Mana Pool Snippets - The Job

Part 3

Benali paused. "The planet is Red Flagged."

I grumbled in my cup, looking dead on at Benali. "You're joking."

"I value life, as do your people. I'd rather see a violent species evolve a little longer then be extinct."

"And you want me to monitor it?" I said. "In hopes a murderous species doesn't kill anything that's not their own?"

The Gnogal nodded.

You know where this went.

"Goodbye." I stood, set my glass down, and started for the door.

"Wait, we're not done. You haven't heard the rest."

"I heard enough, this job sounds like a death trap."

"It is not, I assure you."

"My answer is no." My hand rested on the lock screen beside the door.

"Is that how you drop a money making chance? You're just like all Halcunacs!"

Had that guy ever heard how bad Red Flagged planets are?

"Benali. Red Flagged PCPA planets are restricted systems."

"I know, but..."

"They are dangerous, primitive cultures. Vicious, unstable, and may I add psychotically murderous species. One Academy professor pinned those planets as potential galaxy hyper novas. I can't be part of this, I have other things to look forward to, not risking my neck for science or a cannibal's supper."

I twisted back to Benali, still on the couch with a look of resentment.

"It's a scam. Is it?" I asked

"Not a scam. I swear on my ancestor's alter, it is real," Benali said with a one-hand salute, a Gnogal gesture promising truth.

"Don't give me that alter stuff, I know better. Unless you have one damn good reason why I even should consider."

Benali shook his head and his beard swayed. "All you do is park on the surface, monitor our survey computer, send reports, and leave after the time required. And before you ask, we can't risk watching it remotely, the asteroid's spinning on its axis. This will pull you from your financial dilemma."

"Try me," I dared.

Benali said the exact amount and my hand dropped from the door. I had a relapse in thought.

Eight digits.

That amount of cash was more than I had ever earned. Real cash, not credits. All my mercenary life I had scrounged funds, using every cent, even connections like Nova Company to supplement. Benali was offering the amount equivalent to a king's retirement for fifty years. Council members don't earn that much.

If the reward was posted, people would have killed to have the survey job.

Then again, it was suspicious. He said the price like he knew me.

I clenched my jaw and glared at the Gongel.

"It is a lot," Benali said, "but we pay contractors well. An honest beast giving up a potential kill to the less fortunate is noble or cautious. This is vital for the planet's unhindered natural development, even for a Red Flagged planet of course."

It had to be bribe money. Now Xi'Tra, if you were in the same position as me, hearing all this shit, what would you do? Retire? Start a new business? Buy a terraformed moon all for yourself? Who cares? I value life too, but this was sounding like it had an agenda.