Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 10:36:29 -0700 From: Catwoman Subject: INT: THE HUB: TransNational Kazma & Danzig RESERVED: Kazma, Danzig "Where to?" Danzig asked as soon as they stepped out of the Ten Forward. "You said you wanted to go somewhere where we could have privacy so where going to the TransNational." "Isn't that expensive?" "Don't worry. I've got enough cils to cover the bill." "Where'd you get that kind of credits?" "Let's just say my last business transaction was very prrrofitable." Danzig said no more. The less he knew about Kazma's business, the better. He didn't want a repeat of the last time he meddled in Kazma's business. "Flyer!" Kazma called out to an oval shaped vessel. The vessel pulled up to them and the top half portion slid open allowing them access inside. "TransNational," Kazma told the being in the front. The being's one eye looked at them suspiciously. It had three tendrils, two for the controls and one to shift the gears of the vessel. It's brownish-gray skin seemed too dry for this climate. "Vlap?" the being uttered but Danzig couldn't see a mouth. "Yes, you heard correctly. TransNational. Now." Kazma hissed. The being's eye disappeared in it's mass and the vessel moved forward. Danzig lowered his voice and spoke to Kazma. "You'd think they would make Basic the official language of the Hub by now." "Be careful," Kazma whispered. "I think it heard you." "Where are it ears?" "Somewhere in that mass. Their bodies are continously moving and changing around. Where it's mouth is now, it could change place the next second. You've never seen a Mullbryd?" "No." "Where have you been for the last four years? In a hibernation chamber?" "I'd rather not discuss it now." "Whatever you say." The vessel twisted and turned through the many streets of the Hub. Everything became a blur of color and sound. Signs in blaring colors offering any kind of pleasure in all languages, flew by them. Slowly, the glaring signs disappeared to be replaced by soothing images and sounds. Evidence that they were going to a better place in the Hub. TransNational was placed at the top of the Hub so the rich could look down upon the poor as they ate or so the rumor was. It was an elegant restraunt that claimed to cater to all species for the right price. TransNational also garaunteed privacy for those willing to pay for it; no questions asked. The vessel finally pulled up to the entrance of TransNational. The eye once more looked at them and a fourth tendril appeared. Kazma handed it several cils. "Keep the change." The eye widened at the sight of the cils before disappearing into the mass. "Awfully generous of you," Danzig said as the vessel pulled away. "I'm in a generous mood," Kazma replied. "Table for two," she told the android at the front, "and we wish for privacy." "Very well," the andriod's eyes faded then lit up. "You may have the Sentinel Room. Twenty cils." "Here," Kazma placed the cils on the tray that slid out of the andriod's chest. "Thank you," the andriod said when the tray slid back in. "I hope you enjoy your experience at TransNational. Follow the silver carpet to the Sentinel Room. Here is the key." The tray slid out once more with a card laying in it. Kazma picked it up and turned to Danzig. "Let's go," she walked past him to a side door. "Isn't that the way in?" Danzig pointed to the big opening. "For the public, yes. But we're in a private setting. Come on." The hall was surpisingly narrow and not very well lit. The carpet glowed a faint silver. After several minutes of walking, Kazma stopped where the silver curved. "Here we are," Kazma slid the card into the side of the wall. ***************************************************** * What is the future like in 2157? * * Find out in Tribe Majestik * * a serial in The Soaps * * created by Chris Vaughn. * * http://members.tripod.com/~cvaughan/thesoaps.html * * * * Christina D. Smith * * Co-Writer of Tribe Majestik * *****************************************************