{"data":{"id":13076,"title":"A Human Perspective - Episode 3 - Roberts Space Industries","rsi_url":"\/web\/20140712005651\/https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/spectrum-dispatch\/13076-A-Human-Perspective-Episode-3","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/13076","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/13076","channel":"Spectrum Dispatch","category":"Lore","series":"A Human Perspective","images":[{"id":29099,"name":"HumanPerspFI_Clean.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/cmjxxjf2qh8uzr\/source\/HumanPerspFI_Clean.jpg","alt":"","size":3441449,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2013-07-18T18:33:50+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/29099","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/29099\/similar"}],"images_count":3,"translations":{"en_EN":"\u201cLyshtuu!\u201d\nCharl bounded into the conference room and to his old Banu associate, pulling up short with arms held wide above his head. \u201cWewl-whoa!\u201d Lyshtuu approached and adopted the same posture; Charl had learned that greeting had ancient origins, something to do with showing one was unarmed.\n\n\u201cHello Charl-Grissom,\u201d the trader said. \u201cGlad I am that your renewed acquaintance has occurred. Everything is to your liking?\u201d\n\n\u201cGlad I am, as well!\u201d the Human replied, not bothering to correct the Banu\u2019s syntax. Oh, Lyshtuu, he thought, if you only knew how glad!\n\n\u201cWith me please see Nartuul and Whusha.\u201d He indicated his two Banu companions, who nodded. All three Banu were dressed alike in rugged-looking black jackets and tight gray leggings with wide-toed boots. Clothes, Charl noted, were one area where Humans and Banu were basically the same. One biped\u2019s clothes looked pretty much like any other\u2019s.\n\n\u201cWewl-whoa!\u201d he said, greeting the two other males in Banu, which they both respected by nodding more energetically. He loved doing that.\n\n\u201cTorreele Foodstuffs Humans to join us soon,\u201d Lyshtuu added. His fellows, wearing the Torreele corporate logo on their sleeves, backed up to lean against the conference room\u2019s blue- and gray-sparkled wall; Banu seldom sit while working, so there were no chairs, not even Banu ones. The room was part of an immaculate hotel that itself was part of the immaculate orbital spinning around Bacchus\u2019 gravity well. Charl was completely impressed. He knew the Banu mainly from interaction on their frontiers, knew them to be a rugged, self-reliant race. Visiting them here in the lap of their home world\u2019s luxury put them into an entirely new light.\n\n\u201cPlease, Lyshtuu. Please tell me about the mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou must travel five systems less one,\u201d Lyshtuu said, beckoning one of his companions \u2014 Nartuul or Whusha, Charl didn\u2019t know which \u2014 who produced a MobiGlas and pulled up some star charts.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s a quick trip,\u201d Charl said, and Lyshtuu tapped the MobiGlas screen.\n\n\u201cWorld Shyewhea in Ophos system,\u201d he said. A blue-green world came into view along with a variety of stats in Banu script. \u201cWorld Shyewhea is a grow planet \u2026 how Human say \u2026 agricultural.\u201d\n\n\u201cAg,\u201d Charl offered the easier-to-pronounce abbreviation.\n\n\u201cYes, \u2018ag.\u2019 World Shyewhea is an ag planet. One species,\u201d he motioned for his companion to bring up another image, \u201cone species is of interest to Torreele Foodstuffs.\u201d Charl leaned in to get a better look. The thing was sort of a shaggy badger with fuzzy antennae. Big ears and big eyes. From the Banu annotations on the screen it appeared to be maybe 30 kilos, about the size of a large dog.\n\n\u201cHwasheen,\u201d one of the other Banu said.\n\n\u201cHwasheen,\u201d Charl tried the critter\u2019s name for himself. \u201cThey want me to check out these Hwasheen, then?