Free ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 14, a sci-fi thriller

CHAPTER 14

The three were looking over a line of used cryo-robotic mules as the salesman hovered nearby.

“Kind of pricy, don’t you think?” October said opening the negotiations.

“Not so much,” said the salesman, adding, “They’re all fully guaranteed.”

“To do what, drop dead on the trail?” Tibbs said.

The mules, part machine, part animal, had attributes of both: great strength and unpredictable personalities.  They had been designed to be cute to garner affection from buyers. One of the smaller mules that appeared to be more living creature than mechanical nudged its nose against Jake’s leg and looked up at him with adoring blue eyes.

“What about this one?” Jake asked patting the head of the adoring creature.

“Oh, you don’t want that one,” said the salesman as he rubbed between the ears of another, larger and more expensive mule. “Now this fellow will carry all your supplies, eats next to nothing and knows the way back to town if you lose your way,” he said.

“I’ll take that one,” Tibbs said.

 “I like this little fellow,” he said of the little mule.

October bent over and examined another mule’s eyes and nose. “What you been fueling them with?  They look kinda glassy eyed,” he said.

“Nothing wrong with him that a little trek in the wilderness won’t cure,” the salesman assured him.  “They just need to be worked to keep them shipshape.”

“Business been slow, huh,” October asked.

The salesman knew where October was headed. “I tell you what, you take these two,” he said as he nodded toward the corral, “and that one over there, and I’ll throw in the tack and two weeks fuel.” 

“How about we take them on consignment,” Tibbs interjected.

“I may be stuck on this floating rock, but I ain’t quite crazy yet,” said the salesman.

“We’ll take these three,” Jake said, heading off any further discussion.

Tibbs started to protest, but stopped at Jake’s look.

“Great.  I’ll write up the rental agreements,” the salesman said, pleased to close the deal. He led out the two mules for October and Tibbs.  The little mule stood obediently beside Jake.

“Cute little fella,” October said.  “Never seen one nuzzle up like that before. Of course, he won’t be able to carry as much ore as the other two, you know.”

“You sure you want this one,” said the salesman trying to be helpful.  “I got another that will—”

The little mule practically hugged Jake’s legs, looking over at the salesman, then up at Jake, who patted it on the head. “No, he’ll do.”

Tibbs rolled his eyes and October grinned.