It's late and I'm going to bed.
Don't own any of this good stuff here.
Hope you enjoy.
The planet Donsemede was home to a major port long before the crescent space station of Montressor had ever been dreamed of, which was a long time ago indeed. However, Donsemede is near the Megellanic Cloud, and though this put it in a prime position for mining the various ore dusts, it also put it in a rather dangerous spot for space faring. Stray too close to the Cloud on an open decked ship while lacking the proper gear, and you're likely to end up coughing up your own lungs... literally. So it was that when the Empire looked to build a Space Port in that sector, it was Montressor that got the vote. Its completion left the port on Donsemede little more than a derelict ruin.
That was before Flint. Though the legend himself had little need for a place of business, the rest of the Buccaneers who appeared in his wake found themselves in a bit of difficulty. There were lawless zones scattered around Empire where they could sell their dishonest wares, but most were at the outer edges. They were a wasteful hassle to reach, especially when prime business was to be had in the shipping lanes. At the time, the only real significant port was Montressor. With the Royal Academy and the Interstellar Fleet both stationed there, only an imbecile would go near it with a bounty to his or her name.
With this in mind, a couple of rum runners set up shop in the ruins of Donsemede. They were quickly followed by every cutthroat in the galaxy, and despite frequent raids by the Fleet, the illegal port and trade flourishes to this day.
It was here, sitting on a loading stand, that a large man of the dog-like Canid species made straight his books. His skin and fur was white as bleached bone, which gave him a regal appearance. Fitting because he was the Squire, one of the only true men of station on the planet. Grumbling from time to time while doing computations in his head, he ignored his workers as they loaded a cart with boxes and barrels of food and talked amongst themselves. That is, until he realized that one of them was calling to him.
"Yes, what is it Joyce?" he asked.
Joyce, a tall, muscular human who had been long ago bronzed by Donsemede's powerful sun, indicated one of the fruit vendors who was helping to load wares. "Kae'svalt here says he met an Ursid come off the transport this mornin'. Wasn't you sayin' you was in quarrel with one lately?"
One of the Squire's eyebrows rose at that. The Ursid were highly uncommon in this sector and especially on this planet - unless they were brought in as merchandise. He snapped his book shut and said, "Yes, I believe I did. Mr Kae'svalt," he addressed the vendor, "did you by chance see where this fellow went?"
"Yes sir," the little, red furred creature answered. "He's staying at the Merry Lout, I believe. He was a peculiar one to be sure."
That sounded about right. "Good man, good man." The squire heaved his bulk out of his chair. "Alright Joyce, if you'll finish up here and take this cart to my estate. Redruth, with me." He made off into the market followed by a fellow Canid who was much thinner and much more servile.
As they came up to a run down looking inn the Squire spotted him, a great lump of a man wearing a white shirt and a red bandana around his head. He was sitting with his arms upon the porch railing and his head upon them. One look was all the Squire needed to be sure this was his man.
"Silver!" he cried as he made his approach. The flick of an ear in his direction was the only acknowledgement he got. "Silver!" he said again once he reached the porch and stood by. "I have had about enough of you, young man. Now look here-"
His words caught in his throat when Silver did just that. A look as heated and sharp as a fresh blade it was, and though there was no reputation to back it, the Squire couldn't help but feel a prick of fear.
As for Silver, he lost his edge and sighed through his nose, then stood with a forcefully affixed smile. "Me apologies, Mr Trewlarney," he said respectfully enough, "I gots meself in a bit of a mood is all, but no more a that. What can I do for ya?"
The Squire drew himself up, recovering his nerve. "You can start by reining that tongue of yours, and you can finish by returning my boat."
Silver somehow managed to retain his smile, but it looked like a close thing. "Yer boat, ya say?" The words sounded as though it was a struggle to get them out.
"Yes, my boat. You do remember my boat? The one I rented to you for two months and haven't seen in a year?"
