Carthrat's journey into space - Round 3! Heaven or Hell!

[Carthrat]

"Yeah," replies Carthrat. "I lived there for the better part of the last decade.

It sorta grows on you. Now it'll never be the same.."

[Anastasia]

"Yeah," he says, leaning on the counter. "Visited there once - nice place, even if I had to spring for a holo suit. Surprised it lasted so long with everyone squatting there."

[Carthrat]

"People go there to get away," replies Carthrat, smiling a little. "You can't help but calm down there, somehow.

It was never the people there. It was always the Earthlings themselves. The question I'm asking now, though.. is it the Earthling who need to prepare themselves for the universe, or vice versa?"

An image of Shizue flickers across his mind..

[Anastasia]

"Both," he replies, shuffling a moment to get a stool nearby and sit. "Earthlings are too warlike in some ways...but I think they'll balance out in time.

After all, you're sitting right here, and by my eyes, you're a Terran."

[Carthrat]

Carthrat snorts. "Earthlings are no more warlike than the rest of the galaxy. They're just more contained.

And I'm not what you'd call a 'balanced' Terran."

[Anastasia]

"If you say so, bub," he says, relenting a bit. "Don't see too many Terrans out this way, though. It's mostly those half humans and pointy ears." Enjoying himself, he calls back, "Do the soup order for me, Rolf! Busy up here."

[Carthrat]

"We're everywhere," replies Carthrat, chuckling. "You'll never find a system without a Terran in it. I wonder where they all came from."

[Anastasia]

"What's the phrase - "Terrans came from those cockroaches, not apes'?" The owner opines. "No...You ones who get off Earth do get around. Maybe it's because Earth looks so tiny once you get off it, that you have tos ee what's going on elseware?"

[Carthrat]

"I've seen everything," replies Carthrat, blandly. "I'm from Telekineos. Earth was just an extended side trip."

[Anastasia]

"No shit," he looks up at you. "I've been there - you're a university boy, ar eyou," he guesses, knowing that the majority of people there are just that.

[Carthrat]

"Damn straight," replies Carthrat. "Dux of the university, Galactic Year 7762," he says. "When I got the award, I spent a full hour laughing with my wife at the Gargorians. Apparently, 550% increased neural capacity isn't enough to beat a 'C+ average *TERRAN*."

[Anastasia]

He grins. "Good for you," he chuckles. "Good for you. Anyway...so what brings you around these parts?"

[Carthrat]

"My sudden and unexpected success as a merchant," replies Carthrat, cheerily. "Sold off a boatload of Quantum Cores and I've decided to take the time to enjoy myself a little. I'm headin' off from here to Velsper IV."

[Anastasia]

He nods, "Hold on..." he says, going back into the kitchen area. A few minutes later he returns, a helper helping him carry a few bags full of sealed soup. "Here you go, 98 credits total."

[Carthrat]

Carthrat swipes his Credit Card. "Thanks, friend. Say thanks to the chef for me," he says, walking back to the ship.