Astra Pt. 01

Jack plotted in the course, "We should be there in 16 hours."

Astra came over, "Correct that. Travel at half speed. It will take 32 hours but then you will look like you have the top of the line engine for this era."

Jack groaned out and replotted the course for half speed. Jack spent all the next day on the bridge preparing patent paperwork and ship registry paperwork for the ship and the shuttle. Astra now collected 3 samples every 4 four hours. Except for one 8-hour period, Jack took a nap in his office. Astra and her 'friends' already prepared his new ID beforehand.

Jack had assumed the office would be bigger, but it was the size of a crewman's Quarters. Maybe 2 of them as he had not looked on this ship. Regardless it was not as big as he had seen on his last ship. He took some time to pound the ass out of Astra. He left her grunting and screaming for more after 90 minutes and shooting off 3 times into her perfect, soft, firm, tight bubble butt.

Every time he went soft, he pulled out. He then ran it along the crack of her ass while pushing the cheeks together. Once he was hard, he went straight back into the hilt. It was her tightest orifice and thankfully she was self-lubricating. Finally, he collapsed on his couch. She got up and smiled back at him, "That was rough, but I kind of liked that."

Jack shook his head, mumbled, and thought. 'It does not matter with her, Slow or fast. Passionate or spiteful. With or without excess lube. She will always be available and she always says, 'I kind of liked that.' at the end. She rarely initiated sex but was ready and willing. She was great to get relief with but he got no real hard emotional connection toward her, at least in a 'romantic sense.''

He heard from Meltora, *Your mating rituals confound and yet fascinate me. I will say, you do deposit into her a lot. I understand why the arm told you a hybrid would be a better choice. Even I agree with that decision for you. *

He thought back, * Thanks for the reminder. She and her friends are the ones who insisted I cannot do self-gratification. I need a real woman or 12 of them. *

Meltora chuckled, * I am not sure you can handle 12. *

Jack smiled brightly, *It would sure be fun to try. *

He just heard a chuckle in reply. He had practiced with his psi-sword while on the bridge. Having enough room to move around, or standing on the console after deactivating that station and using it as a practice stage for flips as well. He discovered the blade could not hurt him and he could to some of his katana style moves with it and hold his hand over the blade; like iaido would do if it were sheathed.

30 minutes out from the station and his ship was intercepted by 'state-of-the-art' antiquated fighters, "You have no transponder. Identify yourself!"

He called out, "This is the Captain and owner of the Excalibur. My name is Jack Travus. This was an experimental spacecraft that just completed its final shakedown flight.

We are headed to Terra-3 to update identification because of the new Universal Identification System. In addition to registering this ship and conducting business. We are a multipurpose ship from research, invention testing, trading, and passenger ferrying. We can provide what you need, for the right fee."

The man chuckled and then spoke with a note of disgust, "Identification trade over began 4 days ago. Where has this shakedown cruise gone?"

Jack replied back, "We went out to Jupiter and tested our atmospheric mining rig. You let us land and we can prove that."

The guy grumbled back, "You are cleared to dock on Terra-3 pylon 17. If you can fit that thing in there."

Astra nodded, "Plenty of room on that pylon."

Jack contacted him back, "Acknowledged, slowing down to port speed. No problem with pylon 17."

The 2 fighters were soon accompanied by 2 more fighters as they slowed to line up to dock. Jack lined the ship up and used the retro thrusters. He reversed the ships facing and put it up on a 90-degree side tilt. He eased the ship in using the docking cameras. Astra commented, "I can do this via automation if you like."

Jack shook his head, "I got this. I am a crack pilot if you read my file."

He brought it down gingerly and engaged the docking clamps. The port engaged there clamps as well. That ensured Jack did not leave before settling accounts and getting permission. "Extend the sleeve from Cargo bay on deck 7 and set to zero gravity in the bay."

She nodded, "It is set. Firearms are not permitted but sidearms, swords, are kind of encouraged. Not enough security."

Jack smiled at her, "I will be in my quarters getting ready. Arm yourself and active internal security systems."

He left his pistol in his quarters and equipped his metallic swords. He had his psi sword holstered along his right side. He took the lift down to deck 7 and admired the zero-gravity environment.

