'Opportunity is rife in the Mermellion Tundra' Chalas said to the two naive looking pilots infront of him. He gave the same speel to every trader that came through the ship yard gates. Every time they went for it, hook, line and sinker. Anyone with half a brain knew the only money to be made in the universe was in selling ships.

'Uh, um.. but isn't that area full of pirates?' stammered the first pilot.

'I can see you're an experienced trader, that for sure. Yes, there are pirates everywhere these days, thats why you need some of these.' Chalas countered as he tapped a pair of high intensity particle weapons, 'Expert marksmen like yourselfs shouldn't have any problems.' Its almost too easy, he thought as he prepared to take their credits.

As the two pilots left the yard Chalas began to think back to his days as a trader. He almost envied them, the traders life was exciting. Never knowing if the next trip would make your fortune, make you bankrupt or end your life. People had always told him the life of trader was all grit and dirt, that he should join the military or hire himself as a mercenary. Chalas had too many morals. Which government to choose? So many rules and regulations to enforce for so many races. Even as a mercenary he couldn't convince himself that it was all going to be 'business'. So he'd become a trader and he'd been happy. Then came that faithful trip and the discovery of the asteroid field. The field so rich in Rathium that he'd never had to make another trading trip. Ah, but that was history. Selling ships, that was life now and a great life it was. Even with the taxes.

'Chalas you ruthless ore hog!!!' someone roared from the rusty gates. It was Borelio, an old friend and regular customer. Borelio had been a mercenary for 52 years and had been to war on behalf of all the major powers and a few of the less notable ones.

'Borelio, you immoral war monger, What can I do for you today?' Chalas replied in the traditional tone. They'd greeted each other this way for as long as either of them could remember.

Borelio grinned at Chalas showing all four sets of teeth, 'The Beast needs a new jump drive and the ore scoop needs replacing. Of course I came straight here as I know you're the only one who'll give me a fair price.'

Chalas smiled inwardly, ah, he wants to barter he thought. 'Thats true enough, only fair price around. Phhhh, jump drives are hard to come by these days though and as to an ore scoop, I'll have to pull in a few favors for that.' Chalas looked sternly Borelio and the pair burst out laughing. The trade negotiations went quickly after that and the two sat down to drink and recount Borelio's adventures.

'What were you doing using an ore scoop? Its not like you. I thought "shoot first, mine never!" was your moto?' Chalas asked.

Borelio looked solemn, 'Got caught out didn't I? Yamenian pirates ambushed me as I was about to leave sector. Two of them won't be bothering anyone again but I had to out run the rest. Left my self high and dry, edge of the sector, no fuel.'

Chalas nodded 'Is it me or are the pirate attacks getting more and more frequent? You're the forth I've had in this frame for repairs from pirate attacks.'

Borelio looked over his shoulder cautiously, and turned back. 'Chalas, you'll think I'm mad. Something is making the pirates come closer to the home planets. Something from the tundra. I know a few pirates personally and their scared, ships have gone missing and stange vessels have been seen. It takes alot to scare a pirate you know.'

Borelis quietened down after that and few minutes of placitudes left for his ship. Chalas wondered to himself, something from the tundra? But its just empty space isn't it? Nothing could live out there.