Diamond casebooks - Cpt 1 - part 4

Devil City, Japora.

What a shit hole, is my first thought. I now remember how much I dislike the place. Devil City; I'd forgotten what a dive it is. It hasn't quite managed to drag itself into the thirty-seventh century, many of its buildings are crudely constructed of wood and sandstone blocks. Its road structure is not much more than pressed mud tracks. It's like the place is caught in an earthly time warp dating back to Earth's early twentieth century. Yet the natives of Japora have been given every opportunity and aid to grasp the latest fashion and technology, but somewhere along the line it had been greatly misplaced.

Devil City; aptly named for you wouldn't find a more corrupt den of deviants in this system. Over the years, and probably with a large lack of interest by those in power, it has become a haven for those who operate beyond civilised boundaries and the law. Oh it has an enforcement regime, a regime that would act when it felt the need too, but usually turns a blind eye as long as those who run the regime receive their usual backhanded remuneration.

Apri gently nudges my arm bringing my mind wondering to an abrupt end. Reality slaps me full in the face when the ugliest taxi driver I've ever seen brings his taxi, a shell encased carriage drawn by a large green six legged mammal called a Boubor, to a skidding halt in front of us. The ugly driver leans forward, eyes Apri's exposed cleavage with lustful eyes and grumbles.

"Hmm, where too?

I quickly toss our gear atop the shell as Apri climbs aboard then slide in beside her. The driver rips his eyes from her bosom and grips the reigns.

"Take us to the cheapest hostelry you know. I order.

The Boubor rears its long neck and screeches as the driver slaps his whip on its shoulders.

"Move it ya damn snail or I'll slice ya friggin tongue out for me supper!

The Boubor snarls at him, and the carriage lurches as it set off.

The ride doesn't take too long and I for one am grateful. Apri and I are tossed and jostled as the carriage slides along the potholed track. All the time the driver cusses loudly at the Boubor and uses his whip without compassion. Arriving at our destination, Apri takes care of acquiring us shelter by using her corporate identity card while I argue with the driver over his extortionate fee.

"The fee's friggin forty credits and that's final! Pay up or I'll have the friggin snail rip ya head off! he threatens.

"You'll get twenty and be thankful, or I might have your licence revoked for over charging! I parry.

"Tell ya what, deal me a piece of that sexy tart and ya have a deal. I sure bet she'd give a guy a damn good time! he winks and drools.

His drooling grin almost makes me puke. The thought of any woman wanting or even willing to touch this pig turns my stomach. I chuck twenty credits in his face and finger my blaster into view.

"Get out'a here or I'll shove ya so far up the Boubor's arse you'll need him to shit you back out!

The driver eyes my blaster, spits on the ground by my feet, whips the Boubor and drives off shouting obscenities my way as I turn and enter the hostelry.I stow the gear in our dowdy, shit-ridden excuse for an apartment. I mentally admonish myself for not realising Apri holds a corporate card.Why the hell didn't I just get her to book us into somewhere more upmarket? The corporation could easily afford an expense account.

We decide it is time to get a bite to eat; well I'd get a bite. Apri doesn't need any sustenance, and besides it is too late in the night to traipse after Fizz and Hacker, it'd be far better making a fresh start in daylight after I'd eaten and slept. To my surprise Apri doesn't question the decision, which I was glad of because there's nothing more annoying than having to argue the toss with a damn stubborn sinthoid.

Dawn breaks and Apri is jostling me to get up. Quickly I get dressed, down a cold coffee and we set out heading for a dive I used to frequent in my misspent youth. The sun is high and beaming as we enter the city's market area, which is already in full flow. Sellers constantly jostle for our attention offering discounts for an array of wares.