He pushed off and got to the airlock on this deck and opened it. He righted himself with the gravity plating in the sleeve and walked down to the outer docking ring after closing the other airlock. He walked out of the airlock to a small set of guards standing there with a docking agent.

He extended his id and pulled up his paperwork on the pad for the Excalibur for him to review. The man looked back, "It is 100 credits an hour to dock hear. How much time will you be needing?"

Jack smiled, "Put me down for 2 days, subject to extension."

The man looked at him and shook his head, "You have those kinds of credits? Account number?"

Jack chuckled, "No active accounts. I did not want to occur those bank fees while I was off-world. As it was, I sunk about every credit I had into the Excalibur. The cargo I am bringing in will more than cover my stay here. I cannot see the commodities brokers until I get my ID switched over."

He sighed, "Your ship is marked as locked until you pay your docking fees. Failure to do so promptly can result in the forfeiture of your ship and cargo. Do you understand this?"

Jack smiled, "I read the port rules, No longer than 7 days." Jack heard in his head, "This is Astra. I am communicating with you through your cranial implant. You are doing fine. I just wanted you to know I am here if you get stuck."

The man looked at him, "2 swords and is that a laser sword?"

Jack nodded, "It is 1 of my own designs."

He looked at Jack, "How did you decide on the name for your ship?"

Jack looked back, "Angled as it is, does it not look like a sword?"

He nodded, "Alright, identification counter is right over there. They will swap out your identification card."

The guards dispersed mostly and Jack walked up to the counter and turned in his ID. They issued him a new Terra Federal Republic Identification Card. "The 200 TCs required will be placed on your ship until you settle this account. You understand?" He nodded, "Yes." She handed him his new ID card and he headed inside.

He walked over to the registration counter, "Initial Registration on a new ship of that size is a 100,000 TC's. The transponder is another 10,000 TC's.

He nodded, "I know you will hold my ship until it is paid promptly. I also have a shuttle on the ship to register."

She nodded, "A shuttle if 15,000 TC's to register and 5,000 TC's for a shuttle transponder. Here are your registration numbers and it will cost you significantly to get it painted on the side of that ship."

He smiled, "I will take care of that myself."

Jack thought, * Meltora, can you place the registration number at 3 meters high on the front starboard and aft sides of the ship like you have the ship name across the bottom. Starting at the bridge and moving forward? Same script. Registrations Id number Excalibur TMU-4798. They classified as a Multiple Utility ship. *

He responded, * Easy to do and was told to expect this request. *

Astra told him, "Up 1 level and you will want to speak with Charles Vesner. He is the broker who handles million-dollar shipments."

He placed the transponders inside the engine room and then headed out. He went up to the next level and looked at the boards and found his contact. he walked toward his counter and 2 private guards stopped him, "You have an appointment?"

He smiled, "No. I was just told when dealing with million-dollar commodities deals he was the man to see. If I need to take my business elsewhere then I will."

One of the guards walked back to the man at the counter and he got waved forward. He looked at Jack, "We do not finance ventures here. We just take in material for Terra Credits."

Jack nodded, "The going rate for Metallic Hydrogen is 6,081 TC's per milliliter. Hydrogen is 4 TC's a milliliter and Helium is 12 TC's a milliliter. Those prices are firmly set correct."

He nodded, "Yes they are firm."

Jack smiled, "I have 4,000 liters of Hydrogen, 2,000 liters of Helium, and 6,000 liters of Metallic Hydrogen to offload. All stored in frozen and pressurized tanks of course. All refined to remove out trace elements." The broker started at him as did the next two brokers down. "Technically this is a several-billion-credits deal. That would be 36,514 million TC's to be precise."

The broker looked at Jack, "How?"

Jack smiled, "I will tell you the where. Jupiter and not with the Station rig that is barely undergoing construction. If you are not invested in that you should consider it. Your 10 percent brokerage fee, the Terran tax rate for income is at 45% that I will pay upfront with this shipment. That leaves just under 18.1 billion."

He ran the numbers and nodded. Jack sighed out and gave a bigger smile, "I need an account set up, my docking fees, ID fee, and registration fee paid on my new ship. Once you inspect the cargo, of course."

