belongs to the space, because to be in a
planet was good, but after a time, it was not enough. He looks at Cartelia: obviously, the
atmosphere of luxury and comfort that was given to her spoiled her mind?
And youwould you wish to travel in it? Certainly, if carrying cargo it will be rather boring,
but we will be together.- Tolobar said.
She did not reply for a moment- suddenly he felt his feet rather cold.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

No, I wish to stay here- no more nights inside a capsule, nor dead or aliveThis is my last
point to stay.- She said, with a cold stare.
36
Tolobar sighed, and went out of the suite, walking fast- too late he had realized he was alone
in this searching for a new beginning in space.
When arriving to the Sphere, he said We are leaving this place! ED AR4C, you will be the pilot.
ED BL 32 : you are in charge of the radar, ED BF 05 : you will be in charge of the
communication system. Ill be at the engine room: well be communicating at all times
through the holographic sets.
And he rush to his new position; he generated the enough and necessary energy for to travel
safely. The city of Cunae, where they were landed previously, soon it was a mere point in Tief
continent, near the equatorial line.

Chapter 3.
SWASTICA V III : IGITUR CITY.

They landed now at the city of Igitur, at the Streich continent, at the west of the occidental
hemisphere. The commerce was twice the size than at Cunae, and the space field was
enormous and without comparison. Tolobar said to EDBF05: Seems the Transporter system
is almost not in use here. She smiled and said: You are wrong: the transporter system is
being in use: the sixty per cent of the local trade is made by Transporters.
Fine.- He said, thinking that the goods still were being carried by space freighters.
Are you sure to become a space freighter captain?- EDBF05 asked, looking how he drinks
from a cup of coffee.
Yes, but I need a crew. Synthetics this time: I am finished with Natural people. He said,
caressing the beautiful E-woman.
You should call Easy People office: here I am hearing that are good offers, auctions and
cheaper than at Cunae city.- EDBF05 informed.
Guess we could buy five more EDs.- Tolobar said.
It would be better if you visit the store in person, Tolobar: there are rumors that people could
only see the sixty per cent of the stock, using their holographic sets.- EDBF05 said.
Well go together, so you could help me decide.- Tolobar said, hugging her. She giggled
38
The hall was enormous- and the building has 305 floors- a giant place, and the delivery was by
Transporter, and also through cargo Fliers that departs from every floor, as there were
platforms at the sides of that yellow edifice.
There were floors with giant automatons for hard work; miners and carriers of huge
dimensions. Other were as vehicles with wheels and capable of to fly.
Tolobar recognized in those the ones that he had taken by taxi Fliers
The humanoid form begins with sizes of twenty centimeters high, to four meters long. Males
and females, alien creatures and also hybrid forms, some were copies of famous people from
the past, capable of recreate their original personalities.
You can choose, dear! From the personality the figure portrays or the standard in use
nowadays.- ED BF05 said.
Tolobar saw hundreds of prices- and models. He finally bought five models: three males and
two females. The design was copying fine human specimens- they also have their boxes with
spare parts included.
I will buy three of the midgets.- He said, choosing one male and two females that had also a
small house or enclosure where to be when not needed, to protect their mechanisms- they
could hear and talk.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

39
There were EDs, except the midgets, which were class LIL, a modern creation from the famous
inventor Mr. Wason Plantel.
The new acquisitions were given specific labors to comply on the Sphere, and then Tolobar
told them- to the new and old purchased Emen and Ewomen: And these labors are while
traveling on the Sphere. When we are not traveling, you will have different labors that I will
tell you when necessary.
They all acquiesced to his orders, even the midgets, so Tolobar said to them:- Your abiding
place will be my own cabin, when I say otherwise, youll be at the main cabin.
With a tiny voice, the male midget 20 centimeters high said:- We are happy to serve you, Sir.
We know you will take good care of us.
Yes, that is certainly true.- Tolobar said, smiling. Then, he posted advertisements at the
holographic media, in order to make travels with or without cargo to any part of the Galaxy.
Tolobar said to ED BF 05: Sounds grandiose, and preposterous but its the truth.
I revise other companies. I have a list of their prices.
Put me in that list, make it public, asking a less three per cent they are asking. I must be
above my competitors!- Tolobar said.
That same day, he receives a holographic message, asking for a trip to Aurea Seven planetary
system.
Aurea Seven! WellI hope things are a little better there! Invasion and all, not a good place
to goby the way, how much could we ask for a trip there?- Tolobar asked of her.
Seventeen million sopes, dear.- ED BF 05 replied.
40
Seventeen millions? And what about the earnings?- He asked.
A eighteen per cent. Its about three millions and sixty thousand sopes.
Round trip?-
Only one way trip.-
And if I come back empty handed?
Thirteen per cent.
Well, that means?
2.210.000 sopes, dear.
Very few, but hope we will make more deals on the go. Tell our client to speed up.- He said
to her, and AB BF05 sent the message a short while afterwards, using the holographic set.
That evening, a pair of gentlemen visits him at the Sphere. They had bulky bodies, using dark
suits and lenses.
We are Johsen Varin, the client you get for a trip to Aurea Seven.
Please come in. Take a seat.- Tolobar said, using the first cabin next to the airlock.
I am captain Tolobar-. As you can notice, I fix this Sphere for long travels. A trip to Aurea
seven at Warp 8 takes me two months and three more weeks to arrive to the Aurea planets of
your choice.
Third planet.- One of them said, with rasping voice.
Yes. Exactly eleven weeks. What are you carrying there?
Engines. Thirty eight of them, bulky materials also, all in containers. About thirty cubic
meters. - The other man said, expressionless.
Of course. And passengers?- Tolobar asked.
Nine or perhaps five, maybe more. Not sure yet.
Up to seven is possibly. My pods are limited.- Tolobar said.
Five it is.- The first man said.
When do you want to depart?
As soon as you say. We are in an urgent position: time is money.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

I know! Well, you can begin by paying me in advance- with the seventeen million sopes on
my Bank account you will begin the trip in less than a day: the time to cargo or merchandise,
ask for papers at custom office, and from there on, only speeding is needed._ Tolobar said,
putting it smoothly to their eyes.
I am impressed! You are a man of action.- The taller of them said, producing four diamonds
of particular size and radiance. He added: These are as genuine as my name is Corbom. Its
value surpasses the seventeen million sopes that you ask for the trip. If you take us in exactly
the time you give us, the rest of its value its yours. If not, youll get only the seventeen
millions.
All right, I take the deal.- Tolobar said, receiving the precious stones that Corbom puts on his
hand with a long stare.
Call us when you get it sold! And well be here with the containers.- The other man said,
departing.
Tolobar calls on ED BF 05, that wasnt present as ordered beforehand.
Look at this and tell me if theyre genuine or not.- He asked, handling those stones to her.
She looks at those using the zoom her eyes had ingrained, and said, after a brief moment:
They are genuine. Surely you want to know the price?
Yes, beauty.- Tolobar replied.
They are of a good quality, and because of it and the weight, I guess its cost is around the
23.000.000 sopes, perhaps a hundred thousand sopes more if you search for a nice buyer.-
She said, smiling.
The client said I can keep the change if we arrive in time to Aurea VII- 3! So we will be
changing these jewels for money right now, and you will accompany me! Tell the rest of the
crew to be prepared- the cargo will arrive when I call on the clients!- Tolobar said, walking
out of his office.
42
At the airlock, ED AR 43C said:- Pardon me, Sir, but how big is the cargo we will take in?
Thirty cubic meters.
We have a potential of 240 m3, Sir. Could be that some other client climbs in with their goods
and so, you could get two clients instead of one.- ED AR 43 C said.
Right. We have little time: our destination is only Aurea 7-3 as first stop! Time is essential,
because if we arrive on schedule, this client will pay me a prima of six millions! Tolobar
explained.
No problem: I will post advertisements! With any luck youll get more money, boss!- ED AR
43 C said.
I hope so.- Tolobar said, walking down the ramp with ED BF 05.
At the Moving Ways, he said: Good to have you around.
Why? Did you need help to carry the stones?- She said, jokingly.
Oh, no! Its good because you are young and your figure gives me strength to keep on.
I am ageless! I was born yesterday and I could live tomorrow! That is the way to live, dont
you think?- ED FB 05 asked him.
To live the present is not so simple. There! A Pawn shop! Let us see how it goes with the
stones.- He said, and as he chooses a big store, soon they were offering him 22 million sopes
cash, or 23 in installments.
Cash! I get to travel soon.- He said. Of course, the money went directly to his Bank account.
Send a message to our clients! And to the ones at the Sphere, to take whatever the clients
brought inside the haul, and to secure the cargo.
Done.- ED BF 05 said, thirty seconds later. Her eyes were bright green, and she was using a
fair dress and golden sandals.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

At the spaceship, I would ask you to dress with an overall, green as the rest of the crew are
using, because I could get jealous when seeing male humans looking at you.- Tolobar said.
Can you be jealous because of me? Well, in that case, I will look like a young man.- She
laughed very agreeably.
They went to buy some items, and the delivery was set to the Sphere. She talks with EDAR 43
C and he said the customer hadnt arrived, nor new customers had appeared.
We must to wait! Let as enjoy life, by now!- Tolobar said when hearing it, and they went to a
steam bath enclosure, where the two of them spent two hours. He was worried because of the
waterproof failures in ED synthetic entities, but ED BF 05 said:- Dont you worry! Theres a
limit and before that, internal alarms advised me if something goes wrong.
When they finish their time there, they went to a Restaurant.
Pity you dont need to eat! You could be delighted with the flavors.- He said.
I could pretend to eat! Of course, later I must throw it all.- She said, laughing.
44
Oh, no! No need to dirt your inners.- He said, and when finished, he said: Good meal! Let as
go?
But she did not move. She was staring and as a doll seats there immobile. He calls on the
Easy People Co. and said what the problem was
But I told you those models cant receive too much moisture! A service repair man said.
What could I do? I am at a fine Restaurant now!- Tolobar said, staring at the absent minded
ED BF 05, adding: I am at Vernes Restaurant.
After a slight delay, the man from the Easy People Co. said: Are you prepared to wait? We
could be there in some minutes.
Ill be here. My name is Tolobar. He said and after acknowledging his call, the technical man
hung up.
What a luck!- He murmured, as if by way of telepathy, a waiter approaches, saying:- Is
something the matter with your lady, Sir? We could call an ambulance.
No! She is a synthetic lady. But theres coming a team to takes her out. My name is Tolobar.-
He said.
No need to be seated here, Sir. We have a special room where you and the e-lady could wait
at leisure. We will carry her in a way few customers will notice herillness.- The waiter said,
looking as this case wasnt the first in that Restaurant.
All right, but you tell the team thats coming that I am waiting for them.- Tolobar indicates.
Of course, Sir. Now dont you worry about a thing...- The waiter said, going to the kitchen.
Soon two men come, takes her by the arm pits and walked with her almost in the air, arriving
to a room where she was seated on an armchair- Tolobar seats in front, and they were left
alone.
Soon afterwards the Easy People Wagon Flier appears on the roof, the team goes down, and
soon they were looking on the failing ED at close doors. Then, one of technical men said:
Sorry to say, Sir, but the mechanism is out of repair.
What a pity! I grow accustomed to her!- Tolobar said.
But theres a solution: a new mechanism but with her same positronic brain. She will
recognize you, and of course, no more baths.- He said, as Tolobar had explained the cause of
the blackout.
I am going out of this world very soon: I am the captain of a space freighter! I will not stand
another of her failures!- Tolobar revealed.
You could change the model, Sir. And ED model AF! With that body, therell be no trouble at
all!- The technician proposes.
And how its going to cost me?
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Around five thousand sopes, if you give us this body. Or a million and a half, if you want this
model with a new positron mind inserted- in all, two million sopes both.- The technician said,
looking at his notepad.
No. We better let this body out of the bargain. Prepare the new body with the old mind. When
itll be ready?- He asked, stroking his chin.
Tomorrow at eight hours, Sir. Are you still at the Neruda Hotelyour last given address?-
The technician asked, looking at her memory circuits.
I am at the local spaceport, but do not mind that. I will be at the Neruda Hotel for the night,
and hope you really arrive at eight in the morning.- Tolobar said.
46
The technical engineer smiled and said: Dont worry too much, Sir! We have a complete
laboratory with lots of people working in it, a beautiful technical staff, working day and night
throughout the year! We will be there at eight hours; you just prepare the credit card- its a
joke.
Thanks and choose a face as similar to the one I knew first. - Tolobar said.
Of course, Sir, Model 05 is one of the best known and theres plenty of stock.- The man said,
departing with his crew and ED BF 05 inside a yellow box with wheels
Tolobar paid the meal and something more for the rendered services.
At the Sphere, he calls on EDAR 43 C and said: ED BF 05 fails to work due to some moisture
she gets. I bought another body for her mind- I will be at the Neruda Hotel until morning.
Sir: why dont you take another ED to keep you safe? The city looks quiet and secure,
peaceful , but sometimes bad things did happens.- ED AR 43C proposes.
All right, send me a replacement.-Tolobar said, and when the Synthetic model arrives, it was
ED BL32; he asked: And did the cargo arrive to the spaceship?
No, Sir. Do you want to call on the clients to fasten pace?- ED BL 32 said.
I rather wait than molest them. Perhaps they are busy trying to get things done. Better to
wait; they already paid, so I am not in a hurry: the hurry will begin at our take-off! - And with
that, Tolobar went to the Hotel Neruda, rents a suite and said to the ED BL 32:- Nobody must
enter the room, but questions could reach me.
Very well, Sir. I knew you are waiting for someone in the morning.- ED BL 32 replied.
Yes; awoke me when they arrive: I must to check what they are bringing to me.- Tolobar
said.
Ill stay close to the entrance door.- ED BL32 commented.
Do it; seat, if that is better for you.
Thanks, Sir.- The ED said, and Tolobar takes a shower, and went to a real bed he dreamt
with green pastures, where a big red rocket begins to expel the flames by the exhaust tube,
burning the beautiful flowers of what was a nice garden
Sir! The Easy People team has arrived.- The ED said. Tolobar takes a look at the
wristwatch: 8.05 hours. He puts his shoes on and a robe; then he walked to the receiving
room.
Good morning, Mr. Tolobar. Sorry we awake you up, but your Assistant here told us you had
orders to call you when we show up.- Said the same technician of the previous day.
I like to sleep only scant hours, but perhaps in this quietude I stay in bed a little longer.
Where is my ED?- Tolobar asked.
At the corridor, as this is a personal matter, we prefer to let the client meet the assistant in
private- dont you worry, Mr. Tolobar, well be waiting at the corridor for further
conversations.- the man said.
Wait for the payment until I am sure the Synthetic person is of my liking.- Tolobar said.
Of course, Sir.- The technical man said, going out. Tolobar looks at ED BL 32, and said: You
better go to my bathroom and waits there until I call you.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Yes, Sir.- ED BL 32 said, walking away.
The door opens and a gorgeous blonde appears white skinned, bearing a smile, with green
eyes and her height was equal to Tolobars 1.85 meters.
It was a real beauty.
Hi!- She said, embracing him tightly. When she separates a little, Tolobar noticed that her
eyes were moistened.
48
Why are you suffering?- He asked.
You are very generous, Tolobar: you give me a second chance to live, and I will always
remember this.- She said, kissing him.
Wow! You are pure fire!- He gasped for air, after that kiss
For you I am ever. I love you!- She said, embraced to him. He was mildly surprised, but he
waits until she said:- We better let the team come in, dear. They had lots of work to do during
the day.
Tolobar calls on ED BL 32 who was at the bathroom, and said:- Open the door and let them
come in.
The team comes in, with the technician looking at them gleefully. Then, he said: I see you are
both happy!
Yes, I am happy.- Tolobar said, and she said:- I am most happy!
The technician then said:- Well, Let us begin telling you, Sir, that your e-female has been
enhanced to the full , now shes an ED AR, number 85 A, and that means , it is the most you
could get from an ED, and its not little thing, I assure you: she now could perform any athletic
exercise for hours, she could bathe, swim in lakes, rivers, the sea, without any problem:
warranty for five years! What do you say about that?- The technician asked him.
Just what I was expecting!- Tolobar said, and the technician asks to one of his team mates
about a bag- it was produced, and it was a nice one, made for a female. He said:- In this
special bag shell find any small appliance she could ever need- ointments as well as
instruments that could serves for small readjustments, if the case so requires.-
Thanks.- She said, taking the bag in her hands.
49
Now it rests only to be paid and say goodbye.- The technician said with a smile.
Tolobar uses his credit card on a small vendor machine the man had, and the payment was
performed.
Nice trip, Sir. Good day to both of you.- The Technician said, going out with his team of
workers.
Tolobar embraces her, who said: Now you must call me EDAR 85 A.
Oh, nice nameperhaps Edara could sound better, what do you say about that?- Tolobar
asked her.
I love it! Sounds so natural- She giggled.
All right! Let us move to the Sphere now! He said, and soon afterwards they were taking a
taxi Flier and traveling to the spaceship.
This is great- to come back!- Edara said, looking at the vessel.
We are going to travel to Aurea 7-3, and I cannot remember if you should know about it.-
Tolobar said.
Yes, I remember quite well. I only pass out when you was eating, so from then on I do not
know what more has happened.- Edara said.
Nothing much! I called the Easy people guys, and here you are- not a scratch!- Tolobar said.
I wonder what happened with my old body.- Edara mused about.
Certainly they will find a use for it.- Tolobar replied.
It serves me well. Pity the seams were failing.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

This one you have now it is way better. You are the best of my assistants.- Tolobar said.
Yes. It must be that way because I am your woman!- She said, kissing him.
50
At the airlock, EDAR 43C was waiting, and said:- Boss: the clients appears. Only one box was
delivered- he told me that there are some problems to bring the rest in here.
All right. I will be seeing it.- Tolobar said, and at hold #2 there was a container, with yellow
markings.
What is inside, did they told you about what was inside?- Tolobar asked
Engines. By the way, there are two clients- scientists- wanting to travel towards Aurea IV,
Sir.- EDAR 43C said.
Already on board?
Not yet- they wait for our call. No need to have them here- eating and occupying the baths.-
EDAR 43 C commented.
And the prices?
Three million sopes each.
Good. The passengers could give us more profits than cargo, but of course, we are practically
beginning in this trade.- Tolobar said.
From there, to the main cabin, where he gives a simple work to Edara, just to have her near.
At noon he said: Time to lunch! EDAR43 C : stay in charge. I will go to eat and see some more
of this city.
Very well, Sir.
ED BL 32 goes with me. Edara: Let as go: and call a taxi Flier. I wish to lunch at the other side
of the city. Tolobar said.
Of course.- She said, leaning unto him for a second. She felt warm inside, just being close to
Tolobar. A new sensation the engineers at Easy People Co. had given to their creatures: more
sensations than the humans have, more feelings, better understanding of the other
51
The place was very modern, with translucent waiters serving small dishes for high prices.
From there, they went to see a new store where they sold Fliers of every kind. One of the
novelties was the energy-made car, that in fact was made not of metal nor plastic- it was made
of atoms coalesced, magnetically enhanced. The driver could use a panel where he just
touches where he wants to go, and the vehicle will see how to arrive there, without the need
to be driven. The other method was to think where he wants to go, and the vehicle will carry
there by its own.
A fine invention. He said.
For just seventeen millions you can have one of this wonderful machines you dont need a
pilot! And its interior could house height persons or a cargo up to the eight hundred
kilograms. You just tell where do you want the cargo to arrive, and the energy car will carry it
without any mishap.
And it is made hereat Igitur City?
No! Its from Brana 1thats why the price is so high.- The Vendor said.
I see, and perhaps its for millionaires. - Tolobar said, not willing to pay for exclusivities.
Edara said: Dear, look those long Fliers: can easily carry two hundred passengers.-
And how about the cost of it?-
Seventy two million sopes, Sir. But you could make interplanetary trips on it.- The Vendor
said.
There were small scale models to buy, so he takes five of them, that later were hanging at his
office.
52
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

EDBL32 said:- News from the Sphere: the clients had arrived with twenty five containers, and
EDAR 43 C is asks you what to do: the maximum capacity its forty.
Tell him he is the one who see how the most of them could be storage, if he cant put them all,
that he leaves the rest out on the ground until I arrive.- Tolobar said.
Message received.- EDBL32 said.
Guess its better we depart now. - Tolobar said to her.
When arriving one container was on the ground but the other was stuck inside.
Captain! Its most important we get everyone inside the Sphere! My client expects the whole
of this merchandise!- Mr. Varin said.
Let me see what I can do, first.- Tolobar said.
Johsen Varin said: I guess its bad stowed.
Let us see.- Tolobar said again, not to lose his patience with this client.
The interior was packed with containers. EDAR 43 C was still working on them. Tolobar said.
We should take everything the last container has inside, and put the items one by one where it
could be storage.-
He told that to Mr. Johsen, who said:- And its no other way? I could pay something extra, if
necessary.
No way. But objects could be accommodating on cabins and corridors.
Johsen Varin calls Gudor Ormin, and after a while, he said: If theres no other way, we accept.
The container was opened and from its interior they took boxes, sealed and covered by black
bags made of a strong plastic, with numbers on each one of them.
In one hour, the content was inside the Sphere.
53
We will bring some friends, captain. You just wait for us.- Johsen Varin said.
Of course, I can wait.- Tolobar said, thinking in all the weight the Sphere was now
supporting- the four legs looks thinner in his mind
When the clients were gone, Edara said: They dont look like merchants. They look as
smugglers.
So, you think we are carrying illegal merchandise?
Its the more likely. We should depart as soon as possible, but the gentlemen seem not in a
hurry.- Edara said.
Possibly the danger is on the space and not in here.- Tolobar said, as he hasnt forgotten
neither the police patrol nor the pirates from Browell.
They slept at the Sphere, after a brief talk with the LIL class midget synthetic persons.
We are bored here. We want to roam the Sphere.- The male midget said.
When in space, maybe. But I am secluding you in here, because people could stomp on any of
you, or you could fall in some ventile a thousand problems could occur.- Tolobar said.
Pss! No problem with us! We know how to take care of ourselves! Or are you afraid to lose
your money?- One of the e-women said, disdainfully.
I will think about your request. By the minute, you stay in here. Tolobar said, next to lose his
patience.
At the bedroom, he closes the door, saying: I was not aware they were here to cause me
problems!
Sell them! You are in time. Change them for a more useful ED, normal size. Did I call them?-
Edara suggested.
To whom?
Easy People Company.
Yes, better to do it now we have the time. He said, and five minutes later, Edara has the
answer: They authorized the change- the law is on your side. You will have to pay a thousand
sopes- that is the difference in price.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

