A History of the Future

Kerber

The sound of the door opening makes Zem look away from the spaghetti he's cooking, hoping to see the expected guest. Passing by the little beast running aimlessly after a green ball all over the place, Clara sits on the bar stool, fully aware that her every move is being observed.

She's wearing his white shirt over her trousers, no swords on her back this time, but a gun slung around her waist; a sign of not fully trusting his hospitality yet.

- We alternate in asking questions – she says, leaning on the bar, and without giving him a chance to reply, shoots one right away:

- What are you doing?

- Preparing lunch.

- I can see that ... I mean, what are you doing on this aircraft in Space? And yes ... why are you cooking? Don't you have anything to eat?

- I cook because I enjoy doing it, I don't just meet my primitive needs for nutrition. What do you eat? And nothing ... I'm simply travelling.

- We do our share of cooking on various planets, but passengers on interplanetary flights simply open a pre-prepared meal with everything they need to sustain them. ... What? You got bored on your planet and simply decided to go for a short trip?

- On my planet, other forms of life in the Universe are a complete mystery, but I was presented with an opportunity to go, and here I am.

While mixing the bolognese sauce, he continues:

- Who are the Agurunii? They're obviously not a low-developed civilization since they travel around the Universe ...?

- They're not a civilization ... they're a group consisting of beings from different planets, various civilizations. Their base being the planet of Raya, they attack everything that comes their way, including an occasional small city on a planet they come across. The cruelty and torture they submit their prisoners to are indescribable. Any kind of death is better than to be captured alive. The USIP Army avoids them as well, especially when they're not a full armada. Where is your planet, can you show me on the map?

- I don't have a map. Mind you, I still think Sanya would be able to get us back home. What does USIP stand for?

- The United System of Independent Planets ... over 29 thousand civilizations. You don't have a map?! Seriously?

- No ... where would I get one? We don't even have precise maps of our own planet Earth, let alone our galaxy. What's this ship Narbara all about, what were you doing on it?

- Private, commercial, transport of goods ... I was the stand-in pilot, there had been nine of us, we didn't stand a chance of escaping.

Moving towards the nicely set table with the meal, Clara continues:

- Thanks for saving my life, but this type of travelling is not for me ... could you give me a lift to another planet ... I'll pay you.

- It would be kind of you if you would help me with my shopping on the planet of your choice and with the money you were going to pay me with – Zem laughs, as he pours wine into the glasses – where do you want to disembark and how is Sanya to find that place?

- I have with me the local maps from Narbar.

She interrupts his meal, goes to her room and returns with a crystal prism that she throws on the floor. Spots of various sizes and colours scatter all over the room showing the exact position of the planets, stars and indicators regarding the shortest and safest corridors of travel between them. She points to one of the planets and says:

- Could we go there? ... I don't know how fast your spaceship is, but we should be there in seven to eight days. That's the Su Paravi planet, it has an orbital station where you could buy everything you need and no questions would be asked ... since it would appear that neither you, nor your ship nor your planet are registered anywhere with the USIP. It would be wise if you didn't land on the planet itself ... or any other planet for that matter – Clara's voice is dead serious.

- How long would it take us to get there? – Zem turns to the loudspeaker with a smiley face drawn on it.

- Four hours – Sanya replies.

- What did it say? – asks Clara

- Seven days.

- You cheeky bastard! You like her! Want me to slow down?

- Yes – Zem replies with a smile turning his gaze towards Clara – Is there anyone you should report to about what's happened to Narbar and the crew?

- Better not ... we didn't follow the usual route anyway ... I think ... no one even knew we left ... good earnings has its risks.

Realizing that she has no wish or intention to say more, Zem changes the subject:

- We ought to name our little beast.

- Is it a boy or a girl? – Sanya wonders aloud.

- You're right ... how do we find out its gender?

- It's a boy – Clara says.

- How do you know?

- By the colour ... it's much darker than the female.

- What did she say? – Sanya tries to push its way into the conversation.

- It's a boy – any suggestions?

- Where I come from, it is us that give the name to our food and not the other way round – Clara says ironically.

Zem replies even more ironically:

- That's too long ... do you have any shorter name ideas?

- You ought to carry salad in your pockets, it would be a pity if once you're eaten, it's only meat.

- I'm not worried about its food, hopefully by then there'll be a guest that I can treat it to.

- Then you should definitely start a passenger transport business ... that would be a great advertisement ... we guarantee once-in-a-lifetime experience! – Clara continues to outwit Zem.

- You could stay as an air-hostess ... you may keep all the passengers' belongings, those that don't manage to avoid lunch with the crew ... In view of all your comments, I think the best name for it would be Kerber.

- Thanks for the job offer ... I'll think about it ... why Kerber?

- Kerber is a mythological creature ... a canine with three heads, guarding the entrance to the underworld.

- Makes sense – Clara slowly rises from her armchair – thanks for the meal – she adds, heading towards her room.

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