Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen

The big party was more lively than Sobi had imagined.The endless stretches of free trade merchant ships, more than 800 giant spaceships, centered on a playground with a diameter of four miles, form concentric circles, arranged neatly and orderly from the inside to the outside... The Sisu is in the In the innermost circle - Soapy's mother looked very happy about it.Most of the trade ships Soapy hadn't heard of: Kraken, Deimos, James B. Quinn, Firefly, Bon Marchey, Dom Pedro, Che Squad, Omega, Eyre El Ned (Soby made up his mind to see how Marta was doing there), St. Christopher, Vega, Vega Prime, Galaxy Banker, Gypsy Maiden, Saturn, Chiang The Shi, the Country Store, Joseph Prime, Aloha... Soapy thought it necessary to draw a berth map.

There are too many boats.If he visited 10 ships a day, he might be able to see most of the spaceships, but he still had a lot of things to do and places to see, so he had to give up this idea.There is a temporary large open-air stadium in the center of the circle, which is larger than the Jubul Boxin Anfei Theater.Elections, funerals, weddings, sports competitions, entertainment, concerts and more will be held there.Soapy remembered the play "The Spirit of Sisu" that was going to be staged there, and wondered if he would have stage fright. Between the stadium and the trade boats are rows of booths: roller coasters, games of all kinds, educational and entertainment exhibits, one-man buskers, all-night dance halls, elaborate mechanical exhibits, fortune-telling, casinos, fairgrounds Well, there's also the soft drink counter, with everything from Pleiades Herbal Sauce, real old liquor, and authentic Earth Coca-Cola bottled locally in Hecate.

Seeing this colorful world, Soapy felt as if he had walked into Jubul Happy Street again, only here it was bigger, more beautiful, and bustling several times.But here's Vlaky, who doesn't talk about credibility, has repeatedly deceived the most savvy businessmen in the galaxy.At this time, the normally tightly closed lid is opened, and the merchants throw off all guards and enjoy themselves.The flakeys also took the opportunity to make a lot of money, doing whatever they could, and even daring to sell you your own hat that you put on the counter. Fritz took Soapy out to save him from trouble.Although Fritz had only seen a big party once and could not be said to be very sophisticated, he was more mature than Soo.Before going down, the new patriarch gave a meeting to the young men, reminded them that the Sisu had always had a good reputation in manners, told them not to tarnish their reputation, and gave each a large sum of money, warning that the Money must be spent until the party is over.Fritz told Soapy to take most of the money. "When the banknotes run out, you can trick daddy into getting some more money out of his pocket. But don't take all the money with you."

Soapy felt reasonable.But it didn't take long before he felt his pocket move.Soapy was not at all alarmed, but grabbed the thief by the wrist to see what he had stolen. Soapy took back his wallet first, and then looked at the thief.The pickpocket was a grimy little Vlakki, and Soapy thought sadly of Ziggy the Jubul thief, only the kid had two hands. "You'll have better luck next time," Soapy reassured him, "but you haven't learned your skills yet." The child looked like he was about to cry.Soapy was about to let him go, but on second thought, he said, "Fritz, check your wallet." Fritz touched the wallet, and it was gone. "Hey, what the fuck—"

"Hand it over, lad." "I didn't take it! Let me go!" "Hand it over, or I'll take your head off." Soapy did not let him go until the boy returned Fritz's purse."Why did you let him go? I was going to the police," Fritz said. "Why bother." "Huh? That's true." "I've learned this trade before, and they weren't easy." "You? Stop kidding, Soapy." "Do you remember that I used to be Fraggie, a beggar kid? This kid tried to equalize the rich and the poor in my place. He was clumsy and made me homesick. You know where I come from, Fritz. .I'm just a beggar and a thief."

"Don't let mother know about this." "I won't tell her. But I am who I am, and I know what I am, and I don't want to forget that. I never really learned how to steal, but I'm a good beggar, because I got lame Bass Lim, best education from my daddy. I'm not ashamed of him at all. All the sisu's laws don't make me ashamed." "I don't want to shame you either," Fritz said quietly. The two continued walking, strolling, watching the people and all kinds of interesting things.After a while Thorby said, "Shall we try roulette? I know the trick."

Fritz shook his head and said, "Look what those prizes are, they're boring." "Okay. I'm just interested in what they do with their gambling." "Soby-" "What's the matter? Why are you so serious?" "Do you know what the real cripple Baslim was like?" Soapy thought for a moment, and said, "He's my father. If he wanted me to know anything, he'd have told me." "Well... I think so." "Don't you know anything?" "Know a little." "Well, I really want to know one thing, what kind of debt is it that can make grandma adopt me willingly?"

