Alan awoke excited. It was the 5th day of Cosmo’s being open and he had a lot of plans ahead of him. The previous day he’d made it back to base just before he’d logged off. ‘The Brick’ as he’d begun to call it in his mind. He’d grabbed anything and everything, including the automated batterial, refined materials, and the broken droid. All in preparation for today.

Because today was special. With the lease of his First Series pod, he’d unlocked the ability to use Planetary Relocation 1x. And today was the day he’d be planet hopping.

Specifically to Mairkness, one of the best early trade hubs in Cosmos. It sat at the crossroads between a number of Galactic Empires, and Business Consortiums. Not only were prices better than anything on Kragga, but the selection was too.

Pulling up to the hub, he made his way to his pod. “Hello, Kara, I need assistance with planetary relocation.” To his disappointment it wasn’t Kara who appeared but another Valkyrie.

“Hello Alan. I’m sorry but Kara is occupied at the moment. How can I be of assistance?”

“Hello. I would like to use the series 1 ability to transfer to a new planet.” He made the request.

There was a brief pause. “Hmm...Kara mentioned you were a strange one. But I’ve no reason to deny your request. To which planet can I send you to? Please note selections are final.”

What did she mean by being a strange one? He thought. Alan dismissed the comment and continued. “I need transportation to Mairkness.”

She paused, thinking about his request. “Mairkness, a trade world. I see your mother is also based on this planet. Would you like me to transition you to her location?”

He nodded. He’d arranged with his mom the night before to spend the day together. After her first experience, she had quite willingly put up her own cash to do so.

She nodded than asked, "Would you like to review your combat logs and awards?"

"No thank you, I'll get to it later." She only pursed her lips before commencing the transport.

“Good luck Alan.” He thought for a moment he briefly heard, "He certianly is a stran..." before her voice faded out.

A moment later he found himself on a square in the center of a bustling street. He was surrounded by high skyscrapers and hundreds of players of literally dozens of species crowding the area. The site, sounds and smells of the crowds nearly overwhelmed him. Vendors selling a variety of foods, some smelling wonderful, others which made him want to vomit. Vendors lined the plaza, hawking their wares, mostly in galactic common, but other languages as well. There was something for everyone, from the practical to the absurd.

He felt a tug on his jacket, and turning quickly saw his mother. They gave quick pleasantries before she continued. “If we’re going to go shopping, you're going to have to change into some new clothes, you look just like an alpha” She looked at him critically. “I know this is your first time to such a crowded planet, but if you wear those they’ll try to take you for everything you have.” She passed him a brown sack. Looking inside, he saw some new clothes. He smiled sheepishly and found some place to change.

He’d completely forgotten about what he’d wear, deeming to wear a combination of clothes more suited to adventuring on a primitive planet, along with a jacket he’d gotten to start the game with. He blushed, not so much at his mom’s insistence that he change, but for knowing better, and not thinking about it first. In his first life he’d only seen Mairkness from other player’s video logs. Never having been able to travel on his own.

After changing his mom commented, “Now that’s better. Where would you like me to take you? I've got this whole area mapped out.” His mom had used some of her knowledge to learn a few languages, mapping the planet, and knowledge on trade in the area.

“I’ve got to get to the resource exchange. One that can deal in pretty good volume and with the lowest fees. As well as a droid repair shop after that and finally an industrial equipment location.”

“All right sonny boy, just let your mother lead the way.”

They weaved their way through a few streets before his mother hailed a small transport which zipped them across the city skyways. There were lots of ways to travel through the thriving metropolis. Walking, airship, swinging vines, and even waterways, gave means for every species to move about. Alan was genuinely awestruck by the site.

“It sure is beautiful. I’ve always loved the city life and there is an entire continent that caters to it.” They only remained in the air for a few minutes before landing in a less busy district, less filled with street vendors and more with wealthy businessmen.

“The place we’re going to is there.” She pointed to a large steel gray building, with silver trim. “It’s the Borlat Consortium. They offer the best exchange rates on precious metals, as their species love the stuff, and can usually make more in the trade.” She certainly had a strong air of knowledge about her.

“Mom I’m impressed.”

“Well, you did mention precious metal knowledge would be beneficial, so I made sure to not only learn about it, but also bought some manuscripts to find the best dealers.”

Walking inside, Alan could definitely see the affinity for precious metals. A large marble mosaic covered the entry hall, filled with silver, copper and gold filigree. Pillars embossed with silver and gold leaf surrounding the entry, and crystal chandeliers floated mid-air creating a beautiful light show. The Borat themselves were a large gelatinous looking creature, pale blue in color. The shimmering lights gave the Borat’s skin a luminescent glow.

“Welcome travelers to the Borat Consortium” an attendant behind a guest greeted in a gurgling voice, like a muddy hot spring.

“Glug, kluk ga.” His mother seemed to burp back. Alan was shocked at her behavior, but the Borat seemed to smile, his lips, a white liquidy hughe.

“Thank you for the greeting in our language, it is rare for travelers to learn such pleasantries.”

Alan’s Mother beamed, “I have only learned a few common phrases, but find it a fascinating language.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Alan’s Mother brought up the subject. “My son and I wish to exchange some rare metals for credits.”

“Ah, I’ll be more than happy to exchange with you. Please show me what you have to offer.”

