The space port is a dirty place. Rarely do any of the Tarre citizens see this. Even if they do purchase passage on one of the luxury liners for a cruise to the satellite resorts, they would never enter by the port pad. They would be shuttled over directly onto their ship. The space port is the type of place the Quorum does not let its citizens see or even know about.
On one end of the port there were the Tarre servicemen transports, the Tarre short-range enforcement vessels (T.S.R.V.), and med-ships. These vessels would be traveling at least as far as the trading outpost but even though Tarre personnel were trained not to ask questions, it would be better not to be seen or possibly recognized. It was easier to blend in and complete an assignment in secret among the populous who typically try not to notice what is going on around them anyway.
Next to the Tarre vessels were the luxury liners and carriers. These vessels would not be docking with any shipping satellites or stations where Wayt would be able to find transportation to Clari. Further down the port were the cargo carriers not controlled by the Quorum. All were very reputable, all keeping records in good order for the docking agents to review. Every passenger would be registered. Finally, on the far end of the port are the derelict-class, fast-burning shuttles and transports. These ships were designed for long-term space travel. Most of the captains of these ships made their homes on board and only landed when they needed to for transport jobs or restocking personal supplies.
This less than reputable part of the space port is infested with the most unsavory elements of society, typically running from the law or trading illegally with the other worlds. These criminals, thieves, and bounty hunters operate the black market cargo transports. They would most definitely dock with a station where Wayt could find transport to Clari or going to Clari directly.
Docking agents rarely patrolled these ports out of fear and those that do were rumored to be taking bribes. Manifests were rarely recorded and those that were, were rarely legitimate and never checked. These ports and these ships existed because the Quorum allowed it. They needed this criminal element for information on the other planets. Some were bribed for their information and some were coerced with threats of prison if they did not cooperate. Spies from and for all the planets used these ports either to land or to gain transportation. In all, the Quorum believes that this small, seedy, criminal infested port is more for the good of Ma’tris and so it exists. Wayt knew that here he would find a crew who would ask no questions, keep no records, and would be looking for a passenger who could pay in hard currency instead of credit. Mostly they would be looking for a passenger who would keep to himself and leave without questions once deposited at the designated port.
Wayt enjoyed walking through this part of the space port. He was never bothered by the riffraff and it gave him the rare opportunity to admire the construction of the space craft. It reminded him of the summer his father had taken him to work on one of the carriers and had shown him how the Hydroplasma engines worked. His memories of that last summer with his father were the reason he had such a fondness for those carriers now. Though to find a craft in good repair was rare, the construction was usually very sound but they often were missing one or more pieces of the ship’s external paneling. He admired the Effany the most. The Effany is a mid-bulk transport. The dome in the center making up only about a third of the central portion of this ship leaving the remainder to cargo which it is why smugglers and tradesmen use them. It had a standard Hydro-core and plasma conductor engine which started just under the dome and moving up and over the cargo hold and then extending out behind the ship. The Effany was able to launch from a vertical or horizontal position and land on any terrain. It was fast and maneuverable. Rather than being made to look like a block or an arrow with rockets attached, the Effany had sleek lines. It resembled a bird in flight with wings tucked under its own belly. Wayt checked the manifest of those ships first.
The SiVoyeor listed its destination only as "Sombre Alley." That was the kind of vague destination which captain's used when they had cargo to deliver that they did not want to report or destinations which would raise questions. Sombre Alley is the name for space between planets and space stations that fill it. These stations are used for trading and transporting cargo, unofficial government meetings, and are the home of many of the Matris citizens who did not want to live under Quorum or Faith-guided law.
Outside the cargo hold stood a member of the crew, possibly the captain himself. It was hard to tell under the dust and grim. He had obviously been working in the engine room and was out for some air before moving off to do whatever was next on his list of assignments in preparation for departure.
Without actually looking at the crew member, Wayt asked, "Is this ship stopping on Clari?"
The crewman spat in Wit's direction to show his displeasure at having to answer any questions, "What's it to you? You look'n for a transport? Try the carrier's or medical ships. I am sure they can get you to a station near Clari." With that he turned and stalked back into the hold.
Wayt followed quickly and quietly grabbed the fellow from behind, producing a knife for effect, and in a low voice scowled, "If I wanted to go to a station why would I be here looking for a transport to Clari. I will ask again, is this ship stopping on Clari?" Light glinted off the tip of the short blade Wayt held, an intimidating trick he had learned which often proved effective.
After a moment’s pause, the crewman chuckled, "How much have you got?"
Wayt was prepared for this. Releasing the crewman, he pulled out of his coat pocket a bag, shook it to emphasize its volume, and withdrew one of the gems. It was a ruby the size of a man’s thumb. He tossed it to who he now was sure was the captain. "The rest when I am off your boat in Clari."
Without waiting for a response, Wayt put away his knife, picked up the only baggage he brought, and walked further into the hold of the SiVoyeor and straight to the passenger dome to claim a bed. It would take at least a week, assuming the captain would take the long way to avoid Quorum contact.
The captain inspected the gem and watched the stranger enter his ship. That was the second time today he had been taken in an effort to gain passage. He thought for a moment about tossing the impertinent man out on his ass and keeping the offered gem, but the promise of more kept his base impulse in check. He would get the remainder of the contents of that bag before landing, and if there was any argument from this unwelcome passenger, he would find himself floating in the cold between here and Clari.