All right, you just tell me and Ill go seeing them.- Tolobar said, going to bed for a while.
She accompanies him, saying: Hope this situation has not diminished your passion for me!
Of course not, darling!- He said, grabbing that splendid e-woman in his arms.
One hour later, they call on him to take a look at the new ED.
An e-woman!- Edara said, presenting the model to him at a corridor and adding: There are
too many males in here!
Yes, women are nice.- He said, paying the thousand sopes. The ED was AR 50C, and very
attractive.
I am captain Tolobar. No sex on my spaceship.- He said to her.
Very well, I will comply.- She said with a vivid voice.
Now, keep close to EDAR 85A until you know all about her and about me.- He said, slowly.
I understand, Sir.- She said.
You will address me as Tolobar.-
Yes, Tolobar.- She said obediently and applying a nice smile.
Tolobar receives a bag with the items the ED will require for small adjustments, and saw how
the Technician departs from the Sphere, and one of his aides said: This captain is buying a
whole harem for his trip!
EDAR50C looks around and said:- This is a Sphere. An antiquated way to travel, but there are
people that loves this antiques.
Yes, and now when referring to this vehicle you will add superlative nouns. He said, not
liking the tone she has used. EDARA notice it and said to her by radio: You just refrain to
speak freely or you will end attending the atomic generator.
Why?- She asked, by the same method.
He is irky and not always reasonable; has fits of rage, and for your own sake, do as I told you
if you want to serves him well. Edara said.
My boss must be top priority at all times. EDAR50C chanted- her software was ingrained
around that initiative
Tolobar, totally ignorant of what that fast conversation was about, said: I will not call you as
EDAR50C, but as Darel. And now, Edara, show Darel EDAR50C the Sphere, installations and
give her indications if necessary, in order to make of her a useful member of the crew.
Yes, dear.- She said, smiling, and went with EDAR50C Darel to comply with that order.
Tolobar waits one day before the clients arrives- five persons, in a pair of taxi Fliers that
landed to the side of the Sphere. They brought a lot of valises, bags and boxes Tolobar
provide those cabins where to put their luggage and also rest in relative comfort.
Well, captain Tolobar, we are ready to depart. My companions are Gudor Ormin, Schinglen
Bahn, Hantel Flug and Petrubat Fartule.
Good to know you. Be ready for departure: we are taking off in half an hour.- Tolobar said to
the men.
Very well.- Johsen Varin replied, walking by the corridor with his associates.
56
Before the takeoff, another person arrives, making gestures at the Sphere. Tolobar went to the
airlock and the man said: Please, call Mr. Varin! Tell him Trator is here!
Tolobar sent an ED to tell him what was happening.
You, here? I told you that you are not going!- Varin yelled at the man.
But they discovered my place! I barely could escape. Please take me with you!- The man
pledges. Varin looks at the captain, saying:- This man is one of my employees: he had never
been too clever! Guess I must to take him with me in this long journey.
Theres no problem, Mr. Varin: we have plenty of room for another passenger.- Tolobar
replied.
But you said not enough pods!- Varin remembered him.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Well, I guess that we can accommodate him at a not so pleasant place. But as I said, he could
come in.- Tolobar said, and an ED extended down the ramp for that man to climb on board.
He was really upset for unknown motives. Varin takes him to his cabin immediately.
Tolobar seats at his post and said to Edara:- Tell everyone we are starting the engines as we
have already our clearance to depart and takeoff: plenty of traffic around here.
57
EDAR 43C was now piloting the Sphere, and of course he also was helped by the main
computer and his assistants: captain Tolobar just were watching.
A large train of spaceships were coming in from the outer planets- three of them were huge
battleships, and one golden spaceship with the form of a needle.
Its the presidential vessel, Sir.- EDAR 43C informed him.
Great ship! At least with a capacity of four hundred persons!- Tolobar murmured.
Eight hundred and twenty passengers its the capacity of that behemoth.- Edara said, as she
was hearing radio communications.
Real big. I wonder what his intentions are. Tolobar said.
Soon they were far from the third planet of Swastica V, in route to Aurea VII- 3.
Eight minutes to leave this planetary system, Sir. EDAR43C said.
Good , we have a long way to go. We must get everyone inside a pod. Meal is not so abundant,
and even spray food is not inextinguishable.- Tolobar murmured, taking the soft and warm
hand of Edara.
I will send an assistant to tell them about it.- Edara said.
Yes, they could be a nuisance if left two days roaming our Sphere.- Tolobar said.
Varin appears on deck fifteen minute later, saying: Captain! Good that you send us to the
pods in view of so many days in space but think a little on our preferences! We want fifteen
days more on the awake status! We have lots to discuss and we must plan some more on our
trade.- His eyes were dangerously brilliant- in them Tolobar reads the man was not going to
accept a no for an answer, so he said: Oh, very well! Accept my apologize. Perhaps a small
dinner together could ease this misunderstanding?
Varin takes the position of a conqueror, and said: No need to do that, captain! We understand
your absence of know-how.
I insist! This is the first dinner in outer space, and previously to the Warp drive initiation, its
our tradition to give a good meal to our passengers. And Tolobar was not a bit smiling fellow
now.
This time was Varin the hesitant, and said: WellIll tell my associates.. If its a traditionit
would be a bad omen to break the rule, isnt it?
I suppose it so, sir.- Tolobar said, because the tradition was newly invented by him, in this
case
And when, minutes later, the passengers sent the message with an ED, the answer was yes!
Call me the doctor!- Tolobar said. Edara calls on EDBL 15 , an e-female that was the official
doctor, and he said:- You are going to prepare a strong gas, to put every passenger asleep: I
dont want them to be hurt, but its possibly the only way to get them into the pods is that.
Could you do it for me?
EDBL15 was a nice looking e-female, who smiled and said: Boss, you know I will do
everything you want, no matter if I fuse my brains in the process.
Tolobar laughed and said: Wow! Thats a good way to earn my sympathy! But I dont want
you to cease to exist! Is there some problem with that order?
Not at the beginning, Sir. I could provide the gas- a mild narcotic one- but if I am to deliver it
to the humans, my system will try to shut up- and if I insist, troubles will be tantalizing. -
EDBL 15 said, in a very melodious tone.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Right, I get the idea. I will give them the medicine. Go and prepare it, EDBL15: tonight it must
be delivered. Tolobar said, and she walks out of the main deck with an agile pace.
Come, dear! Rest a little with me! You are awake from so early today! Edara said, sensing
his breath was altered.
Great idea! EDAR 43C: take control of the ship!-
Yes, boss! - He said, looking at his own console.
At the cabin, she undresses and pushed him to the bathroom, saying: A warm bath will make
you happy!
He obeyed and soon they were under the water drops, laughing and caressing each other: a
psychological treatment she was giving to that human.
The group of Johsen Varin was joined at the observation room, where he was saying: We
have now several days to organize our future tasks at Aurea Seven. Every word here could be
heard or recorded by foreigners, so we will use a noise scrambler any record will be
receiving noise instead of our words, so rest assured we will have absolute privacy.
This is good, but what we are going to face there is twice as good!- Bauker Listel said.
We will earn millions! Our descendants will live in mansions to the fourth generation!-
Hantel Flug said, smiling broadly.
Danger is out of the question! Our associates will unify forces with us in view of the huge
profit they could get.- Bauker Listel said.
Our captain has invited us for his traditional first dinner! Have no worries: I have a small
artifact that will test every meal and drink he is offering us! No precaution has been discarded.
Varin said.
Hours later, and at the dinner room, Tolobar raise his glass with wine, saying: I give a toast,
gentlemen, to a safe voyage and a happy landing!
They all raise their glasses, while Varin, having tested his wine, made a slight sign of advice to
his friends and associates that the wine was pure.
Tolobars EDs brought food and beverages to the passengers, and then Edara comes in and
said: Captain, the pilot calls on you, urgently.
Pardon me, Sirs: I will be back soon.- He murmured and went out of the room; doors were
locked and Tolobar hurriedly poured the gas inside the room with a balloon inserted on a
small vent, drugging everyone into a dark slumber.
61
Tolobar looked at them by a web camera and said: Carry them to the hibernation pods; we
dont want any of them out of their narcotized state before being cryiogenized.
Yes, boss.- EDAR43C replied, giving orders to others to comply with the command.
One by one they were put in place: the pod was a horizontal capsule, where the person lies on
his back. Several syringes went into his legs and arms, and then the lid was shut in place, and
the process begins- every drop of blood was sucked out, replaced by the gelid liquid that
permits ice cold air to freeze the organism without killing cells- in fact, a percentage of them
will die in the process, but not to be a dangerous procedure. Then the air was sucked out, and
in a perfect vacuum, the body awaits for the process to be reversed weeks, months or years in
the future,. More than sixty nine years could be not surpassed, as from then on cells begin to
die at an increasing speed, and that was real dangerous for the body involved
Tolobar sighed, in peace with himself. Fifteen days they wantzero he was giving them! Of
course, at the hour of their wake up, they could feel themselves violated in their human rights,
cheated and double-crossed, but the matter was going to be history by then. Also, he was
going to be extra careful not to present himself in bodily presence until they were calmed and
relaxed, possibly with extra drugsand he will dump cargo and passengers as soon as he
could, out of his Sphere good bye!
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Hi, dear! Bored?- Edara asked him, approaching- she kissed him, and said: The old men are
cooling slowly now, to permit sufficient water to leave the cells during progressive freezing of
the extracellular fluid.
A cooling rate, guess I know something about the procedure.- He said, while she seats on his
lap- she only weights forty two kilos.
62
Oh, yes, the typical cooling rate is around one Centigrade per minute; appropriate for
mammals with a glycerol cryoprotectant or a dimethyl suphoxide cryo-p.- She said, kissing
him again.
This next two months in your company will spoil me.- He said, embracing her.
Do get spoiled! She said, leaning against him.
Every day Tolobar takes measures of stars, to know how much the Warp 8.2 was getting
them- the difference was negligible at naked eye, but instruments tells other thing: millions of
kilometers were eaten away every day.
Ten days after the criogenization, a field of small meteorites was crossed by the Sphere, using
the force field at maximum. Each time an asteroid was hit; there was an electronic sound like
the string of a guitar being played- the higher the pitch, the bigger was the object. Only
thirteen times the anti-meteorite cannon were used.
Approaching the Aurea VII planetary system, a triangular spaceship two hundred meters long
appears in the radar.
An unknown spaceship is traversing our path.- EDAR 43C said.
Slow down!- Tolobar said, and from Warp 8 they passed to Warp 2- the strange spaceship
did not reply to the hailing calls from the Sphere, where Tolobar expressed they were just
tourist traveling.
The Eight planet in full view, and the radio and holographic transmissions begins- the strange
language and the bodily appearance of those beings makes Tolobar said:- Pirates from
Browell-2 they must be! I doubt a tourist would be restraining to respond to our hail.-
Planet Eight had a orbital station and now is gone. EDAR 43C said:- Tolobar looks at the
distant planet with distaste: the pirates had ruined a marvelous Planetary orbital Base!
Planet seventh was very far from their position, as well as planet sixthno vessels were to be
seen; EDAR43C said: We are picking speed, Sir: the interior planets are very far: two days for
our theoretical arrival.
Edara: keep track on the radar. Now we could face dangerous people.- Tolobar said to the
beautiful EDAR85A.
One day later, she said:- Four objects circling planet 5, and others in the vicinity of planet
Fourth.
Tolobar saw the distance to both planets, seeing they were one at each side of their present
course.
Let as try to pass unmolested! No radio signals- stay at meteors standard velocity.- Tolobar
said, thinking that they spherical silhouette could cheat on the pirates.
Velocity set to fast asteroid, Sir. A week to approach planet Fourths orbit.- EDAR43C said.
No matter! We need to arrive in one piece. Slow and steady now. Our clients are approaching
Aurea 7-3 a little out of schedule- I intend to increase velocity after the passing of IVs orbit
Perfectly possible, Sir. Now it would be a wonderful time to revive your passengers.-
EDAR43C said.
Why now? They will be pestering me for an entire week!- Tolobar said.
64
Dear! They need to revise their plans! I hear they were to discuss certain matters.- Edara
said, as he had listened to the tapes.
Very well! Awake them. Tolobar said, feeling unhappy.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Hours later, Johsen Varin, Gudor Ormin and the rest were lying on their beds, each one in a
cabin, being massaging and talked, so they take their normal activities back again.
Tolobar was speeding the craft now; the fourth planet was being left behind. The Third planet
was in whole view hours later, and Edara said: Eight spacecraft orbiting the planet. And she
was at the radar consoles.
EDBL32 ,. Who was the radio operator, said: We are receiving information, boss. Lots of news
per second : seems there is a beacon in orbit, telling everybody What is happening with the
human society on planet Three.
And what, really, is happening there?- Tolobar asked, mildly worried.
The Browellian pirates rules the sky- they are receiving money from the bigger cities or else
there would be destroyed with missiles. The threat was backed by the destruction of two
smaller towns as a proof they are not kidding.- EDBL32 replied.
They finally enslaved these people! We must tell our clients that their trip have become
useless! No way could they work under these circumstances.- Tolobar said, and added: Who
is in charge of the country?
Every city is by their own.
And president Pansergord?
No governor with that name. And the invader has decreed no aerial traffic is allowed! So the
commerce has shrunk to essentials.
Number of populace?
Eighteen million in all, counting only what could be had in the transmissions. Four spaceships
had arrived here in the last five months: all five were confiscated by the pirates, although in
one of them their crew opposed to the requisition and were slaughtered.- EBL32 keeps
informing.
So we have no options?
Possibly we are going to be detected soon, dear! Too many electrical interferences going on.
Edara said.
The passengers were already being told of what was happening, and Johsen Varin said: We
must land on Obidal city! This merchandise will produce or was going to produce, huge
earnings.
Tolobar looks at Edara- she returns his stare with confidence in his decisions, so he said:
Right! We will be risking our lives and the vessel, but a bargain is a bargain: I said I was going
to brought you safely to this planet, and that I will do!
After asking that everyone must strap to their sites, he said to EDAR 43 C: Use maximum
energy but beware we dont finish bumping on the terrain!
Obidal city, next to a gulf. We could go underwater, search for a refuge, and sneak out after
our pursuers are out of sight?- The Synthetic man suggested.
66
Do it!-
First, we will fire a missile to the spaceship that is following us.- He said, pointing to the
radar, where a streak of red was approaching the center that corresponds to the Sphere.
All right!- Tolobar said, looking at the beautiful Edara, who said:-Sixteen thousand
kilometers and approaching.
The pilot accelerates, the spaceship plunging to the atmosphere- soon the force field was
helping not to get the hull be melted with the brushing against the air.
The blue sea approaches; there was an impact softened by the force field, and then they were
underwater- deeper and deeper they went, while EDAR 43C was looking for a crevice or a
hole where to stop the advance and crept inside. Thirteen minutes later, there was a soft
tremor, and EDAR43C informed:- We are at the bottom, sir. Gulf Admiral Salter is all around
us.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Tell me about the probabilities of to be detected here.- Tolobar asked who was feeling they
were in the open.
Almost zero, Sir. This place is like a funnel so the radar could not tell them our ships design,
and there are iron ores around. You can rest assured there will be no possible detection,
although our permanence here is not recommendable at least not for too long.- EDAR43C
suggested.
Why?
Earthquakes, Sir. A rock could come tumbling down and could .
All right, I get the picture. Well stay here for only twelve hours. Then, well deploy a drone.
We must search a secure place close to Obidal city, to deliver our passengers and their cargo.
Well be going out of the planet afterwards?- Edara asked.
Tolobar felt an electrical current over his body, and said: I have a strange feeling: Let as
observe better our surroundings.
Edara takes his arm, saying: A premonition?
Something more physical; I am getting scare of something.
If you want, we could depart from here and stay at other place. I doubt that they are
searching us in this sector. The beach is thirty five kilometers away.- EDAR43C said.
Yes, move the spaceship now.- Tolobar said, with apprehension.
They leave the place among bubbles and they travelled by the surroundings, until EDAR43C
lands the vessel at a depression of the terrain, but not as dangerous as the precedent hideout.
This is good for you, boss? - EDAR43C asked.
Yes, I feel secure in here. Hope my feelings are all right.- Tolobar said, looking at the radar.
Hours later, he was already seeing city streets thanks to the Drone. The clients were also
looking it and recognized some of the buildings, especially one where they make deals in the
past.
There! It is a big warehouse! Not as big as to house this Sphere, of course. Johsen Varin said.
Mr. Varin! Tolobar said, through the speakers.
Youll have to find a truck where to download your cargo! A desert road nest to a beach could
be great.
Yes, _And guess the Space port is out of order?- Mr. Varin asked.
Positive, Mr. Varin! Its closed. So I will send you and your friends to the shore, and youll had
to walk where your friend has the warehouse: from there youll call on me saying where and
when youll be waiting with a truck big enough to take all your cargo in one trip.- Tolobar
said.
68
The eyes of Varin were slits of distrust now, and he said: Very well, but one of us will stay
here.
No problem I will send one of my Assistants with you, to be in radio contact when the time
comes.
Varin was looking very relieved now, and said: I find it acceptable. When do we depart from
here?
As soon as you eat something.- Tolobar said, because he wants them to be energetic when
landing and not half starving.
Three hours later, the vessel was appearing between boulders on a desert beach. ED BL15
was called to Tolobars office, where he said: Watch out, now. You will use males uniform;
put our voice register as low as a mans.
Why?
I dont want them to be sexually interested in you. Secondly, nobody must touch you, nobody
will get response from you about the vessel, crew or technical things pertaining to the
Sphere.- Tolobar recommended.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

All right, as silent as a rock.- She smiled.
Not like a rock, but laconically to the extreme. When they finally get the transport, you call on
us, saying where and when they are going to be on a beach.- Tolobar said, and she kissed him
tenderly.
What was this about?- Tolobar asked her.
Thats for caring for me.- She said.
Now Let us go out, but theres one more thing: if pirates or the same customers begin
turning against you, please call on me and well rescue you from any part you could be
hiding.- Tolobar said, not at all happy with this matter.
The group disembarked aboard a rubber boat and using oars they landed in scant twelve
minutes. Tolobar saw their silhouettes until disappearing in the distance, using night vision
lenses.
Lets go to deep waters to wait.- Tolobar said, closing the airlock.
The vessel returns to deep waters and Tolobar went to his cabin with Edara, saying: Hope
this not take too long!
Yes, dear. Its a pity the pirates are in such a powerful position: this people will never become
a developed society with those leeches up there!- Edara said.
Right. But I have no power now. I dont have even a battleship, nor the ideal crew.
Why not the ideal crew? What am I for you, then?- She said, laughing.
They get inside the cabin; Tolobar takes her by her waist, and said. I will tell you what are
you to me. And he kissed her.
Four days later, ED BL15 calls them, telling where the rendezvous was going to happen.
70
21.10 hours and the coordinates are already on the main computer. EDARA said to Tolobar.
He looks unto his wristwatch and said: Very well. Its 04.00 hours now. Let as see if we can
work as fast as its needed. And went to see the cargo; he releases 80% of the magnetic and
mechanical straps, saying: hope we could release this on the shore without much fuss.
The man left there by Varin was Petrubat Fartule, who said: These engines will power a
thermo electrical generator to provide light to the street that still are in the dark. Or so they
told me.
Oh, very well. Please, go to your cabin and wait there, strapped to your chair, or in the bed, if
you like. Theres danger out there, and if we need to get away in a hurry, you must understand
why I am telling you this.- Tolobar asked, as the man was expressionless.
Yes, captain, I am going now.- He said, and departed. Five minutes later, Tolobar said to
Edara: I Mr. Petrubat Fartule in his cabin?
Yes, dear.
And strapped as I say?
Wait a second. Yes. He had strapped himself to a chair.- Edara said, after looking into a spy
camera.
Good. Now, well open a box- just to see what is inside. Tolobar said, choosing the biggest of
them all.
After two hours, the content was on the floor: a big engine, some other spare parts but also
Weapons! I wonderperhaps to defend the workers while installing the engines?- Tolobar
asked.
71
Only they know itand Mr. Petrubat. She said.
Right. No need to ask him- well take those weapons as a bonus.- Tolobar said, adding: Tell
the others to take the engine and spare parts again inside the container- and the weapons ,
put them where it could be difficult to detect, in case an inspection comes our way.- Tolobar
said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

