A big hug to all of you that reviewed.you guys are my muses!! Thankyou!

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The day had started out normal for Beka. She has met their new contact who seemed interested in having her haul some organics. Mostly some plants. He was a Persied. Persieds were nervous creatures to start with but this one seemed even more so. He kept looking over his shoulder. Beka was beginning to believe this was less the legit. He was twitchier then Harper and that was saying something. The worst thing was the Carrick, the Persied in question couldn't decide if was willing to go through with the deal.

"Listen.I have some other errands. I go and I'll get a drink to then I'll come back and we'll start taking your stuff down to the Shipping port okay?"

"Well.it's just." The nervous Persied did yet another quick glance over his shoulder. "These plants are very rare."

"So you've said. But if you don't trust me maybe you should go find another hauler."

"No, no! You are very suitable. I've heard of your reputation."

"What have you heard exactly?"

"That you are um. very good at dealing with ." Carrick lowered his voice. "Sometimes risky cargo."

"How risky is this?"

"These plants.are illegal in this solar system. Being that they are also very rare you can imagine the demand on them . there is a group of us on Sinti that specialize in endangered."

"You're an outlaw Botanist?? Okay now I have seen everything! My crew and I .We're not afraid of the local establishment.. If you want us to haul your plants we will. But you really need to make up your mind."

"Yes, Yes.I'll get them ready but we must be discreet."

"Okay fine. My ship is the Eureka Maru. I'm at dock ten. I'll met you at the entrance to the ship docks in an hour. Got it?"

Carrick made another nervous nod "yes, yes." and quickly left to hide himself in the crowd.

Beka sighed loudly. She really hoped he had been telling the truth and these plants didn't turn in to something worse. Every time she did one of these she tried to tell her sell it was the last one. But, it never was. For a cargo hauler it was the only real way to get ahead.

Beka made her way towards the market. She picked up some various supplies and some chocolate candy for Harper. They had been talking about their favorite foods last week in the galley. Harper said he didn't have a favorite food, which kind of surprised her. Come on Harper.not even chocolate?"

Harper looked as he was thinking it over. "You know I've heard of it but I don't think I have ever tried it." At that Beka had been completely speechless. But she should have expected as much. Refugees were lucky to have food at all. She secretly promised to get him some next time they docked.

While she was shopping a scrubby little kid came over to here. A little girl in dirty brown pigtails was tugging on her sleeves. "Miss.Miss?"

"What is it kid?" Beka looked at the little street urchin suspiciously. There is a man over there he says he has a question bout your plants? He gave me half a throne to tell you." She seemed eager to please.

Beka glanced over to the shadows where she save a figure standing. She couldn't make it out who it was so drew her gauss gun. "Thanks kid."

She made her way over to the figure slowly, cautiously. It was one of the squid heads as Harper called this species. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"I heard you are going to haul a cargo of Mellee plants?"

"I'm hauling a cargo for someone. I don't think it's your business what it is."

The creature laughed. I will pay you more then the Persied could ever dream of. If you deliver them to me." Beka didn't even need to think it over.she had given her word to Carrick. " Even if I was hauling something like that, I don't know you and have no reason to trust you."

The Squid head opened a bag he had held on his shoulder and opened it for her to see. The inside of the bag practically sparkled with tiny plastic chips.

Beka let out a low whistle. That was a lot of thrones. "I am intrigued but unfortunately I am not the hauler you are looking for."

The squid head swore and grabbed her arm. "Don't be a fool female!!"

Beka suddenly had her gauss gun pressed against his neck. "Do I look like a fool? Now again I'll say it. I AM NOT the hauler you are looking for now let go of my arm and back away slowly."

The squid head let go and slowly backed away. "You'll be sorry!" He hissed.

As Beka ran from the alley she whispered "I already am."

By the time she met Carrick at the shipping docks she was nearly as twitchy as he was. He had eight large boxes and anti grav haulers to move them.

"Ready?" she smiled.

Carrick seem comforted by her confidence.

"Look over there. That's my ship. Let's get the stuff on there then we'll be home free."

Suddenly Carrick let out a small shriek. She turned to see what the problem was when she felt a sharp pain in the side of her temple. The world quickly turned black mixed with blood red as she fell to the ground. The last thing she saw was someone slipping a canvas bag over Carrick's head.

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TBC