"Well, 'I've said enough'." "you must know." "Oh, damn it, everybody knows about it! But at this party, you'll find out right away." "Don't interrupt, Fritz." "Well... listen, Baslim isn't exactly a beggar." "I've seen that for a long time." "Who is he, I can't tell. Many of my compatriots know about him, but they have never kept it secret and haven't said it out for many years. No one told me that they can tell that matter. But, There's one thing that's not a secret among your brethren... well, now you're one of your brethren. Well. A long time ago, Baslim saved a family, and no one will ever forget that. That family It's the Hansey's, now it's the... New Hansey's, and it's over there, the one with the shield painted on it. I can't say anything more, there's a ban. That's a disgrace, So we never bring it up. I've said enough. But you can go to New Hansea and ask to see their old flight logs. They can't refuse you as long as you prove that you are related to Baslim .But in the future, their patriarch may hide in his cabin and cry to death."

"Well...it's better to let a patriarch cry like that. I don't think I should ask about that kind of thing. Fritz, let's try the roller coaster." They sat on it—when the speed exceeded the speed of light, When the acceleration is greater than 100, Soapy feels that it is too exciting.He almost spit out his lunch. While a big get-together is fun and fosters friendships, it also serves other important purposes.Besides funerals, tributes to lost ships, weddings, and girl exchanges, there are many business events that affect the entire brethren.The most important of these is buying a spaceship.Hecate's shipyards are among the finest in the galaxy as far as has been discovered.Everyone knows that a man and a woman will have children when they get married, and the same is true for boats, which will also "give birth" to boats.There are too many people on the Sisu, and the ship is full of uranium and thorium, so it's time to separate.At least one-third of all trading families have the same need and must make a trade of wealth for living space.So, Vladge's spaceship agent moved around, thinking about his commission.Of course, buying and selling starships is not like buying and selling cold drinks.Shipbrokers and businessmen dream big, but the volumes are usually modest.But this time, perhaps in a few weeks' time, the volume of ships would reach a hundred.

Some of the new ships are from the shipyard of Galaxy Transportation Co., a subsidiary of Civilized World Galaxy Corporation, some are from Space Engineers, some are from Thruster Corporation, and some are from Askum & Sons.These businesses and companies are all giants in the trading world.But the pie is divided, and everyone has business.The broker who does not represent the manufacturer may have the exclusive agency right of a certain second-hand boat for sale, or know a certain clue or a rumor that the boat of a certain owner is good, and if the price is right, the owner may sell it. Lose.As long as a person keeps his eyes wide open, puts his ears to the ground and listens carefully, he may have good luck and make a fortune.Now is the era of surpassing postal communications and spending a lot of money to buy multi-dimensional space information. Good opportunities are fleeting, so broker information is very valuable.