He pointed and one of the broker's associates came over. "Confirm his cargo."

The man followed Jack out, "It is rare for him to get speechless like that."

Jack nodded, "I also just confirmed the significant presence of metallic hydrogen in Jupiter. Making that rig a hot commodity for investors to finish building sooner rather than later."

They got to the ship and Jack looked over, "You might want to grab an EVA suit."

He looked at Jack, "Why?"

Jack smiled, "The helium and hydrogen they can pump out of the existing tanks. But you are not likely to be set up to pump Metallic Hydrogen, let alone have the tanks set up for it. Those would have to be off-loaded." He got his suit while Jack went inside. He sealed the cargo bay from the rest of the ship as he got into his EVA suit.

The man arrived and saw Jack floating and waiting, "You never gave me a name. Just call me Jack."

He nodded, "Percy." Jack floated him over and pointed out each of the tanks and he ran his checks. Percy looked at Jack, "They are reading 99.9% pure for these elements."

Jack smiled, "99.99% but your equipment does not know how to handle that reading. I will have to offload those 6 tanks; I want 12 brand new replacements for them. Down to the same specifications! On your bosses' dime. Tell him it is for not being set-up to pump the material."

Percy chuckled, "For this size of a deal he won't care." He contacted his boss in his helmet communication system.

Jack stepped away, "Astra, connect me to the personal Secretary of Sun Greggory." He got a lovely looking blonde on the display, "How can I help you?"

Jack smiled, "My name is Jack Travus. I am at Terra-3 station and I have news for your boss on your Jupiter project. I am delivering 6,000 liters of liquid metallic hydrogen to this station right now. If he wants an official survey report for Jupiter's elemental composition let him know I will provide it for 30 billion TC's.

That includes the procedure, not equipment, needed to ensure the best product. I can be contacted at the Excalibur TMU-4798. I am working with Charles Vesner to sell my cargo. He has my account number, please deduct the Terran taxes and deposit the rest. I did a low orbit test of my atmospheric miner and refinery equipment aboard my, then experimental, ship. I spent 7 days in orbit."

She wrote it all down, "Give me just a moment."

She put him on hold and returned, "He said he would be contacting Charles Vesner to confirm your activities. He is also interested in this experimental ship you have. Would you be willing to sell your invention?"

Jack smiled, "This is my research base. I am an inventor as well. My plan was not for intersystem development but for longer-term colony development. I have a few hundred patents to file and these do not even deal with mining equipment or my ship directly.

That information is proprietary. They are for power supplies and ship power cores. I could be talked into providing other surveys if he needs them. I am at the station today and tomorrow only to resupply. Have him contact me personally if he has any additional questions."

She went to protest when Jack disconnected the feed. Glad he had that hollo transmitter on him, "Direct any calls to me if and when I get them." He turned the transponder on and attached it in the Engineering Bay, level 8. He left the one for the shuttle next to it for now. "Add the addition to the ship's log."

Astra replied, "Entries added Captain."

Percy came over, "Tanks are being brought over, once your cargo is on the dock, he will have your paperwork ready to sign with your account numbers. The Balance is 18,074,310,000 TCs."

Jack nodded, "That is the right number." They spent 3 hours unloading the cargo from the Excalibur. Jack had to admonish some of the dock crew when they wanted to bring in gravity forklift for the tanks and he had to explain the contents essentially meant they were lifting tanks of solid metal. They brought in the heavy lifts to support the tanks.

After securing the tanks and clearing his cargo hold of curious dock workers, he sealed up his ship and signed his paperwork. He got his account number. He checked his records and had a returned call from Sun Greggory. He accessed the link to look at any calls. He had one missed call and returned it.

He saw a distinguished older man of oriental descent. He bowed toward Jack, "Charles confirmed your delivery. I am willing to buy your survey for 24 Billion and the money will be sent as soon as I have the report in hand."

Jack thought, 'New balance of 31,274,310,000 TC's. After taxes on that transaction.' He pulled up the file and transmitted the report. He looked it over and smiled, "This will be very reassuring to my investors. As to your ship..."

Jack cut him off, "It is not for sale and will remain proprietary for now. I am still researching several projects including ore mining equipment. You will be happy to know 1 of the 2 power core designs I am submitting a patent on utilizes 10 ml of Metallic Hydrogen in each unit, contained in a pressurized magnetic field. With your new venture, it will become lucrative for both of us.

