Sargasso of Space (Solar Queen Series) by Andre Norton Read Free Book Online

“go in to the Green Whirly Bird and ask Captain Jellico to return——”
    Dane ran down the ramp and got into Van Rycke’s scooter. He glanced back as he put the small vehicle in gear and saw that the stranger was now following the Cargo-Master into the Queen.
    The Green Whirly Bird was half cafe, half restaurant and Captain Jellico was seated at a table near the door, talking to the dark man who had bid for Limbo at the auction. But as Dane came into the murky room the other Trader shook his head firmly and got to his feet. The Captain made no move to detain Mm, only shoved the tankard before him an inch or so to the right, con- eeatrating upon that action as if it were some intricate process he must master.
    “Sir—” Dane dared to put a hand on the table to attract attention.
    The Captain looked up, and his eyes were bleak and cold. “Yes?”
    “There’s a man at the Queen , sir. He’s asking about a charter. Mr. Van Rycke sent me for you—”
    “Charter!” The tankard went over on its side, to bump to the floor. Captain Jellico flung a piece of the local metal money on the table and was already on his way to the door, Dane hurrying after.
    Jellico took control of the scooter, starting off at a wild pace. But before they had gone the length of the street the Captain slowed and when they drew up before the Queen no one could have guessed they were in a hurry.
    It was two hours later that the crew assembled once more to hear the news. And the stranger sat with Jellico as the Captain told the crew of their luck.
    “This is Dr. Salzar Rich,” he made a brief introduction. “He is one of the Federation experts on Forerunner remains. It seems that Limbo isn’t such a flame out after all, men. The Doctor informs me that Survey located some quite sizable ruins on the northern hemisphere. He’s chartered the Queen to transport his expedition there——”
    “And,” Van Rycke smiled benignly, “this in no way interferes with our own trading rights. We shall have a chance to explore too.”
    “When do we lift?” Johan Stotz wanted to know.
    “When can you be ready, Dr. Rich?” Jellico turned to the archaeologist.
    “As soon as you can stow my equipment and men, Captain. I can bring my supplies up right away.”
    Van Rycke got to his feet. “Thorson.” He brought Dane to him with that call. “We’ll make ready to load. Send in your material as soon as you wish, Doctor.”

4     LIMBO LANDING
    D URING THE next few hours Dane learned more in practice about the stowage of cargo than he had ever been taught in theory at the Pool. And, cramped as the crew of the Queen were, they also discovered that they must find space for not only Rich but for three assistants as well.
    The supplies went into the large cargo hold, most of the work being volunteer labor on the part of Rich’s men, since the Doctor hammered home the fact that delicate instruments and perishable goods were included and he had no intention of allowing any of the boxes to be tossed about by the hustlers hired by the Field.
    But inside the ship the final stowage of material was, as Van Rycke speedily let him know, solely the problem of the crew. And they could do it without any amateur advice. So Dane and Kosti sweated, swore and tugged, with the Cargo-Master himself not above lending a hand, until all the supplies were in place according to the mechanics of weight for take-off. Then they sealed the hatch for the duration of the flight.
    On their way up they discovered Mura in the smaller cargo compartment rigging space hammocks for Rich’s assistants. The accommodations were crude but the archaeologist had been warned of that before he had thumb-printed the charter contract—the Queen had no extra passenger cabins. And none of the newcomers were grumbling.
    Like their leader they were a type new to Dane, giving an impression of tough endurance—a quality which, he supposed, was very necessary in any field man sent out to prospect on