CHAPTER 9
The
asteroid Ceres, also classified as a dwarf planet, tumbled in space,
experiencing short days and nights when it was illuminated by the
reflective light of Jupiter. During the
dark periods, New Romani and other outposts were lit by bright flood lights,
but beyond their limits people used headlamps or portable lights.
Ceres had been terraformed for
decades ago. First the explorers came, then miners, followed by the
homesteaders.
Most had left long ago.
For the most part, New Romani was a
gypsy outpost now, where traders, explorers and bandits came for supplies not
normally found at trading posts on other asteroids. Descendants of Earth’s gypsy tribes, they had
set up shop to cater to the tastes of those passing through to other sectors in
the asteroid belt.
Gambling, drinking and
companionship were the commodities of trade at New Romani, which resembled one
of Earth’s gold mining boomtowns of the 19th century. It had seen
better days, but still maintained a healthy economy when the occasional ship
landed on the outskirts and their crews ventured into town to stock up on supplies,
trade or buy the commodities.
Colorful and dangerous, the gypsies
sold their products from tents and portable shelters they had carried with them
as they traveled across Ceres.
A few children scurried along what
passed for the main street of the well-worn town. The larger animals were bio-mechanical
recreations of mules, dogs and a few other domesticated beasts. There were a few
smaller wild species that scurried between hiding places and down dark holes.
The terraforming plant was in the
distance. Gorlock’s had landed between it and the town. As the reflected light from Jupiter swept
across the flat plain, bathing the town in a yellow glow, a tank-like vehicle
entered New Romani and stopped in front of the largest building, Saloon #10½, a
combination store and saloon. A steel door
slid open with a clang on the side and several, passengers stepped out,
followed by Jake, October and Tibbs. Relatives enthusiastically greeted a gypsy
family. Most of the passengers headed
into the saloon.
“I’m going to check the communications
center for any mail bursts,” Jake said.
“A hundred million miles away and
you still have to check in with the boss lady, huh?” Tibbs chided.
“Tibbs, my family is none of your
concern. Understand?”
“Hey, I didn’t mean nothing,” Tibbs
apologized halfheartedly. “Just talking.”
“You know, you don’t have to always say everything you
think,” October said.
Seeing that Jake was pissed, Tibbs
tried to mollify him. “I’m a man who speaks what’s on his mind.”
October couldn’t resist adding another
two cents. “No thought left behind, huh,
Tibbs?” Then he said to Jake, “I'm gonna head up to the mineral claims office
to register and look around town. I’ll
meet you there.” he nodded toward universal greasy spoon called Romani Café, “I
have to look someone up.” He noticed Jake’s curious look and shrugged. “My
daughter.”
“Okay,” said Jake.
They headed off in opposite
directions, leaving Tibbs eyeing Saloon #10½.
He took out a coin and flipped it in the air.
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