{"id":2515,"date":"2023-06-03T14:26:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-03T21:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/?p=2515"},"modified":"2023-06-03T14:26:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-03T21:26:51","slug":"damned-bureaucracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/03\/damned-bureaucracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Damned Bureaucracy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

prompt: Write about someone who has always done something as part of a group, and is now starting to set out solo, or vice versa.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

available at Reedsy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The small cargo ship, in the default medium grey, was wholly unremarkable. The same and similar made up the fleets of corporate and private couriers, with the result that it was not surprising to see it anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anonymity and ability to blend in served Sidra well\u2026usually. This station, run by the hyper-bureaucratic aslodzhins was the exception. The \u201cbugs,\u201d as many humans called them, had their own ways of doing things and didn\u2019t like a \u201csquishy,\u201d as they called humans and other endoskeletal beings in their own language, upsetting the order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPrivate vessel Hobby Horse, please state the purpose of your visit and expected duration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStation 47 control, I say again: PV Hobby Horse requesting permission to dock in an out-of-the-way small cargo dock for fueling. Expected visit duration no more than a week\u2026seven standard days, but no less than an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPV Hobby Horse, docking for fuel cleared at Lock 7-16. All passengers and crew are required to wait inside the vehicle until security arrives to clear you. \u2026Cracked-shell squishy thinks they can\u2014<\/em>\u201d The controller\u2019s voice cut out as they must have noticed they were still transmitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, station 47 control. Docking at Lock 7-16. Squishy out\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra expected one or two security to show up to clear her to enter the station, instead, there were a dozen. She opened the airlock and waited inside. \u201cCome on in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The leader, obvious by the shiny, silver emblem in the center of its blast armor, stepped in, followed by two others that made a quick inspection of the ship to verify the claim of no other persons aboard. The brown color of the leader\u2019s head carapace marked them as a drone, while the black carapaces were male and bright blue were female.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra extended a hand. \u201cSidra Boston; captain, owner, pilot, and sole crew of the Hobby Horse. Welcome to my home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSub-adjutant-lieutenant-detachment-commander Slivdzak.\u201d The officer looked at her extended hand and grasped it with one their six manipulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPleasure to meet you, Slivdzak. How can I help?\u201d Sidra felt a secret rush of joy at the way the officer tried and failed to hide their discomfort. She knew that the lack of carapace was as disconcerting to them as the feel of a surprise tarantula crawling on the neck was to humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaptain Sidra Boston\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, just call me Sid. Drop all the Captain and Boston stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSid, you have not made clear the purpose of your \u2018one-hour to seven-day\u2019 stay. Please elaborate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m meeting someone here and taking them home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The officer looked at a small device it carried. A hologram rose from it, her close-cropped black hair, medium-brown skin, large, green eyes, and humped nose obvious. Beneath the hologram was writing in the bugs\u2019 script. \u201cAre you not a hunter of bounties?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, if that\u2019s what you want to call it, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSuch activity is only allowed in teams of three or more by aslodzhin law 9314-27.664 and safety regulations 647-88.932 and 90991-17.0. In addition, at least one of the team must be aslodzhin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s kind of speciesist, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe courts have allowed for permanent residents of aslodzhin space to fill the requirements where applicable, in accordance with Galactic Union Resolution on the Rights of Sapients, 74.23.08 Paragraph 12.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat, good to hear. Problem is, I work alone and I\u2019m not after a bug.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cYou know how we squishies are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStation command has already decreed that you are not to leave your vessel without the two members chosen for you.\u201d The officer raised to its full height, its head carapace close to scraping the ceiling. \u201cYour team will be here soon. Good day, Captain Sidra Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood day, sub-whatever-whatchamacallit Sliv.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the security detail left, she stepped out of the ship to check on the refueling. No sooner had her foot set down outside the airlock than she found herself in the crosshairs of two armed security guards that had been standing out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey aren\u2019t kidding about not leaving without a team, huh? Damned bureaucracy.\u201d She stepped back inside the ship and sat on the floor to await her babysitters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When her team arrived, she was surprised by the presence of the furred, six-limbed hikarin hemi-male. He was easily head and shoulders taller than her, but slight of build, and thin-boned, coming from a lower-gravity world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aslodzhin female didn\u2019t surprise her, even in her law enforcement uniform. She wore a red symbol on the chest of her uniform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra stood. \u201cOkay guys, I\u2019m Sid, and this is my<\/em> job. You do what I say and stay out of the way we\u2019ll get along fine. You,\u201d she said, pointing at the aslodzhin female, \u201cchange out of that uniform. You\u2019ll scare off my skip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSid, it\u2019s a pleasure to meet you. I\u2019m senior-squad-chief Dliz, and this is Soolyasin.