Trying to find transport to The Dead Zone seemed a harder job than what De Meck had asked Kai to under go.
There was a Space Port not far from the bar, and it was filled with people of many worlds. Some coming, some going, all lost. They were in search of something better; a life worth living. It didn't exist, and no matter where they arrived, they're realise that.
On the outskirts of the Space Port there were inbound shuttles; old chopped carriers which had seen too many repairs. Junk. Kai thought as he looked at the options.
They'll give me a case of the rattles so bad that I wouldn't be able to walk straight, let alone shoot straight. He thought as he past through the old buckets of rust.
"Where ya headin'?" Kai heard the phlegm filled voice before he saw the speaker.
He looked through the small crowd to see a shaggy looking Beskin; a short bi-ped with scruffy matted fur.
"In bound flight. The Dead Zone." Kai responded, as he continued to look around at the other pilots in the area.
"The Dead Zone?" The Beskin snorted up a hock of phlegm and spat the green glob on the ground beside him. "What're ya goin' there for?"
"Business." Kai said, as he stopped looking at the options and settled on the Beskin.
He figured that since the scruff was his best bet, on account of him not fleeing at the thought of this Dead Zone place. Unlike the others, the Beskin seemed to not shrink at the thought of whatever lay beyond the construction efforts of the West.
"You ain't much of a conversationalist now, are ya?"
"Not when I have things on my mind." Kai replied. "Are you willing to take me there, or do you just want to waste my time?"
"Wow, now, don't get ratty. I can take ya, sure. But," the Beskin paused for a moment to rub his thumb and forefinger. "Let's talk for real."
"How much is it going to cost?"
"A place like the one you're looking to travel requires a few assurances. I get my ship blown out of the sky from scavs, then I can't make a living."
"You get your ship blown out of the sky, money will be the least of your worries." Kai stated in an even tone.
The Beskin chuckled to that, and stopped while scratching at his nose, which was hidden behind a thick clump of fur. "True," he whispered. "In that case, let's call the extra pay a death wager." The Beskin continued to scratch lightly, running his fingers to his chin as he looked to the sky. "Let's say, fifty tokes for the trip, plus one hundred for the risk."
"You want a hundred and fifty for the trip? I could nearly get off-world with that."
"Well, there's less risks with heading off-world." The Beskin chuckled, and shrugged after. "I'm tryin' to help you out, but if you don't want it." He started to walk away.
"Wait." Kai said, which made the Beskin stop in his tracks.
The money he was going to make was enough to warrant the price of travel, but the return would be tough.
"Would you do a round trip?" Kai asked.
"A round trip," the Beskin's drooping ears perked up. "I could, but it depends on how fast you take care of your business."
"I might be a while," Kai knew he wouldn't be quick.
"Come on, we'll get boarded." The Beskin waved them forward. "We can link up, and you can call me for a pickup. I ain't gonna hang around there for you."