Here, a family that needs to expand space often has two choices: either buy another boat and split it into two families, or join forces with another family to buy a third boat, and then draw people from each boat to the family. The new boat goes up to form another new family.Buying a boat alone brings good name, and families who can afford it are sure to be the truly wealthy, the aces of business, who can afford expensive new boats all by themselves, and help their children start new ventures in space.However, there are two options, but in fact there is usually only one: that is, the two companies jointly buy a new ship, and everyone shares the cost.Even so, a third family is often required to guarantee the loan of the new ship with three ships. It has been 30 years since the Sisu was separated, and it has prospered for three full decades and could have been able to buy a new ship on its own.But 10 years ago, at the last meeting, grandma acted as a third-party guarantor for someone else, and together with the two "parent" boats, jointly made a loan mortgage for a "newborn" boat.The new ship thanked the Sisu with a banquet, then jumped out and flew into the dark space, only to never return.Space is too big, and spaceships are lost from time to time.A commemoration of the ship was arranged at the party. Sisu paid a third of the 40% fee for the lost ship and was hit hard financially.The two "parent" ships would pay back Sisu's loss - debts always have to be paid.However, when the party broke up last time, the two "parent" boats had already emptied their pockets because of the purchase of a new boat. In order to pay off the debt, both of them had only "a pile of bones and a skin" left.You can't collect debts from patients, you can only wait. Grandma is not a fool.The two "parent" ships, Caesar Augusta and DuPont, are somewhat related to the Sisu, and of course my family has to help my family.In addition, it is also a good thing to be a guarantee for others. A ship that is not willing to guarantee others with its own credit will run into walls everywhere.After the Sisu helped others, she could borrow from any free-trade ship anywhere, and it was sure to succeed. But on the other hand, in this way, when the family needs to be separated, the money will not be enough. Captain Krause disembarked on the first day and paid a visit to Norbert Wiener, the flagship of the captain of the merchant fleet.Krause's wife remained on board, but not idle.Since taking over as patriarch, she has hardly slept much.Today, she sits at her desk, interviewing other patriarchs over the videophone installed by the municipal utility for the gathering, and sets aside the lunch she brings, untouched until her husband returns.Krauser sat down tiredly after returning, and the first mate was reading a slide rule and checking a data.Seeing the captain come in, she said: "If it is an Ascombe F-2 spaceship, the mortgage loan rate is a little over 50%." "Rhoda, you know very well that Sisu doesn't have the funds to buy another boat without help." "Don't worry, my dear. Augusta and Dupont will sign with us, as if we had our own cash." "But they are in debt themselves, can they guarantee us?" "If that's the case, Xin Hanxi will agree, and—" "Rhoda! You were young before the two gatherings, but you should know that the debt is not only Hansi's, but each of us, and all the compatriots." "I've been your wife long enough, Fieral, don't take out the letter of the ship's law with me. I'll say the same thing, and New Hansi will take it right away, because the secret binds us together. , this bond can never be broken. However, the interest attached to the installment payment is also a large expense. Have you seen the Galactic Lambda spaceship?" "It's not necessary. I've read its technical specifications. Not enough legs." "You men, tell me what to say! 80 standard acceleration of gravity is 'not enough leg strength'? I don't know how to say that." "If you were sitting in my saddle-headed seat, you'd say it's not strong enough. Lambdas are designed for slow cargo movement across the Confederate states. That's the only thing a ship can do." "Your views are too conservative, Fierlard." "As long as it is related to the safety of the spaceship, I will continue to keep it." "I know it if you don't tell me. Well, I will find a solution, and it will satisfy your prejudices. But it is still possible to choose the Lambda ship. There is a factor here, as you know, that it is cheaper. " The captain frowned and said, "That ship is out of luck." "It's enough to hold a ceremony to wash away the mold. Think about its price." "It's not just a matter of being biased against the ship you're talking about. I've never heard of a patriarch committing suicide before, or a captain going crazy, and something like that happened to that ship. I really don't understand, so How could your ship come here?" "I'm surprised, too. But it's here, and it's for sale. But whatever it is, we can wash it off and clean it up." "I don't know about that." "Don't be superstitious, my dear. Just need to pay attention to the ritual aspects, but that's my concern. But, well, let's forget about that boat. I think it's better to share with the other boat." .” "You don't want to buy the boat alone?" "I just want to see if we have the strength. But we have some things to worry about here, more important than buying a new ship alone." "That goes without saying! Power, well equipped weapons systems, operating funds, experienced senior crews in key positions... Heck, we're understaffed for two ships, just look at the fire controllers. If -" "Don't worry, we can solve these problems. Fieral, are you