\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, check out. Maybe Hwasheen good to eat. Maybe good to \u2026 keep?\u201d Lyshtuu seemed puzzled.\n\n\u201cKeep, yes, like a pet.\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, maybe Humans make pet Hwasheen.\u201d Charl forgave his Banu friend his confusion. They had no concept of animals as pets. \u201cSeems pretty straight forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour ship, the Reesheer \u2026\u201d Lyshtuu began, changing the subject.\n\n\u201cReacher,\u201d Charl corrected subtly.\n\n\u201cYes. Ship is docked well?\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, it is docked in a good place,\u201d Charl said, not bothering to add it was probably the most upscale docking site his ship had ever occupied.\n\n\u201cGood, we will tend Reesheer while you are away.\u201d\n\n\u201cWait, I don\u2019t understand. You mean I\u2019m not taking the Reacher \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cHello, sorry we\u2019re a little late.\u201d A pair of Human businessmen barged in just then \u2014 all pressed suits, haircuts and briefcases, Charl noted. \u201cWe\u2019ve got two more just behind us. Hello, I\u2019m Jason Gladwell, Torreele Foodstuffs.\u201d\n\nBefore Charl could do anything about it the young Human had him in a firm handshake.\n\n\u201cCharl Grissom,\u201d he replied.\n\n\u201cLarry Kroegel.\u201d Same handshake. \u201cI\u2019m Regional Sub Vice-President of Xeno Imports \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cNot for long, I think,\u201d Jason added, and the two shared a corporate ladder-climbing grin. Charl fought not to roll his eyes. What a tool.\n\n\u201cNo, maybe not for long, but for now, at any rate. Lyshtuu, thanks for being here.\u201d He held out his hand to the Banu, who took it strangely in his two-fingered hand.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you, Mr. Grissom,\u201d Jason continued, looking for somewhere to set his briefcase and settling for the floor. \u201cLyshtuu tells us you\u2019re a regular adventurer.\u201d\n\n\u201cYeah, something like that,\u201d he agreed cordially. Keep your eye on the prize, Charl.\n\n\u201cYou know, my wife Missy and I went out on a Banu safari a couple of standards ago,\u201d the suit began.\n\n\u201cReally.\u201d Charl feigned interest, and the Banu, he knew, would remain politely silent while the Human blathered on about something not germane to the business at hand.\n\n\u201cLyshtuu set that up for you, didn\u2019t he?\u201d Larry interjected, sorting files on his MobiGlas.\n\n\u201cYes, and thank you. We had a great time. We saw a thelmaut and a pack of brightsaur cubs. Of course, our luggage got lost, so that was kind of a nightmare.\u201d\n\n\u201cBummer,\u201d Larry agreed.\n\n\u201cYes, bummer,\u201d Charl added.\n\n\u201cYou know, Charl \u2026 do you mind if I call you Charl?\u201d\n\n\u201cCharl\u2019s fine.\u201d\n\n\u201cCharl, I reviewed your previous work for Torreele. That was really splendid. We ticked up some revenue that quarter. What brings you back into Banu space?\u201d\n\n\u201cI never left Banu space,\u201d he replied proudly.\n\n\u201cYou mean you live out here \u2026\u201d Jason started, but stopped short of saying among these xenos. \u201cYou know, there are plenty of commercial flights back into UEE space these days.\u201d\n\n\u201cWell, I wouldn\u2019t want my luggage to get lost.\u201d\n\n\u201cSorry we\u2019re late,\u201d a third and fourth Human arrived at the conference room, a man and a woman. \u201cThe traffic was beastly. Chuck Astley,\u201d he introduced himself, reaching out with his hand to shake, \u201cand this is my associate, Angela Bialik.\u201d\n\n\u201cPleased to meet you both,\u201d Charl said. She was pretty, he noted, the first Human female he had seen in person in several years. She moved to stand quietly among the other Humans.\n\n\u201cI hope you already got started without us. We\u2019re in something of a hurry.