Alan removed the 3 lbs of platinum. To which the attendant, and his mother’s eyes widened just a hint before returning back to normal. Alan then removed some silver and gold which he’d scrapped.

“Excellent, excellent! We value platinum the highest. I am glad to see such a large quantity be brought in. Just the other day we had some travelers, much like yourselves, bring in some gold and they were livid at the exchange rate. Of course their rudeness did not win them much favor either with the final price.”

Alan couldn’t tell by the accent, but it sounded as if the attendant had made a joke. Or perhaps it had just been an afternoon soda. But he assumed it must have been some humans who’d come in. It only made sense as it was one of the fastest ways to get credits, and for them to value gold over platinum.

“Let me see if I can get an estimate for you.”

Alan’s mind wandered as his Mother and the clerk dickered about prices, exchange rates, and fees. He’d wondered who would have brought their gold. It was true that earth’s markets had frozen, but most people would have thought they were trading at a loss still, and wouldn’t have risked it.

“All right, all right, you are a hard bargainer my little lady. I like your spunk. I can exchange 98000 credits for the platinum. 300 for the silver and and 600 for gold and I’ll throw in 100 credits just to make it an even 99000. Plus a 2% exchange fee. You’ll be looking at 97020 in Credits.”

“Thank you Glurk. I think that is most fair for the quality and volume of goods. Here is a small 20 credits a tip. I hope I can meet you again.” She smiled warmly.

“Of course. I like someone who doesn’t have to pout and wine to try and get a bargain. Come by sometimes and perhaps I’ll have some work for you.”

A few minutes later Alan had 97000 credits to his name. “Wow mom, I’m impressed. From what I understand you typically have a fee of 3 or 4 percent.”

“Well I knew he was getting a lot more gold lately, and you’d exchanged close to a hundred thousand credits. Not a small sum. But to be honest I’m surprised at how you managed to get a hold of 3 lbs of platinum.”

He smiled, “Well, I figured out a problem in the exchange rate in Earth’s currency. I did a few trades before the markets froze up.”

She laughed lightly, “Well I’m glad to hear someone in the family got the haggling bug. I might just have to look out for other such opportunities. When you first told me about this, I figured it was a game, but it’s clearly more... ” She paused. “So what do we do now. From what I can tell you just got a half a million dollars in credits. And you clearly weren’t interested in the metals cash value.”

“I’ve got a plan Mom.”

“Sure, I’m just wondering if you might be able to let your sweet Mom in on it. Or perhaps, you might have any other insights, which our government and news are silent about.” She paused waiting for his answer.

“Couldn’t say Mom.” Truthfully Alan couldn’t say much. For a new species, like humanity, Cosmos was incredibly strict on what they knew, and what was told, and when and what information could be released. He couldn’t risk telling her much of anything, not now, maybe not ever. Didn’t mean the look of disappointment on her face was any less real. “But I do know that we still have a couple of places to go on our shopping adventure.”

Another transport later they were in an industrial area, where large machinery was laid out in a spacious lot. The area was enclosed, the only entrance had a security shed nearby.

As they approached the gate, the head of what looked like a velociraptor dinosaur stuck it’s head out the window and growled.

“What’s your business?”

With memories of Jurassic Park popping into his mind, Alan summoned his courage. “My mother and I are here to buy some energy and machinery.”

He snapped his long jaw, causing his mother to flinch, “Are you part of that earlier group?”

Alan looked puzzled. Earlier group? He decided to answer straight forward.

“No sir, we just arrived.” He paused as the guard’s eyes narrowed

“You better not be lying. We had a group of alphas looking just like you come through here earlier today. Made the boss real angry.” He chuckled to himself.

“I’m pretty bored, and I hate when the boss gets angry” He gave a big toothy grin.

Alan nodded gravely before he and his mom moved on. “Mom have you run into many humans here?”

“No dear, but that doesn’t seem to mean much.” She eyed the guard behind her.

“I guess. It's odd we’ve had 2 near misses today.” She nodded in agreement.

As Alan and his mother approached the rough looking boss. “Look you new born maggots, I told you before I’m not selling you anything on loan!” He looked at Alan with contempt in his eye.

Before Alan could respond he squinted hard, looking right at him. “Oh you're not him. Your one of those Hu-mans though. Right?” Alan nodded. “Hmm, well I’m tell you right now you primitive alpha. I don’t do --what did he call it?-- ‘installments.’

Alan put on his biggest smile. “It’s just something we have one earth. It’s a way to pay over time.”

“Well thats stupid,” The boss fumed “If you get killed and relocated off planet, how do you suppose I’m to collect? And if you fly off the planet? You get the goods and I’m stuck with nothing?”

“You right it’s fairly primitive for something like this.”

“Your right, it's primitive!” The owner continued to rant, “I mean sure, you could make a Cosmos binding contract, but that's more trouble and money than it’s worth!”

Alan could only nod, seeing the boss had finished.

“Well what do you want?”

“I’m here for Vervetic Energy, and it's storage and generation.” Alan supplied “I’d like to look at storage and generation first if that is ok?”

“You human’s must be pretty eager. That’s what the other guy wanted too, but he didn’t have the credit on hand. Not nearly enough though. Said he might be back later. I sure hope not." He grimanced. "Well why are you standing there take a look."