Read AGU SCI 1: The Star Brotherhood for Free Online

usually includes a pat-down and forfeiture of all weapons to bodyguards."
    "No pat-down. And you keep your weapons. This is a discussion only. We've checked out your background well enough to know you're not an erratic wildcard or an assassin."
    "Why so much interest in me?"
    "Lippaula wants to meet you. It's always good business to know who's operating in this part of the galaxy."
    "How many men do you have waiting outside?"
    "None. I came alone— other than the driver."
    Vyx didn't respond for a full minute. He wanted Gillanno to believe he was contemplating the invitation, but in reality it couldn't be more perfect. When he stood up quickly, Gillanno was startled and jumped back quickly while reaching behind him. This told Vyx that Gillanno wasn't as completely unarmed as he'd said, but he didn't let on that he had noticed the movement. Knowing something an opponent didn't know you knew was always valuable.
    "Let's go," Vyx said. "I'm starting to get hungry."
    An oh-gee stretch-limo was parked in front of the tavern. It wasn't the kind of vehicle usually seen in this part of the city, and people lined the sidewalk to see which big-shot had deigned to rub elbows with the lowlifes. When a Terran exited the tavern and climbed into the backseat of the limo, there were a lot of surprised Uthlarans, but when they saw Gillanno, they closed their mouths and went about their business.
    Although a city, Ogsnara was not a large metropolitan center, so the ride only lasted about five minutes. As the limo settled to its skids in front of an impressive office building, Vyx worked to hide his surprise. He'd expected something a bit more modest, such as a rundown warehouse at the edge of the spaceport.
    As the door on the right side of the limo rolled down and under the vehicle to allow easy egress by the occupants, Gillanno stepped out. Vyx climbed out behind him and stood up as he regarded the building with seeming nonchalance. Gillanno seemed about to say something, then thought better of it when he saw the bored expression on Vyx's face.
    "This way, Trader," Gillanno said as he began walking towards the building.
    When they entered the lobby, four burly, armed Uthlarans left their posts and began to move towards Vyx. He stopped, stiffened, and flipped the right side of his cloak over his right shoulder. The strap that held the pistol in the holster was still off, so he simply dropped his arm. With his arm hovering near his pistol, he was as ready as he could be for whatever was coming.
    Gillanno, seeing Vyx's action, waved the bodyguards off, and they returned to their posts.
    "This way, Trader," Gillanno said as he led the way to the lifts.
    The lift was fast and delivered the two men to the penthouse office suite on the sixteenth floor in just seconds. To Vyx, the deceleration and stop at the top was more violent than the sensation felt when going from maximum sub-light speed in the Scorpion to a full stop. Of course the spaceship had inertial compensators, and he wondered why they didn't have them in the elevator.
    The doors opened to reveal a very posh reception area. Two bodyguards stood on either side of a set of stylish double doors just off to the left side of a receptionist's desk.
    "Trader Vyx to see Lippaula," Gillanno said to the woman behind the desk.
    "Yes, you're expected, Trader," the Uthlaran female said after repeating the message into a com unit and receiving a reply. "You may go in."
    Trader Vyx looked at Gillanno, who stepped back out of the way to allow him to pass. Obviously Gillanno wasn't invited, which made Vyx nervous. He'd have expected Lippaula to want a number of others present if Vyx was being allowed in with his weapons. Perhaps the room was already crowded with enforcers and Lippaula didn't want Gillanno in the line of fire. The hair on the back of his neck began to stand up.
    After his moment of hesitation, Vyx turned towards the office doors. As he did so, the two bodyguards moved closer together to