"FWLS18" - читать интересную книгу автора (A Future We'd Like to See)

"I told you, Alpha," I repeated, leaning back in the
extraflex cockpit chair. "My bud Weasel says there was a HUGE
net transmission there a month back, and nobody knows why. I
might as well go see what's up, in case there are any salvage or
trade opportunities."

"Ookie, you avoid danger like the Black Annoyance," the
computer chirped. "Why go there?"

"Because it's there?"

"Not good enough, according to my personality profile on
you."

Well, Alpha might not be genuine AI -- those are illegal in
most systems of VOSNet -- but he is slightly intelligent.

"Think. Megaburst of net.traffic to one remote place.
Someone's holding something BIG there. Odds are other traders
will be breaking down the doors within a week, so if I want any
of the chicken before it's leftovers, I gotta beat 'em to it.
When's our ETA, anyway?"

"Not long, we're entering the system now. Five minutes to
standard orbit," Alpha said, turning the music back up. I got
about one riff and two snares before he interrupted again.
"We're being hailed, Ookie."

"Hailed? Hmm, looks like it's not deserted. This is a good
sign. Patch it through the sunspot scrambler, so I can bug out
if need be."

"Yes, the usual. Channel open."

"This is colony Haven Two," a stern voice said. "We would
like to know what you're doing here, and how soon you'll be
turning around and leaving."

"Just a poor merchant, Haven Two," I replied. "Might I stop
by for repairs?"

"Negative. Port Justice is a few systems over, go there."

"I don't know if I can make it that far."

"Our scanners show no damage."

*Pretty good scanners,* Ookie thought to himself, *To detect
from out there. Let's call the bluff.* "Hang on, the channel's