\u201d The new suit glanced at the time on his personal comp. \u201cYou are Mr. \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cGrissom,\u201d Jason offered sycophantically.\n\n\u201cMr. Grissom, yes. I assume Mr. Lyshtuu has provided you with the entire dossier.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe were just going over the details,\u201d Charl said abruptly, a little more distracted by the woman\u2019s soft features and form-fitting attire than he would have expected.\n\n\u201cGood,\u201d Astley replied somewhat absently, obviously catching up on the meeting by skimming through notes on his pad. \u201cI see someone in scouting brought this one to our attention \u2026 well, no matter. Mr. Lyshtuu says you\u2019re the man for the job, Mr. Grissom.\u201d\n\n\u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve done this sort of work before.\u201d\n\n\u201cGood, between you I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll get a reading on this in time for the fourth-quarter new business conference \u2026\u201d he left the sentence hanging.\n\n\u201cYes,\u201d Angela spoke for the first time. \u201cWe have ample time, sir.\u201d\n\n\u201cWait,\u201d Charl tried to focus. \u201cWait, I work alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cNot on this mission,\u201d Astley insisted, looking at the Banu contingent. \u201cDid we miss something here? Ms. Bialik is a highly qualified xenobiologist and represents the corporation on this trip.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut \u2026\u201d Charl began, turning to Angela, but she avoided his gaze demurely, apparently willing to let the others sort this out.\n\n\u201cListen, if that\u2019s a problem we can get someone else, Mr. Grissom,\u201d he said impatiently, glancing again at the time.\n\n\u201cA moment, please,\u201d Charl managed, and motioned for Lyshtuu to join him at the far end of the conference room, eliciting a profound sigh from Astley.\n\n\u201cDid you know about this?\u201d he asked exasperatedly.\n\n\u201cCharl-Grissom, the additional acquaintance presents some difficulty,\u201d the Banu stated uncertainly, and Charl found himself suddenly irritated by the alien\u2019s haphazard sentence structures.\n\n\u201cYes, it\u2019s a problem,\u201d he insisted in a harsh whisper. \u201cYou know I work alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cHow do you say \u2026 non-negotiable.\u201d\n\nHe tossed his head back and closed his eyes tight. He had already spent the advance Credits. What choice did he have?\n\n\u201cFine,\u201d he said, biting his tongue. The meeting wrapped up fairly quickly after that, which suited Charl just fine. The Banu fawned over the businessmen and his unwanted female companion in their \u2018eager to please\u2019 fashion until all the \u2018i\u2019s were dotted and \u2018t\u2019s were crossed.\n\nDamn, he thought after they parted. They made me forget to ask for any cigars!\n\nTo Be Continued \u2026","de_DE":"\"Lyshtuu!\"\nCharl st\u00fcrmte in den Konferenzraum und zu seinem alten Banu-Kollegen und hielt mit weit \u00fcber den Kopf gestreckten Armen kurz inne. \"Wewl-whoa!\" Lyshtuu n\u00e4herte sich und nahm die gleiche Haltung ein. Charl hatte gelernt, dass diese Begr\u00fc\u00dfung uralte Urspr\u00fcnge hatte und etwas damit zu tun hatte, zu zeigen, dass man unbewaffnet war.\n\n\"Hallo Charl-Grissom\", sagte der H\u00e4ndler. \"Ich freue mich, dass Sie sich wiedersehen. Ist alles nach Ihrem Geschmack?\"\n\n\"Das freut mich auch\", antwortete der Mensch, ohne sich die M\u00fche zu machen, die Syntax des Banu zu korrigieren. Oh, Lyshtuu, dachte er, wenn du nur w\u00fcsstest, wie froh du bist!\n\n\"Begleiten Sie mich bitte zu Nartuul und Whusha.\" Er deutete auf seine beiden Banu-Gef\u00e4hrten, die nickten. Alle drei Banu waren gleich gekleidet, in robust aussehende schwarze Jacken und enge graue Leggings mit weiten Zehenstiefeln. Kleidung, stellte Charl fest, war ein Bereich, in dem sich Menschen und Banu im Wesentlichen glichen. Die Kleidung des einen Zweibeiners sah ziemlich genau so aus wie die des anderen.