\u201d Dliz extended a manipulator for a shake and Sidra obliged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dliz\u2019s compound eyes rotated in a way Sidra didn\u2019t know they could, and she showed frank wonder at the feel of a hand in her manipulator. \u201cCould you do that again?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou moved your hand, and I could feel the muscles flex\u2026yes! That\u2019s it!\u201d Dliz laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s the neatest feeling ever!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAm I the first squishy you\u2019ve met?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, no. I\u2019ve known Sool since I was a nymph.\u201d Dliz continued to hold on to Sidra\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about humans?\u201d Sidra raised an eyebrow and tried to extricate herself from the increasingly awkward handshake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. I mean, I\u2019ve seen plenty passing through, but never met one.\u201d Dliz let go and uttered a quiet apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soolyasin stepped forward. He was dressed in technician\u2019s clothes, complete with tool belt. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to forgive Dliz. She\u2019s a fan of bounty hunters in general, and you in particular.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShush.\u201d Dliz stood straight up at attention on her four hind legs, her head scraping the ceiling, her three left manipulators raised in a salute. \u201cWhat are your orders, Sid?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst order of business, you need to lose the uniform and dress in something less conspicuous. Sool, is that a disguise?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, these are my work clothes. When Dliz called I ran straight here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine. You\u2019ll blend in, no trouble.\u201d Sidra put on a ballistic vest and covered it with a loose jacket. She checked that she had cuffs, shackles, bench warrant, and badge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She turned toward Dliz. \u201cDo you have a ballistic vest?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a carapace; I\u2019m not a squishy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill your carapace stop a slug from a weapon like this?\u201d Sidra held up a high-powered, 6mm rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUm, no. I have armor, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan you wear it under clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, but it\u2019s against the regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cScrew the rules, wear your armor\u2026under<\/em> your clothes.\u201d She muttered under her breath, \u201cDamned bureaucracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra turned toward Soolyasin. \u201cI think I have a vest that\u2019ll fit you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at Sidra, then Dliz, then back again. \u201cIs it going to be that dangerous?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra showed them the bench warrant. Soolyasin\u2019s eyes grew wide and Dliz\u2019s eyes rolled in a different way to earlier. Sidra thought she might be able to read bug emotions if this kept up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou were going after a turgen terrorist by yourself?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill am. Just don\u2019t want to see my babysitters get hurt.\u201d She turned to look at Dliz. \u201cDliz, relax. You don\u2019t have to stand at attention. I need you to tell me which of these weapons you\u2019ll let me carry on the station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dliz settled back down onto six legs and looked over the cabinet Sidra had unlocked. In addition to the rifle, she had pistols, tasers, batons, knives, and a shotgun with less-lethal beanbag loads along with standard loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhich of them are capable of breaching the station hull?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 6-mil, and the shotgun, if I loaded it with steel shot or slugs instead of beanbags.\u201d She didn\u2019t mention that the 10mm pistols were just as likely to do the same damage, but she wasn\u2019t going out without at least one lethal weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn that case, leave the rifle and lethal shotgun rounds behind. I\u2019ll be carrying a beam weapon, too, so we should be covered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about me?\u201d Soolyasin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe only thing I need you to do is stay out of the way. Unless I need some inconspicuous eyes in the bay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After fitting Soolyasin with a ballistic vest and Dliz getting into civilian clothes over her armor, much to her dismay, they moved to the main cargo bays where they expected their quarry to show. Sidra positioned them so that she could watch arrivals, Dliz could watch her back, and Soolyasin could stay well out of the way unless and until needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first hour went by at glacial speed, with constant interruptions from Dliz and Soolyasin asking questions or pointing at every passerby that might<\/em> be a turgen in disguise. The next two hours dragged compared to the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was in the middle of the fourth hour that Sidra got notice that the ship carrying her quarry was docking. She moved them to cover the lock where it pulled in, granting them a view on both the personnel airlock and the cargo airlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A much smaller contingent of security met the ship, cleared the crew for the station, and left. Four crewmembers, all turgen, filed off. Larger than humans in bulk, grey skin covered with hard dermal denticles, they had two arms, two legs, the remnants of a dorsal fin, and a long, flat tail with which they could do bone-breaking damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra waited. If he was going to sneak off the ship, he\u2019d need to do it soon. When it became apparent that he wasn\u2019t going to get out on his own, she radioed Soolyasin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, Sool. It\u2019s clear around the ship. Just carry your tool case and walk onboard like you belong there. You\u2019ve seen his picture, if you see him, run. If there\u2019s anyone<\/em> else on the ship, just tell them you\u2019re checking the fuel gauges because of some regulation or other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure. You got this, and I\u2019ve got your back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soolyasin walked onto the ship, and they could hear him in their headsets, \u201cHello? Anyone here? I need to check your fuel gauges. Hello?