The sun was just above the horizon as Reilly and Doc walked along the sidewalk toward the building where the local port authorities regulated traffic in and out of the port. Reilly had filled Doc in about the problems with the authorities and the “special fees”. Doc continued with “So how does he plan to get us let go? Forfeit the payment? Turn over the cargo?”

“He was non-specific about how it was going to happen”, Reilly responded.

Doc shook her head. “This is why I was against taking this job. I’ve heard stories about this place.”

"Stories are just stories until they actually happen”, Reilly replied levelly.

“Well, it looks like the stories are actually happening, doesn’t it?”

The conversation stopped as they noticed Gerrin coming toward them looking annoyed. “Well?” Reilly asked as they met.

Gerrin looked at them. “I thought you were back on the ship”.

Doc replied “We thought we might have to come bail you out. So what happened?”

Gerrin was clearly annoyed. “According to the local authorities, we owe them a materials-holding fee for the cargo we dropped, a docking fee for landing here, and a facility usage fee for parking on the pad we’re sitting on. By the time we’re through paying these krovopiyitsa, we’ll be lucky to afford a bite of food”.

As they turned and started back to the ship, Reilly mused “So obviously you’re ticked”.

“What makes you think that?” Gerrin growled.

“You swear in Russian when you’re ticked, and neither of us knows what a ‘krovo-whatever’ is”.

Gerrin snorted “Bloodsuckers are bloodsuckers, no matter what language you use”.

Reilly continued after a second. “Perhaps you’d like to reconsider my earlier suggestion”.

Gerrin looked at him “Maybe, but not likely”.

Doc butted in “What suggestion was that?”

Gerrin looked around, then answered, almost under his breath “Reilly wants to rob the bank and give the take