Utopia War

Chapter 10 - Hercules Ring (i)

The trillion-class starship Fermi's Folly emerged into real space, twinkling in the starlight. It was within visual range of the gargantuan Hercules Ring, which at this distance was a glowing blue line encircling the sun. Fermi's Folly was a speck in comparison.

<This is the starship Fermi's Folly, requesting permission to land,> Adroit Fantastic.5, the pilot, put out a general signal, tagging any and all starport facilities.

Adroit received a flurry of replies.

<Rep check.>

<Standby for rep check.>

<Rep check.>

<Pending rep check.>

<We'll need a rep check first.>

<Rep check.>

<Rep check.>

"Please tell me the rest of you are getting all this," said Diaspore Felicia Wren, the co-pilot.

Min-ji and Sparkle were standing behind her as she sat in the co-pilot's chair. They were just as privy to signals directed at the ship as she was.

"What in all the suns in all the galaxies is a rep check?" asked Min-ji.

<One would assume they intend to check our "rep", whatever that may be. They would appear to be asking permission,> replied Adroit.

"I say we let them. How bad can it be?" said Diaspore, her body lightly shrugging in her chair.

<Proceed with "rep check",> Adroit responded.

The response was almost immediate:

<Denied.>

<Insufficient rep.>

<Nope.>

<Permission denied.>

<Insufficient.>

<That's a no.>

<Ha. Are you kidding? Don't waste my time.>

"Well that was unexpected," said Diaspore.

"What do we do now?" asked Sparkle.

<The obvious course of action would be to attempt to acquire "rep",> said Adroit.

<Greetings Fermi's Folly,> came a brand new signal <I couldn't help but deliberately hijack your communications signal. You seem to be having lamentable problems fitting in here. I'd like to offer you my services as a guide.>

<To whom am I speaking?> asked Adroit.

<My name is Caesar Beowulf Hannibal Janesdaughter, professional fixer, go-between, middleman, troubleshooter, and freelance guide. You're very lucky to have me. Of all the unscrupulous individuals who might have hijacked your signal, I'm by far the best.>

<It's nice to meet you Caesar, my names is Min-ji Cerulean,> said Min-ji <When you say you'd like to offer your services, what do you mean?>

<I'd like to make myself available, if you have need of such services, which in my extremely profession opinion you do,> answered Caesar.

<You're not wrong there,> said Min-ji.

<Does that mean I'm hired?> asked Caesar.

<Hired, what does that entail?> asked Min-ji <This is what I was afraid of. I'm not familiar with the expectations here. What would you want in return?>

<I only meant hired colloquially,> said Caesar <I'm just in this for the rep.>

<Rep,> interjected Adroit <Define this term.>

<You know, rep. Like, reputation? Rep, cred, whuffie, face...>

<...money,> Min-ji finished for him.

<Nonsense, there's no need to be vulgar,> replied Caesar.

<I'm sorry, that was unfair of me,> said Min-ji <I'm afraid I don't understand the concept, though.>

<Rep isn't money. It doesn't represent debt, you don't subtract it as you receive value. No one is owed anything. However, when a situation arises where two people want the same thing the person who has had the net largest positive impact on the community gets it. When you do something that improves the quality of life of those around you your rep increases, and this increase is weighted by the rep of the people you affected. The more you help people, the more important you are, the more access and priority you have.>

<That's why we can't find a place to land?> asked Min-ji.

<Exactly,> replied Caesar <You're complete outsiders. You don't even have the rep babies get from the joy they bring their parents. Absolute zero. No port will have you.>

<We're strangers!> Sparkle mind-shouted <If we want help from the people of Hercules, first we have to prove ourselves to the group.>

<See?> said Caesar <This girl gets its.>

<That sounds fair,> said Min-ji <But how are we supposed to prove ourselves if we can't land?>

<You'd need to hire some kind of resourceful, cunning, handsome guide who had enough rep to get you clearance at a starport.>

<What about you!> asked Sparkle <You're a handsome guide!>

"It's up to you two if you want to deal with this character," said Diaspore "We're not leaving the ship."

<You're hired then,> said Min-ji <With the understanding that we have no money.>

<Rep's still not money,> said Caesar <I'll get you landing clearance, back in a moment.>