The time Havenworlders trained in a dojo run by humans, defeated and imprisoned a human who was a pirate. They delivered the pirate to the other humans, who were, to say the least, rather impressed! -- Anon Guest
A large number of things are inadvisable to the boundary of impossibility. A number of other things are inadvisable - like telling a Human what's impossible. Humans tend to take these things as a challenge, and there is inevitably fallout as a consequence. Current in the list of impossible things, to Security Officer Lun's mind, was, you can't teach Havenworlders to succesfully defend themselves from Deathworlders. He should have known. In an infinite universe, nothing is impossible[1].
Three beaming Havenworlders escorted a float pallet full of bound and gagged Human to the admission's desk. They were Ledopteri and, by all accounts, should have been easily squished by a Human. Nevertheless, this was real as verified by the securicams and not an elaborate hologram. "We are here to collect the reward," said the spokesbug, wings flared and talons proudly displayed.
"Dangerous pirate," said their second, who had steered the float pallet. "Much Time offered."
There had to be a story here. "How--?" Officer Lun remembered in time to remain professional. "I mean... do you have a complete record of the encounter?"
"Oh yes," the third among the group extracted a datachip from their livesuit. "From attempted boarding to takedown. We are trained in Eternal Twii's Dojo of Ultimate Defense."
That should have explained more than it did. Officer Lun watched the securicam footage at four times speed. Then highlighted sections in real time. Then again at quarter speed.
"You... really did flip a charging Deathworlder without the aid of a livesuit or assistance exoskeleton?" The metadata was intact. Nothing had been augmented, altered, adjusted, or tweaked.
One of the very proud bugs handed another a Minute coin[2].
"Told you they would be confused," gloated the richer bug.
"Yes, you made your point."
Officer Lun checked all the other details. "This is an impressive takedown, and your company will be rewarded in full." From multiple sources, too. Justified in entirety. "Do you wish to release the footage to the Archivaas for further income or donate it for free?"
These brand-new mercenaries exchanged looks. We could live for a lifetime off of minutes of effort, the looks seemed to say.
"Oh yes. Further income is very beneficial," said the spokesbug.
[1] That is, of course, assuming that the universe is infinite. Nobody's been there to find out, yet.
[2] When money is also time, things can get a little confusing.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / AlgolOnline]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
Send me a prompt [45 remaining prompts!]