By the pirates?- Edara asked.
No, darling! They will take everything inside, as usual. Inspections? No, they just rob the
people. Tolobar said.
At the fixed hour, the shadow of the vessel projects its figure on the half lit sand beach- some
lights were on posts, and they were in blue color.
Just in time, captain! We brought two cranes and eight trucks! Do you think its enough? Mr.
Varin asked from the shadows.
Yes, Let us get to work!- Tolobar and everyone except EDAR43C at the pilots seat and
beautiful Edara, who was near Tolobar, begin to work.
The cranes at the vessel projects its arms outside, leaving the cargo out- but from there, the
people brought by Johsen Varin and Associates get to pick it up and put on the trucks- there
was a lot of noise going on, but that beach was more than thirteen kilometers from the city of
Obidal.
When the last container was on the beach, Edara said: There are a hundred and two bags and
boxes at the corridors, dear. The ones we take out to be able to carry all of this stuff here.
Yes, well wait until these guys ends putting the containers on the trucks to download the
bags.- Tolobar said, but eight minutes later, Edara said: EDA43C is giving the alarm. We get
to go.
Why, pirates or policemen?
Something is coming fast from six thousand kilometers away, and from the high skies. Its
descending as a pterosaur - She said, taking him by the hand- EDBL15 takes the other hand,
and the three of them run up the ramp and EDBL32 close the hatch.
Hurry! Strap him!- Edara said to EDBL15, signaling a chair next to a bulls eye.
The spaceship raise on the air and disappear from the sight of the people still working at the
trucks- Johsen Varin and Petrubat Fartule turns their heads towards the sky.
What is happening? Why he goes away? Varin asked.
Possibly something is threatening themor something was detected by their instruments!-
Petrubat Fartule said.
Varin looks at the trucks- some of them departing, others being charged- and he felt a big
scare, so he said: Let us go! I have a car nearby! The truckers know where to go!
They take that car, and speeded out by the flat terrain, seeking the city lights ahead.
But the incoming vessel did not care for them, but for the escaping aerial vessel
This one escapes our surveillance! It sneaks down like a serpent- Commander Grurof said.
Yes, Sir, but well catch with it soon enough! Its a medium size vessel, easy to catch.- First
officer Pandergoliat said, sobbing (he had that strange attitude since childhood, when excited
by something unusual).
The battleship speeded after the smaller Sphere, and soon they were reaching planet IV
73
No signs of them! But we will deploy fifty satellites around the planet! When they surface to
reach outer space, these little kittens will indicate their ship for us. We will smash them. As we
had smashed the twenty three others that thought they can play with us!- Commander Rusof
said; vary angrily, at the command post on deck 1.
But captain Tolobar wasnt at planet Four, but heading to planet One, a mere rock heated by
the rays of the star.
EDAR 43C search for a cannon and landed there. The star was to the west and only refractions
of light reaches the hull.
We must find a better place than this, so they cannot spot them from above; and wait until
those enemies forget about us. Meanwhile, this planet will turn around the star and we will be
more and more far from the other planets very soon- and our enemies, I am sure, will stick to
those planets.- Tolobar said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Ten days of waiting, dear! Thats exactly what this rocky planet takes to orbit the star Aurea
Seven.-Edara said.
In four days elapsed time well reach outer space, then. Hope this stars rays dont fuse some
circuit.- Tolobar commented.
Scant radio messages were received, and of those everyone was encrypted- Tolobar said: It
seems automatic transmissions: I guess there are beacons.
74
Days passed uneventfully, and when the position on the orbit of planet One was facing the star
map to the III and IV planets, they start engines, and in five minutes the Warp engines start to
rumble.
We will be out of this planetary system in a short while more.- Tolobar said.
In seven days well be out, Sir, but we are going in opposite direction to the known stars:
Aurea system will be left behind and so it will be the Swastica Constellation. EDAR43C
informed him.
Tolobar asked about nearing stars, and EDAR43C projected the situation on a holographic
map.
The Huinkerios Empire rests to the south, over them are two rogue worlds once we visited
with commander Skizler, and contain a city in ruins, root of our welfare when selling its
treasures. To the north of it is Browell star, the reign of the space pirates. Both pirates and
Huinkerios are our declared enemies! And way north lays ROT 60, where I also visit and
knows things about it, being a member of commander Skizler.- Tolobar remembered.
And where do you want to go, Sir?- EDAR43C asked.
Beyond ROT60, wheres nothing is known.- Tolobar said.
There is a faint star beyond ROT60, Sir. Perhaps you want to visit it.- EDAR43C said.
Yes, Let us go there! I will get into a pod, of course.- Tolobar said, looking at the star map.
As it was his firm decision, the synthetic begins prepared him a pod where he gets asleep for
the rest of the voyage, that takes thirty seven years.

Chapter 4.
37 YEARS LATER.

When Tolobar was awakened by the Synthetic persons, thirty seven years had already passed.
When he was physically apt to walk and could have a normal conversation again, he told
Edara: Tell me what had transpired while I was asleep.
Darel (EDAR50C) fails, dear. Perhaps some strong radiation spoils her positron brain while
working outside the hull.
He stared at her, amazed, and said: But why her out on the hull? You know I always take care
of the synthetic lives, all the more if they are e-women!
Erson was not pleased, because apart of the fact he has a e-woman less, that model was the
most expensive.
EDAR43C commands us, as you said! And he had no differences with males or females.-
EDARA said.
All right. So how many of you are left?- He asked.
EDAR43C, EDBL32, and me are the only left of your formal crew.- Edara said.
I wonder if we could fight someone in these conditions!- Tolobar said, walking out of his
cabin.
At deck #1, he said to EDAR 43C: Bad decision, to send everyone out of the spaceship to
mend the hull! Next time only males are going out.
Yes, Sir. I and EDBL 32 will be sorting out! Understood!- EDAR43C replied.
And did you storage EDAR50C?- Tolobar asked.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Yes, Sir. In a vacuum box she is.- EDAR43C responds.
Well sent for repairs as soon as we could. Tolobar said.
We have a star with seven planets in front, Sir. Any names you could want to call it?-
EDAR43C asked him.
78
Yes. But I assume this star has been spotted from Aurea or Swastica realms: a name they had
surely devised for it?
EK 30621, Sir. But to put a new name does not erase the previous one- its just a name for the
commercial spaceships- a name easy to remember!- EDAR43C said.
EK 30621sounds good. But we will call it Tolobar star! A way the people could pay tribute
to an incredible adventurer: me!- Tolobar said, and he was at a loss, because the synthetics
did not understand a joke if said when serious talk is required, so at the charts they added
Tolobar to the nomenclature of that star, and the name sticks there and then.
They landed in a place near the equator in a green valley 500 kilometers long, flanked by
mountains that give birth to a river of crystalline waters.
Tolobar sent the synthetics to make a recognizance especially about the air, water and
vegetation, that shows long grass, big trees in groups of a dozen or more, and when they sent
messages to the main computer, Edara said to him:- No pollution, dear! You can breathe this
air .An excess of oxygen is present, but you will hardly notice it.
A terraformed planet: good! Signs of life?
Insects, trees. We must work a lot if you want the full report. Not only here, but in the entire
planet.- She said.
No radio signals?
No, and seems theres plenty of time to know some more of this planet. Are you going out?-
She asked.
Just for a while. I get to be sure there are no problems here. Where is the rest of the crew?
Everyone on the field. Let them there, so you will get a nicer picture of this place.- She said.
All right! Let us see What is out there. Tolobar said, walking by the corridor.
The air was fresh, with a small wind blowing from the northwest.
Ah, its real nice! Could be home for a new human civilization.- Tolobar commented.
He observed the trees, the grass and saw some small insects, which look very ordinarily. The
forms were a little different but that was all.
Theres no fruits nor tubercles to eat? See to it!- He ordered the Synthetic being, and she
said: I will tell them to search for those edible things you are prone to eat.- She said,
laughing.
A strong wind sends him back inside the vessel trembling- his age was weighing now on him.
80
Later, seated at an armchair at the OR (Observation Room) he said to EDARB5A: I could stay
here for the rest of my life.
Yes, the atmosphere is good for you.- Edara said.
If there are some fruits around, and some tubercles to eat, would be fine for me. Spray food is
not the same as natural fruits.- He said.
We could make some hybrids to eat, dear. Remember the ancient saying: No food was natural
before the coming of the Niburians?- Edara makes him remember.
Yes, but seemingly they spread the correct seeds to the four sides of the sky- even to this
second Brana they seems to have been working with nanotechnology, biology and
mineralogy. He said.
You run short, dear! They even rearrange stars, planets and distributed satellites where most
needed! Thousands of years of study creates enormous amounts of knowledge, apprehended
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

by the Niburians , mighty in intelligence- and memory.- Edara said, because she knows very
much on those subjects.
Tolobar had heard much about those enigmatic people, so he said: I am sure they are extinct
by now.
Possibly true- they worked hard not to be forgotten, thats for sure.- Edara said.
From the Synthetics arrive some radio messages, so she suddenly alerts him by saying:
Something is happening! EDAR43C was attacked!
A beast? Where is he?- Tolobar said, standing from his seat.
81
- Thirty two kilometers away. To the north. Hes disabled now. His radio is failing- gone.
Edara said.
What attacked him?- Tolobar asked her, and Edara shows him several enhanced images.
A nasty creature indeed! Sentient he seems not to be! Send someone to collect what was left
of EDAR43C and will run tests on him.
You meanits dangerous for them. They arent carrying any appropriate weapon.
All right tell them to come back.- Tolobar said.
Minutes later, they appeared on Deck 1, and Tolobar said: One of you must go where the
remains of EDAR43C is lying and bring here what was left in there.
An aerial suit would be fine.- Edara recommended.
Use whatever is necessary.- Tolobar said, almost losing his patience with the delay and
thinking in how useful had been EDAR43C, one of the first synthetics he learns to appreciate.
Edara shows him at the holographic set everything EDBL32 was seeing- tall grass and some
bushed- at a side, about a meter away, lays a definite part of what was the skipper. When
EDBL32 landed, a figure that has been hidden jumps on her, disabling his vision system. The
images on the holographic set disappears.
Apparently, the creature is doing the same thing he does on EDAR43C Edara said.
Right. No more retrieval must be donned. Tolobar, who was well aware of this personal loss
in less than one hourThis one was an e-female, plenty of smiles that will never return to
him
I guess we better return to civilization, dear, before we became less in numbers. Edara
recommended.
Yes, its a pity. This place looked so good for a nice vacation.- Tolobar said, and added:
Prepare everything to depart.
Two days later, they enter Warp speed 8.4 and with Tolobar sound asleep in a pod, Edara was
now piloting the craft and also in care of the radar, radio weapon systems and meteorite
cannons: EDBL15 was on the engine room, trying to cope with every mechanism in sight.
One month later, they stumbled on a meteorite field.
Wish our force field system could stand the beating. EDBL15 said, listening to the beating
the small pebbles banged on the magnetic sheet, while the generators buzzed full capacity.
Dozens of meteorites werent stopped entirely, banging on the hull with force.
Forget about hull repairs!- Edara recommended: No way could we do it now.

Chapter 5
AUREA II 3

The trip last 37 long years, and at last they arrive to Aurea II- 3, landing on Bohren Spaceport.
I see you have a natural person still on a cryogenic pod. Why is it?- The human from Custom
Office asks them when visiting the Sphere.
83
A slight imbalance on his bodily functions has been detected.- Edara said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

What a pity! But, we have good hospitals in here. Why dont you transfer him there?- The
Custom Officer asked.
As soon as you give us the clearance to stay we will do it. EDBL15 replied, so the man
stamped the virtual documents with his seal, saying: Very well, you could stay as long as you
please here- no fees by now, taking in consideration the owner is ill.
When he went out by the ramp, Edara said: I will call on an ambulance. You will stay here,
taking care of the vessel. I will try to stay with him as long as its useful.
The ambulance arrives twenty minutes after being called, and four synthetic transported the
pod to the hospital, where he was put on de-freezing while Edara waits.
Are you with Mr. Tolobar?- A nurse asked her, four hours later.
Yes, lady. How is he?
Fine. The imbalance is being treated- no need to be scared: its a matter of a day or two in
here.- the nurse informed her.
Ah, very good. I will leave for a few hours- much job to do. - Edara said, and returns to the
spaceship, where ED BL 15 was already radio- informed about Tolobars health condition.
84
At the Sphere, she and EDBL15 revised the hull and ask for a repair Company to make an
estimate for the repairs.
Five million sopes._ Said the first team called to revise it. The two others ask six and a half
millions, the third asked for seven millions.
We cannot repair it- too many shields are almost missing.- EDARA said.
Wait for our boss to think it over. EDBL15 recommended.
Instead, they repaired several circuits almost fused, replaced the Dilithium crystal and
polished and clean corridors, rooms, cabins and the holds.
Tolobar gets well in two days, and in ambulance he returns to the vessel.
Home at last! I am sick of hospitals! Old people go in and they come out in a coffin!- He said,
looking at the Central panel.
We clean and repair certain things, dear, but not the hull: there are lots of missing pieces, and
others are beyond repair. The cost is five million sopes.- Edara said.
Only five millions? Well, I have enough yet! Take a handful of relics and went out to the city-
search for a pawn shop, and get any money they want to pay you. Enough relics around here
to barter, if necessary. Tolobar said, coughing.
Edara did as he said and went out to the streets-. Soon she was unpacking and showing relics
to a small guy with just one eye left.
Oh, relics from unknown places! Did tell me, from where do you obtain these?- He said,
mildly.
85
From a distant planet, nobody is to claim for these objects: all of them are extinct.- Edara
said.
Mm! The little gnome said, touching the twenty pieces she had brought and then he said:
Sorry to say, but the government has decreed that every alien artifact with more than a
hundred years old must be declared at the customs office , and most of the time a prohibition
to be sold is put in place. You now, many a burglar come with stolen property to sell on my
shop.
I assure you this objects lie on a deserted and most distant planet. - She reaffirmed, thinking
in to search for another buyer.
The small guy said:- Dont take me wrong! I assume you get it where you say. But theres no
market for these relics anymore. Collectors of strange artifacts are gone with the wind. But I
tell you what I could do for you: I could buy these three objects I am interested in, because as
you can see, there is gold in them.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

So you buy it for the material that is made of, and not for the usefulness of it, or the art with
its infused?- Edara said, to clarify the deal.
Yes, gold, silver, platinum is useful to me. I pay not for the design but for the material and its
weight.- The small man said.
All right, let me ask my patron first. She said, leaving the premises with her bag containing
the relics. Four other pawn shop owners were contacted: one refuse any transaction out of
pure fright, two said they could pay a small amount for the lot, and the third pawnbroker asks
custom office papers to begin with.
86
Edara told that to Tolobar, through EDBL15
Sell what you can! I will see here how many gold we can get from those relics. He said,
walking to the holds.
Edara sold the three objects to the one-eyed man, and returns to the vessel.
Here are thirty eight objects. Some of them have little gold or silver in their composition, but
twelve of them are made of pure gold. How much money do you get?- Tolobar asked her.
789.000 sopes, dear. The rest of the relics I brought back. But perhaps in some other city we
could get more money than in here.- Edara said.
Why do you think that?- He asked, staring at the money.
Because there are rich and poor cities in this planet- we are in a not to wealthy environ here
in Bohren! And there are too many Inspectors milling around, looking for infractions to the
law! Out there, the power of these entities must be lessened by the welfare they get living in a
rich community.- Edara explained him.
All right! Let us sold this lot, and well depart!- He said, and Edara takes half the weight in a
bag, and EDBL15 the rest in another black bag, and departed.
Soon Tolobar receives a radio message, through the Main Computer:- The pawnbroker is
only giving half of what he promises per ounce.
Bring the relics back! No deal.- Tolobar said, blaming himself for not to have gone in person.
When they were inside the vessel, Tolobar said: -Ask for clearance! We will visit Zahn city,
where the rich people lives!
In minutes they were on the air, and in ten minutes they were already asking for a place at
Zahn spaceport, where thousands of spaceships were to be seen.
Pole 44!- Edara said, when receiving the authorization to land.
Fine, perhaps in here things are a bit easier.- Tolobar said.
And indeed it was every pawnshop was delighted when seeing the objects.
This is wonderful! Could you give us some background of where these trophies were taken?-
A pawn shop owner asked.
Not exactly, but in general, to the nearness of the Ultor Star.- Tolobar said.
Ah, and have you photos of that locations?- Mr. Louis Bucarmon asked.
Yes, I think I could provide you with it, as in our databanks there are enough information
about those alien cities.- Tolobar indicates.
Good! Some more information, photos attached, and our clients will be proud to show their
relatives and friends from where the relics are coming from. - Mr. Louis Bucarmon
commented.
The prices went high and high, and one object rises up to even 700.000 sopes by its own. The
gains now were big, enough to repair the vessel and more! But Tolobar said to his two
Synthetic persons: Enough of this! I am tired and space gives me not pleasure anymore! I will
spend my last days in here, at Bohren. Put some advertisements and sell the spaceship to buy
me a good home.
Are you sure?- Edara asked.
Of course. Space is over for me.- Tolobar said, leaning back on his old fashioned bed
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

88
The spaceship ends in an auction, due to the fact its appearance was not of the best; also
money was needed to start working with it.
The auction for the Sphere gives Tolobar more than 9 million sopes; not much as it should had
been, but there were brand new ones for only 24 million sopes, with better performance, if
only a bit smaller.
Search for a farm! Not too far from the city, but enough to have the comfort a big city could
give.- Tolobar asked from Edara.
She found it- a 20 acre farm, bot too well located- water was going to be scarce, but in good
conditions, especially the house.
Ah, great! 10 million sopes werent too much! Now, ask for furniture. And any other thing you
think its necessary.- Tolobar said. She had now his credit card, so he just ordered her and
she sees how to resolve the problem.
In a months time, he was already installed in his property: the house has every gadget
available in the market to make life an agreeable thing. Edara and EDBL15 were out working
on the farm and Tolobar uses his time supervising them, sometimes also helping at work, not
to damage their bodies.
This farm has lettuce, onions, potatoes, artichokes. We will stick to it! And perhaps I could
live from the farm, if selling quality products.- Tolobar keeps repeating- his days become a
peaceful symphony of work and relaxation that makes him happy.
89
Edara and EDBL15 make the farm reborn- the fruits and vegetables, duly packed, had instant
buyers, and Tolobar hired two male synthetics to help them.
There was a widow and her little son next to the farm, Miss Shuler, who had only dry land and
eight sheep to live on- they were poor, and many a time Tolobar visited them, providing fruits
and vegetables for free.
Erson, the boy, was 8 years old when it was decided, with the approval of Miss Shuler, that he
needed a good education- that ends being paid by Tolobar.
The boy was good at school, learnt fast, and his mother was felling proud; but a very crude
winter makes her ill; the boy, now 14 years old, wished to be with her at the hospital. Tolobar
said:- She is very good cared- I ask a renowned doctor to see her. No need to dump classes,
but of course, you could see her from time to time: Edara will take you to the hospital in my
Flier!
Thanks, uncle! I really am despaired for my mothercertainly she is more important than
my studies!
Yes, she is the most important person you have now, but I tell you: your timely visits and a
doctor will suffice!
As Erson realize, the matter was solved by Mr. Tolobar, that from childhood he has been a
good neighbor.
Very well, I will stay at school, uncle Tolobar!
Thats the spirit!- Tolobar said, and half a year Miss Shuler stays at the hospital, where she
finally died.
We must stay united, Erson! Your mother is resting now, and do not trouble for the farm: it is
in capable hands!- Tolobar said, as now he tends the two farms as if they were just one,
thanks to his Synthetic team.
90
At his 19 years, Erson receives his diploma of Electrical engineer in fusion generators, and
spend his vacations in his old house at the farm.
That first night at the tranquility of the farm, he talks with Tolobars dining room.
Thanks for this dinner, uncle! It was superb.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

I will give our cook your compliments: EDBL15 will be pleased to know it. And which are
your plans for the future?- Tolobar asked.
Guess I will work at a plant, uncle: the Modern Engine Corporation needs engineers
nowadaysI already sent my papers.
You dont waste time, eh? I remember my own youth: I become chief of engineer at my 25
years old, and captain of a spaceship at 45, under captain Skizlers command- pity he is now
dead, some as the dozens of valiant crews I knew back then: do you not hear the call from
Space?
No, uncle. My ideals are more on solid ground.- Erson said.
Very well, here we are working your land, so you dont have to worry about money: your
share is already on your Bank account, as you may have seen with your credit card-
Tolobar said, drinking from his glass of red wine.
91
Thanks you very much, Uncle. You had been very generous to me and my defunct mother.-
Erson recognized the fact, and it was moved when thinking in how generous Mr. Tolobar has
been with them, asking nothing in return.
They talked some more and Erson went to his home, glad to have been so lucky having
Tolobar as his neighbor.
Two days later, Tolobar had a heart attack, and Edara carried him to the Hospital. Erson was
very worried and he went there at the next day.
Doctor: tell me how is Mr. Tolobar: he is my generous neighbor.
Oh, well, hes a strong man, that refuses to have a transplant, so we are treating him with
Nano regenerators. Its a slow procedure, but I am sure he will soon get well.- The doctor
assures him.
Once Tolobar was able to receive visits, Erson enters the room, saying: Are you well, uncle?
Fine as an earthian apple! Were you not working?- The old man asked.
Yes, but I couldnt worked with you ill! But I talk to the doctor: he said you refuse a
transplant!
I detest using What is not minea joke. The nanotechnology its better- no invasive as a
transplant.- Tolobar said.
I am relievedI will be coming here to see you each two or three days, so you are well
protected. Erson said, smiling.
Yeah, protectedHows the farm going? Edara has been here, but I told not to come very
often. No need to stop everything just because of this old man.- Tolobar said.
You are not so old! Nowadays people could live hundreds of years. Erson said.
Yes, but changing organs, replacing flesh, bonesbecoming cyborgs. Not of my liking at all!-
Tolobar said, and Erson was there not to antagonize, so he said: Very well, uncle: dont think
about it by now. I will be going now more at ease, seeing that you are in a better condition.
Tolobar smiled and after a shake hand, Erson went out of that room.
Soon afterwards Tolobar returns to his farm, and with Edara and EDBL15 keeps on with the
old routine.
Crops are growing high. The new fertilizers work wonders.- Tolobar commented, at the
dinner hour.
Yes, three times more resistant to plagues and could be ripening in forty days.- EDL15 said.
How many workers we had now? Seven? - He asked both.
We have seventeen persons at work, dear. Ten natural persons and seven synthetics we
purchased using state bonuses. The government helps farmers in this age and time of artificial
growth of vegetables, because natural products are the source to many studies.
To make them better.
I wish to know how much of a percentage is natural in our crops.- He mused out.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

