Greed

A small oceanic planet of a passing trade route. Caligann Point a large artificial island sat between the only two landmasses on the entire planet. It was a popular stop for travelers between the two continents. No spaceport but I popular stop for traders as it was the only land mass that could rise with the tide during the rainy season that lasted half the year. A never ending pour of water on the dark side of the planet. The super massive star and the speed of the planet made each year quite short.

The Merry Passing a small but popular tavern that overlooked a vast green ocean. Only a small number of rooms were available but few people used them. The Merry Passing was popular for it's food and drink rather than the living compartments. It's smells and sounds of waves and laughter filled the air. The tavern was a great place for any and all.

A pouch of coin dropped onto the counter with a light 'chinking' noise. Kalium. The universal currency. "A room for the week and a good meal tonight." The man was soaked from the rain outside. His faintly blue tinted skin tone marked him as Rulian. His voice held a mild growl but the tone was friendly with a smile to match.

"Of course." The tavern keeper said. She gave him the smile she used for all of her customers. She fiddled with the coin pouch, but he held up his hand.

"Please, keep the change. I've been on the road for too long, and I'd like to forget my worries for the night."

"Are you sure? This is a little more than double our usual rate."

"That's alright. You have a lovely inn, Miss-?"

"Paige Barener, and thank you."

"Well, Miss Barener. Just bring me your best meal whenever it's ready." The man held his cane tightly as limped his way toward the nearest empty booth.

Paige took the coin pouch into the back. The kitchen was bustling with activity. Michael the head chef giving orders with a grin on his face.

"Do you have any of the specialty meals ready?" Paige asked.

"I can get one ready in a few minutes." Michael responded.

"Good, we have a newcomer that looks like he could use a good meal."

"Here is the order of the special surmois stew, made just how Ross likes it."

"Thank you Michael, he loves your surmois."

“He should learn that surmois with kukion legs does not taste as good as he makes it out to be."

Paige chuckled and took the platter of food back to the dining area.

The Rulian man was waiting patiently in his booth and leaned the cane against the table.

Paige approached and took his drink order. Standard mead. She returned a minute later. "If you're ready for a meal one of Michael's specialty mushroom kelter is available, brought with our fresh bread.

"That would be lovely."

Paige smiled in appreciation and turned to leave.

"Actually before you go," the man said, "I heard from somewhere that you serve surmois with kukion legs. Sounds odd I know, but I'd like to try it."

Paige almost snorted a laugh, "I'll bring you another serving in a bit then."

He nodded and went back to his meal.



The tavern was filling up with the usual crowd and the Rulian man was soon forgotten. Paige was busy serving drinks and food as the days past. The rain was a constant and often annoying condition of the planet. But it was a good time for business as the sailors would often come into port to escape the bad weather.

The Rulian man would come in every evening. He sat alone but didn't come across as a lonely traveler. Occasionally she would bring the man another serving of stew. Strangely he had asked for the kukion surmois multiple times. She had asked him about it one evening as she delivered his food.

"You've ordered this dish a few times, is it to your liking?"

"You know it's odd. When I tried this first night the first impressions were as you would expect. The kukion legs were a bland flavor amongst the bitter sweet flavor of the surmois broth. But about half way through, the kukion meat absorbed the broth and changed the dish into something much more savory. I'm not sure how to describe it but it happens every time and I enjoy it more and more."

Paige nodded and brought the same kukion surmois to another booth. Ross was a member of an alien species known as the Luniet. As they were famous for their research, it was unsurprising to see Ross with piles of papers sprawled out in front of him and a quill in his hand as he scratched away. He had to collect and move his work for Paige to find a place to set the dish down.

Ross smiled appreciatively, "Paige you always bring the food at the best times. Smells incredible tonight."

"You know, we've had another customer try the surmois the way you like it." Paige said.

"Oh?"

"He said the dish significantly improves about half way through."

Ross gave a thoughtful expression. "He hasn't been eating it immediately after you bring it has he?"

Paige shrugged as she hadn't paid attention after she left the dish.

"Well there's his problem. A quirk of kukion meat, is that it won't absorb flavor until the cooking process is over and the cooling process has begun. Tell him he should wait about five to ten minutes after you bring it out to start eating."

