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Chapter 105: 105. Shopping
You can read 62 chapters in advance and GOT fic on -patreon.com/misterimmortal.
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"Freedom One, you have clearance to land on Bay 6."
As they arrived at Xandar, the capital of the Nova Empire, a lot of economical activities became visible. Ships coming in and out of the planet's ports, people walking around. The planet was beautiful, with nature and technology mixed perfectly.
The planet had a population of 12 billion and was decently crowded. It also being a hub for economic activities, this was the best place to do business in Andromeda Galaxy.
The ship docked itself and paid the fee. Hector, Moony, Logan and Adam headed out. At the same time, the Inventory Officer of the ship handed them a list of items they needed to stock up on before leaving.
"Sure, just don't leave the sip. If any of you get caught outside, I don't know you. By the way, tell the guys at the port to paint the ship in red, white and blue." He warned the clan before heading into the markets.
...
"Now this feels like a space civilisation," Logan muttered.
He was not wrong. On Sovereign, all they saw were golden people. But Xandar was different, aliens from all kinds of species from across the Galaxy would come here.
"True, but does anybody here know where the market is and where to buy the stuff we need? Adam, you should know, right?" Hector asked them.
Adam started leading, "I have memorised the map of the whole planet. The market for spacecraft is this way,"
This just made Hector satisfied with his investment in Adam. It was worth all the trouble of going to Sakaar.
So they made their way inside the big market space, but there were no big shops or storerooms. It was just a wide street with some beautiful art pieces. Rather, there were a lot of aliens standing on the sides, wearing nice suits of their choice, in front of big screens. Each had the name of a different company. They had a table too on which a holograph was showing a ship.
Adam explained, "This is how they sell the ships. They can't store all the ships on the planet to show you. Most of them stay in orbit and when you order a new one, the ships come from wherever their yard is. These are representatives who will show you different models on the screens,"
"And where are you taking us?" Logan asked.
"To a broker, instead of a representative of the company. The broker can tell you the price and variety of all ships of all manufacturers,"
"GREAT! Good job, son." Hector gave the deserved praise.
Soon, they arrived in a real shop instead of a stall. It had a glass table inside, but it was mostly empty. The Alien sitting on the other side was some sort of a reptilian with feathers on the head. It was unknown what species he was.
"We want to buy some cargo ships for large scale transportation," Hector requested.
The broker nodded and started to fiddle with the holographic interface on his table, "How many do you want, and which one?"
He shook his head, "That's what I don't know. Tell us about the various ships, their specifications and the price."
The Broker brought up a few ships on the hologram, "This is the fastest large scale cargo ship, it's built by the Kree Empire, but now they are phasing these out. Its price is 5 million Units."
As soon as Hector heard the price, he raised his hands, "Woah, calm down, son. Show me the cheapest ships with fast speed. They don't have to be too big."
"I have the perfect thing for you then. These are called the All Cargo cruisers. They are fast, but because of the need to be streamlined, they cannot hold too much cargo. Various empires across the Universe use it as Slave Ships for the variety of things it can carry, from inanimate cargo to live cargo. The price is 1.23 million Units."
Hector looked at the various specs. It also had light guns on it. Basically, nearly all spacecraft had guns on them because it's not just thieves from whom you have to save yourself, it could also be some rogue asteroid that needed to be blasted out of the way.
"Great, I will buy 10 of these as long as the price is 1 million." He started to haggle. Hector would never accept something at the seller's price.
"The prices are fixed."
Hector stood up, "Fine, it's out of my budget. Adam, take me to another broker. I wanted to buy more ships but it seems it's not going to be simple."
This was a classic technique. Throw the hook and catch the fish. The broker stopped him, "1.1, that's all I can agree to."
Hector extended his hand to shake it, "1 million and deal done,"
"Deal... wait... no." Broker dumbly shook the hand by instinct and realised the mistake later.
"You even shook my hand. Agree for 1 million so we can start talking about the other spacecraft I want. The new ships are supposed to be smaller spacecraft, the speed is the highest priority." he continued the purchase.
The Broker sighed and started to show the catalogue. "Check this out. This one is a local creation of Xandar. This can not only consecutively jump for a long distance but it can also travel at sublight speed in normal space. The price is 1 million credits, you are not paying for storage here, but the speed."
Hector nodded, "Great, I want 5 of these. My price is 800,000 credits, nothing less, nothing more,"
"What about 900,000 credits?" Broker asked. But then all of a sudden her face fell, ~Wait, I am the seller here,~
"Haha, deal." Hector laughed and shook hands. He saved a lot and spent 14.5 million credits. There were still 3.5 million credits left. He wished to buy an escorting warship with it. "Now, do you have any battleships?"
The Broker looked left and right in panic, "Please do not say those words. We do not sell such items on Xandar. I am a legal seller of non-war based ships."
But, while saying all that, he passed a small card to him. "An auction will take place on this planet for retired 'ships'. Now, by what name do you want the bill of purchase to be made?"
"Name it after Freedom Clan. Ah, one more thing, let's say I want to rent a shop in the food district. How much will it cost?" He remembered his deal with Ancient One.
"Of course, I am a Broker, I deal with everything. Prices of shops vary with their size and location. More premium ones can cost you around a hundred thousand credits per month. Cheaper stand-alone shops on the food strip, a street for street food will cost you anywhere from 3000 to 5000 credits a month."
Hector thought about it, he will be selling snacks from Earth, such as Oreo, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Lays, Tacos, Pizzas, Burgers, KFC chicken(He had invested in McDonald's and KFC a long time ago.) etc. Most of the items will be packed stuff.
"How big will be the 5000 credit shop?"
"It's about 15 square metres big." The broker showed the layout on the hologram.
"Woof!" Moony barked.
Hector nodded, "Yes, son. I should first look at the shop and see how many people go through there."
"Don't worry, my assistant will take you." Broker tapped something on the desk.
But before leaving, Hector warned him, "One more thing, I will only pay the full price after I have checked the ships and ensured that they are not damaged."
"Of course, for me, credibility matters. I do not want to spoil my name with the Ravagers,"
As Hector walked out, he facepalmed, "Damn, I forgot my arm patch. I've been roaming around, announcing myself."
*BEEEEP BEEEP!*
As he expected, this was a mistake he committed. The moment they stepped outside, a small star blaster hovered over them, the guns pointed at their heads, "Captain of a Ravagers clan, surrender. Your ship has been impounded, your crew is in our custody."
┗|｀O′|┛(°ロ°) (?_?) (￣ー￣)
Hector was annoyed, Moony was shocked, Logan stared at the pilot in the Star Blaster with an emotionless gaze and Adam simply looked dead as always.
"Didn't Yondu say that there is no danger as long as they stay inside the ship?" Hector wondered.
"But that does not mean they will leave you alone. According to Nova Corps Law, any ship that lands in their port can be randomly inspected to ensure no smuggling of objects or life is happening." Adam responded.
"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"
Adam plainly replied, "I just memorised it,"
*Sigh* "Fine, just raise your arms, boys. We are law-abiding folks. Our arrogance and pride might bite us in the ass. Ah, Moony, you don't need to do it."
[See Xandar, the Broker and the ships on Discord-https://discord.gg/DgHkrAn OR see them on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mister_immortal_novel]
I SHALL SWALLOW YOUR STONES!
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Special thanks to *DougErNuts* *Oluwatimileyin Olayemi* *BirdRant* *Franklin Walley* *Brennan Tubbs* *Qul* *phong thanh nguyen* *Dillon Tyler*