\n\n\"Wewl-whoa!\", sagte er und gr\u00fc\u00dfte die beiden anderen M\u00e4nnchen in Banu, was sie beide mit einem energischen Nicken quittierten. Das machte er gerne.\n\n\"Torreele Foodstuffs Humans wird sich uns bald anschlie\u00dfen\", f\u00fcgte Lyshtuu hinzu. Seine Kollegen, die das Torreele-Firmenlogo auf ihren \u00c4rmeln trugen, lehnten sich mit dem R\u00fccken an die blau- und grau-gesprenkelte Wand des Konferenzraums; Banu sitzen selten, wenn sie arbeiten, also gab es keine St\u00fchle, nicht einmal Banu-St\u00fchle. Der Raum war Teil eines makellosen Hotels, das selbst Teil des makellosen Orbitales war, das sich um Bacchus' Gravitationsbrunnen drehte. Charl war v\u00f6llig beeindruckt. Er kannte die Banu vor allem von den Begegnungen an ihren Grenzen und wusste, dass sie eine raue, selbstbewusste Rasse sind. Sie hier im Scho\u00df des Luxus ihrer Heimatwelt zu besuchen, lie\u00df sie in einem v\u00f6llig neuen Licht erscheinen.\n\n\"Bitte, Lyshtuu. Bitte erz\u00e4hl mir von der Mission.\"\n\n\"Sie m\u00fcssen f\u00fcnf Systeme minus eins bereisen\", sagte Lyshtuu und winkte einen seiner Begleiter - Nartuul oder Whusha, Charl wusste nicht, welchen - heran, der ein MobiGlas hervorholte und einige Sternenkarten aufrief.\n\n\"Das ist eine schnelle Reise\", sagte Charl, und Lyshtuu tippte auf den Bildschirm des MobiGlas.\n\n\"Welt Shyewhea im Ophos-System\", sagte er. Eine blau-gr\u00fcne Welt wurde sichtbar, zusammen mit einer Reihe von Statistiken in Banu-Schrift. \"Die Welt Shyewhea ist ein Wachstumsplanet ... wie die Menschen sagen ... landwirtschaftlich.\"\n\n\"Ag\", bot Charl die leichter auszusprechende Abk\u00fcrzung an.\n\n\"Ja, 'Ag'. Die Welt Shyewhea ist ein Agrarplanet. Eine Spezies\", er wies seinen Begleiter an, ein weiteres Bild aufzurufen, \"eine Spezies ist f\u00fcr Torreele Foodstuffs von Interesse.\" Charl beugte sich vor, um einen besseren Blick zu erhaschen. Das Ding war eine Art zotteliger Dachs mit wuscheligen F\u00fchlern. Gro\u00dfe Ohren und gro\u00dfe Augen. Den Banu-Anmerkungen auf dem Bildschirm zufolge schien es etwa 30 Kilo zu wiegen, etwa so gro\u00df wie ein gro\u00dfer Hund.\n\n\"Hwasheen\", sagte einer der anderen Banu.\n\n\"Hwasheen\", versuchte Charl den Namen des Tieres f\u00fcr sich selbst. \"Sie wollen also, dass ich diese Hwasheen \u00fcberpr\u00fcfe?\"\n\n\"Ja, \u00fcberpr\u00fcfen. Vielleicht sind Hwasheen gut zum Essen. Vielleicht auch gut zum ... behalten?\" Lyshtuu schien verwirrt.\n\n\"Halten, ja, wie ein Haustier.\"\n\n\"Ja, vielleicht machen die Menschen Hwasheen zu Haustieren.\" Charl verzieh seinem Banu-Freund seine Verwirrung. Sie hatten keine Vorstellung von Tieren als Haustiere. \"Scheint ziemlich einfach zu sein.\"\n\n\"Ihr Schiff, die Reesheer ...\" begann Lyshtuu und wechselte das Thema.\n\n\"Reacher\", korrigierte Charl unauff\u00e4llig.\n\n\"Ja. Ist das Schiff gut angedockt?\"\n\n\"Ja, es ist an einem guten Platz angedockt\", sagte Charl und machte sich nicht die M\u00fche, hinzuzuf\u00fcgen, dass es wahrscheinlich der vornehmste Andockplatz war, an dem sein Schiff je angedockt hatte.\n\n\"Gut, wir werden uns um Reesheer k\u00fcmmern, w\u00e4hrend Sie weg sind.\"\n\n\"Moment, das verstehe ich nicht. Sie meinen, ich nehme die Reacher nicht mit ...\"\n\n\"Hallo, entschuldigen Sie, dass wir ein wenig zu sp\u00e4t kommen.\" In diesem Moment st\u00fcrmte ein Paar menschlicher Gesch\u00e4ftsleute herein - allesamt geb\u00fcgelte Anz\u00fcge, Haarschnitte und Aktentaschen, wie Charl feststellte. \"Zwei weitere sind direkt hinter uns. Hallo, ich bin Jason Gladwell, Torreele Foodstuffs.\"\n\nBevor Charl etwas dagegen tun konnte, hatte der junge Mensch ihn mit einem festen H\u00e4ndedruck in der Hand.\n\n\"Charl Grissom\", antwortete er.\n\n\"Larry Kroegel.\" Gleicher H\u00e4ndedruck. \"Ich bin regionaler Sub-Vizepr\u00e4sident von Xeno Imports ...