willing to be the acting captain of the Merchant Navy?" He was taken aback. "Rhoda! Are you in a fever?" "No." "There are dozens of captains who are more likely to be elected acting captain of the Merchant Marine than I am. I will never be captain of the Merchant Marine, and I don't want to be." "I'm content to be a backup agent this time. After the new acting captain of the Merchant Marine is elected, the former captain of the Merchant Marine, Dembaugh, will retire... Let's not mention this this time. At the next meeting, you can be the Official captain of the Merchant Navy." "nonsense!" "Why are men so incomprehensible in world affairs? Fieral, all you think about is your control room and business experience. If I hadn't forced you, you wouldn't even be the deputy captain." "Have I ever starved you?" "I'm not whining, darling. I'm pretty content. The day I was adopted by Sisu was the best day for me. But look, many families besides Augusta and Dupont owe Our situation. No matter what ship, as long as we discuss it, it will help us. I want to wait until after the election to make it public. Many powerful and related ships have made tentative proposals to us. Throughout the morning, The offers never stopped. Finally, we have the New Hansy thing." "What happened to New Hansy?" "As long as the timing is right, and there is a nomination from New Hansi, you can be elected to a round of cheers." "Rhoda!" "You don't even have to worry about it, and neither does Soapy. Just make your public appearances, both of you, and keep your dashing, charismatic, politics-agnostic qualities, and I'll take care of the rest. By the way, it's too late to take Royeon out of this drama now, but I'm going to cut them both off as soon as possible. Your mother doesn't see enough of this issue. I want my son too They got married. But Thorby can’t get married, and he can’t get too close to anyone, and this state must be maintained until the end of the election. By the way, have you been to the flagship?” "certainly." "Which ship was Thorby born on? That matters." Krause sighed and said, "Thorby wasn't born into a sibling family." "What? Nonsense! You mean he hasn't been identified. Hmm... So, which lost ship is the most likely place where Thorby was born?" "I said, he was not born in our compatriot family! The lost ship or the lost child has nothing to do with him. Either he is too old or too young to be hooked on him." The patriarch shook his head, "I don't believe it." "You don't believe what I say?" "I just don't believe it. He's one of us. You can tell from the way he walks, how he behaves, how good he is...everything. Well... I'm going to check the files myself." "If you don't believe me, then go and check." "Nuan, Fieral, that's not what I meant." "Oh, that's obviously what you mean. If I told you it's raining outside now, and you don't like rainy days, you wouldn't believe me." "Stop it, dear! You know it never rains in Hecate this time of year. I just..." "My God!" "There's no need to be angry, it doesn't look like the captain of a boat." "Everything I say on my own ship will be doubted. Am I still like a captain?" "I'm sorry, Fieral," she continued calmly, "and it wouldn't do any harm to look again. Before the election I'll have to do a wider search, or go through the material that isn't on file—you know how those clerks Disposal of scrap materials. Well...it would be very useful if I found out who Soapy's parents are. I won't allow him to marry before then, but after that, I'll give him my full support if he wants to have a wedding ..." "Rhoda." "What's the matter, dear? If the presumption of Soapy's birth can be established, the whole Vega galaxy will be shaken. If there is any suitable girl among the people..." "Rhoda!" "I'm talking, dear." "You stop, let me finish first. Rhoda, he is of Vlaky blood, and Baslim also knows about this situation...and solemnly asked me to help him find a family. Yes, I hope and believe that , the file will show that Baslim is wrong." Klausar frowned and bit his lip. "Two weeks later, a cruise warship from the main country will come here. This period of time is enough for you to recheck the information until you feel relieved." "What do you mean?" "Isn't that clear? As the saying goes, debts always have to be paid... We have a debt to pay." She looked at the captain in puzzlement, and said, "My husband, are you a little out of your mind?" "I don't want that as much as you do. Not only is he a good boy, but he's the best fire controller we've ever had." "Fire controller!" Chief Rhoda said sharply. "Who cares about a position like that. Fieral, if you think I'm going to allow one of my sons to become Vlaky..." She couldn't go on. . "Thorby was originally Flacky." "He's not, he's a Sisu, like me. I'm adopted, and so is he. We're all Sisu, and we'll always be Sisu." "Don't get excited. I hope he will always be a Sisu at heart. But the last debt must be paid." "That debt has been paid off long ago, all paid off!" "That's not what the ledger says." "Bullshit! Baslim wants the kid to go back to his home, some Vlaky's home - don't know if Vlaky has a real home. But we've given him a home - we His own home. Is this home we gave him any worse than a dilapidated Fraggie junk home? Don't you think this home isn't good enough?" Rhoda glared at him viciously.Krause thought furiously: they had always believed that pure-blood merchants were far smarter than Vlakki.There must be something wrong with this belief.Captain Krause never lost his temper when doing business with Flackie.But his mother, and now Rhoda, always made him unable to control his emotions. Although the mother is very strict, at least she