Ports of Call

Jack Vance

1998

What could be better?

Myron Tany has qualified in Space Studies to ease the vague feelings of adventure that disturbed his future peace in the path of financial analysis that seemed to be his lot. He was spending time with his great aunt who refused to acknowledge the facts of encroaching age when she came into ownership of an interstellar ship in lieu of a debt.

At first she refuses adamantly to actually use the ship; it was not the thing don't you know? But an article in a local paper on the fabled Fountains of Youth persuades Dame Hester Lajoie that it was no fable, but a tangible reality that could be employed to put that extra zing back into life.

Of course, Myron was chosen to be captain but his dispassionate choices fail to keep the Dame entertained. A silver tongued rogue was employed in his place and Myron found himself marooned with barely the fare home. He sees this as a golden opportunity as he sees himself about to fulfil childhood dreams of interstellar adventure and meeting aliens. Or the chance to starve to death should things go wrong.

Fortunately for Myron, the tramp spacer Glicca is in sudden need of a Supercargo. And he's in!

---