62%, dear. Fruits are the most tampered of.- Edara said.
Nice.- He said, finishing his plate and going to bed with faithful Edara. EDBL15 stays around,
guarding the house from intrusions.
In the next four months, Erson visited him twice, staying two days around; he loves to help at
the field.
93
Erson is in a hurry! Two different females he had brought to pass week ends with him. Edara
commented.
Better to see is a real man and not a homosexual.- Tolobar said, laughing.
The business was prosperous, the crops were now giving him thousands upon thousands of
sopes and Tolobar gives a nice dinner to his workers, where he said: To you , faithful
workers, I debt this prosperous two farms. Take a present at the way out: I am sure you will
like it!
And they find a thousand sopes bill in each bag, plus some biscuits and a bottle of liquor.
That night a second stroke and Tolobar died in bed, while his two female assistants called the
mortuary to get him cremated.
Erson knew about it three days later and he only could visit Tolobars house, where he talked
with both E-females.
Your neighbor died without much pain! At least it was a beautiful death. Edara said, staring
at him.
Its a pity! He was like a father to meand helps my mother without any interest: she was
always saying he was an angel... Erson commented.
Now that he has gone, we could keep on working at your farm. But in fact, we just dont know
what would befall on us: we never asked.- EDBL15 said.
If you get on sell, I will try hard to buy you both. Erson said, and departed not to his farm,
but to his work.
At the next day, he receives a call from a lawyer, who said: Mr. Erson Wollenrubias: we must
contact you to read the Testament of our late client Mr. Tolobar, because you are mentioned at
his last will.
Of course. Where are you located?
94
At Zahne city. Our name is Zufkunft and Associates, Street 903. You could be here in any
morning from this moment on. The lawyer said.
Thanks: I will be there tomorrow.- Erson said, and returns to his job. But he could not
concentrate fully on his work, because he keeps on remembering the numerous times he had
talked with the now defunct Tolobar , and worrying about what will happen at the lawyers
office the next morning.
At ten hours he arrives to the Zufkunft and Associates office, and after fifteen minutes of
waiting at a corridor, a fat and well-dressed man appears by a wooden door, saying: Please
come in, Mr. Erson. I am Mr. Zufkunft.
At a richly decorated room, he takes a seat in front of a holographic set that soon was showing
him the figure of Tolobar saying:- This is my Will and Testament. My name is Tolobar, ex
captain of a spaceship. I have a Bank account number 453323064247, and in it there are
twelve million sopes. I have a farm that is located in Sector A 37, number 540. All of this I give
to Mr. Erson Wollenrubias, neighbor of my farm. I also gives him seven synthetic persons, fully
operational, that are working at my farm.
95
Mr. Zufkunft turns off the holographic projection, saying:- And every item on the farm is also
yours. Now, you will be signing some documents, and we will transfer everything Mr. Tolobar
once has, to your name.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Mr. Tolobar was a very generous man, always helping my mother and me, since my
childhood I remember him around.- Erson stated.
Of course. Well, Mr. Erson, you just tell me now where do you want the copy of your
documents be dispatched.
To the farm of Mr. Tolobar, that now is mine.- He said, thinking he had to instruct Edara
about this.
At the next day, he asks to be excused to work because it was time to mourn his benefactor,
and went directly to the farms.
Welcome, Erson! Nice you come by.- Edara said when he approaches to the house that once
belonged to Tolobar.
Hi, Edara. I have some news for you. He said, and with the Synthetic woman he walks into
the living room.
All what Mr. Tolobar , who I always called uncle, owned in life, now is mine, as stated in a
Testament he signs at Mr. Zufkunft lawyer office. Erson said, uneasily.
Oh, this is good news! He had that lawyer working for him. Congratulations. You are the
owner of two fine farms we had seen to it.- Edara said.
Erson weep and she said: Come on; you have to face this episode with courage!
He felt that nice body next to him, her sweet smell, and begin kissing her. She smiled and said:
I will be good to you.
And in that day she became his mistress
At dinner time, with EDBL15 present at the table, Erson said: Life in here is a good thing.
Edara had shown me the figures: two million sopes could be earned per year.
Yes, I had told you that, but also that the space could give you ten times more in a week! We
know where to fine precious relics, a treasure that could give you ten farms such as this two
you have now.
So good is to trade relics?- He asked with an incredulous tone.
Erson is getting interested.- EDBL15 said, smiling.
Yes, I am not obtuse: a life working for peanuts its not my ideal. Also, now I could stay here
and harvest that pair of millions a year.- Erson said, caressing Edaras face: she smiled and
said: You could have me here or in space! Choose well! In here youll not learn much about
other civilizations and their worlds.
Erson sighed and said:- It all happened so quick, I cannot realize is me that must cope with
this several options.
97
No problem, Erson! You have both of us to help you win!- Edara said, reassuringly.
And the next step? I should be selling the farms, and go out and search for a reliable
spaceship. Erson said, knowing he was going to rely on Edara for everything related with
spatial flight.
I will put advertisements. When the people realize how much potential are in these two
farms, I am sure they will be very interested into buy. I could make some corrections, in order
to show more earnings that they will really get.- Edara said.
Oh, cheating is one of your sins?- Erson asked.
Only when it serves to help you.- She replied.
The documents stating Erson as the inheritor arrives in two days. Edara already was
advertising for to sell machinery and the two farms. Soon questions begin to emerge at her
holographic set, and in two days she has already the one who wishes to become the owner.
I have an Elmer Forgobin as the best option to buy your farms. He is asking for the seven EDs
as part of the bargain.- Edara said to Erson.
98
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

But they are costly, are they not? He asked from the bed- a place he stays there until ten
oclock instead of his old usual 8.00 hours.
Yes, they cost 1.2 million sopes each. I will ask for them separately- dont worry, I know how
to deal business.- She said, caressing his hear.
Come here, sweetie!- He said, taking her by the hand.
That afternoon, Edara was looking for a fast but simple spaceship, that could require not many
crew members but indeed a big hold where to storage lots of cratesshe finally finds an Orb,
refurbished, and they were asking only 30 million sopes for it.
Erson approaches to the holographic set, saying:- What are you looking, honey pie?
Spaceships! Mr. Tolobar uses to praise this old kind of machines.- Edara said, indicating the
revolving figure of the Sphere with one of her fingers.
99
You have 12 million sopes from the inheritance, and from the seven synthetics we should
keep four, three are for sell in 3.5 million sopes. The farms I am asking 20 and 25 million
sopes for each of them. I expect them to pay cash or no deal- nowadays, as I am informed,
people signs to pay but later they laugh on the seller.- Edara said.
Do it your way, darling.- Erson said.
A month later, they were living in a hotel: both farms were already sold, and the three EDs
were in custody at a special housing facility until needed.
You have now sixty million sopes and something more. The Sphere could be bought now, or
do you prefer other kind of ship?
I had seen silvery discs, needles of shinny iridiumbut I guess I am inclined by spheres. Get
that at the less quantity that you could bargain.- He said.
Understood. I will need help, for a little scheme- I will use the three Synthetic persons out of
the repository.- She said, departing, while Erson seats in front of the holographic set the hotel
provides together with the rooms, in order to learn about space travels.
AT midnight, she comes back, saying: All right, dear! The Orb is yours now! For only fourteen
million sopes.
Wow! So you did gets a huge discount.- He said.
Yes, we searched for the owner and scared him a bit, and then he was pledging us to have it
with a discount! I brought it to the local spaceport, sector B, pole 44.- Edara said.
Nice work.
The three EDs are there, too. They are fixing things, cleaning and also seeing nobody harms
the craft.- She explains.
Erson send them to buy food, storage water, and spent the rest of the afternoon looking on the
different sections of the Sphere, finding factory names in each of the engines, and systems that
probes this vehicle was one of the best in its time. The EDs come back at 19.30 hours, on
several Fliers carrying the food and some other things they thought could be of use.
This Sphere has no weapons installed. Only a force field that is very strong and anti-
meteorite LASER cannon. We should set a LASER cannon, just in case we were attacked in
deep space. Remember pirates did exist and also desperados- captains without a sopes to
keep on going. Edara said.
All right, how much do we get?
Forty six million sopes.
And how much for to weaponized the Sphere?
8 million sopes. And it will had missiles, LASER AND Maser cannons.
And a lot of consumption of energy?
Not much: nowadays each weapon system had its own energy source. Cold fusion is the
name.- Edara explained.
Oh, and just LASER cannons?
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The cost is four million sopes each.
I will buy one, for safety. It could be disastrous to be in space and the only weapon to defend
ourselves its feeble LASER cannon, able just to disintegrate rocks.- He said.
Think also in a missile thrower: one LASER cannon only debilitates force fields, while instead
a missile busts a force field at the first impact.- Edara commented.
101
Erson looked at her for a while, and said: All right, put a missile thrower too! How much its
now?
6 million sopes.
Right. Let us begin with that. Who wants MASER cannons? He asked, embracing her grace
figure.
Nobody.- She said, kissing him tenderly. She was there to make him happy and not to
antagonize his decisions.
Four weeks it takes to insert weapons, two for several test at the weapons FEB Industries
testing grounds, and one last test flying in orbit, that gives the acquiescence to do what they
should do.
This is wonderful. Pity theres nowhere to test these missiles without endangering someone.
He said.
Thanks theres no war! Each missile cost seventy two thousand sopes!- Edara commented.
Guess it is cheaper to run. Warp 8.4 its the most it could give. Certainly there are vehicles
with higher capacities but with a lot more need of energy. Edara said.
We need more crew members? Or are all right with what we already have?- Erson wanted to
know.
We have the main computer- in this particular case, a rare specimen: a Sonyphyl 30-362. A
nice collection of crystals makes terabytes dance inside his positron self. Edara said, smiling.
And?
And its capable for to carry you with no need of a crew! You just ask where to go, and the
main computer Sonphil 30-632 will carry the vessel there without problems. It could fire the
LASER cannons and throw out missiles if necessary, to open a path in a field of debris or
meteorites.- Edara said.
A real genius.- Erson was impressed.
Of course. A genius that lacks feet and a pair of hands. Thats why a small crew is needed!
Suppose something hits us hard- nobody there to go out and mends the hull, or replace
antennas, do you see the problem? Its not foolproof- It only could be a genius if everything is
in order.- Edara explained him patiently.
Very well. So with four EDs we could depart.- Erson said.
Yes, dear. We need a crew that could get out the vessel if necessary. Edara said.
Perhaps some other two Synthetic could serves- second hand ones.
Ah, second hand is what you want? There are cheap synthetics waiting to be bought, the
tradition its to put the obsolete ones, the ones nobody wants, for sell- if in six months they
arent sold, they are sent to Easy People Company, to disassemble them and their spare parts
are used or thrown into the furnace.
Its a sad end for a sentient being.
Yes, but they dont suffer physical pains as you naturals do. Its only a mental sufferance. -
She explains, moving her head in a sign of compassion.
Well, if they could be of service here, I will welcome the ones that you think are fit for the
work.- Erson said.
103
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Do you want to see them first, to make a choice? No need to be there in person: you could see
them at the holographic set. I recommend we choose from the Easy People Company, Used
division. The other shopping places just dont have warranty to offer.- Edara said.
All right, lets see those synthetic assistants.- Erson said, but when he was ready and seated
in front of the holoset, a person calls him by the same set, saying: Good day, Mr. Erson! Sorry
to call you without notice, but here I have a person who could rent your Sphere for a short
trip, and he assured me he could pay cash and generously.
The figure of the man was unknown to him, so Erson turns towards Edara, saying : Who is
this guy?
He is Ronboldon Surempert, the sells manager from Weapons FEB Industries, the one who
made the weaponing of your Sphere.- Edara replied.
All right. - Erson said, and to that man he said: I will talk with him anytime you want- I am
available if the price is accepted.- Erson said, thinking that the Treasure planet could wait.
The face of Mr. Ronboldon seems to get a bit happier, and he said: Oh, you will not repent
about this! I will give him the number of your holographic set , so he could communicate with
you directly. Thanks you.
You are welcome.- Erson said, ending that conversation.
So, what are we going to do? We buy or not some more recruits?-Edara asked him with a
very soft voice.
104
Guess we will wait! If this client, tumbling down from Heaven, gives us enough dough, we will
be buying those creatures. He said, happy to see money at hands reach.
Two hours later, he receives a call from a man called Sachsen Arendez.
Captain Erson? I am Sachsen Arendes, film maker. Good to know you.
He was a bald man in his fifties, with a very long nose.
Yes, I am Erson, captain of this spaceship. I received a call from Mr. Ronboldon, saying that
you needed a transport.
I have a team ready to go filming in Pedisequus planet, perhaps for a couple of months,
maybe half a year.
And how many people will be in this trip?
8 persons: 2 female actresses, 2 actors, and 4 technicians- one of them Director Kongbor.-
And he looks at Erson, waiting for a reaction. He reacts not: he was far from the world of films.
Sorry. I dont know much on film directors. A trip to Pedisequus, eight persons, half a year
let me seethe sole trip will take months.
And how many months are we talking about?
Eight months in all. Of course, dormant is the word.- Erson said, and turning towards Edara,
he added:- I cannot imagine the cost of this. Help me with the numbers.-
105
A round trip, 20 million sopes, eight persons eating for eighteen days, 108.000 sopes;
percentage of revenue, 20 %.- Edara said.
20.108.000 sopes, Mr. Sachsen. And any extra day from the eight months time, will cost you
27.222 sopes.- Erson recited. The round face of Mr. Sachsen darkened quite a bit, and said:
Oh, I will see if theres no other way to carry them there for less money.
Do it! I will be here, if you need my services.- Erson said, calmly.
Of course. Have a nice day.- He said, ending the conversation.
Time to start convincing him that you are the best option. Edara said, looking at him.
Really? Like the guy who sold me the Sphere? What is that you do to them?
Nothing bad. Actually, its a matter of reasoning with them, as intelligent people.- She said.
All right, where are you going?
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

To see Mr. Sachsen.- Edara said and half an hour later: they were landing near his abiding
place.
106
Edara said: I will leave an ED here, dear, so you ask her anything that you could need.
Fine. Take much care. He said, smiling but internally he was afraid that she and the rest of
the EDs could get into trouble.
Edara said to the Synthetics: You just say and do what I command, from now on. We will use
the moving ways, not to attract any attention.
She knew beforehand where the Sachsen Films Incorporated building was situated. When
arriving there they found a building four stories high, with a vacant lot where tents, machines
and people were milling around or stationary. A guard on the door looks at her, saying: Good
evening, Miss. State your reason to come here.
I am a synthetic person and so are these people you see next to me: Mr. Sachsen awaits us.
Very well, let me ask for corroboration.- The man said, entering into his cabin- the
holographic machine burst into shrieking noises each time he wants to speak- the radio
emissions from Edara and the rest were doing the trick. The doorman sticks his head out of
the cabin, saying:- You may proceed- the holographic set is in malfunction.
Edara hurried up, listening to the Babel of calls and responses from a hundred synthetics-
they were communicating as every- she chooses the ones with something to do with Mr.
Sachsen.
Second floor to the right. Office 209. She said, when collecting the exact information- the
rest followed suit; inside the precinct there were no guards whatsoever.
107
The doors were guarded by a beautiful natural woman in a green dress, seated next to a
holographic set.
Yes?- She said, with half a smile.
Is Mr. Sachsen at office?
Who are you?
A synthetic person. Your boss calls for us.
Yes? I heard no comments about you. Wait a moment: I will ask.- Said she, and after some
minutes, added: Wait for a minute, please.- And she was using the holographic set only with
the keypad.
Edara knew better: the woman had called on Mr. Sachsen, and he had said no visits had
clearance at that hour, so the woman had called on the guards at the gate
Excuse us.- Edara said, walking towards Mr. Sachsens office door. The Secretary steps
between her and the door, saying: Please! Wait a minute: he is the middle of a conversation!
Edara puts her gently aside, while two EDs opened the door, showing a surprised Mr. Sachsen
inside. He tried to scurry out by a side door, but the EDs grabbed him by his neck and arms.
Edara approaches him, saying:- Hear this: you will give my boss, captain Erson, full support:
the trip to Pedisequus , instant cash payment, no problems at all. Do you understand?
Sachsen was not too intimidated, because he knows Synthetic people obeys the first law of
robotics; No harm must be donned to humans, so he said:. This intrusion will cost your boss
a huge sum of money. Probably the Judge will put him behind bars.
Edara grabs his penis, his balls, and begin to stretch them until Mr. Sachsen was yelling hard.
Then she released him, and one of the EDs produce a big penis- saying (by orders of her) : If
you dont give orders to your secretary and the guards to stay aside, Ill rape you for good.
108
Sachsen looks how the outer door was opened and the Guards enter.
Mr. Sachsen said:- Wait! Do not approach anymore!
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Good! Now send the money to our boss.- Edara said, and not to have bad surprises, she uses
the Holoset up to the moment when the inserted chip of Mr. Sachsen was required.
Now sign!- She said, while the EDs approach the man to the console. Sachsen puts his left
wrist to the lecturer of codes, the machine produces a click and a message in green letters
appears. She reads out loud: 20.108.000 sopes, delivered to Mr. Erson Wollenrubias. Good
boy. Now. Tell your subordinates to forget all about this. Tell them we were playing roles,
rehearsing for a future film
An ED twisted his right limb and with a growl of pain, he said to the Secretary and the three
recently appeared security guards: OK, back to work! This was a representation only!
The men stared for some seconds but ended by going out the room, very troubled for what
they had witnessed.
Now, I will call my boss to see you had paid. Bear with our presence just for a few minutes
more.- Edara said, and at the Sphere, the only ED remaining there was already telling Erson
to cash the money.
Why the hurry? I have it already at my Bank account.- He said, seated at a comfortable chair.
Edara is working hard for you, Sir. Please cash that money now.- The ED772 said, looking
somber.
109
All right! It will take some time to do it! I dont even know where its the nearest Bank!-
Erson said.
I will go with you as a guide, Sir! Well be back sooner than you think.- EDA72 and taking
him by a hand, guided him through the corridors, elevators; to a taxi Flier; then to a Bank,
where he cashiered the millions of sopes.
Donned.- ED772 said by radio.
Good.- Edara radioed back, and to the tormented- a very angry- Sachsen, she said: My boss
had the money in his pocket. If you want to lose that money, accuse him of robbery: well be
leaving the planet before you have time to blink one eye. So, get your team on our vessel, that
we will carry them to Pedisequus as you need.
This is not an ethic way to do business! But I guess you cannot comprehend my meaning:
obviously you are malfunctioning, or your boss is a crook!- Sachsen said.
You just do what I said. Remember I can get you no matter in which hole you may get, and I
assure you will not like to see me again.- Edara recommended, turning his eyes brilliantly
white.
110
When she and her minions return to the Sphere, Erson said: Where have you been? I was
really preoccupied!
You already have the money and we worked to make things going.- Edara said. Erson
embrace the e-woman , saying:- You are a treasure!
Days later, the team arrives, together with their gear, and Director Kongbor was a fat man
with a black thorny moustache, that said: Good afternoon, captain. I am Kongbor, the
director. These are Slusha, our actress; Mr. Rongorful the actor; Miss Silenia, actress; Mr.
Jokaton, actor. And my cameraman, Mr. Fixo Felip, Mr. Dungo Fongoto , my general assistant.
Erson looked at them, bowing each time a person was fully presented- he asked Edara to call
on his crew, and then he said: Very well, I am captain Erson, owner of this Sphere; and I did
welcome you all and I expect you to have a wonderful time while on board and when out
filming. This is my crew: Edara, Pilot and my fiance; EDBL15, Copilot and Radar systems;
ED781, radio communications; ED672, chief engineer and ED227, his assistant engineer.
ED707 in charge of meteorite deflectors, and the Mission Specialist assistants ED 711, 171 and
772.
111
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The three last assistants will indicate where your personal cabins while on board are. Any
question you may have, go and ask them about, as well as requests, but of course, we are here
to help you in any way possible.
Slusha, who had a wonderful bust, said: Thanks for your kindness, captain, but I will tell you
right now, that I detest two things when traveling in spaceships: spray food and null gravity
beds.
All right, Miss Slusha! I will see you get natural food, and an old fashion bed. Sorry to say, you
will have to use straps, while in bed, because null gravity could affect us unexpectedly.
While in voyage?- She stared at him.
Perhaps! But I will try to avoid inconveniences.- Erson promised her, enchanted by that
beautiful stare he had received
The EDs guided them to their assigned cabins; they find them very acceptable and of course, it
should be that way, as they were furnished with care using the best of products
We must move quickly now! The time for filming must not be delayed: I assume Mr. Sachsen
could try something legal on me.- Edara said, because her spy system was already saying Mr.
Sachsen was talking with lawyers to find a hole in the documents he had signed under
pressure ( a thing he could not probe because witnesses he found not.)
Pedisequus has no atmosphere, no sea and in that place the sun shines by day, heating the
ground to 60 Centigrade and by night the chill of the space brought the temperature down to
minus a hundred degrees.
No place to go in vacations!- Slusha commented.
112
The Director ask for a reunion with the four actors, saying: Now you know what are you
going to do: this is the third act: one and two will get from pieces of this one.
Are you sure? I remember Gold in the attic. That movie fails in the first two scenes, just
because the Director wants to do exactly what you are going to do.- Rongorful said.
Kongbor smiled with some effort and said: I understand your worries: another bad movie and
you are out of the racket.
Rongorful paled and grabbed the man from the neck, saying: what are you trying to say, you
prick?
Nothing thats not in everybodys mind! But dont you worry: I will do a success out of this
film!
Rongorful pushed him aside, saying:- You dont know what you are saying!
Silenia lit a cigarrete, saying: Very well, gentlemen! Now that you had shown you have your
fill of testosterones, Let as talk about this scene in particular: I dont care about the plot or the
scenario- people goes to movies or pay for holographic films just to see me!
They all stared at her, and more than one recognized there was an ounce of truth in her
vanity-charged words.
We will take the scene when the star is almost at the horizon: 26 Centigrade at that
particular moment, nobody will get cold- yet. We have just one hour to make it!
No rehearsal first?
I will talk about it with our captain: rehearsals would be donned at some big room- or at a
hold.
Great! Me, making rehearsals on a hold!- _Slusha said with disgust.
We are on a spaceship, lady! But I will try to make the place a little better.- Director Kongbor
promises, knowing it could be a downright lie.
Erson shows them hold one: it was covered with a thick layer of white porcelain, and shines
with the lamps that were on the ceiling.
See? Like in a palace!- Kongbor said to Slusha, when she appeared there.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Humph! Or like inside a bathtub!- She said,, and from then on, the film crew calls that hold as
the Bathtub.
114
The Director said: Now, the four of you come here, and start putting your helmets to go out
the ship! Take your time- let the camera roll, to give the atmosphere we are searching.
The suits werent real outfits, and were made of flimsy material, in order to let the actors
move easily inside them. First appears the two females, followed by the two males- they
chatted between them, about anything: the real conversation doesnt mind, because the audio
was going to be located at the edition process.
The two women were in the blow up system- their streamlined bodies were shinning pink and
white under the light. The men were some steps away, almost has the background.
Now, we will pretend the gate is the airlock- dont mind about theres none: we will put one
there, virtually. - Kongbor, the Director, indicates.
When the four of them went out of sight, Kongbor, the Director, said:- Cut! Fine work.-
The cameraman Fixo Felip said: Try another shot, Director! One with the chicks going out
last! Buttocks pays!
OK, call them back!- The director said to Datingo Fongoto, who runs after them. When they
appear back at the hold, Jokaton asked: What happened? A bad scene, Director?
Not at all! You do it well! But we are going to take several shots: remember you will be going
out not once but in several occasions!- The director said, and the actors repeats the scene
going in pairs, in group, one by one, and at the fourteen take, Kongbor said: Enough for now,
ladies and gentlemen! Be prepared for tomorrow,: we will be going out filming!
Why not right now?- Rongorful asked.
Because now you will be going out without cameras! Just to feel what is like out there!-
Kongbor said.
Too hot!- Slusha exclaimed.
Or too cold!- Silenia added.
When Erson knew about the idea, he said to Director Kongbor: Out of the question! I will not
allow them to be out the security area! They have no experience in using spatial suits, and
meteorites could come any moment now. You must fake the stars into the hold I give you to
play with: use blue screen.
Well, it was an ideaBut Ill do what you say.- Director Kongbor said, not really happy with
the news, but understanding security comes first
Edara calls on Erson, saying: The food is going too fast with these artists! They ask for food at
all hours. You should put them in storage.
Inside the pods?
Of course. I dont understand why they are working instead of sleeping into the pods.- She
commented.
Well, Let as proceed, then. Give them the soporific gas, and then right into the pods. - Erson
said, raising his shoulders a bit.
Correct. You stay out of this, please: go to your cabin, so they cannot ask you questions or
make the proceedings more difficult.- Edara said, and he made a gesture with his arm, as if
giving her total control over the matter.
That night they were all inside the pods, and the hold where they made rehearsals was
cleaned and the utensils storage properly- in the morning, Edara said to him: All is tranquil
and in peace now! Seven weeks to goare you going inside the pod?
No, I prefer to enjoy peace, see the distant stars from the observation room and perhaps a
little romance could be sprinkled over those actions.- He said, embracing her.
Of course- I am always available for love.- She said, kissing him.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The trip keeps going on, and Erson slept nine hours a day, and enjoyed listening the
holographic set records, and talking with the beautiful synthetic woman