never asks to do the impossible, but what about Rhoda... Alas, the wife has no experience as a patriarch.He said in a stiff tone: "Patriarch, Baslim's entrustment is for me personally, not for the entire Sisu. I have no choice." "So what? Well, Captain, we'll talk later. As for now, sir, I have work to do." During the party days, Soapy had a good time, but not as happy as he expected.Mother asked him again and again to help entertain the chiefs from other ships.The guests who came to see the mother often brought a daughter or granddaughter with them, and Soapy had to make the girl happy and entertained while the elders talked.He did everything he could, and even picked up the bantering chatter of people his age.At the same time, he also learned several moves that he called a dance, which anyone with two left feet and knees that can only bend back will appreciate.When the music sounded, he could also dance with his arms around the girl's waist, and he was no longer frightened. His mother's guests often asked him about Pop, and he answered them as politely as he could, but what annoyed him was that everyone seemed to know more about Pop than he did, but didn't know Pop the most important thing aspect. In his opinion, these things he did are likely to be shared by everyone.Soapy knew he was the youngest son, but Fritz, though older, was also an unmarried son.So Soapy suggested that as long as Fritz was willing to help him, he would definitely return his favor in the future. Fritz chuckled and said, "I can get off the boat and enjoy myself during the party. It's a big loss for helping you. What can you give me in return?" "Ok……" "To tell you the truth, idiot, even if I foolishly proposed to see the guests, my mother would not listen to me. She asked you to go only because she wanted you to accompany the guests." Fritz yawned, "brother , I'm exhausted! That red-haired girl on the St. Louis wants to dance all night. You go out and let me sleep before the party." "Can you lend me a coat?" "Okay, but you have to wash it first. Turn down the volume." A month after arriving in Hecate, Thorby disembarked with his father.Mother did not change her mind about having him with the guests, but she was not on board.It was Memorial Day, and the memorial service would not start until noon, but my mother left early in the morning to do some things that seemed to be related to the election. Soapy had other things on his mind as he walked.The last ceremony of the commemoration is to mourn the old man.His father had told him that he would teach him how to do it.Even so, Soapy was worried.Besides, "The Spirit of Sisu" was going to be staged that night, so he was even more worried. The performance had already made him nervous, but at this time, Soapy discovered that Fritz was also studying the script, which added to his worries.At that time, Fritz said to him in a rough voice: "Yes, I am reciting your lines! My father thought that if you fainted or fell down and couldn't perform, I could stand on top. I didn't think Stealing your role, I don't want to show off the limelight, I just want you to relax. As for the degree of relaxation, it is equivalent to hugging Luoyan and kissing under the gaze of thousands of eyes. In that situation, can you relax? " "Well, can you?" Fritz was thoughtful: "I can try. Loyen seems to like cuddling, maybe I should break your leg myself, so I can play." "Just by you? Unarmed?" "Don't tempt me, Thorby, I'm memorizing the script just in case. It's like having two sets of fire controllers. The only time you're out of a show is if you break a leg." Soapy and his father left Sisu two hours before the commemoration.Captain Kraussar told Thorby: "We can just relax and enjoy it too. Remembrances can be a good time too, if you put it in perspective, but those chairs are hard, so sitting there feels like time is passing. slow." "Well, Dad...just, I don't know what to do when the commemoration gets to Papa Baslim?" "Nothing important, you sit in the front row when they speak. You go along with them when they pray for the dead. You know that, don't you?" "I'm not sure." "I'll write it down for you. As for the rest... oh, what do I do when I'm mourning my mother—your grandma, you follow, and just do it when it's your turn." "Okay, Dad." "Now let's relax." To Soapy's surprise, Captain Krause walked out of the party along a ramp and jumped into a ground transportation vehicle.The speed of the car seemed to be faster than Jubul's, almost as crazy as the Rohian's car, and it arrived at the railway station in the blink of an eye, as if the time had come after the driver and passenger had only exchanged a word of compliment.The ride was really thrilling, Soapy barely saw the city of Artemis. Soapy wondered again when his father went to buy a train ticket. "Where are we going?" "Go to the countryside." The captain looked at his watch and said, "There is time." The speed of the monorail feels good. "How fast is our train going, Dad?" "I think it's 200 kilometers an hour," Krause had to say aloud. "It seems more than that." "It can break your neck as fast as it takes." They took the train for half an hour, and there were factories everywhere in the suburbs. The factory buildings were very large, and they were very different from what Soapy had seen.Soapy looked at the factories and thought that Sargon's factory complex pales in comparison with these factories.There was a long, high wall outside the station where they got off, and Soapy could see the spaceship parked behind it. "Where are we now?" "This is a military base. I have to see someone. I just have time today." The two walked towards a gate.Krause stopped