\"\n\n\"Nicht mehr lange, glaube ich\", f\u00fcgte Jason hinzu, und die beiden grinsten sich gegenseitig an, als w\u00fcrden sie die Karriereleiter hochklettern. Charl k\u00e4mpfte dagegen an, nicht mit den Augen zu rollen. Was f\u00fcr ein Idiot.\n\n\"Nein, vielleicht nicht f\u00fcr lange, aber f\u00fcr jetzt auf jeden Fall. Lyshtuu, danke, dass Sie hier sind.\" Er reichte dem Banu die Hand, der sie seltsamerweise in seine Zweifingerhand nahm.\n\n\"Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen, Mr. Grissom\", fuhr Jason fort, suchte nach einer Ablage f\u00fcr seine Aktentasche und entschied sich f\u00fcr den Boden. \"Lyshtuu sagte uns, Sie seien ein regelrechter Abenteurer.\"\n\n\"Ja, so \u00e4hnlich\", stimmte er herzlich zu. Behalten Sie den Preis im Auge, Charl.\n\n\"Wissen Sie, meine Frau Missy und ich waren vor ein paar Jahren auf einer Banu-Safari\", begann der Anzugtr\u00e4ger.\n\n\"Wirklich.\" Charl t\u00e4uschte Interesse vor, und die Banu, das wusste er, w\u00fcrden h\u00f6flich schweigen, w\u00e4hrend der Mensch \u00fcber etwas plapperte, das nichts mit dem aktuellen Thema zu tun hatte.\n\n\"Lyshtuu hat das f\u00fcr Sie arrangiert, nicht wahr?\" warf Larry ein und sortierte die Dateien auf seinem MobiGlas.\n\n\"Ja, und vielen Dank. Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit. Wir haben einen Thellaut und ein Rudel Brightsaurier gesehen. Nat\u00fcrlich ging unser Gep\u00e4ck verloren, das war ein ziemlicher Albtraum.\"\n\n\"Schade\", stimmte Larry zu.\n\n\"Ja, schade\", f\u00fcgte Charl hinzu.\n\n\"Wissen Sie, Charl... st\u00f6rt es Sie, wenn ich Sie Charl nenne?\"\n\n\"Charl ist in Ordnung.\"\n\n\"Charl, ich habe mir Ihre fr\u00fchere Arbeit f\u00fcr Torreele angesehen. Das war wirklich gro\u00dfartig. Wir haben in diesem Quartal einige Einnahmen erzielt. Was f\u00fchrt Sie zur\u00fcck in den Banu-Raum?\"\n\n\"Ich habe den Banu-Raum nie verlassen\", antwortete er stolz.\n\n\"Sie meinen, Sie leben hier drau\u00dfen ...\" Jason begann, hielt aber inne, um nicht zu sagen, dass er unter diesen Xenos lebt. \"Wissen Sie, heutzutage gibt es viele kommerzielle Fl\u00fcge zur\u00fcck in den UEE-Raum.\"\n\n\"Nun, ich m\u00f6chte nicht, dass mein Gep\u00e4ck verloren geht.\"\n\n\"Entschuldigen Sie die Versp\u00e4tung\", ein dritter und ein vierter Mensch, ein Mann und eine Frau, betraten den Konferenzraum. \"Der Verkehr war furchtbar. Chuck Astley\", stellte er sich vor und reichte mir die Hand zum Sch\u00fctteln, \"und das ist meine Mitarbeiterin, Angela Bialik.\"\n\n\"Freut mich, Sie beide kennenzulernen\", sagte Charl. Sie war h\u00fcbsch, wie er feststellte, die erste menschliche Frau, die er seit mehreren Jahren pers\u00f6nlich gesehen hatte. Sie stellte sich leise zwischen die anderen Menschen.\n\n\"Ich hoffe, Sie haben schon ohne uns angefangen. Wir sind etwas in Eile.\" Der neue Anzugtr\u00e4ger warf einen Blick auf die Uhrzeit auf seinem pers\u00f6nlichen Computer. \"Sie sind Mr. ...\"\n\n\"Grissom\", bot Jason kriecherisch an.\n\n\"Mr. Grissom, ja. Ich nehme an, Mr. Lyshtuu hat Ihnen das gesamte Dossier zur Verf\u00fcgung gestellt.\"\n\n\"Wir sind nur die Details durchgegangen\", sagte Charl abrupt, der von den weichen Gesichtsz\u00fcgen und der figurbetonten Kleidung der Frau etwas mehr abgelenkt war, als er erwartet h\u00e4tte.\n\n\"Gut\", erwiderte Astley etwas abwesend und \u00fcberflog die Notizen auf seinem Notizblock, um sich \u00fcber das Treffen zu informieren. \"Wie ich sehe, hat uns jemand vom Scouting auf diesen Fall aufmerksam gemacht ... na ja, egal. Mr. Lyshtuu sagt, Sie seien der richtige Mann f\u00fcr den Job, Mr. Grissom.\"\n\n\"Ja\", sagte er. \"Ich habe diese Art von Arbeit schon einmal gemacht.\"\n\n\"Gut, unter uns gesagt, ich bin sicher, dass wir rechtzeitig f\u00fcr die Konferenz \u00fcber neue Gesch\u00e4fte im vierten Quartal ein Ergebnis haben werden ...\", er lie\u00df den Satz stehen.\n\n\"Ja\", meldete sich Angela zum ersten Mal zu Wort. \"Wir haben reichlich Zeit, Sir.\"\n\n\"Warten Sie\", versuchte Charl, sich zu konzentrieren. \"Warten Sie, ich arbeite allein.