Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

Prompted to by Oliver, Vadrin contacted the other salvage ships to request they keep an eye out for similar statues- and bring them back for him, though he naturally offered to pay them for doing so.

All he had to do was wait and see if they found one... And, of course, escort his own group around as they collected things themselves.

Which he found to be incredibly boring.

Oliver could only watch Vadrin collect and test samples from various plants so many times before losing interest. And not really understanding any of the tests certainly didn't help. Even Vadrin's running commentary was monotonous to the extreme.

“Safe to touch. Inedible.”

“Toxic and unsafe. Everyone avoid the yellow bulbs, please.”

“Inedible.”

“...Inedible.”

“Oh! Safe to eat!”

Oliver perked up slightly at the statement. While the moss Vadrin was testing didn't look especially appetizing, it was at least something different to take his attention away from the boredom. He wondered just what the moss would taste like? Maybe similar to spinach? Or-

“Oh. Oh! Friend Silk, perhaps you should avoid this one. While it is certainly edible, it seems it would cause some digestive issues for one of your biological makeup...”

Oliver sighed and nodded in acknowledgment as he continued his circuit. While the squirrels had taken to avoiding him, he had noticed them drawing closer to the other Rach whenever he stayed in place for too long. Not wanting to risk an incident, he made it a point to circle the group slowly, warding off the curious-and vicious- critters.

“Friend Silk...”

The voice was pitched low, and it took him a moment to even realize the nearby tech was addressing him- especially since the individual in question never once looked up from his own collecting.

“I was told that you are permitted to salvage of your own, yes?”

Oliver almost laughed aloud at the rather cliché attempt at subterfuge. Instead, he paused in his circuit and turned to look out through the towering mushrooms, curious to see where this was going. Pitching his own voice low, he answered after a moment. “Yeah... I'm guessing you want something.”

The Rach hesitated a moment, clearly considering his words. “Indeed. While Vadrin listed some of these plants as 'toxic', that is because they possess hallucinogenic qualities. I have some... friends... that would be interested in acquiring samples of them.”

Oliver chuckled softly at that. After all, people were people, no matter where you go. While he had never seen the appeal of taking drugs, he understood how common it really was.

It was a bit amusing that someone was asking him to smuggle drugs onto the ship, though.

“What in it for me?”

The tech's head snapped over to stare at Oliver, clearly surprised that their strange companion was actually considering helping him. After a second, he realized what he was doing and quickly turned back to his task, trying to act casual once again. “My... friends... are willing to trade for whatever you bring back. And perhaps other things, if you have anything they would be interested in.”

“I am unsure exactly what you would wish to trade for, but they have access to a number of things that may interest you. Some weapons, pieces of technology that we have developed... And items that have thus far managed to remain out of the contraband storage. I'm sure that a deal could be made...”

Oliver shrugged slightly and turned to continue his patrol. “Figure out which plants you want and tell me when I come back around this way. I'll see what I can collect... I'm assuming you 'friends' will have some way to contact me when we get back to the Ark.”

Even if he couldn't make a deal with the tech's 'friends', he was sure it was possible to sell the plants on the Auction House. Weird hallucinogenic plants seemed like something a few of them, like the 'Mad Scientist', would be interested in.

And collecting pants for this shady deal would be more interesting than just walking around bored.

As it turned out, it wasn't difficult to sneakily collect the plants... It also wasn't interesting enough to stave off the boredom- at most, it amused him for a few minutes. Still, he pushed aside his boredom to remain focused on the job.

Or jobs, rather, as he had been offered this collection mission- which his gamer brain kept insisting was a 'side quest', which served to amuse him for a few minutes more.

But, after eight hours of tedium, Oliver was glad to slump tiredly into his seat. Only by sheer force of will did he manage to strap on his emergency parachute- specially made for him, as the normal Rach design wouldn't fit his body. While he doubted anything would happen, there was no way he would risk it when he had easy access to such a safety device.

“Why do you do that?”

He glanced lethargically at Umi sitting beside him. “Do what?”

“Put on your parachute pack? We store them under the seat so that they are within reach during an emergency, and wearing it while sitting is uncomfortable.”

He chuckled weakly, shaking his head at the naive girl. “In an emergency, you may not be able to grab it. Or just not have time. I'll take the extra safety over comfort every time, thank you very much.”

Umi fell silent at his response, but Oliver didn't have a chance to enjoy the peace before Vadrin was seated across from him and speaking excitedly. “Friend Silk! We have gathered quite a few useful plants this time. Isn't it wonderful?”

As the small Rach bounced in his seat, Oliver glanced at the shuttle's storage hold which was packed to the brim- mostly with edible plants, but also a few other scraps that Vadrin thought could be repurposed for their needs.

“It's a shame we didn't find much that would be useful for repairing the Ark, but that is to be expected. The civilization that was here was simply too under-developed for there to be much. And without finding a mine, it is doubtful we will be able to collect much in the way of ores and metals.”

“Oh! One of the other shuttles reported that they found the statue that you spoke of. They have collected it and are bringing it back with them, though... Umm...”

“Just say it, Vadrin.” Oliver sighed. “If there is a problem, I would rather just hear it so I can deal with it.”

Vadrin nodded hesitantly. “Ah, of course... Well, they are asking for compensation for their efforts. They claim that the statue is quite heavy and difficult to move, so-”

“That's fine.” Oliver waved it off, unconcerned. “What do they want?”

“Well... They are aware that you have supplied food for our people before, so...”

Oliver snorted a laugh, smiling easily at his awkward little friend. “Would fifty pounds of rice work? It's one of the foods I traded to Omi before.”

Vadrin nodded enthusiastically, happy at finding such an easy solution. “I'm certain they will agree to that, friend Silk. Ah, they also mentioned something interesting... About the statue sitting on a rather large block of metal... Was there such a thing here as well?”

At Oliver's nod, Vadrin jumped up from his seat in surprise. “The other team estimated that such a block is sufficient for nearly eight percent of the structural repairs! We must go collect it! Randin, Mols, Fr-”

“Slow down, Vadrin.” Oliver interrupted the suddenly manic Rach. “I already collected it, so there's no need to rush off. Ok?”

“You... already collected it?” Vadrin stared dumbly. “But... Where is it? I haven't seen it!”

Oliver's laughter boomed throughout the shuttle, surprising everyone.