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few quiet moments passed before Soolyasin spoke up again. \u201cThere\u2019s no one else here,\u201d he said, \u201cI\u2019m co\u2014\u201d His voice was cut off by the sound of a heavy thud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra ran for the ship, pulling her shotgun into firing position and cycling a round into the chamber. She stopped at the door of the ship and called inside. \u201cGive it up, Otto. The only way you\u2019re leaving here is in cuffs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she didn\u2019t hear anything else, she moved to clear the corners. She looked right where the door to the cockpit was closed. She swiveled around to check the other side only to find it empty as well. \u201cDliz, move up and cover the exit. The cargo airlock hasn\u2019t been cycled, so this is the only way off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She began to move down the passageway when she heard the cockpit door click behind her. She swung around a delivered a 12-gauge beanbag into Otto\u2019s gut at near point-blank range. Rather than stopping him, it enraged him. He turned and swiped at her with his tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra tried to dodge out the way, but he managed to knock the shotgun out of her hands. He picked it up and threw it behind himself into the cockpit, next to the limp form of Soolyasin. \u201cTime to go away, bounty hunter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He began to move toward her. When he stepped in front of the open door, he was met with a concentrated beam of infrared energy that forced him to jump back. \u201cListen, soft-skin. You leave now, and I\u2019ll throw your friend out. It\u2019s your one chance to leave alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She drew her 10mm pistol and pointed it at him. \u201cAnd if I don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He started toward her again, then stopped when the beam almost connected. \u201cI\u2019ll start by killing your furry friend, then your trigger-happy friend, then you\u2026but nice and slow. There\u2019s no way you\u2019re taking me to a human prison.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sidra couldn\u2019t see Dliz, but from the angle of the last beam, she\u2019d moved to where she had more coverage of the passageway toward the cockpit. She knew that if he wanted, he could ignore the burns and rush her, crushing her carapace in a thousand different ways. Her shotgun was far out of reach, not to mention ineffective, but the 10mm pistol was a comforting weight in her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otto turned his back on her, his tail swishing wildly, smashing against the bulkheads on each side of the passage. \u201cVery well, then. On to killing your furry friend first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m warning you, Otto, these are lethal rounds. Put your hands behind your head, your tail between your legs, and drop to your knees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time Otto had taken a step, Sidra had taken aim and fired a shot into his torso and another into his thigh. He stopped and turned to look at her, bright pink blood running down his leg and back. He laughed. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The courts tended to look down on spinal injuries, but when a round in the torso and thigh didn\u2019t slow him down, she didn\u2019t feel like she had much choice. She took aim again and fired at the base of his tail. His tail dropped like a dead weight, and he cried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain dropped him to his knees. Sidra finished the motion by jumping between his shoulder blades to put him flat on the deck. She cuffed his hands behind his back, and secured his ankles with shackles before motioning Dliz to come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCall for medical for Sool and for the idiot here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dliz made the call and medical teams arrived in less than a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d Sidra said, \u201cI guess bureaucracy is good for something after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soolyasin was awake by the time he was loaded onto a stretcher. There didn\u2019t seem to be any broken bones, but he\u2019d been thrown rather hard by Otto\u2019s tail strike. \u201cSorry I wasn\u2019t any help,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNonsense. I\u2019m sorry I sent you in there and you got hurt. I\u2019m splitting the bounty three ways, even across with both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t take any payment,\u201d Dliz said. \u201cIt\u2019s against the regulations for police to have any outside earnings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou saved my bacon, though. If you hadn\u2019t been enough of an inconvenience with the beam, he would\u2019ve tail swiped me before I could draw.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill can\u2019t accept any payments or monetary gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about this? You two have been friends forever, right? I\u2019ll pay your portion to Sool, and he can treat you to fancy dinners for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWha…how much is the bounty?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThree-point-seven million Terran credits. About sixteen million galactic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dliz\u2019s eyes rolled in yet another motion. \u201cDamned bureaucracy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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