Chapter 6.
DELTA SWASTICA- PEDISEQUUS PLANET SATELLITE 2

Delta Swastica was every day more and more close, and after those weeks, they finally arrives
to planet Pedisequus, that is, the Fourth planet, who is a big gaseous orb with four moons.
I wonder if they are going to like to be filming at the Second satellite! - Edara said, as nobody
could land on Pedisequus if they want to live.
Well, they said the atmosphere of this satellite is ideal for their film. Awake them, and
prepare our Assistants for their disembark.- Erson said, who remains at his cabin two more
days, in order not to answer the complains the Director Kongbor wanted to make because of
their untimely cryogenization
The captain is sick- he cannot attend you by the moment- Edara said, and so Kongbor begin
his filming because time was not at his side.
115
You will use breathing apparatus. Kongbor said. That presents several problems, because
the mask covers only the face, with a strap to the rest of the head- the actresses try them
before going out, for several times, and in all of them complaining bitterly: Director Kongbor,
with his two quick courses on psychology, treats them correctly and minimize the problems
they were inventing.
Once outside the Spaceship, they walked around, looking the sand, a yellow substance, and the
rocks, black and bristling.
Oh, this is beautiful! A lonesome place apt to see the giant in the sky.- Silenia said, by radio,
unique way to communicate by sound.
The time passed rapidly and soon they were back inside the spaceship. Director Kongbor has
a reunion with Fixo Felip and Datingo Fongoto.
Seems we will be short of time. We will roll camera all of the time the actors are performing.
116
Light is the future problem. Shadows enlarge the star on the horizon, giving lens flare -
Fixo added.
Extra lamps will be required.- Datingo Fongoto said.
Yes, I confide in you, guys. We will make them march hither and thither, and after this
location we will move to the mountains!- Director Kongbor said.
We will be searching for a place where the light gets unhindered by mountain walls, or it will
be pitch black.- Fixo said.
I will talk about it with the captain.- Kongbor said, and afterwards Erson was saying:- Of
course. I will move the Sphere to some other part- at the Equator line- other sites cannot give
us some hours of warm weather.
You just find what is possible, captain. I left it in your hands, but for tomorrow evening it
would be nice to be there, in order to start shooting some minutes of film.- Kongbor said,
leaving the main cabin.
Find a suitable place for the Director, darling! Use the radar.- Erson said to Edara, who
already knew where to look upon; at sixteen hours the Sphere raises from the ground and
after a short trip to the west, Edara makes it land near a ravine.
Here we will have a nice spectacle for them, dear! And there are Rocky Mountains all over the
place. - Edara said to him.
117
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The ravine has ten kilometers long, and in places more than a hundred meters deep. The sides
were different one another- the west side has a rocky formation 350 meters high, 100 meters
long and fifteen kilometers wide to the south, but only at the ravine its height has 350 meters
high. To the west it decreases rapidly and reach ground level after fifty kilometers l
Good! Black, menacing, mysterious looking place! At the ravine we will take the scene, it
would look as 1000 meters high!- Director Kongbor said, when looking at the rocky
formations.
And what do the actors represents here?- Erson asked.
Explorers! They will find a whole civilization here- and extinct, as it is the usual theme in
science fiction films. Imagine if we pretend they find a lost civilization teaming with life. The
cost in extras could cost a fortune.- Director Kongbor said.
Between 18 and 20 hours, they begin to work- every day, forty five minutes of dialogue, and
rehearsals at the Bathtub.
They look happy when representing their roles, and unhappy when not. Perhaps their life is
for represent several persons along their careers.- Erson commented.
As it is.- Edara replied.
Yes, and they could earn a lot of money if a film succeeds! But if people care nothing for it,
their wages goes down the drain. Erson said.
Edara smiled and said: I know the actors had contracts that could make them rich if all goes
their way. - Erson said, who had been looking at the holographic set about that theme.
In eight days we will be returning to their home planet. Ill get their signatures in a
document, saying they were carried here, treated well, under our supervision: you dont want
lawsuits. Edara commented.
118
Yes, good idea: to go untouched through life- always somebody hates us, no matter how
many smiles we throw around.- Erson said.
The team was a very weary one- nobody make jokes anymore; the Director Kongbor speaks in
monosyllables and two days before the final take he quits directing.
I cant stand the silence and this small vessel! I hate these iron corridors!- He said suddenly,
when they were all seated at the table for dinner.
Calm down! You will spoil my soup!- Slusha said.
I could spoil the soup? You could spoil the whole movie! Always whining about everything!-
The director said.
Why, you ball of grease, how do you dare speak to me like this? You have a record of lousy
little movies! You are going nowhere, and you are carrying us with you!- Slusha said,
venomously.
Me, a loser? The whole lots of you are a bunch of losers! I get out from here!- And he walked
decidedly out of the dining room.
What is happening to him?- Rongorful asked, putting an egg in his mouth.
Nerves are eating that guy- thats what happens with him! He has been patronizing us here
and there, with that silly script an eleven years boy would have written better!- Silenia said,
looking at Slusha, who was in the verge of tears.
At the airlock, the Director fumbled with the opening hatch, but as he doesnt know how, an
alarm whistle begin to resound. A pair of EDs appears right after the sound has been going for
five seconds, and realizing the man was out of his wits, they drag him to the Infirmary, where
one of them injected a sleeping dose into his left arm- the man goes to the floor, and was
carried to his own cabin, where they tied him to the bed.
There hell be quiet for some time. Guess he had a breakdown.- ED 781 said.
These Naturals are always fusing a bulb.- ED 171 said, smiling at her own crack.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Captain Erson receives several actresses at his office: Slusha and Silenia.
Captain! Our director is sedated, sick. Our work here is terminated- both because we think
every scene had been taken, plus our director goes mad.- Silenia said.
He certainly needs a doctor. A psychiatrist, although he had for ever been a prick.- Slusha
said.
Of course, I understand that your art is wearisome, delicate, always difficult. No wonder
Director Kongbor had a breakdown. We will leave as soon as its needed.- Erson commented.
When? This place is hostile to us. We want to depart right now, if its possibly.- Silenia asked.
120
As it rest six days for the scheduled takeoff, as the Contract rules in, Erson said:- Of course,
we will depart soon. By now, you could relax at our mess hall, the Observatory, and nice meals
will be prepared.- Erson said. That eased their attitude, and both women went out of his
office with a smile.
Edara said:- I will ask them to sign the affidavits. We need to take their confirmations of to be
here working now what they are not antagonizing us. Seven days in here without departing to
their home planet will cause them to feel anger against us.
Proceed, then! Close the entrances to the engine room, to this main cabin; put EDs where
they could walk over delicate sections.- Erson said.
Are you going to isolate yourself from them?- She asked, playing with his hair.
Seven days.- He affirmed.
Four days later, they were hearing hard complaints from the artists- they were half afraid not
to come out of that land alive.
We are repairing our air conditioners. Have a little patience.- Erson said by the speakers that
night.
We need to talk with the captain!- Rongorful asked to ED 672, who was on guard at the main
corridor.
I will tell him about your request. Return to your cabin or the authorized sectors.- She said,
and Rongorful said: Tell him if he does not appear, soon we will be acting in a more harsh
way! He cant retain us in this satellite any longer!
Erson knew about this incident through the radio, and said: Three days to go; we will be
flying from now on: tell them we are departing, but we will be just orbiting this satellite until
the right time comes.
As you say, captain.- ED672 said, and told the artists about it.
121
See? A good threat and our captain react as we wanted.- Rongorful said, proud of himself.
From then on, the food was highly soporific and the rebels have great difficulty while
walking upright or talk coherently; soon afterwards Edara sent them to the cryogenic pods for
the rest of the voyage.
When the scheduled time on the satellite was complied, Erson said: Now we depart towards
planet Swastica V 3 please, put me into a sleeping pod: these artists left me sick.
As you wish, Erson. Pleasant dreams.- Edara said, guiding him to the cryogenic sector.
After the long flight, they arrived , landing the clients recently awakened- they disembark
their gear, and no matter how many days they asked for the captain, Edara did not awoke him,
as Erson was clear, when going into the Pod: After the clients goes, just drive to Knapp, and
awaken me when arriving.
So there was no farewell on the part of the captain- the EDs takes valises and equipment, and
while the taxi Fliers appears , called by Edara the artists and cameraman begin to disappear
inside the big city, all duly filmed by ED 711, in order to have proof that the crew was set free
after the long voyage.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Suddenly, a fused generator disrupts the functioning of the pods- Edara release Erson from
the capsule, and when fully recovered, he said:- Are we in Knapp already?
No; there was a malfunction- nothing that we are not going to repair- but the Pod where you
was resting was a dangerous place for you.- Edara said.
I see. - Erson said, thinking that old things have that problem with the passing of time, and
added:- All right! Hope director Kongbor finds his self-confidence again! But I guess he
ruined the project. Erson said, returning to his seat at the control cabin.
Yes, the sedation works marvels in his mental processes. He was very normal at the hour of
his departure. Edara commented.
I wish to see the face of his boss! Those fellows hate to spill their money. Erson said.
I have some good news for you: Mr. Sachsen is involved in a sexual scandal- two young
starlets accused him of rape, as they were under eighteen years old- the man is using all of his
money to get out of the scandal as white as a dove, possibly paying the two starlets to let him
free, so he had sold the film Production Company to his Associates one of then his own wife!
So he will be letting out of any problem, especially now that he is running down the ramp to
become a poor man.- Edara informed; Erson gives thanks to the destiny for it.
122
Also, he had the idea that when an enemy kisses the dust some of the dirt could fall on the
favored one, so he did not speak about that matter any longer.
After paying for 15 days at pole 17, where his Sphere was parked, he said to Edara: Let us see
if there are more clients willing to wander out of here! Guess we have enough fuel to do it
without going out to buy more?
Yes, dear. We have plenty of fuel. Why dont we go to the Rogue planets? There is a fortune
for you there.- Edara said.
Erson rubbed his chin and said. You have right! Prepare everything for the trip. If we need
more EDs, buy them.
No need, dear! We have the perfect number.- She said, just to economize money.
Erson bought some food, revise the quantities of water, and spent four days at a good hotel,
alone and trying to say good bye to the society of man- for a while, as his trip could only be of
five months, but certainly could be much more time than that.
At an Instruction center, where science was being explained twenty four hours a day, he heard
the theory that man could not succeed making long trips without natural persons- because
synthetic persons could not cheat the subconscious, that always were accusing the fact a
person rejects a human trying to replace him by a magnificent machine that ends only being a
mimicry of a person.
123
When he walks out of that hall, he was thinking in what impact a natural person could cause in
his already constituted group at the Sphere. He knew how man and woman reacts when a
treasure was in perspective: a certain man could just ignore the fact, thinking its not his
pertinence, but others could work to get a portion, volis nolis, or the whole treasure,
eliminating the one who brought then there: the minimization of it could be women, he
though. Women could be greedy but has no force, they would try to obtain it by devious ways.
Erson goes back to the Sphere, and talk about this with Edara, who said: Certainly women are
devious in their acts. But certain men did not set their goals on money and greed- they search
science, technology and some of them just want to learn more and more about life, so if you
focus your search on those, the criminal aspect could be avoided.
Scientists?
Not only scientists: also artists.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

I had my share of artists not a week ago! I had seen artists complaining for this and that, and
of course, I am referring to Miss Slusha, Silenia, males as Rongorful and sometimes Jonathon,
but also Kongbor was difficult at times: too much ego in them. Erson said, vehemently.
Yes, but those artists are like that because they are impersonating characters, not their own.
When they come back to their true self.. They hide like a tortoise hides his head and legs.-
Edara commented.
I wonder if tortoise loves lime light, adorers and Media Interviews about themselves!- Erson
said, laughing.
124
Choose a painter and he will love to paint landscapes and animals, not gold. Choose a
musician, and he will try to emulate the sound of a forest using an instrument, the sound of a
river going through a Canaveral in the night; choose a paleo-botanic, an speleologist, a
mineralogist, a fossil collector and you will have no problems with the treasure.- Edara said.
All right, you convinced me! Sent messages to those people saying this is a cruiser to a Rogue
planet. I am sure that more than one person will come.

CHAPTER 7
TRIP TO THE ROGUE PLANETS.

Are you sure? Remember no atmosphere, dark skies abound there. To the travelers I will put
only the good aspects- the bad ones could scare a patrolman.- Edara said, smiling.
One by one, old fellows begin to appear timidly there, asking questions and then departing-
not to come back again.
Two weeks later, Erson said: Forget about my idea! We will depart alone.
Edara ask for clearance to the Control Tower, and departed one and a half hour later.
Wish he could see this big jam!- Edara said to the rest of the Synthetics using the radio. The
Sphere was on a slow column of spaceships departing from the Knapp planet.
Erson awakes when they were passing the Pedisequus planet, where two freighters were
orbiting.
Minerals. Wish I could be an owner of a mine here.- Erson said.
You cant stand a planet under your feet! A mine would mean a prison for you!- Edara said.
When out of the system, Erson gets into a pod and slept the two months and six days that
takes the trip- Edara saw several search satellites travelling- those were the new invention
that prevents bigger spaceships to lose their energy searching for suitable planet to be mined
or colonized. The smaller spy satellites, using sophisticated positron brains , could search
for more valuable sites instead of risking Natural beings in the process
When the two planets were in sight, Edara saw one of those spy satellites lurking around. She
seats in the missile launcher post and fired against the little thing, that disappear in a cloud of
black smoke with one or two small red explosions on the side.
This is something I will not tell Erson!- She said by radio, adding to the rest of the Synthetics:
Nobody is supposed to say a word about this!
When landing at the precise spot where the ruins were, it was pitch dark.
Sorry it cannot be seen a thing without ultra violet light! So you must use this helmet, dear.-
Edara said to Erson.
Thanks! No problem for me to use an awkward helmet, darling.- He said, while she helps to
put it into place. He was also using a foolproof suit hard to rip, with steady regulated
temperature ( a mild 19 C) as out there -700 C was the media.
126
The ruins permit to walk into corridors and tunnels. Soon Erson was fascinated with the
curious things that were there to see. The EDs lost no minute with sightseeing: they were right
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

for the golden or silver objects that were scattered around- most objects made of other
materials. Copper, bronze, pewter, glass, ceramic and others of difficult explanation (as they
were alloys) were left behind.
Erson likes the objects, made to be used by people just like him and the rest of the known
human society.
Do you know what happened to this people?-
As I heard before you appeared in my life, these persons just leave the planet, perhaps when
their number was only a dozen or so. Diseases and the wish to be in sunny planets makes this
site a remote ruin. These two planets leaves its star millions of years ago- at the beginning,
some of these people tries to stick to their mother planet but conditions were worst by the
minute. The worst was when the air decided it was moment to depart. That causes the death
of all vegetation and animals. Edara said, moving her head with compassion.
Erson takes a kettle and dusting it off, he said: When things get lousy, the best its to start
somewhere else.
In a weeks time, half a hold was full of objects, and Edara was saying: This lot amounts to
thirty eight million sopes- and mind my words: I assure you I am calculating the value of an
ounce of gold and silver as low as it goes.
Right, and are you kidding? Rixiaberg clients I am sure will pay much more than 38 million
sopes: we are offering relics.- Erson said.
Remember: the law has a lot of articles about relics: CERTAILY THAT AT Rixiaberg the law is
relaxed, but not defunct. - Edara commented.
Right. So we go for the weight! A pity. Perhaps we should direct our Sphere to Aurea 2. They
appreciate art when they see it.- Erson said.
Have you been there previously, dear?- Edara asked him.
No: one more reason to go there!- He affirmed.
Very well: we are ready to depart, or do you want to take more relics? This time its bronze
what is remaining, as gold and silver is already packed.- Edara informed him.
No. I will leave the bronze for others to find them. Perhaps a poor captain could come here
and earns a little money with it.- Erson said, proud of to have all the gold in his possession.
This time the trip was longer- four months, all of them passed in slumber- except of course,
the Synthetics that worked all the time trying to maintain the Sphere unscathed.
Before the arrival to Aurea 2, a pair of battle ship approaches, asking to identify.
I am EDAR 85A, and I belong to the natural Mr. Erson Wollenrubias. Edara said by radio.
128
And where do you think its the final destination of your owner?
Aurea city, Sir. He is a tourist.
A tourist? Must be a rich man- traveling alone!
Yes, he doesnt trust on his own kind.- Edara said.
The scout ship approaches the airlock; Edara opens the hatch and through the glass he saw
three astronauts using uniforms of red and blue colors. When the air was restored inside the
camber, the inner door opens and after walking inside the outer chamber, the three astro-
soldiers takes their helmets out.
Please, receive our welcome and state the reason of this inspection.- Edara said.
The man was old but his eyes shine younger with an internal fire, and replied: Have no fear
for your natural owner. We only are here to see where he is.
You are searching someone else? I assure you our owner is old and from this planetary
system.- Edara said, while the officers look through the pod into the face of Erson, who was
dormant.
Show me documents.- That officer said, and at the holographic set Edara confirms
everything she had said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.