\"\n\n\"Nicht bei dieser Mission\", beharrte Astley und blickte auf das Banu-Kontingent. \"Haben wir hier etwas \u00fcbersehen? Frau Bialik ist eine hochqualifizierte Xenobiologin und vertritt den Konzern auf dieser Reise.\"\n\n\"Aber ...\" begann Charl und wandte sich an Angela, aber sie wich seinem Blick aus und war offenbar bereit, die anderen die Sache kl\u00e4ren zu lassen.\n\n\"H\u00f6ren Sie, wenn das ein Problem ist, k\u00f6nnen wir auch jemand anderen holen, Mr. Grissom\", sagte er ungeduldig und blickte wieder auf die Uhr.\n\n\"Einen Moment, bitte\", sagte Charl und gab Lyshtuu ein Zeichen, sich zu ihm an das andere Ende des Konferenzraums zu begeben, was Astley einen tiefen Seufzer entlockte.\n\n\"Wussten Sie davon?\", fragte er ver\u00e4rgert.\n\n\"Charl-Grissom, die zus\u00e4tzliche Bekanntschaft bringt einige Schwierigkeiten mit sich\", erkl\u00e4rte der Banu unsicher und Charl f\u00fchlte sich pl\u00f6tzlich von den willk\u00fcrlichen Satzstrukturen des Au\u00dferirdischen irritiert.\n\n\"Ja, es ist ein Problem\", beharrte er in einem rauen Fl\u00fcsterton. \"Sie wissen, dass ich allein arbeite.\"\n\n\"Wie sagt man ... nicht verhandelbar.\"\n\nEr warf den Kopf zur\u00fcck und schloss fest die Augen. Er hatte den Vorschuss an Credits bereits ausgegeben. Welche Wahl hatte er schon?\n\n\"Gut\", sagte er und biss sich auf die Zunge. Das Treffen war danach ziemlich schnell beendet, was Charl ganz recht war. Die Banu hofierten den Gesch\u00e4ftsmann und seine ungewollte Begleiterin in ihrer 'eager to please'-Manier, bis alle 'i's gepunktet und 't's gekreuzt waren.\n\nVerdammt, dachte er, nachdem sie sich getrennt hatten. Sie haben mich vergessen lassen, nach Zigarren zu fragen!\n\nFortsetzung folgt ...","zh_CN":"\u201cLyshtuu!\u201d\nCharl bounded into the conference room and to his old Banu associate, pulling up short with arms held wide above his head. \u201cWewl-whoa!\u201d Lyshtuu approached and adopted the same posture; Charl had learned that greeting had ancient origins, something to do with showing one was unarmed.\n\n\u201cHello Charl-Grissom,\u201d the trader said. \u201cGlad I am that your renewed acquaintance has occurred. Everything is to your liking?\u201d\n\n\u201cGlad I am, as well!\u201d the Human replied, not bothering to correct the Banu\u2019s syntax. Oh, Lyshtuu, he thought, if you only knew how glad!\n\n\u201cWith me please see Nartuul and Whusha.\u201d He indicated his two Banu companions, who nodded. All three Banu were dressed alike in rugged-looking black jackets and tight gray leggings with wide-toed boots. Clothes, Charl noted, were one area where Humans and Banu were basically the same. One biped\u2019s clothes looked pretty much like any other\u2019s.\n\n\u201cWewl-whoa!\u201d he said, greeting the two other males in Banu, which they both respected by nodding more energetically. He loved doing that.\n\n\u201cTorreele Foodstuffs Humans to join us soon,\u201d Lyshtuu added. His fellows, wearing the Torreele corporate logo on their sleeves, backed up to lean against the conference room\u2019s blue- and gray-sparkled wall; Banu seldom sit while working, so there were no chairs, not even Banu ones. The room was part of an immaculate hotel that itself was part of the immaculate orbital spinning around Bacchus\u2019 gravity well. Charl was completely impressed. He knew the Banu mainly from interaction on their frontiers, knew them to be a rugged, self-reliant race. Visiting them here in the lap of their home world\u2019s luxury put them into an entirely new light.\n\n\u201cPlease, Lyshtuu. Please tell me about the mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou must travel five systems less one,\u201d Lyshtuu said, beckoning one of his companions \u2014 Nartuul or Whusha, Charl didn\u2019t know which \u2014 who produced a MobiGlas and pulled up some star charts.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s a quick trip,\u201d Charl said, and Lyshtuu tapped the MobiGlas screen.