They are painted thick orange with a few vertical red stripes and the name "Hawking Corporation" in forest Green as well as the Logo; a Hawk with a Crown, is stamped on every side.
I'd had to put a decal of the logo on the Presidium, (but only one, as we were freelancers). Seeing the three Hawking ships, I wasn't surprised by the hail;
"Captain Paulwell, we'll take over from here, please log aboard the Cornucopia to gain your emoluments and consider a further contract..." Dressed in my best uniform I took a shuttle to the lead vessel, while the other two took conduct of the supply ship we had been escorting.
I was met by pompous bureaucrats, who dithered and babbled, and paid by a short, over weight clown, whose heavy lifting was spoon to mouth. I got a bonus and the offer of a return to Cyberus to motherduck another cargo ship. We'd be paid for our empty ride out.
It hadn't been an arduous journey, the two Pirate attacks were exciting, but brief. However the fact there was no shore leave was a negative. I asked if we couldn't have four days on Ceres, which was not far off the route. "I'll clear it with Ms. Rhyse, please enjoy our bar," he clipped, leaving me in a large room with a robot.
Hawking never used androids or cyborgs or anything that looked human. They had developed the tech, you could buy a robot that looked and acted human, but they didn't use that series domestically. The "bartender" was a tin man. I ordered a Punchback, a popular drink amongst Spacers. A thick gluey topping kept the liquor in the glass and added a spicy bite. The best Punchbacks, like this one, were made with single malt under a coat of crushed cinnamon pepper. Before I finished, the flunkey waddled back.
"Your terms are acceptable. Four days on Ceres, we'll pick up the tab if you stay at any of our Crown Hotels," and he gave me a card.
I finished the drink, hopped back to the Presidium. Everyone was in the galley, discussing "what ifs" as usual. Interestingly, Gye was there. Way far in a corner, languid, his chair against the wall, his large legs on a table.
As paymaster, I called names, Gye was last. He didn't move right away. While he was in transit, I announced the bonus, and the four days on Ceres.
While the others whooped, Gye asks, "What is my portion of the bonus?" taking his pay. "I figured we'd use it on Ceres." "I want my portion," he says in a soft threat. I gave him a steady eye; "When we get a bonus, we use it for a party."
His eyes dug into mine; "And if I don't partake of this, 'party'?" I didn't like sitting with a Gennie looming above me, so stood; "Then you lose your portion. In fact, you can leave now."
"And go where?" Gye asks as if it's real option. Someone spoke, I turned to respond, Gye wasn't there when I turned back.
I'm a Captain, not a psychologist, not a counselor, if Gye wants to play dog in the manger or whatever was the best analogy, that was fine. I'd enjoy myself. I ordered the "keg" opened, we all had a few drinks, then were underway to Ceres. I went to my cabin. There was Gye.
"Excuse me?" I say, seeing him looking through my private things. "You have eclectic tastes..." he says. "Get out of my cabin," I say with as much force as someone not fully sober would.
"How much was the bonus?" he asks in a seductive voice. "Gye, if you don't get out, I'm going to shoot you..." "We both know you won't shoot me. I'm unarmed." Looking at him, knowing his reaction time, his prowess, I laughed. He joined me. When he did he had an innocent look. In fact, he looked more innocent than a child. The laughter broke the wall I'd built between us. Maybe because I was a little drunk, I said;
"Two thousand. I take half, divide the other half. Which considering how many members of staff there are, works down, to you, to about three guilders. Hence, I blow it all on a party. It's the only fair way. You drink, you eat, you listen to music, you dance, you get drunk, you have a few laughs, and eventually, you go to bed, probably not alone. That's what I usually do with a bonus."
He looked into my face when I spoke, there was, if I can use the word, innocence. Quietly, letting a few beats pass; "I don't drink, I don't like common food. I don't like modern music, I don't dance, I don't get drunk, laughs are rare, and I would probably not want anyone who would appear at the party to share my bed."