Chapter 8.-
AUREA 2 -2

Very well, we will escort you to the next orbital base, where your natural person must be
already in his senses. - The officer said, leaving the sphere.
129
Edara directed the antennas to the inner planets, trying to know what was happening that the
military men were so excited. Soon the information was received, and a long history develops
in front of her. The previous government, a republic, had been ransacked by general
Allendoten, who was greedy, cruel and good for drinking heavily in the company of women.
Colonels and officers receive lands and much money to back him in his dictatorship that now
was set in place.
When Erson awakes, Edara informed him of what was transpiring and he said: If they
discover the gold and silver we are carrying here, they will take it away without pity.
We could try to hide it.
Yes and we could do that but wish they could be so dumb they cannot discover it with their
scanners. Could you offer a percentage of success?--- Erson asked her.
Of course, Theres a sixty five per cent of success Edara said , smiling.
Thats not very safe, or is it?
Well, we could improve it to 85 % with a little diversion.
A diversion of what kind? I dont want to risk the Sphere!- Erson said, worriedly.
Yes, while they are scanning the spaceship, something happens that our revision gets
shortened, in order to cope with the problem outside.- She said.
Do it! I want that 85%!- Erson said, kissing her
At the revision, an engine of the military patrol burst in flames- the danger of an explosion
makes the men in charge to declare the Sphere as revised. Without any revision at all.
130
They landed at Pole 15, Aurea City Space Field, and Sector C.
Ah, good to be here! Now we will see new things, improvements of all kinds!- Erson
exclaimed, looking by the screen.
Certainly. Here the inventions pop up every morning. Edara said.
Really?
Yes: the spaceships coming from other worlds brings new objects and also, the engineers
here are the best this side of the rift. Edara said.
They left the Sphere with the Synthetics in charge, and walked through downtown, seeing
strange and amusing new gadgets.
Look! A personal Flier! Its so small! - Erson said, looking at an object very similar to a
toothbrush.
There was an old saying, about women that could fly on broomsticks! Here is one that makes
it possible for every person.- Edara said.
Erson talked with attendants at Pawnshops and Antiquaries, offering the antiquities he had
brought: the relics of ancient cultures that once loved and died on a stray planet.
This is simply wonderful, Sir! If the objects are like the things I am looking at the holographic
setI would be delighted to purchase them.- The antiquary Mr. Burnford said.
131
Ill leave the memory pill in your hands, so we will compare tomorrow with what I will bring
here some.
Oh, wellyou disappoint me, Sir.- Mr. Burnford said.
Why?
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Because you are not inviting me to see it at your place.
Perhaps I could invite you some time in the future. You see, I have these artifacts in a
spaceship- duly packed- you would see only crates.
Ah, well, hope you bring me your articles tomorrow?- Mr. Burnford said, not at all pleased.
Erson, once in the street, said to Edara: Strange attitude: why that intense desire to see my
relics in its own deposit? Perfectly all right its that we bring him the samples and nothing
else!- Erson said.
Well, let me ask about this person at the _Synthetic gridit will take only a minute. Edara
said, smiling, and using her transmitter, she asked about Burnford s situation in life... Soon
she was saying:- I get a lot of information about him, dear! There are several strange things
that I still need to unravel.-
Oh, an interesting fellow? But dangerous for us?- Erson asked her.
Very interesting, yes.
I dont want to hear it, but I must! Tell me all- he said, seating at a coffee shop. She seats in
front of him, saying: He is cousin to general Allendoten, the Dictator of Aurea 2-3.- She said.
132
Erson receives his coup of coffee and biscuits, saying:- Right: a cousin of the Dictator must
have a lot of money. No need to panic.
Yes, no need to panic while he doesnt know where is our Sphere! But remember the trifle
detail that you had not passed by Custom office! Your stuff its illegal here.
So Mr. Burnford must be ruled out of our bargain?
Decidedly.
And he looks so interested in our relics!- Erson said.
Of course: a word of his to his cousin the Dictator and half of our relics would be his for
nothing and the other half would had been appropriate by the ruler of Aurea 2-3!- Edara
recited out.
Yes, wellguess hes not tracking us?
No. But next time, if we appears there, be sure that he will put a shadow on our back.- Edara
said, pressing his left hand with affection.
Once he had finished with his coffee, Erson stands up and said: Let us send our synthetics to
see through the city. We will sell everything one by one.
Good idea, dear. In small amounts, less curiosity will awake dangerous passions. To the ones
we had already contacted, we will return with objects of silver and gold, except Mr. Burnford-
hes out of our racket.- Edara said, making a grimace.
Days later, half the holds were already emptied and money was in Ersons hands. Millions of
sopes that makes his heart feel warm.
133
In a trip around town, Erson view several living dinosaurs, learning that some person, coming
from Knapp, brought many a dinosaur, with the idea that every world gets a number of them,
to learn about those strange, enormous and wonderful animals.
Also, he saw Natural women, selling sex at some streets, dressed with scant clothes.
Our kind is not working as sex slaves anymore: there is a law that forbids it since this
Dictator rule this planet.- Edara commented.
Oh, so he has donned something good, after all?
Several good things have been donned by Allendoten: no more slave girls made by man; all
prostitutes must pay taxes. All prisoners condemned in times of the Republic were sent to
their houses and their files erased. A bonus of 50.000 sopes was delivered to every father, to
attend their family debts. Much work has been handled down to humans, deactivating
machines, among them, millions of Synthetic beings.- Edara said, with much emphasis.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Money to the people! Many a person likes to he helped, who doesnt? Dictator or President,
for a prisoner its the same thing, but a Liberator is something else! They are in eternal debt
and will follow Allendoten to the end of the world, if needed be!- Erson said, touched
emotionally.
134
Edara said:- Sorry, but a crook will not be so thankful. He will seek his own welfare.
Erson smiled: he had read, many times, how, in the darkest of souls, a light exists, that knows
how to be thankful and return a favor if not because of love, but of self-proud.
When returning to the Sphere five days later, after have been selling relics at a pawn shop, ED
672 waits for them at a corridor, to say:- Erson: some policeman are searching for smuggling
things on every spaceship in this space field.
Have they come here?- Erson said, hands perspiring.
No, but they are revising row by row of spaceships! They had already revised sector A and B,
now they are beginning with our sector C.
So, we better leave!- Erson coughed.
Right now. All to your stations! We will depart as soon as I get the clearance.- Edara said,
while Erson was seating at his favorite chair.
They give the clearance as it was not a significant spaceship, and soon they were taking
distance from that city.
We will find a hideout! We will be buying some land, if necessary.- Erson said, but Edara has
better ideas and landed between two hills, that blocked the view to all sides except if flying
directly above the place.
135
Four weeks they were abiding there, with Erson walking up and down hills, finding fossils and
whispering sweet things to Edara, who was amused with the change in him.
We are wasting our time here, dear! The news has nothing about us or the smuggling of
relics- nothing in the Media. Why dont we go to a city, now? Possibly they forget about our
little problem.- Edara said to him, who was looking at a movie in the holographic projector.
Eh? Why? I am very well in here, perhaps this is what I call life.- He said, moving uneasily.
But you still have relics, and this spaceship is very costly, to let it rust in here!- She said,
looking lovable. He saw the change, and said: Well, I will do what you are suggesting. - And
keeps on looking at the movie.
Edara waits for the light of day, and departed to the city of Regis, the capital, where Erson
bought side arms with new technology, but with so bad luck that this act makes the Secret
Police begin a file on him, tracking his every movement. They saw him offering relics, and
become aware he was a smuggler.
Chief of Security Mr. Randornf said: This man is a foreigner, an illegal Traficant of forbidden
items!
He was at a meeting with seven of his Assistants.
Shall we take him in jail? There is enough evidence to put him behind bars for a long time.-
Lawrence Goldberg said and suggested a harsh end for Mr. Erson
Chief Randornf stared at him for some seconds- he does not love suggestions and said:
Enough imprisoned people is what we have.. Keep on looking over him. In a very subtle way.
The guy is not dumb: he has certain degree of intelligence. Look how many things he had! -
And after a pause, that used to read more information about Erson, he said:- Seven synthetics
of high value, a spaceship, a Flier here obsolete but in mint condition. He had traveled alone
and for months by the space: not a common man, indeed!
Certainly, Sir.- Orroldung said, an assistant not in charge of the case, but knowing the way
his chief looks on things.
You just keep on trailing him, Goldberg! I will see when to act against.- Chief Randornf said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

And then they keep on treating other cases.
Erson was having a wonderful time in the city: hot baths, with vapor chambers, ladies rubbing
him with soap and sponges, nice easy talksfine meals. Some times in Edaras company,
sometimes with beautiful women, the secret police finds him dancing and having a big time in
parties.
The Secret agents waiting outside those sites; with bored officers looking how the man had an
easy life thanks to the smuggled objects that the man seems to have in abundance.
136
This nation has a populace that is growingly felt imprisoned- freedom its not just another
word: a leader must be chosen in democratic exercise of power. The President is now a
Dictator.- Edara said.
Yes, hes governing through the Army Forces as a backup.- Erson said.
Erson wasnt interested in politics- the easy life was appealing to him now.
Certain day, when with Edara, she said: We are being follower, dear.
By whom? - Erson was startled by that advice.
Left side of your site, third person at the Bar. Hes using blue pants, a green jacket and
Yes, I get it. And what to do next? If they are bandits or kidnappers, you call by radio the
police!- Erson said.
They are left alone by the synthetic guards belonging to this place, so they are not by their
own! Must be the national police department- plenty of arrest only by a phrase that did not
like to the Dictator.- Edara informs him.
Then, Let as get out of here.- Erson said.
Dont get troubled about this. I will see to it, asking on our radio web.- Edara said, meaning
the radio network run by thousands of Synthetic beings.
They walked out and at a Flier taxi, she said: Nobody is following us.
So you could have been mistaken?- Erson said, looking in all directions.
I really doubt it. We could be spotted through the scan system- GPS.- Edara commented.
Wow! So important they think we are?- Erson smiled- he was feeling it was all a mistake.
Wait. Some information is coming to me by radio.- And Edara heard for some minutes,
saying afterwards: I have some vital information now.
Just tell me about it. Erson said, when out of the Flier taxi.
They know about our selling relics! Enough to get imprisoned you, by several years.- Edara
said.
And what they are wasting time not to put me on trial? - Erson asked, scratching his head.
Not because you are a foreignerthats for sure.
Erson went to the main cabin, saying: I should depart from this town.
But you say you liked here!- Edara said.
Yes, well, if you take the Sphere away, I could mingle with the crowd not an easy target if I
move as a single person.-Erson said.
I could find a place where to hide the spaceship- in the hills, far from here.- Edara said,
always prone to do his biddings.
Correct! Comeback in seven days.- Erson said, enamored with the idea of to be living in a
sybaritic way inside a luxurious hotel.
After setting where and when the Sphere will be in a lapse of seven days, Erson booked at the
Carrigans Hotel, 300.000 sopes a day- with every service included.
The lunch hour: five plates and real coffee, brought by Transporters and spaceship from the
far away and tiny Earth planet.
Copacabana coffee! A fine one.- Erson said to himself, while tasting it from the cup.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

After lunch, a Flier bus brought him and five other residents to the fields- a tower 25 meters
high, with terraces, from where it was possible to see dinosaurs in their special environ,
remnants of the ones brought there by Domicius.
Nice natural women bathing in bikinis, plays at the swimming pool, and Erson was from then
on accompanied by one of them that was of his liking- with her, listening music and bathing,
having dinner and dance, sleeping with her, feeling her nice smooth clean odorous body next
to him was the delight- also knowing there was no pumps, valves, hard disks and power
sources inside of her.
Three days later, a group of five vigorous men arrives there, that looked on him intently-
Erson felt danger when near them- except at his own suite- as it seems they were there with
one purpose: to watch on him.
Even the girl, which name was Evellen, notice something was going on, and at the next day she
did not appear at the swimming pool.
Four days had elapsed of the seven he had paid to be there- Erson did not waste his money
going out of the Hotel for just being observed, but as something was needed to do, he talks
with one of the attendants and said: I am feeling observed by four other clients here.
Wherever I choose to be, there they are, looking at me as if I was a bug.
The attendant gets worried because a client in discomfort could begin a chain of gossip in
others
He said: Please, Sir, tell me who they are. I will send a waiter each fifteen minutes to
wherever you seat, until you can signal him where are those that are disturbing you.
So, Erson seats at a table next to the swimming pool, and soon the four guys come and seats at
a near table.
Those are my shadows!- Erson said to the attendant.
I will tell our Chief, about this. The young man said, and departed. Erson felt that his
troubles were about to end.
At 20.00 hours, the manager calls on him, saying:- Sir: all your problems were solved. We
rescind the contract to those guests, so they leave the hotel one hour ago.
Oh, thanks you for this! And who were they?- Erson asked him
Not possibly to tell you about it, Sir! As well as we dont give information about you and the
rest of our guests.- The manager said.
Erson realized that the Management had lost a lot of money sending out those persons and so,
he did not insist about it.
That evening he takes his dinner at the main saloon and nobody was looking at him as intently
as the four persons recently rejected from the hotel.
Please, send me someone to pass the night with.- He calls at the Room service.
Immediately, Sir.- A person said by the phone (not through the Holographic set this time, not
to embarrass the client).
Ten minutes later, a young woman appears at the suite, saying: I am your partner from now
on.
Very good. The precedent lady goes away without giving any notice. Why was that?- Erson
asked the lady, who was tall and beautiful.
She smiled and said: Dear, I dont know a word about what you are telling me. For that
purpose you should talk with somebody at the Administration office.
They walked by the pool, chatting amiably and from there to his suite, where she was very
sweet and slept there.
At 8.00 hours she departed, saying:- We will wait for you at eleven hours, next to the
swimming pool.
All right, darling.- He said, kissing her.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

He takes a shower, just to be extra clean, and he heard a knock at his door. He wrapped his
body with a towel and opened the door.
Sir! I got to talk with you!- A young bellboy said.
Of course, son. Come and get inside.- Erson said, seeing that the attendant seems very upset.
Once inside the living room, the lad said: Do you remember me? I was with you when trying
to know who the ones were spying at all times.
Oh, yes. What is happening now? The general manager told me the four were out of here after
my complain.- Erson said.
Wait! The truth its you are wanted by the Secret Police! They said you are part of a big band
of smugglers!
141
Erson touches his forehead as if to comprehend the situation, while saying: I am astonished! I
am not part of any gang!-
Look here, Sir! I am risking my job here, telling you this! The Secret Police soon will be here
in force.- The bellboy said.
And so I better leave?- Erson asked, thinking about the two days already paida chunk of
money already paid that he was not willing to lose.
Yes, and the sooner the better! - The employee said, adding: You are a generous man- hope
you could reward my advice with a big tip.-
Of course, but return here in half an hour. I got to think about this.- Erson said, and the
bellboy went out of the room.
Hello? The management of this hotel?- Erson said by the phone.
Yes, Sir: at your service.- A voice said from the phone.
I am Erson, suite 070. There was a bellboy here, telling me that the secret police is behind my
tracks. Not hours ago, I was told that my request was solved, four men trailing me everywhere
I went inside this Hotel. And the Manager told me that those men were expelled to assure my
privacy here, but now this bellboy has turned all upside down for me! I want to speak with the
manager of this hotel in person, as I am very disturbed. I come here to relax my nerves, but I
am getting exactly the opposite end result!- Erson exposed his situation with a very shrieking
voice.
A silence, and then the attendant said: Mr. Erson, I will transcript your new request
immediately. Wait at your room that soon will be somebody in there, to see how to resolve
your problem.
Fine, I am waiting.- Erson said, and waited not five minutes when the door ring makes him
open the door. The bellboy reappears, saying: Sir: do you want to spend the next five years in
jail, and be devoid of your possessions?
Of course not! But, why do you say that to me?- Erson said, now very upset.
142
I am Javer Jollfort! My career here is ruined! All because of your call to the Management. At
this minute, they are searching the whole building for me.
I cannot believe that I am being searched!- Erson said, and Javer Jollfort replied: If you keep
on doubting my words
Somebody rings the bell at the door and that stops Javer to say another word- it was like an
electric shock turning both men into stone.
Open the door! Police!- Somebody said on the corridor, and the door opens after a click.
You are under arrest!- A man in plain clothes said, and seeing Javer Jollfort was there, he
added: And you too, as his accomplice!
Erson moves to a window, but Jollfort retains him, taking one of his arms: No! Let us see
which the charges on you, Mr. Erson, are!
They were guided to a police Flier, and from the luxury hotel, to a dungeon half lit.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The difference was tantalizing: from perfumed air to the stench of urine and more filth Erson
remembers.
This is horrible! Erson exclaimed. Javer Jollfort laughed and said:- its part of the
intimidation process!
Soon Erson was summoned to a small room with two policemen inside, and one of them said:
Seat there.
A chair was in front of a table, and at the other side, another chair, where that man seats,
looking at him with fiery eyes- then he said:- You are Erson Wollenrubias.
Yes, and I DEMAND TO BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY. I COME FROM Knapp planet and I am a
tourist here..- Erson said.
Yes. Here in our data file says exactly that, but also some other things. Smuggling alien
artifacts, sell of the same. Profits without authorization, internments without passing by the
custom offices.- The officer said.
I demand to be defended by a lawyer.- Erson said.
Theres no lawyer here on Aurea 2, planet 2. Decree #4 of the new government. You will be
tried by those charges. Accompany me.- The officer said, standing up from his chair.
At a second office, there was a kind of capsule and he was told to stand inside of it. A guard
said: This that you see here, is a Law Machine. It will talk to you, made a few questions- try to
respond in a clear voice, and do not think you can go away with lies.
I am ready.- Erson said, looking the interior of the capsule that has a smooth surface all
around.
A voice from the upper part said:- Erson Wollenrubias, smuggler, 38 detected objects sold to
Mr. Offoco, Lagrange street 39; pawnbroker. 12 objects sold to Mr. Missum, antiquary. 3
objects sold to Mr. Socletas, pawn shop owner. Objects not passed or authorized by Custom
office. Owner of a Sphere model Orb BT-2. Owner of Seven synthetic persons, location
unknown. Fine: 32 million sopes. In case of to be considered guilty, three years in jail: objects
in his possession will be auctioned; if remaining money is found, it will be donated to the State
of Aurea 2. Erson Wollenrubias: are you guilty of these charges?
Erson swallowed some saliva and replied. Not guilty! I pledge ignorance of the local laws, as I
am a tourist only days in the planet. I demand that my Embassy must be informed of this case,
right away.
The Law Machine clicked and said: Guilty as charged. 32 Million Sopes of bail in order to be
released for the time the accused finds a lawyer to defend his case.
Erson said: I had no money to pay the fine.
Three years in jail. You are now Inmate #3370. You may take the prisoner to his cell.- The
Law Machine said.
One of the guards said:- Step out of the pod. Now you are inmate #3370, dont forget it. Your
clothes will be storage until the final day of your condemn and will be restored to you in good
order.
Erson walked hither and tither as in a dream. Finally, dressed in an orange uniform, was left
alone inside a small metallic cell 80 centimeters wide, two meters long, and with a mattress
where to sleep.
Enough to become mad.- He said to himself. Strange echoes resounds from time to time- the
ceiling three meters up, gives some brilliance, reflections that come from a window located
2.20 meters up the floor, so they could not see the outside.
There was no furniture there, so he seats on the floor. He was dozing with the narrow door
was opened.
Inmate #3370, wake up and follow me!- A guard said, looking at him with fiery eyes.
Erson follows the guard, who had a radio communicator hanging, among other more sinister
things, from his waist belt.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The corridor was empty; they descend by a metallic stair and enter son a big dining room-
rows of inmates were already seated and eating from plastic trays. It was porridge with a
brown color that splashed into a round depression in the same tray. Some of the inmates had
the imprint the low passions write on the face of man: lascivious eyes were flickering in his
direction, filling with horror and distaste his weary mind.
After a while, the sound of a ring makes everyone stand up and begin pilling the trays on a
large metallic table, to be washed by the cooks that also were inmates. At the corridors,
everyone knows where to be locked in, and Erson knows also where to go: it was easy,
because at the upper level the last cell was his designed place in that prison.
When walking there, another inmate murmured: Mr. Erson!
He looks the man, and recognized the young bellboy.
You here? Why?- He said, very troubled by the realization he was the culprit of the bellboy
being there.
149
I am here because I am the one who told you to escape! So they said I am an accomplice.-
The young lad said.
But I never Erson was beginning to say, but Javer Jollfort interrupted him, saying:- Wait!
I will send you a note. The ex-bellboy said, disappearing into one of those little cells.
Erson gets into his appointed cell and soon the doors were closed automatically and the tiny
cell seems to close on him as an iron fist.
Two hours later, a piece of paper slips by the lower part of the door, and _Erson takes it with
trembling fingers; he was thinking in what was Javer Jollfort had to say that was so important?
The paper reads like this: You will be tortured. Try to hit the first guard that comes into your
cell, and then try to escape down the corridor. I will try to be at a corner. If I am not there, you
are on your own.
Great idea!- Erson murmured while looking at the diagram that follows, and tried to
memorize corridors , doors and more doors before the last one: the one to opens to the city
street!
When a guard gets inside, possibly to carry him to the torture room (or interrogation
chamber), he takes the Guard by an arm, pushing him to the wall, and then hits his head unto
the floor several times, until the man stops resisting.
Good, and now for the easy part.- He grumbled, looking along the corridor. He saw a guard at
a distance so he returns to the fallen guard and after taking his blue uniform, he puts on the
grey colored Guards uniform and shoes- that were a trifle more big than his ideal size of
shoes,, but he was not going to be choosy in this circumstances. He stepped out of that cell,
closing the door, but that remains open, as the lock was operated from a control center.
Hurriedly turns to the left and at the corner someone grabs his arm, while trying to hit his
head. He pushed the other away, and realizes it was Javer Jollfort.
146
We must run, Mr. Erson!- The young man said, taking him by the hand.
Have you any plan? This edifice is heavily guarded!- Erson said.
Run!- Jollfort said, and soon they were going up in a elevator- at floor five the doors opened
and two guards stared at them.
I am carrying this prisoner up!- Erson said.
Why? The doctor already leaves the precinct!-One of them said, and then Jollfort pushed a
button closing the doors. The elevator keeps on going up.
At floor 23, they leave the elevator and by a stair they climb to the platform: the icy wind was
blowing there.
-There! Our means of transport! Just in time!- Jollfort said, pointing to a silvery needle in the
sky that approaches as an arrow. They stumbled inside the vehicle that soared away.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Erson seats among green bats, and two men stared at him. The voice of Jollfort that was at the
rear said: leave him alone! He is a prisoner dressed as a guard!
The attitude of the crew changes and helped him seat ant strapped to a chair. The vehicle soon
arrives to another building and left Erson and the rest on the platform.
Nice view! - Erson said, aspiring air. He, who was sure the law had buried all his dreams of a
future in freedom m, now was looking at everything with joy.
They descended to the third floor and soon they were seating at a table, were more persons
joins them to talk.
147
Comrade Jollfort: this operation was jeopardized by your attitude: the G B- had told us to
count on you because your skill in techno chronic is great!
I am sorry, Durgo, but it was with one objective: Mr. Erson is a valuable asset for us.
Hope he is! - Another man said, looking hopefully if not ironically
Mr. Erson has a spacecraft!- Jollfort assured them and they all looked at Erson.
Later, he was given a small bedroom with a bath, where he takes a long hot shower and slept
for seven hours before someone enters his room.
Mr. Erson! Wake up! We got to be going!- The man said, and Erson looks at him, realizing he
wasnt in prison and free.
Good! Where are we going?- He asked and the man stared at him, saying: I told Marcel to
fetch you some clothes! Take those away. - Not possibly to be dressed as a guard now.- And
he leaves the room
Obie dokie!- Erson murmured, while he was undressing.
A female brought him new clothes, saying: You must to keep using those shoes- no time to
search for another pair now!- And departed out.
Erson puts on the new kind of clothes and walks out the room. The woman said: Hurry! They
are already waiting for you.
At the terrace they climb on a Flier, six seats, and the pilot turns his head to the rear, saying:
Strap you your seats! We got to reach 8200 kilometers per hour.
Erson knew that the indicated velocity was the needed one to reach the enough altitude not to
be pulled down again to the ground.
148
The small vehicle was soon shaking all over and after twelve minutes, they were floating
inside the small cabin.
Reaching orbit, Mr. Erson, call on your spaceship now.- The pilot asked of him.
Why? No other way to escape?- Erson asked, but nobody replied to his question after several
seconds, and at last one of the men said: Sorry, Sir! Our Principal told us that you are prone to
help us in our quest.- The man said.
Erson sniffed and said: All right, give me a microphone connected with a transmission capable
of to send my voice through the radio waves.
By the radio, he sent messages to Edara, and soon the voice of the e-female responded. Erson,
we are tracking your position now.
I am in a small Flier. He said and the radio operator from the Flier said: dont tell much,
Sir! There are patrol ships around.
Understood.- Erson said, finishing the transmission.
Forty minutes later, the Sphere opened the hatch and the Flier pilot enters and landed on the
magnetic platform.
The seven Synthetics were waiting for Erson that appears the first.
Erson! Good to see you back!- Edara said, taking him by the hand and putting him away from
the Flier.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