\n\n\u201cWorld Shyewhea in Ophos system,\u201d he said. A blue-green world came into view along with a variety of stats in Banu script. \u201cWorld Shyewhea is a grow planet \u2026 how Human say \u2026 agricultural.\u201d\n\n\u201cAg,\u201d Charl offered the easier-to-pronounce abbreviation.\n\n\u201cYes, \u2018ag.\u2019 World Shyewhea is an ag planet. One species,\u201d he motioned for his companion to bring up another image, \u201cone species is of interest to Torreele Foodstuffs.\u201d Charl leaned in to get a better look. The thing was sort of a shaggy badger with fuzzy antennae. Big ears and big eyes. From the Banu annotations on the screen it appeared to be maybe 30 kilos, about the size of a large dog.\n\n\u201cHwasheen,\u201d one of the other Banu said.\n\n\u201cHwasheen,\u201d Charl tried the critter\u2019s name for himself. \u201cThey want me to check out these Hwasheen, then?\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, check out. Maybe Hwasheen good to eat. Maybe good to \u2026 keep?\u201d Lyshtuu seemed puzzled.\n\n\u201cKeep, yes, like a pet.\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, maybe Humans make pet Hwasheen.\u201d Charl forgave his Banu friend his confusion. They had no concept of animals as pets. \u201cSeems pretty straight forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour ship, the Reesheer \u2026\u201d Lyshtuu began, changing the subject.\n\n\u201cReacher,\u201d Charl corrected subtly.\n\n\u201cYes. Ship is docked well?\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, it is docked in a good place,\u201d Charl said, not bothering to add it was probably the most upscale docking site his ship had ever occupied.\n\n\u201cGood, we will tend Reesheer while you are away.\u201d\n\n\u201cWait, I don\u2019t understand. You mean I\u2019m not taking the Reacher \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cHello, sorry we\u2019re a little late.\u201d A pair of Human businessmen barged in just then \u2014 all pressed suits, haircuts and briefcases, Charl noted. \u201cWe\u2019ve got two more just behind us. Hello, I\u2019m Jason Gladwell, Torreele Foodstuffs.\u201d\n\nBefore Charl could do anything about it the young Human had him in a firm handshake.\n\n\u201cCharl Grissom,\u201d he replied.\n\n\u201cLarry Kroegel.\u201d Same handshake. \u201cI\u2019m Regional Sub Vice-President of Xeno Imports \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cNot for long, I think,\u201d Jason added, and the two shared a corporate ladder-climbing grin. Charl fought not to roll his eyes. What a tool.\n\n\u201cNo, maybe not for long, but for now, at any rate. Lyshtuu, thanks for being here.\u201d He held out his hand to the Banu, who took it strangely in his two-fingered hand.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you, Mr. Grissom,\u201d Jason continued, looking for somewhere to set his briefcase and settling for the floor. \u201cLyshtuu tells us you\u2019re a regular adventurer.\u201d\n\n\u201cYeah, something like that,\u201d he agreed cordially. Keep your eye on the prize, Charl.\n\n\u201cYou know, my wife Missy and I went out on a Banu safari a couple of standards ago,\u201d the suit began.\n\n\u201cReally.\u201d Charl feigned interest, and the Banu, he knew, would remain politely silent while the Human blathered on about something not germane to the business at hand.\n\n\u201cLyshtuu set that up for you, didn\u2019t he?\u201d Larry interjected, sorting files on his MobiGlas.\n\n\u201cYes, and thank you. We had a great time. We saw a thelmaut and a pack of brightsaur cubs. Of course, our luggage got lost, so that was kind of a nightmare.\u201d\n\n\u201cBummer,\u201d Larry agreed.\n\n\u201cYes, bummer,\u201d Charl added.\n\n\u201cYou know, Charl \u2026 do you mind if I call you Charl?\u201d\n\n\u201cCharl\u2019s fine.\u201d\n\n\u201cCharl, I reviewed your previous work for Torreele. That was really splendid. We ticked up some revenue that quarter. What brings you back into Banu space?\u201d\n\n\u201cI never left Banu space,\u201d he replied proudly.