He gave an uneasy chuckle and rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. "A 'course I remember, sir. A fine sloop to be certain, but if you'll just hear me out-"
"The only thing I'll hearout of you is the answer to my question!" barked the Squire. His fare face was growing red in blotches. "Now, I'm only asking this one more time; Where is my boat?"
The anger behind these words made the young man stiffen. A moment later his shoulders drooped in defeat. "What pieces that'r left are in orbit 'round Gatg, but I swear to you that it wasn't me fault." He paused, worried by the Squire's reddened face and lack of reaction. "I was attacked, see? Without provocation it was, and I barely made it out wit' me life."
"I see..." the Squire finally said. The calmness of his voice defied his obvious anger, but he was not known for having a rash manner. He'd have been gutted long ago by an angry ruffian if he was. "I see... and exactly how long ago was this?"
The young man's eyes shifted to the other patrons of the Inn, imploring for some escape from the situation. The few that were there were watching with amusement. One skinny robot snickered nastily and got up from his seat, but quickly walked away.
"Silver?"
He turned back to the Squire. "I'd say... 'bout three weeks."
The Squire nodded sagely. "That means you still had her nearly a year more than you payed me for. When, pray tell, did you intend on returning her?"
"Um... soon as I has the money ta cover the longer lease?" He was smiling again with a touch of desperation.
"And I'm guessing you don't have that money?"
"No sir, but if you'll-"
"That's enough." The Squire put up his hand to command silence. "This is the third time you've crossed me, Silver, and so I have a bit of a problem. You see, I may be a wealthy man, and the loss of one sloop may be of little consequence to my fortune, but it certainly won't stay that way if I start going soft on people who steal from me. Which is why, as I am the highest authority in this God forsaken place, I'm going to demand you come with me for sentencing."
Silver didn't move, and he didn't look afraid or intimidated. It was Redruth, who had stayed silent and dignified during the exchange, who noticed the simmering look his master was getting and took a step back. It wasn't that Silver was known for violence, quite the contrary. The few people who had met the young man found him to be harmless - a blowhard who was all talk and no action - but he still carried a sword and pistol and he was an Ursid. This meant he was big, and very strong. In the unlikely event that he should fly into a rage, the Squire would be dead in an instant.
The fat old man didn't realize this. "You look like you're going to run," he said. "By all means go ahead, but if you start a chase, I can guarantee it will end in your death."
"Now hold on," said Silver. "I ain't no thief, and you got no right ta accuse me as such. I came back, didn't I? I'm ownin' up, and on me honor I'm gonna compensate ya in full."
"I might have believed you, back before I knew there isn't an honest bone in your body."
"So what? You lock me up? Have me executed? What'll that get ya, sir? A lot less than this man 'ere out there, workin' te make that fortune a yers bigger, is what."
Redruth was becoming severely nervous and decided to speak up. "He has a point, sir."
"I don't care if he has a point," barked the Squire. He then drew a long breath to calm himself, and regarded Silver with careful scruteny.
Silver, sensing the careful balance of an outcome, wisely stayed silent.
Finally the Squire said, "You did come back, I must give you that. If you're not honest, you're at least honorable, but you're a fool, Silver, and that's going to get you killed. Still, I feel some pity for you." He looked the man up a few more times and sighed. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you have a month."
Silver instantly perked up. He opened his grinning mouth to say something, but the Squire cut him off.
"You have one month to pay back all of your debt to me, and then I am quite of you." His voice became businesslike. "If you come back here at that time and you don't have payment, you'll receive a fair trial, just as you would today. If you don't come back, than I will send the finest bounty hunters available. They will find you, and they will bring you back in pieces. Do I make myself clear?"
"Aye, aye Mr Trewlarney!" said Silver, as enthusiastic as ever. He even gave a cheerful salute, and as the Squire made off, he continued to call after him. "And ye won't be regrettin' this kindness t'wards me, Mr Trewlarney, sir! You may lay to that!"
Once the Squire was finally gone he groaned and slumped back into his seat, wiping the frustration from his eyes.