The four occupants of the Flier stands there, not sure of what to do next. Realizing that, Erson
said:- I was taking into jail after and automatic trial, accused of smuggling objects not
declared at Custom Office. These persons are in some way connected with a bellboy that told
what to do to escape from jail. These persons help us and here am I wandering why they think
I could be of use for them with the help of my Sphere.
149
Edara understand the situation immediately and said: They want our Sphere to use it for
which purpose?
One of the men from the Flier said: Our Principal saves Mr. Erson, saying that this Sphere
could help on our Project.
Where is that Principal of yours?- Edara asked him
In a reunion. We will receive more information as soon as that meeting ends.
And your objective, which is it?- Edara asked again.
To overthrow the dictatorship now in course. To restore the democratic government and
freedom to the people. The crewman said.
Edara commented: A noble cause. We will give you hostage and you will need somebody to
hear the radio messages at your own Flier.
Yes, we are already working on it. The crewman said.
Edara revise every one of them before accepting them inside the spaceship. Three guns and
five knives were taken from them, and several other weapons from the flier were taken into
custody. The cabins were next to the hangar where the Flier was resting and two male
synthetic guards were set on watch. The rest of the Sphere was forbidden for those followers
of the Principal
Erson went to his cabin, saying: We arent safe here on the orbit, if they revise the orb, they
will take me into jail again.
But dear, we are at a synchronous orbit we seem to be either a meteorite or a communication
satellite, thanks to our sphere figure.
150
_After that, they remind there for two days- when a message was receive at the Flier and it
was urgent.
Mr. Erson! Our Principal sent us a message, paying we must help transporting the
administrators of our project to the battleship that is coming from planet V.
Hope this is about all I should be obliged to do. Erson replied, staring at those men.
Of course.- One of them said, extending his arms to the side- he was intrigued why Erson
was so reluctant to help them.
Edara said: I have more information, dear. Rumors indeed, but with a 51% of probabilities of
to became true.
Tell me, darling! I dislike to be here as a Flier taxi.- Erson said, almost smiling to her nice
figure.
The people will accept the demise of this Dictator, but will not help- things go their way, and
many of them are at ease with the dictatorship.- Edara said.
We will carry this people to the incoming spaceship. Where it is?- Erson asked.
The coordinates are a secret! They will send here a small satellite with that information.
Edara said.
Oh, secrecy in action? Well: I understand their preoccupation: if the Dictator found out about
these people trying to finish his government, their lives could end abruptly.- Erson said.
151
Their guided the Sphere to the landing strip ; the passengers arrives one by one, walking or in
taxi Fliers: 22 of them, grim looking.
They dont smile! Bad omen.- Erson said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

They are very worried. Do you know where the big ship is coming?
No.- Erson assured.
346.000 kilometers from here! Real close. These people are in retard.- Edara said, looking at
a wall clock.
When the last of the rebels was inside a cabin, Edara launched the Sphere out into the sky.
We will arrive there in eighteen minutes, dear. No need to arouse suspicions from the
authorities!Edara said. Erson walks to the dining room, but one of the rebel flier crew was
in front of that door, saying: Pardon me, Sir: they are in a secret reunion.
Oh, a secret reunion in my spaceship? And the, I cannot get into a place inside my Sphere?-
Erson asked, turning red. The crewman gets to a side, saying: All right, but first knock on the
door.
Erson enters without knocking and the reunion stops with his appearance there.
Well, gentlemen, wish you are comfortable on board. He said, noticing that most of the
people were staring at him with a not very friendly attitude.
One of them looks around, takes some air and said. Thanks you a lot, captain. We are very
comfortable at your spaceship. We are here trying to find the perfect way to rule this
community after our victory against the Dictator.
152
Hope you win!- Erson said, sarcastically.
Do you doubt it?- Another man asked, turning very pale.
Of course I doubt! But that must not be a trouble for any of you: I am a tourist here and I
IGNORE the forces you and the Dictator has in storage.- Erson said.
The meeting seems to be spoiled for good after his words- several members were talking at
the same time, and the fist who talked banged on the table with his right fist, saying: Order,
please! Captain: I am Durchill and I am in charge of the presidency by now. I assure you that
our main problem is not how to defeat the dictator but what to do when ruling the planet.
I understand. Hope my intrusion has not provoked too much discomfort. Erson said, moving
to go.
Oh, dont you go, captain! We most certainly could use your knowledge about astronomy in
our conversations! Please take a seat and be our guest here!- Mr. Hadron said, and Erson
accepted the invitation.
In that meeting he heard the names of those rebels: Mr. Edaxfe, Mr. Maculte, Mr. Blevilo, and
others. The first four persons (Durchill, Hadro, Edaxfe and Maculte) were the ones talking the
most- the rest says yes or no, but talked very little more than that.
153
To his chagrin, no comments of the number of battleships were mentioned, nor how many
they were, and the matter was only in the vaults, and what to expect to perceive in the first
three months ruling that world. In some way, Erson thought, this makes sense: money was the
first issue. Forget about freedom to the people. He tries to retain names and future
organizations, where money would be deposited- to use in case it was needed
Four hours there only two instances where he was questioned about: spatial traffic, orbital
stations available and synthetic personnel. When the reunion was finishing, Mr. Hadron said.
Sorry to have bothered you, captain. We must be patient, also, in our waiting for a change of
spaceship.
I must ask about it.- Erson said, grabbing his cellphone- Edara said: We are about to lock on
the friendly spaceship that has arrived not five minutes ago.
Hadron, when receiving the news, said:- At last! We appreciate your time, captain. I guess I
dont need to tell you that this meeting is secret for all practical purposes?
It never happened.- Erson said.
Good.-Mr. Hadron said, accenting with a movement of his head.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Erson abandoned the room and at the main cabin, Edara said: They are about to lock: they
want their men in a hurry!
Well, they already know the spaceship has arrived- send someone to rush them out through
the airlock.- Erson said, raising his eyebrows.
Donned. They are walking by the corridor already- and what next?- Edara asked with a grin.
No information- these people has great respect for the bellboy.- Erson said, smiling.
So we can leave as soon as those persons are out of our Sphere.- Edara said, looking at a
screen in her console and adding: I expect they dont use their tractor beam on us.
Yes, we must act as a lamb.- Erson said, looking at a screen where the airlock was in view. He
walked there, and the politics were assembled there, waiting for to go out.
They are coming already, captain. Just a moment more.- ED 772 said, and from the other
side of the pneumotube, guards come in carrying LASER rifles. They saw the politics behind
Erson, and lowered the muzzles.
Captain Erson?
Yes, here they are: your important persons and in good health.- Erson commented.
I am commander Dertop. Thanks for your help.- The military man said, and the politicians
marched through the pneumatic tube, leaving the Sphere. The guards followed them, and the
commander said. You could leave now, captain: we are about to have a battle.
Fine: good luck.- Erson said.
Moments later, the Sphere leaves the side of the battleship and speeded far from it.
We could abandon this planetary system, at least for a while: much gunnery will soon cloud
the skies. Edara advised to Erson.
Of course, we are not fully prepared to battle. Let as visit some other peaceful planet.
Somewhere without much technology.- Erson recommended.
What is wrong with technology?- The synthetic e-woman asked him
Oh, nothing wrong with it! In fact, I love technology.- He said, embracing her.
Yes, this is my Erson.- Edara said, kissing him.
While voyaging to Aurea 7, Edara said: The Seventh of Aurea has nasty creatures, totally
untamed.
155
I dont care! Guess I will live in a city: no dangerous animals there, or not?
No dangerous animals, if you dont move out. Edara smiled to him.
They traveled by the not so silent space- now several big cruisers were also traveling between
stars and planets- they could host 2000- 3000 persons inside, that could communicate easily
with their home planets or wherever their business were located.



Chapter 9.
LANDING ON AUREA II - 3

When they enter Aurea II -3 atmosphere, there were seven other spaceships descending near
them.
Transporters are in disuse here: they left them just to trade: people refuse to become lost in
the process. - Edara said, not without humor: thousands of accidents provoke the refusal of
the common people to use transporters for to travel.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

That was why the ancient luxury Cruisers were refitted and put to work again, with a lot
others, in Aurea 2-3.
When they arrive to Aurea II- 3 planet, they choose a place near the mountains, where Erson
saw several small dinosaurs, the first breed of many a kind the government brought now the
air was totally restored.
From this species you can hunt, dear- not more than 31 in number- if you want. The
government allows it, as they had bred more of the count. Edara told him.
156
He fire at the quick animals, but missed three times and said: Seems I am not skilled at this,
or I dont want to kill animals for fun.
Suit yourself! There is plenty of spray food on board.- Edara suggested the alternative.
Erson loves to walk among the rocks, looking at the valley below. One day he saw a spark of
light among the trees, and with Edara he went to find out what provokes such a shine among
the green of the forest.
An aerial ship!- He said when at last they were near of it. They keep on approaching, and
suddenly two females appear on the entrance of the vehicle, pointing at them with rifles.
Stay where you are! What do you want here?- One of the females said, in plain Interlingua.
Sorry! I thought you needed some help.- Erson said.
We dont need any help. Go by the way you come here.- The woman said.
All right I am going, but your manners are awful. Erson said, reddening.
They walked some hundred meters, when they heard someone approaching, so they turn
around, jut to face the woman who had not spoken on that encounter.
Wait! Sorry about my sister! She had suffered with visitors.- The woman said.
Erson smiled and said. What are you two doing in this wilderness?
My father, doctor Fernseh, is studying some specimens of vegetation in this site.- She
replied.
157
Oh, doctor Fernseh is a well-known scientific- he worked at the technologic Institute of
Claimbers city and from then on no news had been of him. Edara said. The woman looked at
her and asked: A synthetic woman, right?
Yes, model ED.- She said in response.
Marvelous! Father could gain a lot in his studies with the help of one of yours.-
Perhaps.- Edara said, not interested.
Wish I could meet your father! Its not a common option to know a famous person in the
middle of his work.- Erson said, ogling the lady, who was young and attractive. She smiled
and said:- Of course, if you are interested in science, he will be delighted to have a talk with
you. But come back later, as I must take some time to present the request.
158
Very well. I am Erson, and she is Edara. I have an aerial vehicle not far from here.
Oh what a curious thing! I thought you were wandering on foot.- She laughed. Erson was
enchanted by her laugh from then on
They return to the Sphere, with Edara saying:- You look more than interested in that female.
Well, yes! Dont tell me that you are jealous!- Erson said, touching her.
Not at all. But remember that your species has lots of trouble with that thing called love.
Edara reminded him.
Erson sniffed and sniffed.
Guess I catch a cold. He said.
I will give you a medicine.Edara said, and for three days Erson was seated and sniffing until
he feel better.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Tomorrow I will be going there to see if that woman told his father about a conversation.
Erson said.
Let me go there to talk about a meeting! You can get that cold back again.- Edara said and at
the next day she walked out of the Sphere while he was still sleeping in his cozy bed.
She arrives when Doctor Fernseh was going out in another of her scientific quest for new
specimens.
Doctor Fernseh?
Yes! Who are you, lady?- The doctor Fernseh said, in surprise to see a damsel in that
desolate spot.
My name is Edara. I come here to talk about a meeting with Mr. Erson.
Never heard of him.- Doctor Fernseh said, rearranging his crystal lenses.
159
Well, your daughter Miss Rama talked with him and said she was going to ask you about a
meeting.- Edara clarified the point. The doctor moves his head, saying: Sorry, never heard of
it.
Where is your daughter now, doctor Fernseh?
He looks to the west and said: She left with her sister yesterday in the morning! Something to
do with some business of them.
Well, guess I will tell you about Mr. Erson: he is an entrepreneur, mostly in the field of
ancient cultures and their relics. Edara said, while the doctor narrowed his eyes and
grumbled: I expect he is not selling relics, as some irresponsible people are doing nowadays!
Tell your boss he could come here any day, preferable in the afternoon.
Thanks you, doctor Fernseh. I will tell him about this.- Edara said, departing from his view.
When Erson knew about it, he said: Thanks for your help in this. Wish I could have been a
person with more meanings of subsistence, if I sold the objects is for to help me going, repairs
at the Sphere, and you know about that.-
160
Dont explain the obvious. I know we did the right thing. How the civilization could know
about those who are no longer living at the rogue planet, if not giving the artifacts to be
studied and cherished? Scientific people seem to think the world can move without money.-
Edara said.
At the next day, before sunset, Erson was in front of the doctor, saying.-Its a great occasion
for me to be here. I admire your field of work.
Ah, my field of work is botanic. The second kingdom of nature. Plenty of study to know about
plants: we only scratch the surface of things; perhaps in a millennium more we could have
achieved total knowledge about it.- The doctor said.
Transgenic included.
Ah, of course that adds a universe of differentiations; man will be changing more and more
the second kingdom until only with thousands of years of study the quest will be finished! As
you see, we could be working during our entire lives.- Doctor Fernseh said, seemingly happy
about that.
-I see you are a busy man, and here am I asking silly questions.- Erson said apologetically.
The doctor moves to a drawer and said: Of course not! You are my guest now, remember?
And opening a drawer he takes some circular plastic boxes ten centimeters in diameter, and
the doctor added: This I found at the north of this continent. They are unique, what s very
strange about these plants?- Dr. Fernseh asked.
No. I see they are not too different from common wheat- Erson commented.
Well, because all the vegetation here was brought from Aurea 2-3 . And these species arent
from there. - Dr. Fernseh said, enthusiastically.
How do you know?
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Because I asked personally at every university there, and they all confirm my suspicions. This
species are alien to the planet.- The doctor said.
Panspermia is the theory that life can survive the effects of space, trapped in debris that is
ejected into space after collisions between planets that harbor life. If ideal conditions on a new
planet surfaces, the organisms become active and the process of evolution begins. Erson
recited.
Exactly. Many organisms are created from the basic compounds imbibed on tocks weather
heat cold starts the processes that we called life. Life everywhere.- Dr. Fernseh said, arms
akimbo.
He keeps on going showing samples until it was pitch dark outside.
Oh, sorry me! I wasnt aware night was coming! But of course, you could slept here and
depart in the morning.- Dr. Fernseh said. Erson could return at any hour to his abiding place,
but accepted the invitation us to know some more about the accomplishments Dr. Fernseh
had made in the world of plants.
Now we will have dinner! I have plenty of food, so that is not a problem.. Dr. Fernseh said,
and while he was at the kitchen, Erson has the permission to rummage around the place.
In a chamber, exotic plants were growing, some of them two meters high. Others less big,
repose at jars and pots. Their leaves go from black to any color imaginable; there were slim
and smooth leaves, hairy and fresh ones.
Come, Mr. Erson! Dinner is ready! - Dr. Fernseh said, poking his head through a small
window.
Right away, Dr. Fernseh!- He said, and during dinner, the doctor talks about plants and
fruits, fungus and nuts.
Erson begins eating lettuce, eggs of a smaller creature, pieces of meat with oil and some salt
and pepper. Then a dish with soup: potato-like tubercles, rice, boiled eggs, onions and a hot
piece of meat neatly chopped. Then a small dish with oils and sauce.
I love to make strange dishes! Sorry if you dont like some of them. Dr. Fernseh said,
apologetically.
Oh, its delicious! I love this mixing.- Erson said.
Taste the wine! I am growing grapes, and I made my own wine. - Dr. Fernseh said, filling the
glasses with red wine.
The doctor takes the empty dishes and soon he was back with the desert, saying: This I grow
in my special garden.
163
And Erson eats strawberries with cream, bananas and grapes in a red sugar sauce.
Fine! Guess you have a lot of work to grow plants.- Erson commented.
Hydroponics! Mostly hydroponics some of these plants only grows on Earth, so I cannot say
that my garden is only a product of science.- Doctor Fernseh said, shrugging his shoulders a
bit.
At the end, coffee and biscuits.
Thanks for this banquet. You will have to accept one of my invitations to dine, to get even
with this generous meal.- Orson said.
Oh, I cannot expect retributions for this humble dinner! I am not a good cook!- Dr. Fernseh
said, smiling.
I have a spaceship. It would be great for you to visit far and distant lands ; perhaps your
scope of things could be enlarged tenfold. Erson said.
Dr. Fernseh lean back on his armchair, saying: Who knows? I am so attached there- with
everything under control: I have a contract with the University of Aurea, nice salary and if I
accept to travel in an intergalactic way, I should say goodbye to my easy earnings.-
What a pity.- Erson said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Yes, as so many things that could be just in front of your eyes! Not your fault: man is not
omniscient.- Dr. Fernseh said, blinking an eye.
164
Later, Dr. Fernseh guided him to a nice bedroom for the night- then he finds silk sheets, warm
air and silence to sleep well.
At eight hours a bell tolls, indicating a new day of work begin at Dr. Fernseh s home. Erson
takes his clothes on and appears at the dining room, where Dr. Fernseh was putting two mugs
with coffee and some bread with cheese.
Good morning! Have a nice sleep?- Dr. Fernseh asked.
Yes, a nice sleep I did get! Absence of noise and fresh air throughout the night work wonders
in our spirits.- Erson commented while he seats at the table.
Doctor Fernseh laughed and said: And do you think its a natural occurrence?
Is it not?
I have an air purifier, an air conditioner and this house its soundproof- no sound comes in if
you dont open a door or a window. Cost me half a year of income, but its worthwhile- most
of all it was made for the sake of my plants.- The doctor Fernseh said, looking at the clock on
the wall.
Well, guess its time to leave. - Erson said, standing up. The doctor also stands and said: I get
to work now, giving some lectures. But you could stay and observe my plants if you like.
I dont know if
Be my guest. And if you could wash dishes, I would ask of you to do it- its on of the things I
detest the most, especially now my two daughters are absent. Doctor Fernseh said leaving eh
dining room.
165
Erson thought about his words- the doctor Fernseh was not too easy on his guest. He calls on
Edara, and when she arrives, Erson was waiting for her at the door.
Good morning, Erson! Do you sleep well?- The fine e-woman asked him.
Yes, a fine bed. But now Dr. Fernseh wishes me to clean his dishes! Not a kind thing to do,
hear me?- Erson said.
No problem, dear! I will clean them for you!- She said, walking into the house.
While she was at it, Erson enters the warmed room where plants were thriving. The
temperature was at 25 centigrade, so he takes his coat off.
Plenty of warm air in here! - He rumbled to himself. Moe than one specimen there were
cactuses, but of course, banana trees and apple trees were also present. In tanks there were
tomato plants, rice and lettuce, cabbage were to be seen. Edara soon appears, saying: all
cleaned up, dear. The beds and the two bathrooms were also cleaned up, garbage bags
dumped on the waste disposal, and I find the doctor has no matter regenerator at all.
All right, now we go.- He said, but when walking to the door, Rama appeared, very upset.
What are you doing here with that woman?- She asked.
I am departing, of course! Your father gives me a job before departure, and its accomplished
already.-Erson said. Rama looked with mistrusting eyes and said: Where is my father?
He said he needs to give a lecture at the University. - Erson replied.
A lecture at the Aurea University?- She raise an eyebrow as if was something never before
heard of.
Supposedly there.- Erson said.
Well, thats a big lie.- She said, walking down the corridor, so Erson left the place with Edara,
who was silent this time
166
A spoiled brat!- He said, once they were walking out.
Forget about them! Or do you find something interesting about them? Edara asked.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

My interest is in Rama. Guess she could be my next romance, perhaps even with a child on
top. Erson said, smiling.
Of course: man needs to perpetuate his genome. But I see no good feelings in her for you. You
must search someone who has an instant good feeling for you, instead of to smash your
gonads against a rock. Edara said, laughing. She always finds humans so amusing.
Erson realized his daydreaming was guiding him nowhere, so he returns to this Sphere, and
finds out where women were a-plenty: in small coffee parlors and in ball rooms. He dressed as
was the usual at Aurea city and begin attending those places.
Soon he has three girlfriends, and life begin to seem for him a playground.
I am expending 100 sopes on each one, daily.- He said to Edara.
- Good not to expend much in amusements.- She said, with a smile of merriment. Soon one of
those three females was proclaiming to be pregnant.
167
You will help me in this! I cannot just take my baby to some institution of charity and forget
about it! Also, your child will need a father!- Ladia Singoria said- she was a tall blonde with
explosive temperament. He looks on her with a mild stare and said: You just give me the news,
but also you are threatening me at the same time!
Shut up! My career is now ruined! I was working at the Spatial Center- close to receive a
promotion! I will not work thinking I have a baby back home!- Ladia said.
All right, I will handle this properly! You just come to live with me- sell the apartment! You
know I own a spaceship! Plenty of room for us there!- Erson promised. She looks unto his
eyes, smiling and said: All right, you say? Me, living at a metallic vehicle with a newborn
child? Any day your precious spaceship explodes with us inside?
Erson realized that she was a hard bone to gnaw on, and said: But what do you want? Me,
moving to your apartment?
She gets closer and said: 32 monthly payments more and it will be mine! Remember! Perhaps
now I will be out of work, you will keep on paying those bills?
Of course I could help in that, no problemdarling.- He said.
Ladia Singoria embraces him - they were at a Restaurant- and said: You will not regret it! Our
nights together will be very hot!
Erson smiled, ashamed of to hear those words- but he should have not believed her- the facts
were very much different, when the proper time comes.
First, he told Edara to stay on board.
168
Are you sure? Perhaps I should be there as your sister or something.- Edara said, worriedly
for his integrity.
What a young female could inflict me?- Erson asked, jovially.
Do you know her apartment? Any other person living there?- She asked.
I had not seen another person when visiting her there. It has three rooms: nothing fancy, I
assure you.- Erson said.
Days later, Erson was sleeping with Ladia Singoria; the woman was very sympathetic now,
especially because he had changed very furniture on her apartment for new ones.
Nice to live in here, with new furniture! You are my king.- She said, embracing him.
Hows your belly?- Erson asked, wondering what was happening inside her.
My pregnancy? Oh, fine! Only two months of pregnancy! My flat belly is not growing much, of
course: wait until the fifth month, and then it will be noticeable.- She laughed.
At the end of that month, she said: I will receive 600 sopes: my last paycheck. From then on, I
will be leaning on you to pay my debts.
They were seated at the kitchen table, having breakfast. Erson knew how the monthly
payment for that apartment was: 273 sopes, and said nothing.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