\n\n\u201cYou mean you live out here \u2026\u201d Jason started, but stopped short of saying among these xenos. \u201cYou know, there are plenty of commercial flights back into UEE space these days.\u201d\n\n\u201cWell, I wouldn\u2019t want my luggage to get lost.\u201d\n\n\u201cSorry we\u2019re late,\u201d a third and fourth Human arrived at the conference room, a man and a woman. \u201cThe traffic was beastly. Chuck Astley,\u201d he introduced himself, reaching out with his hand to shake, \u201cand this is my associate, Angela Bialik.\u201d\n\n\u201cPleased to meet you both,\u201d Charl said. She was pretty, he noted, the first Human female he had seen in person in several years. She moved to stand quietly among the other Humans.\n\n\u201cI hope you already got started without us. We\u2019re in something of a hurry.\u201d The new suit glanced at the time on his personal comp. \u201cYou are Mr. \u2026\u201d\n\n\u201cGrissom,\u201d Jason offered sycophantically.\n\n\u201cMr. Grissom, yes. I assume Mr. Lyshtuu has provided you with the entire dossier.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe were just going over the details,\u201d Charl said abruptly, a little more distracted by the woman\u2019s soft features and form-fitting attire than he would have expected.\n\n\u201cGood,\u201d Astley replied somewhat absently, obviously catching up on the meeting by skimming through notes on his pad. \u201cI see someone in scouting brought this one to our attention \u2026 well, no matter. Mr. Lyshtuu says you\u2019re the man for the job, Mr. Grissom.\u201d\n\n\u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve done this sort of work before.\u201d\n\n\u201cGood, between you I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll get a reading on this in time for the fourth-quarter new business conference \u2026\u201d he left the sentence hanging.\n\n\u201cYes,\u201d Angela spoke for the first time. \u201cWe have ample time, sir.\u201d\n\n\u201cWait,\u201d Charl tried to focus. \u201cWait, I work alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cNot on this mission,\u201d Astley insisted, looking at the Banu contingent. \u201cDid we miss something here? Ms. Bialik is a highly qualified xenobiologist and represents the corporation on this trip.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut \u2026\u201d Charl began, turning to Angela, but she avoided his gaze demurely, apparently willing to let the others sort this out.\n\n\u201cListen, if that\u2019s a problem we can get someone else, Mr. Grissom,\u201d he said impatiently, glancing again at the time.\n\n\u201cA moment, please,\u201d Charl managed, and motioned for Lyshtuu to join him at the far end of the conference room, eliciting a profound sigh from Astley.\n\n\u201cDid you know about this?\u201d he asked exasperatedly.\n\n\u201cCharl-Grissom, the additional acquaintance presents some difficulty,\u201d the Banu stated uncertainly, and Charl found himself suddenly irritated by the alien\u2019s haphazard sentence structures.\n\n\u201cYes, it\u2019s a problem,\u201d he insisted in a harsh whisper. \u201cYou know I work alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cHow do you say \u2026 non-negotiable.\u201d\n\nHe tossed his head back and closed his eyes tight. He had already spent the advance Credits. What choice did he have?\n\n\u201cFine,\u201d he said, biting his tongue. The meeting wrapped up fairly quickly after that, which suited Charl just fine. The Banu fawned over the businessmen and his unwanted female companion in their \u2018eager to please\u2019 fashion until all the \u2018i\u2019s were dotted and \u2018t\u2019s were crossed.\n\nDamn, he thought after they parted. They made me forget to ask for any cigars!\n\nTo Be Continued \u2026"},"links_count":0,"comment_count":27,"created_at":"2013-06-29T00:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"12 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-09 10:22:12","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":13075,"next_id":13077}}