34
Kiersten arrived at the helm to find the two front seats occupied. She placed her hand on the back of Sid’s chair and leaned over his shoulder to peer out the window at the Tamplian warship.
“The cargo is stored near the drive. I’ll be in the storage area. Communicate with me after the scan when they allow us passage, and I’ll fly us to the surface.”
Sid opened the hail.
“State your business,” said the Tamplian.
“We’ve brought goods to trade with the colonists.”
“What category of cargo?”
“Medicine. Tools. News from outside the Apollo Galaxy.”
“How long will you be on-planet?”
“Three days.”
The Tamplian leaned over to speak with the one next to him, nodded, then, sitting up again, decided the bargaining would begin. “Scan and transmit the documents.”
Sid complied while Rosalin
