Wing Commander Privateer: Dr Lemuel Monkhouse

Monkhouse: I wish I could say the same. I’m not receiving visitors right now, young man. I wish to be alone.

Monkhouse: Don’t speak to me about extra-terrestrial artefacts! I’m sick of them! I nearly got killed here because of my work. You’ve heard of the Steltek? Well, suffice it to say, I recovered an interesting piece of Steltek manufacture… a piece which interested certain corrupt corporate interests who shall be nameless. All I need is a libel suit on top of everything else. Who are you?

Monkhouse: Well listen. I was kidnapped and brought to Palan by men who wanted my artefact… and then I was nearly killed in last month’s bombing attacks. Thank goodness my kidnappers were buried beneath the rubble of the interrogation compound.

Monkhouse: Never you mind about my artefact. What do you want of me?

Monkhouse: I’d consider it… in exchange for transportation off world. If you’ll fly me to Basra refinery base in the Palan system, I’ll help you solve this puzzle.

Monkhouse: It’s the nearest base, and I detest space travel in cramped quarters. I’ll charter a luxury liner back to civilisation later. I will pay you 5000 credits towards your expenses. Have we a bargain?

Monkhouse: Meet me in the bar on Basra for your payment, and your analysis. Most assuredly. If I can’t tell you about your find… no one can.

Monkhouse: And yet you expect to employ my years of hard earned knowledge for nothing? No, young man. I don’t like those terms either. Farewell.

Monkhouse: See here, young man. I won’t be trifled with. If you’ll transport me off this wretched world and get me to the Basra refinery base, I’ll pay you 5000 credits and help you identify your find. Have we a bargain?

Monkhouse: Meet me in the bar on Basra for your payment, and your analysis. Most assuredly. If I can’t tell you about your find… no one can.

Monkhouse: I’m afraid that would leave me with little leverage in this situation. I have made my position clear. I will tell you about the artefact the moment I arrive in Basra. Come back when you are willing to accept my offer.

Monkhouse: I thought we had a deal, young man.

Monkhouse: Well, in that case, I’d advise you to get me off this wretched planet immediately, and take me without further delay to Basra! My patience is wearing thin, and the longer we delay, the more it deteriorates! If you want me to help you identify your find, GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW!

Monkhouse: That was truly an exciting ride. Thank you for getting me here in one piece. I’ve examined your artefact. A very interesting piece you have there, young man… especially since I have one almost like it. Ironically, it’s the very piece that my kidnappers were interested in.

Monkhouse: Ah yes. You said you knew nothing of the Steltek. Well, long before Man emerged on Earth, the Steltek ruled an empire that spanned the galaxy. Even then, they were more technologically advanced than we are now. By the time their empire crumbled, they were possessed of wonders beyond our comprehension.

Monkhouse: No one knows. Some say they perished in a civil war that lasted millennia… others believe they simply grew weary of their power, surrendered it… and even now enjoy a simple, tranquil existence at the heart of the galaxy.

Monkhouse: Here’s my piece of it. Notice anything odd?

Monkhouse: Hold it up beside yours.

Monkhouse: Superficially. It also contains a complete set of the Steltek alphabet.

Monkhouse: Who knows? The real question is, where do we go from here?

Monkhouse: Bad luck indeed. That area is currently uncharted. Without the location of the sector’s jump points, exploring the area will be nearly impossible.

Monkhouse: Always the privateer, eh? Care you nothing for the possibility of scientific advancement?

Monkhouse: Very well. I have no interest in baubles. You may keep my fragment, and whatever treasure you find… so long as I get to publish any scientific finds. Agreed?

Monkhouse: Excellent. Before you go, I’ll program your computer with the nav information from the map, as well as the Steltek alphabet. It may come in handy where you’re going.

Monkhouse: We shall see.