and looked around, "Thorby—" "Dad, what's the matter?" "Do you remember the message you sent me, Baslimto?" "what?" "Could you repeat that?" "Huh? Well, I don't know if I forgot, Dad, it was a long time ago." "Try it, it starts like this: 'Baslim the Cripple to Fieral, Captain of the Sisu Starship: Hello, old friend—" "'Greetings, old friend,'" Thorby went on reciting, "'I send my regards to all your family, your clan, your kindred, and—'Well, I remember!" "Of course you should remember it." Krause said gently, "Today is the anniversary, and it is very meaningful to review his message. Keep memorizing it." Soapy went down again.Tears streamed down his cheeks when he heard Papa's voice from his own mouth: "'—and pay my respects to your dear mother. I now, through the mouth of my adopted son Talk to you. He doesn't understand Finnish, 'Oh, but I understand now!'" "Continue to memorize." When Soapy recited "I am no longer alive", he could no longer control his emotions.Krause sniffed hard and told him to continue reciting.Soapy's voice trembled, and he finally finished reciting.Krause let him cry for a while, then sternly told him to wipe the tears from his face and pull himself together. "Son... did you hear the middle part? Do you understand what it means?" "Yes...well, yes. I think I understand." "Then you'll know what I have to do." "You mean... I have to leave Sisu?" "What did Baslim say? 'As soon as I get a chance—' This is the first opportunity I've had... I've got to take it. It's almost my last chance. Baslim doesn't Didn't give you as a gift to me as a son, but lent you to me for a while. Now, I have to return what I borrowed. You understand that, don't you?" "Well... I think so." "Then we'll do as he says." Krause reached into his pocket, pulled out a wad of bills, and thrust them into Soapy's hands. "Keep the money. I should have given you more, but it's already gone." It's all the savings I can come up with without arousing your mother's suspicions. Maybe I can give you some more before you take off." Soapy had never had so much money before, but he held it in his hand without looking at it. "Dad...you mean I've left Sisu?" Krause had already turned away, but he stopped again. "It's better this way, son. Parting is painful, only missing is beautiful. Besides, we can only do this." Soapy swallowed, and said, "Yes, sir." "Let's go." They were walking quickly towards the guarded gate, when Soapy stopped suddenly. "Dad... I don't want to leave!" Krause looked at him expressionlessly and said, "You don't have to go." "Didn't you say that I have to go?" "No, Baslim's order to me is to send you back to the Confederate warship. In this matter, my mission is done and my debt is paid. I will not order you to leave this home. Everything else It's all Baslim's meaning... It's already very clear. I believe that Baslim's words are all for your happiness. But, do you have to fulfill his wish, that is Between you and Baslim, I can't decide for you. Whether you owe him or don't owe him anything is a different matter from what the rest of us owe him." Krause waited for his answer, but Thorby stood silently, thinking. What did Dad expect from him?What did he ask himself to do? "Can I trust you? You won't be negligent and forget about it?" Yes, but what does Pop want? "Don't fall on deaf ears to everything I say...just send a message, and one more thing: do what the man says." Well, Father, but the man won't tell me how Do! "Son, this is the last thing I want you to do...can I trust you?" In Soapy's impression, the old man was very anxious when he said these words. Soapy sighed at this thought, and said, "I think I must, papa." "I think so too. Let's go, then." But the visa officer at the gate was not in a hurry.Captain Krause only used the ship's photo to prove the identity of himself and his son, and said that he had "urgent business" to see the captain of the Hydera defensive cruiser, but refused to specify what happened.In this way, the visa officer has nothing to do with himself and hangs up. But in the end, they were escorted to the cruise ship elevator by a bright, well-armed Fraki, and handed over to another man.After they were sent to the ship, they came to an office marked "Secretary Section-No Knock at the Door".The Sisu, thought Soapy, was smaller than he had thought before, and he had never seen a ship with so much bright metal in it in all his life.But he immediately felt guilty about the thought. The secretary was a well-dressed, well-mannered young man in the acting officer's orbital sash.He spoke firmly: "I'm sorry, Captain, if you want to see the commander, you have to tell me about your situation." The captain said nothing, but sat quietly, watching what he would do. The young man blushed, knocked on the table rhythmically a few times, stood up and said, "Please wait a moment." After returning, he said calmly: "The commander can give you five minutes." Then he took them into a large office.Inside was an older man, sitting at a desk piled high with papers.He was not in uniform, so his rank is unknown.As soon as they came in, the man stood up, held out his hand, and said, "Captain of the Sisu Free Trade Vessel, aren't you? I'm Commander, Colonel Brisby." "It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain." "I'm glad you're here, too. Who's he?" He glanced at Soapy. "One of your officers?" "Both yes and no." "what?" "Colonel, may I take the liberty to ask which class you graduated from?" "What? Oh, Class 8. Why are you asking this?" "You'll know the answer yourself. The lad is Thorby Baslim, adopted son of Colonel Richard Baslim. It was the colonel who told me to hand him over to you."