Catching a public conveyance across the city of Lepus Mal was easy. The government of Ti Lepus supported the creation and funding of an extensive and inexpensive public transport system. The reason was simple, a frustrated public was an unhappy public. An unhappy public was a restless public and none of the various levels of government wanted that! So, along with other measures, including funding the major public festivals, a wide reaching and inexpensive public transport system was built. This was both city wide, and planet wide.

The public trains were of the magnetic levitation type. Fast and quiet, they sped in a logical pattern across the various cities and between the cities. Redundancies were built into the system so that, if a problem occurred on one line, the public could be transferred to another. In theory, travel was unrestricted, but in practice, travel was closely monitored and reasons had to be given for travel.

The conveyance that Nikie boarded was inexpensive and Nikie took advantage of having an annual pass. While she realised that the government could track her easily, using the pass, the much cheaper cost made it worthwhile. The trips could be explained away in any case.

Arriving at her destination in a rundown part of Lepus Mal, close to the area of the underclass, Nikie alighted and looked around. ‘Typical,’ she thought, ‘no Lewes!’ Leaving the tired station, she walked in the hot weather to the agreed location, an equally tired café that had seen better days. Not trusting the chilled water, she ordered a brewed drink and sipped it. The few other patrons of the café ignored her, remaining immersed deep in their own troubles.

It was almost a full period later that the news writer showed up. He was typically graceless. Remaining standing, he addressed Nikie. “Sorry, important business. What do you have for me?” Even by the standards of the planet, Wiski Lewes was being grossly impolite.

Controlling the rage that fissioned inside her, Nikie took a sip of the second drink that she had ordered. Lewes who, typically had not offered to purchase a drink for Nikie, scowled and slumped into a seat opposite Nikie, the two remaining patrons and owner of the café ignored them. “And a good day to you, Master Lewes.” She responded.

Angry at being schooled by a woman, Lewes still knew he had to reply. “A good day to you, Madam Frim.” He paused then continued, the scowl still in place, “Well?” Lewes asked the attractive woman opposite him.

Putting down the poorly shaped cup, which in Nikie’s mind mirrored the poorly maintained café, Nikie considered the news writer, “I don’t have an article, but I do have some information.” She responded.

“No article, then this trip is just a waste of my time.” The corpulent writer heaved himself to his feet. Seemingly ready to leave, he stopped and turned narrowed eyes in a round face surrounded by dark, dank hair, back to the agitator. “What information?”

Nikie did not smile but inwardly a cynical one grew in her. “Interesting information, it comes from a very reliable source.”

Standing close to the table, Lewes was trying the dominating position of looming over the smaller woman, used to such tactics, Nikie was not intimidated. She waited for Lewes response. It came quickly enough.

After a fraction, Lewes asked, somewhat more politely, “Tell me more.”

“It involves the government, and outsiders, visitors to the planet.” Nikie was deliberately letting the information drip out slowly.

“Really, I could write about that.” Sitting down in the chair opposite Nikie, Lewes was showing interest openly now.

“Oh, a proper man of Ti Lepus could do more than that with this information.” The woman stared straight at the writer.

“Really,” Lewes frowned. “Why is that?”

“The visitors have received permission to visit a university in the south. It is a teaching hospital with a large number of students.” Nikie took a drink and set the cup down before continuing. Lewes lent slightly forward as if to speak. Nikie spoke first, “Some of our children, our most precious resource, are at risk of being contaminated.”

Silence reigned for a fraction as Nikie waited again for Lewes response. Lewes was considering his options. As he could travel anywhere in Ti Lepus he asked, what to him was the obvious question. “Why don’t you or your husband handle this, ‘interesting information’ as you call it?”

“We would be pleased to do so, however we are both constrained from travelling outside of Lepus Mal by our lovely government.” Nikie did not disguise her bitterness. “My husband is even more constrained. He is not allowed to even leave the district.”

“I forgot, sorry.” Lewes did not look sorry. “So, what do you expect me to do?” At a sound, he looked sharply around. Seeing that it was only the last remaining patron leaving, he relaxed.

“A man of Ti Lepus who loves his planet would know what to do to remove the source of taint from our places of higher learning.” Nikie shrugged. “At the least, he would go and see what he or others could do.”

Wiski Lewes sat back lounging in his chair, at least as best as he could considering the uncomfortable chairs. For a fraction, he pondered the possibilities. Nikie waited, she realised that this was the crucial point.

“It does sound interesting, but I have much on my plate at this time … I wonder…” Hi voice trailed off.

Nikie groaned silently. It was time to hook Lewes or go to the backup plan. “If you are not interested,” She said with a shrug. “I could give the information to someone who also is interested.”

Lewes stiffened, no longer lounging. “Just who do you think could do a better job than me?” he almost snarled.

“Do a better job?” Nikie tried to look innocent. “I never said that!”

Lewes frowned at the response. “Well than, who could you ask instead of me?” He asked.

Looking as if she was seriously considering the question, Nikie was quiet for a fraction than spoke. “Well, there is Danki Twis or even Likki Nies, some others, although I am not sure.”

An inarticulate cry issued from Wiski Lewes. “Those two frauds who make stuff up even worse than you? You would trust our children to them?” Lewes surged to his feet and walked back and forwards. The café owner turned and stared at the pair.

“Sit back down, please. You are drawing attention to yourself.” Nikie spoke soothingly, wanting to calm the writer down.

Taking a deep breath, Lewes sat, “I will go, give me the details.” He growled.

“I am not sure, you got so upset.” She replied. “I am no longer certain that you can handle this …” Her voice trailed off.

There was silence for a fraction. “I am sorry.” Lewes spoke quietly. “It was just that, well those two, I just can’t stand the idea of those two involved something I could do.” He paused, then continued. “It was a private matter, you understand.”

“Of course, here is the information.” Nikie produced her comm unit. Lewes produced his as well. Selecting the proper file, she tapped her comm unit to Lewes, completing the file transfer.

Looking at the information, Lewes gave a nasty smile. “I have been wanting to get at the government for a while. I think I know just what to do.”

“Be careful now.” Nikie warned.

Lewes laughed, “A smart man of Ti Lepus knows when to be somewhere else.” He laughed again, then gave the slim woman another look, a different one. “If you are looking for a change?”

“When you get back, we can talk.” Nikie kept her face expressionless.

Lewes left after giving Nikie a nod.

“When you get back? Ha, if you get back!” Nikie muttered darkly.

Walking to the station, Nikie considered her days work. The first four, she quickly dismissed. It was the last one that was the important one. She had known for a considerable period of time why Lewes hated Danki Twis and Likki Nies. Olaf Bender had been the source of information. Lewes had used another writer’s work, passing it off as his own, and the other two had forced his resignation. He had never forgiven them.

Taking her seat on the long trip back to her home, Nikie felt a warm glow.

It had been a good day’s work!