Paige looked across the room at the Rulian enjoying his meal. His spoon abruptly stopped half way to his mouth with his mouth hanging open. Curiously his expression changed to a quiet smirk and set the spoon back into the bowl.

"No wonder Michael thought you were crazy to keep ordering this dish." Paige said with a chuckle, turning back to ross.

"Mike thought I was crazy?"

"Yea, he said the dish doesn't taste as good as you make it out to be. He kept tasting it, thinking we were serving you a pathetically bland dish."

"Tell him he should try eating it the right way." Ross winked .

"I'll be sure to let him know." Paige chuckled. "How's the research going?"

Ross groaned, "It's, slow going. The Rarlus species I've been trying to document have been quite shy, and the water is a bit more viscous on this planet than I'm used to. It keeps coating the window making for blurry observations."

"Well I'm sure you'll be able find something eventually." Paige assured.

"Thank you, I'm sure I will, it just might take longer than I had previously expected. How's Callum by the way?"

"He's been doing better. He's been going through a bit of a rebellious phase. He's been wanting to get off this planet for a while now. It's been difficult ever since his father left. But he has been helping out around the inn a lot more."

"That's good to hear. I remember when I was that age. My parents used to tell me I was going to end up working in the mines on Bog if I didn't get my act together. Where is Callum now?"

"I believe he's fishing on the docks."

Ross stared out the window. To say it was pouring would have been an understatement. "In this weather?" Thunder rumbled as if to emphasize his point.

"I know you haven't been on this island all that long, but quill fish are for more active during the stormy season."

Ross dropped his spoon. "What?"

"Quill fish. They're a type of fish that are more active during the stormy season." Paige explained.

"I know what quill fish are." He groaned. "I'm an idiot."

Paige looked at him questioningly. "What?"

"Quill fish are the number one source of food for the Rarlus." Ross stared out the window of where the pounding rain was now coming down in sheets. He sighed. "I'll have to organize another venture in a couple of days."

"Well at leas-"

"Missus Barener?" one of the other patrons called holding up an empty cup.

"I'm sorry." Paige said turning back to Ross. "I need to get that."

Ross nodded to say he understood, and Paige moved to the bar counter.



The evening was pleasant with good food and company. The man in the cane booth ate slowly with a calmness about him. The night grew later as most of the other customers had left. Paige felt quite relaxed until two officers entered into the inn. Between them walked a soaking wet and manacled young adult.

"Callum!" Paige gasped and ran to him. "What's going on?"

"I didn't do anything!" Callum protested.

“This is Mr. Baerner’s current residence?” the officer asked.

“Yes.” She checked her son for any injury. As he was a head taller than her she had to reach up check his face.

"He was caught trespassing at the dockside warehouse."

"Violation code 463."

"As the boys guardian relating to municipal code-"

"-469. You are fined 150K. Please pay at your earliest convenience." The two officers spoke off one another as they pulled out a hand-held device released Callum's manacles.

Paige plastered on a smile. "Thank you, officers for bringing him home safely. We'll be sure to pay the fine."

"Have a good night." The officers said in unison as they walked out.

Paige waited until they were gone before she turned on her son. "Callum Barener, what were you thinking?"

"I wasn't doing anything."

"You said you were going fishing!"

"I was fishing." He said defensively.

"At the dockside warhouse?"

"No! At the docks by the dockside warehouse. It's a public dock and it gets the best catches during a storm."

"It doesn't matter where you were fishing. You know you're not supposed to be there."

"It wasn't trespassing. Just because Grobak built the island and has a Kalium trade he thinks he owns everything. He bribes the officials because he hates Da-"

"Cal! Not another word." Paige said sternly. "We will not speak ill of the man who employs half this town!" She looked around the room. It was late and the tavern was mostly empty, but all eyes were on them. They awkwardly turned back to their table. What she didn’t notice was the Rulian man staring down in curious fascination.

"We'll talk later, go upstairs." Paige said finally.

Callum opened his mouth to protest but Paige gave him that look that said 'If you say another word' and he obeyed. Paige furiously returned to cleaning behind the bar.

Ross sat in his booth, long finished with his work but sipped on an evening drink. He stared at the woman behind the bar. Paige was furiously cleaning like she would snap at any moment. She met his gaze and he gave her his most empathic smile in an attempt to ease her stress. She nodded but didn't seem to help much. She turned back to her cleaning.