169
Are you going to the spaceship to day? You will leave me alone again?- Ladia Singoria asked
him.
Erson was sure he could not resist a full day with her around, so he said: Sorry, but I have to
work. Money does not come easy.
She makes a gesture of disappointment and said:- Very well, so this is the way things are
going to be? But I cannot stay here all day! And I did not like to be in that cold spaceship of
yoursso I will be visiting relatives.
Erson has not heard about relatives before, so he asked: And who are they, that I hadnt seen
them before?
She stomped on the floor, saying: Please! I have the right to have a family!
Of course, so very normal.- Erson said, not willing to start a fight now that he was going out.
She changes the stare for amore normal one, and asked: And what about your family?
Mother died years ago. I dont know about my family- she never give straight answers when I
asked. Erson replied.
A Sad story. WellI have both my parentsguess its because II have only twenty four years
old! She said, smiling with a cruel gesture, thinking he was older.
Please, darling! I am only 27 years!- Erson said, embracing and kissing her.
I guess you dont object them to be here visiting us? You not even know my parents! Ladia
Singoria said.
Never heard that from your lips. I mean- thought you hadnt your parents in your priority
list. Erson said, soothingly
Soon afterwards, Erson departed and Ladia takes a communicator through the holographic set
and said: Mother? Its already settled. I talk with him (Erson) and you could come here any
time you want.
170
Two days later, both parents appear, at the apartment.
Hello! I have a nice room for you both! Come inside!- Ladia said.
Hope we are not intruding!- Mr. Langford Singoria said, while he left on the floor a pair of
heavy suitcases.
Nonsense! Erson will be happy to see you here!-LADIA SAID.
They put their things on the bedroom before this, (it was the game room) and Mr. Langford
seats at the holographic set, to look movies and the news.
When Erson arrives, the smell of eggs and fried bacon was strong in the air.- he walks to the
kitchen , finding Miss Kennan, mother of Ladia, revolving the eggs in a pan.
Oh, sorryI am Ersonand who are you?- He asks of her.
Oh, so you are Erson! I am Kennan Forgon, Ladias mother! And papa is here too- invited we
were, dont you know? She said, smiling.
Oh, Miss Kennan, glad to know you! Glad you come here to visit.- Erson said, half chocked
with the smell
With whom are you talking, mother?- Mr. Langford asked, appearing from the bed room.
Erson has arrived! Poor soul, you must be hungry! Seat at the table, to eat some of this
scrambled eggs and bacon: coffee is coming, too. She said.
171
Nice to meet you, Sir!- Erson said to Ladias father.
Yes, yes! Likewise! Where do you work, young man?- He asked, looking at him through his
abundant eyebrows.
I work with a small spaceship, carrying people and some cargo between planets.- Erson
explained.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Oh, a freighter! Well, good to know you, again!- Mr. Langford said, returning to the room
assigned to him and his wife.
Erson seats at the table and when Ladia returns from the grocery store with some bags, he
was already sipping coffee and eating bacon and eggs with the help of a piece of bread.
Dear Erson! I see you already met my mother!- She said.
Yes, and also your father!- He replied, swallowing some more coffee.
Nice! I went to the grocery store; now we have more mouths to feed!- Ladia said, laughing.
Miss Kennan Forgon said: We dont want to be a heavy cost for you! My husband will deliver
you some money each week, to help with the economy of this house.
Fine.- Erson said, smiling- not that he really needed that money but the gesture was a honest
one and he accepted the offer.
That night Erson heard the sound of the holographic set until 02 hours in the morning,
because Mr. Langford Singoria loves to see films by night.
At the next day, Miss Kennan Forgon begins frying bacon and eggs for breakfast. The smell
was qualified as a stench by Erson, but he made no comments. Ladia just keep on sleeping.
When at the bathroom, someone knocked at the door.
Yes?
Are you, Erson?
Yes, Miss Kennan.
Call me mother, dear! Breakfast its ready on the table. Hurry up before it gets cold.- Miss
Kenan admonished.
Erson takes the towel and dry his body after the shower; when he finally seats at the table, the
eggs were cold- and the coffee was half the way to get frosty.
Damn!- He murmured, leaving the house without breakfasting.
At the Sphere, Edara heard his complains and said: Just say no to the breakfast, dear! As
simple as that.
Those two persons arrives home and spoil the first year together with Ladia!- He murmured
in a sad tone.
Sorry to hear that, Erson. - Edara said, not giving any advice- it was the dirt road that Erson
must walk by his own
At midday, Erson receives a holographic call from Ladia, who said: Mother is very sorry
because you did not taste his breakfast!
Sorry, but when I walked out fully dressed, everything was cold.- Erson explained.
173

Chapter 10.
ERSON LUNCHING WITH LADIAS PARENTS.

Well, thats the reason? She thought you tastes it and finds it ill prepared.
Nothing of the sort.
Welltomorrow I will see you go out with a warm breakfast! Are you coming home to
lunch?
But, darling, you know I lunch here!- Erson complained.
Well, thats a thing you will have to forget! Too much work spoils the appetite. From today
on, me and mother will prepare you delicious dishes! So hurry home, dear! I am waiting for
you. - And she hung up.
She is calling me to lunch! So I will be cutting my stay here in two.- Erson said.
Do as you wish, Erson! Dont make your life servitude!- Edara said, not wanting him to be
sad.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

At 13.30 hours he arrives to the apartment. Mr. Langford salutes him by saying. Good to see
you, Mr. Erson! Mother: You can serve the meal now!- He ends yelling to the kitchen.
Erson reddened and Ladia comes out of her bedroom, saying: Oh, dear! You come
Yes! Or it was not you who call me?- Erson said, kissing her.
Of course! Seat at the table! I will be here in a minute!- And she walks to the kitchen.
So, you work at your spaceship?- Mr. Langford asked.
Yes, its a hobby of mine.- Erson replied.
Good to have a hobby and better if its a job! Prices are so high nowadays; you cannot buy
almost anything with ten sopes!- Mr. Langford pondered out.
Erson nothing replied to that. Miss Kennan and Ladia come, bringing plates for the table.
174
Erson was used to eat dishes already filled with what the cook has prepared as the first,
second, third dish. But here he was seeing bowls with different food- as spoons and big forks
to begin serving each one by its own.
He dislikes it, but said nothing- a thing he did was to eat less than usual, in order to finish
soon.
Dear! Taste those filled potatoes! They are exquisite!- Ladia said, and he tastes it.
Eat! A man your age must eat to be strong!- Mr. Langford urged him.
At the end of the meal, Mr. Langford farthed and said: Excuse me! Seem I over eat!
You are so disgusting!- Miss Kennan said, embarrassed in front of Erson.
Why? Its a natural behavior! Well, excuse me a second time: I had to take a nap.- Mr.
Langford said, standing up from the table.
Erson and Ladia went to their room, close the door and she said: Are you going to stay here,
now my parents are visiting us?
Well, I had to work.
But what is exactly you are doing, dear? Because trips you certainly arent performing now.-
Ladia said, staring at him.
No, but I attend calls- people that could accept my fares and there you go, a trip could be
made.-Erson explained.
But you have a crew there! They can answer calls, I presume? She asked, bitterly.
175
Chapter 11.
SHOPPING WITH LADIA AND HER MOTHER.

Yes, but some people likes natural persons when dealing business.- He replied,
understanding that the girl was asking his presence at home.
If you are not here, could I go shopping with my mother?- She asked, after a while without
words.
Certainly that you could! Its no need you ask me about it. But, have you money?- Erson
asked.
No, but its not needed: mother is going to use her own money- and perhaps she could buy
me something, too.- Ladia said.
Erson realized he was not responding as well as desired by her and said:- I will change my
mind. I will be with you this evening.-
See? Tell your crew to take care of things for you until your return!- Ladia Singoria said.
176
And Erson did what was told to him: Edara realizes the bond between natural people was a
thing not for her to change- she knows time its the best teacher in this theme.
At the stores, contrariwise to what he was afraid of, both women were extremely cautious,
and bought cheap and useful things, as hardware, sandals and some street clothes.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

They return home with two bags at 20 hours time; Mr. Langford was asleep in a chair, in front
of the holographic set, that was running.
Oh, this man gets asleep everywhere! Wake up, Langford!- Miss Kennan Forgson said,
moving him to awake.
What is happening? Why do you awake me?- Mr. Langford asked, not pleased to been
awaken in such a rude manner.
What? You must be awake in front of the holographic set, or in bed: two options only!- Miss
Kennan said and visibly Mr. Langford wished to keep on going quarreling, but looked at his
daughter and Erson, and then shut up.
At the dining table, the ladies look again at what was bought, with little screams, and
commentaries. Erson was there too, looking at them and smiling.
At dinner, Mr. Langford again farthed and Miss Kennan Forgson said: You pig, next time I will
serves you at your bedroom!
177
Chapter 12.
SMELL OF BACON AND FRIED EGGS.

Mr. Langford said nothing about and soon he was at the holographic set, looking at a movie- as
if it was nothing said to him previously.
Ladia remarked:- Mother believes we are living like old people! That we dont enjoy life!
And where do you want to go?
To some place to dance! Hear loud music!- She said, taking his arm.
All right, the night is young!- He said, kissing her repeatedly.
At several nice places they dance and felt the night breeze pushing far their inner fears- Erson
was finding now what a natural woman could give, and decided that his honeymoon will last a
long time, if the destiny permits it.
Four weeks- the smell of bacon and fried eggs was now permanent. The farthing of Mr.
Langford keeps on, and so it does the daily recriminations of Miss Kennan to his husband. One
night Ladia said to him, while they were in bed: Sorry about my father: I assume he cant
control his gases.
Yes! But your mother is really desperate with his farthing!- Erson said.
Yes- poor mother is really desperate with his farthing, especially now they are homeless, she
is really ill.- Ladia let the news fall on Erson.
What? And where they were living before now?- Erson asked, feeling a ton of bricks was
falling down all over him
178
Yes, father gambled a lot and he lost everything he had because of his desire to gamble. Now
he has nothing! Except his feeble pension.- Ladia commented.
Seems they are in a rough spot. Erson finished.
Yes, but here am I , to help! This apartment was their first home- they give it to me when I
was eighteen years old.- She smiled.
Sorry to hear that. So they are here to stay?
Yes, where else could they go? Father is a driver- but after his last accident, he had swear
never to dive again- Ladia Singoria said.
And of course, he is not a young man anymore.- Erson commented- some one banged on the
wall- she went out the room to know what was happening.
Who gives those hard blows on the wall?- She asked of her mother.
Your father! Hes saying you talk too much with your husband and he cant get asleep!- Miss
Kennan said, from the kitchen.
And where is he?- Ladia asked, as his father was not in that room.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

He goes to the bathroom.- Miss Kennan directed her.
Father! I need to talk with you!- She said to the bathroom door.
Go away! I am busy right now!- The voice of Mr. Langford was heard.
You cannot go around banging the walls do you hear? Erson is very disappointed of you!
Ladia said, trying the handle, but the door was locked by the inside.
179
From then on, Mr. Langford just keeps silence when addressed directly: only Miss Kennan
receives his ideas, but nobody else
In due time, Ladia had her child: a male, blonde and white skinned baby, like his parents at his
same age.
We will call him Baracus! What do you say about that name?- Erson asked. She shrink her
nose and said: I dont like it! Sounds as Barracuda to me!
Theres no barracudas in this planet! Erson said, , very surprised.
No! But I learn at school about that fish, and I can give a lecture on it.!- Ladia informed him.
Oh, yes? Well, tell me about it!- Erson said, smiling.
Barracuda inhabits at Earth planet only. I know some of exo history.- Ladia retorted.
The final name was Salustio: and old name in Ladia family members. The baby keeps on being
cared for by his mother and Miss Kennan.
There is a client, and we need you here.- Edara calls him one day in the morning.
Fine. I will be there soon.- Erson said, seated on his bed.
Who is that, Erson?- His woman asked alongside him.
180
Its from the Spaceship: a client must talk with me.
Why? They could talk in your name!- Ladia Singoria said.
Of course, but I cannot leave my precious spaceship in their hands.- Erson said, walking to
the bathroom.
Ladia attended his baby, and so Erson goes out of the apartment without taking breakfast-
from Ladia parents room not a sound escaped.
At the street, Erson went by the moving ways up tot eh Space field. The Sphere was there,
among some others. Edara saw him coming and receives him at the ramp.
Good morning, Erson! I have our clients waiting for you.
Good. Hows things going in here?- He asked, while climbing by the ramp- she takes his hand
to help, saying: All fine and well, and how things are going at your home?
The baby is fine.- Erson said, guided now by her. They end up at the Stargaze saloon. Three
persons were there: a young female and two males, everyone well dressed.
Lady and gentlemen: I present to you our Captain Erson.- Edara said.
Glad to meet you.- A man with some white patches of hair in his bulky head said.
Welcome to my Sphere.- Erson said, looking at the very pale blue eyes of that woman who
was there, crisp and alert.
These clients here need a fast voyage to Brana One: they will carry some cargo The
destination point is HD 32147.- Edara said.
Very far indeed! And how could you set a price to a so distant point in space?- Erson asked,
frighten before the perspective of traveling so far away.
There are similar spaceships that have this kind of trips. Of course, not precisely directed to
HD 32147, but similar in distance. The price is 35 million sopes.
Very well. When do you need to depart?- Erson asked of the clients.
In exactly seven days more! In fact, could be sooner for our purposes, but the money we must
collect- not an easy task nowadays.- The older man said.
No problem. We are already prepared to depart.-Edara announced.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Very good! I will send a person here to sign our contract. My name is Espertine Foren; these
two persons are my associate, Gudold Selerne and my nephew, Miss Arista Salcaborko: she is
also the Manager, the chief in this expedition.
Adventurers?
No: just plain commerce.- Mr. Espertine said, smiling with too many teeth to feel much
sympathy. In fact, Erson felt that the man could easily eat a cow in a couple of hours!
182
One more thing, Captain! I already saw the cabins- theres something missing. I mean, at least
for me.- The young and attractive Arista Salcaborko said. Erson seems he was plunging in
those so pale blue eyes.
So? What is missing there?- He managed to say, under those staring eyes.
A bathtub! I need one at my cabin- I mean, at any cabin you think Ill be occupying,.- Arista
said.
No problem! I could provide you a bathtub.- Erson said, with a mild smile. The woman
shines briefly with a nice smile and the clients departed out, guided by Edara, who
commented the nice weather
Erson waits, seated at his preferred seat at the main cabin.
Well, those 35 million sopes will boost your personal treasure.- Edara said, standing at his
side after her return.
Wish I knew how many money we have now.
Now we have 108 million. Those 35 million will get the numbers climbing up to 143 million
sopes.-
Good news.
Now the bad news: two huge repairs were donned, 12 million sopes it takes for the spare
parts, so you have 131 million sopes by now.- Edara said.
Ill go seeing what you did with that money- I find it too expensive.- Erson said, looking
rather pale.
183
The new mechanism was indeed of the best manufacture- not what he would had bought, but
he smiled, saying: Made to last?
Certainly. You never know how far we could travel- sites where no spare parts are
available.- Edara said.
Fine, talk about the star we are going to be visiting. Erson asked.
Its located at Brana one, HD 32147 in Leo. Andromeda galaxy, NGC 3628. Rigel will be seen-
as a beacon. Edara said.
Itll be interesting. Time for the arrival?- Erson asked.
Eighteen months.
A year and a half. And my family?- Erson remembered.
You are like a sailor of old times. The welfare of your family is based on your job.- Edara
reminded him.
I dont know how I will convince her.- Erson said, rubbing his hands one another.
Easy: pay her. Give her some of the earnings! Woman comprehends more easily if gaining
money.- Edara said, with a glint in his eyes.
500.000 sopes could be enough?
A million could be better. Dont be a scrooge.- She said, smiling.
I will tell her right now.- He said, walking to the nearest holographic set.
No! If you give her plenty of time, she will invent something to anchor you here!- Edara said,
taking him by an arm. He stared at her, and realizes she could be right.
Ill wait until one of two days are left! That sounds better to you?- He asked.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

Of course, but remind this: you got to do what your wallet told you its best.- Edara
recommended.
184
That night, Erson was in bed, and looking at the small Salustio. He was white, but now red
with the cold of the night- he moves his small hands from time to time, and his mother was
giving heat, as he was near her breast.
Things were not as simple, he thought: looked from the main cabin of a spaceship all of this
family business, looks very matter of fact- now, looking at the woman and his child, the world
was churning round enough to get him real mad at himself.
At the next morning, he looks on her as the first time he met Ladia and said:- I will give you
some money: a million sopes.
She looks startled and asked: What? A million what?
Not that she hasnt understand, but because she was not sure about the real meaning of that
phrase.
A million sopes for you to run the house as I am away. You see, theres a client he is going to
pay me very well for a trip and you must be covered here, expenses and all.- Erson tried to
explain.
Ladia stared at him a while more, and said: Is it legal?
Of course, its just a trip. But I get to command my spaceship, darling. It will be a long trip and
theres people going with us- cargo and passengers.- Erson said. She embraces him, not sure
of her own feelings- and of course, as in these cases, the woman begins to cry.
185
Somebody knocks on their door, and Erson opens it. Miss Kennan was there, looking troubled.
What is happening?
Nothing! - Erson replied, but the lady was not to be sent away so easily, and seeing the tears
on her daughters eyes, she enters the room, sneaking pass Erson.
What is wrong, baby?- Kennan asked to Ladia Singoria.
He is leaving!- Ladia said, seating on the bed.
Why? Do you have a quarrel?- Miss Kennan asked, eyes ablaze.
No, but he says a client hires his spaceship and now he want to go.- Ladia said.
Its that true, Erson?- Kennan asked him.
Yes, Miss Kennan. I get a client to make a long trip: he already pays millions for it. I cannot let
this opportunity passed by.- Erson explains.
The stare on Miss Kennan face changes: it was a matter of money- the stuff that keeps on
moving the society of man- cooperation (work) and rewards (money).
But, baby! He is just going to work, arent you, Erson?- Kennan asked.
Yes, Miss Kennan, just work. A round trip. It will take some months, and because of that, I will
leave here some of the money the client had paid. - Erson said, feeling relieved: somehow,
now the question was money and not to be a present father for his childand a husband to
this young female
At the end of that day, Ladia was accepting the departure.
186
Wish you could promise me one thing..- Ladia said.
What? To be here soon?- He tries to take the conversation in a light way.
Yes, that too. But at your return I wish you here. To be a father for our child, and a man for
me. Ladia said.
Erson was shocked- it was a big asking she was making, but now he realize that to be married
was not only to provide money.
I cannot swear to do such thing. But I promises you I will be thinking about your request-
Erson said.
Knapp 38 Tolobar.

You do it. And remember: you get to return here, for the sake of our child- and for me. Ladia
said. He embraces her and felt he was loved.
The days that was left, he spent with the baby and his wife. He makes a deposit of three
million sopes: two millions for his wife, one million for the baby- to be delivered to him at his
eighteen years old.
You are a good man, Erson. I dont know much of your past, but to my daughter you had been
a true man. I know you will return happily home.- Miss Kennan said, while they were
lunching.
And I will take care of your home while you are outside. My wife and your son are secure
with us. Mr. Langford said.
I thanks youre a lot. I will return, and as your daughter wants, this will be my last spatial
project- no more voyages for me.- Erson said, and Ladia gives a scream and kissed his cheek
happily.
When at a park, she said: You know my father- he is only preoccupied of films and lunches!
My mother will run the house, and notwithstanding you are generous with money I want to
work. I would feel myself a nuisance if at home and doing nothing.
As you wish. But what do you want to do?
A nurse, at some clinic- an easy job, helping others- I know it could sound strange, but its a
desire I had since a child.- Ladia said.
Of course. I guess I will be back not before a year or two- space is strange and certainly I
could calculate how many days I will be traveling.- Erson explained.
You just come right home, do you hear? Dont get mess up with any woman up there. - Ladia
said.
They return home to spend the last night together.
At the next morning, a Flier from the Sphere comes to pick him up- aboard comes Edara and
two other synthetic.
Take good care that no harm befalls on him, Edara: I will be waiting him, together with our
baby.- Ladia asked her.
Edara smiled and said: He will be as sure and safe as at your own bedroom! The space ship is
already revised, refitted and refueled! This trip is a joke for us.
I hope is like you are saying.- Ladia said, as she has seen so many news about catastrophes
in space.
Bye, darling! I will be back before you think.- Erson said, with a pain in his chest.
While flying to the spatial field, Edara said: Guess she will be accustomed to these farewells in
due time.
Erson passed a hand over his face, saying: I told her I will be saying good bye to spatial trips!
Guess this is our last trip together, Edara!
She processed the new information and smile, saying:- All right: Lets make each minute
counts, then!- And pressed his hand.
Yes.- Erson said, smiling sadly.

THE END.
August 3 , 2013. 0.15 hours.
Alfred F. H. Juillet Frascara.
E.M.R.M. CHILE.
First revisin lunes, 09 de diciembre de 2013.-
Second revisin 10-12-2013 22:20:56.-