Read Dar's Adventures in Space 1: Space Crazy for Free Online Page A

floats to the ground.”
    Dar smiled at the expression. He liked Tregis and Vikkis. They were amiable to him, and weren’t afraid to joke around. “Awfully big feather!” he teased.
    “Yes, and she can spin on a ten particle!”
    He dug around in his pocket and produced a particle: it was a small circular coin equivalent to 1/100 drig. There were other denominations of particles: five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty. “Okay, let’s see.” Dar plopped it down on the console.
    Vikkis glanced up at him. “Smart ass!” They laughed. “Firing landing thrusters.” He punched the two bottom buttons. There was a loud roar, and the ship vibrated. Dar looked out the window. The port drew closer. He could see two other ships docked and large pieces of equipment offloading supplies.
    “Does Skrinnis have any kind of product it produces?” Dar asked.
    “It’s like Versith, almost a dead planet, but at least the aliens here are much nicer. For some reason it tends to be a congregation point for many species.”
    “Are they refugees?”
    Vikkis didn’t immediately answer; he was too busy concentrating on landing. “Yeah, some.” He checked the altimeter. “Three hundred feet…two hundred…one hundred…fifty…and…” The ship touched down with a solid thud. “We’re here.” Vikkis shut off the engines.
    Gwog got up and approached Dar. “Come on, little one, let’s go down and explore.”
    “Yes, sir!” He happily tagged along as they made their way to the crew hatch. Gwog worked the heavy door, finally getting it open. “We’ll go to the shopping level. Do you have any drig?” They went down the gangplank and inside the port building.
    Dar pulled a few out of his pocket. “Uh, I have twenty, and about sixty-five in particles.”
    “That’s not very much.” He removed a bag and took out another fifty or so drig. “Here, now you have more to get something.”
    “Thank you.” He was shocked that Gwog would be so generous. “If I may ask, how much did your Catarin hide clothes cost?”
    “Oh, they’re not cheap, I assure you, little one…But, they’re the best for those in our line of work.” He tugged at his vest. “Catarin hide is soft, durable, somewhat flame resistant, and…” he paused for a long moment. “…The females find it rather attractive.”
    Dar grinned. “I guess I’ll have to save my drig, then.”
    “Don’t buy it anywhere but on Cataris. The bovidis there are raised specially for their hides…And it’s cheaper coming from the source.” Gwog stopped as they reached the stairs heading to the civilization below. “Are you in a hurry to look like the rest of us?”
    “Uh, umm, kinda.”
    Gwog chuckled. “You’re a special individual—don’t be afraid to look like it.”
    “I’ve looked like it all my life, and it’s gotten me nothing but ass beatings.”
    He nodded. “I see your point…Don’t worry, we’ll get you outfitted in freighter crew garb soon.” Waving his arm, he tromped down into the shopping district. Dar followed, still completely amazed that he was on another planet.
    As they wandered past the shops, a smattering of different alien species mingled on the wide thoroughfare. Dar recognized some: Elemenels, Triduns, a Sirrixian or two, and one very imposing Kiburgin Hoarda, which he knew better than to even bat an eye at. Kiburgins were known for having the nastiest reputations in the entire galaxy. And at well over six feet tall, with strength to match their nasty dispositions, everyone steered clear of them.
    The Skrinnians filled in the rest of the population. They were average sized aliens, walked upright, and had reddish skin. Their eyes tended to be large and either bright green or blue. They didn’t have hair; rather, they had protruding fleshy nubs on their heads about half an inch long.
    Dar sniffed the air, a wonderful aroma wafted through the district. Gwog took a few sniffs too. “Hungry, little one?”
    “Yes, actually I