I am working on a few other inventions and have my own fabrication facility aboard my ship. It is my home and my workshop. If you have a place you would like us to check out, we can work with that if our interests align. I might find some mineral deposits in my efforts that I could provide the surveys back to you for a fee to set up some new ventures."

He laughed and shook his head, "I tried to find out about you and there is no information on schooling or background."

Jack smiled, "I have a Masters's level education in Electronics and Engineering. A bachelor's degree level equivalency in those same subjects in addition to three others in astronavigation, geology, and finance."

His third master's degree was in philosophy, with a focus on ancient Japan and China. All of which happened to be true, in 200+ years.

"In addition to being a pilot and navigator with thousands of hours in space. I have a gift for inventions. My background is hidden for a reason. I like my privacy and I am well versed in tactical combat as well. In space and in melee. I think that gives you an idea of why you do not know who I am."

He nodded, "I will discuss options with our board and get back with you. Good luck on your ventures and I am glad to hear you are keeping your mining rig operation propriety for now."

Jack chuckled, "The plan is having all of the components together to have mining, excavation, and refinery operation ship for colony exploration. When I get it all together is when I will establish a company to build them. At the moment, I am building capital and connections."

He smiled back at Jack, "I would like to see your business plan when you get to that point. That sounds very ambitious and potentially lucrative as we explore beyond our solar system."

Jack chuckled, "Yes, but image 1 or 2 going out with every Terran convoy to establish a new colony of those who are moving to those new colonies. Being able to refuel and repair in transit might be ideal. Compared to being stranded."

He nodded back and they ended the call together.

Astra piped in, "Why did you charge him for the survey?"

Jack smiled, "Human nature. If I am to be believed, I must be a businessman. The trader. Nothing for free at this stage. It also set up a dialog because he would have been contacting me just as soon as the press gets wind of the story."

Astra replied, "Ahhh. Understand. Thank you for explaining about business."

Jack went back into the port after securing the ship. He walked up to the information desk, "I need to see about buying supplies and potentially hiring some additional crew. Do you have areas for that?"

He nodded, "Planetside is the best place to order your supplies and get them sent up. Here is a list of contact numbers. There is an area where those looking for employment wait for incoming ships. Also, the Terra Job Network."

He nodded and access the contacts until he found one that had what he wanted. Jack ordered all his supplies and spent 665,000 TCs outfitting his pantries and getting some specialty pans for the Galleys for Asian cuisine. Another 85,000 TCs on exercise equipment for the gym and a dojo. They would arrive mid-day tomorrow. He had paid extra for the rush delivery. He went and found the patent office.

He walked up to a beautiful lady at one of the desks, "I would like to file some patent applications and I have the forms already filled out."

She looked up, "Each application requires a 10,000 TC fee for the patent search."

Jack nodded, "I have 483 patent applications tied into 2 devices. I have working units on my ship."

She looked at him, "A power storage unit, A power core, and a very high-end power-core. Not many will make this last one."

Jack smiled, "You are talking about the superconductor. I just deliver 6,000 liters of it and the Jupiter station will be hopping as I sold the owner of that project an actual survey of the contents of Jupiter.

It will become more affordable but it also sets up tangible science around the containment and maintenance of those fields that suspend the conductor."

She nodded, "These will make you a very wealthy man. You have the prototype for this already?"

He shook my head, "The production version. I have 7 of them operational on my ship and the eighth will be online after this demonstration."

She looked out the window at the docking bays. "Let me guess, your ship is the massive Excalibur?"

Jack nodded, "Yes, I did not catch your name."

She looked up, "The name is Grace Winters. I will walk down with you Mr. Travus and see what you have."

Astra responded, "She would be a very good one. Records indicate she has a girlfriend and she had parents in a polygamist relationship; mother deceased. They had three children. Holds degrees in business, accounting, and law. She is 26. Same age as you."

They walked toward the ship as Jack contemplated Grace. They exchanged several glances. She was the blonde-haired blue-eyed girl next door that you would find in a men's magazine showing off their bodies when they came of age and blossomed.