Shilo headed for the small diner and grumbled to the waiter frost bear as he watched the service lines move. Rig after rig after rig moved along on the the other line. Shilo of course picked the slow line. The work ships also took a cheaper blend and only stayed local. Plenty of the crew grimy and exhausted filtered in to take up a corner of the diner.

  Shilo said to the frost bear, “How can anyone afford these fuel prices?” He pointed to the corner of the diner full of the workers. “Guess they can. That’s what, seven haulers and two crushers. If business is so good why is the fuel so expensive?”

  It was a fair question. The station economics were simple. The local system would harvest resources from asteroids. People like cheap stuff so it would make sense to keep the fuel costs down. Asteroid mining was good business even if plenty skimmed off the top. It was why Shilo had picked this station to start his P. I. business. Low costs and access to larger shipping lanes. That was the idea at least.

  The frost bear shrugged. “About six months ago the prices doubled. They doubled again last week. The crew ove there say it’s a supply glitch and that they will make some headway. Big expansion coming soon.”

  “Well they can still afford this.”

  The frost bear set the dish of sugar and cream down and wandered off to the corner of the diner.

  Shilo was finishing up his meal and sipping on a second cup of coffee when a frost bear came over from the crew of workers. The frost bear set his hand on the table which protested loudly at the weight. “Trim says you were complaining about our work.”

  “I don’t recall saying that. I was complaining about the cost of fuel. Not sure who Trim is.”

  “Trim is the waiter here. Nice. Always keeps a cup full. I’m Steve and you’re a human.”

  “Correct. And only a mass of muscle with fur and a disposition of sleeping in a vacuum could be a frost bear. You’re a yeti mate and if I offended you I do apologize. Name’s Shilo. I’m just looking to refuel my old cruiser. Get back on my feet.”

  Steve pointed out the window at Shilo’s ship now sitting in dry dock as the gunk worked on the ammonia lines. “Classic. Expensive to maintain a personal ship.”

  “That it is. Too expensive. I’d hate to sell it.”

  “Trim said you looked tough for a human and that you walked in without a suit.”

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  “That’s right, standard gene therapy for a limited duration to a vacuum.”

  “Standard shift length?” asked Steve.

  “Sounds about right.”

  “Well I reckon we could use you on the crew. Pay’s well and for a company rig the fuels free. Local system only. Job is rough. Got a warn you. And you work up to running a rig. Don’t think this is a hand out.”

  Shilo nodded. “I appreciate the offer but I think I’ll pass.”

  “Asteroid mining too good for you? I should dump Trim in the ring for wasting my time.”

  “No. Good job you have there. I worked a crusher like those for a season.”

  “You have experience. Can do the work and are not interested in the job. Last offer will be first shift pick up tomorrow. Come ready to work a crusher arm and don’t be late.”

  “Said I’d pass.”

  “No, you said you’d think you’ll pass up the offer. I guess we will both know for certain when shift change comes tomorrow.”

  The morning came and it found Shilo sipping a black cup of coffee sitting at the diner reading a news article on the cost of fuel and a collection of accidents. Steve was harping on the crew and sending everyone to their rig. Steve yelled into the diner from the front door. “I see you there. Get moving human Zander or I’ll fire you on day one.”

  Steve commanded the rest of the crew into shape and pointed to the second crusher. “That’s where you’re going. We’ll sort it out on the way to the field.”

  Asteroid mining is a dangerous profession but it was laced with plenty of down time as well. The crews muled about and talked sports over the radio as they rode out to the asteroid field. From here it was a line of lights heading towards a bright glow that looked like a far off star. Shilo assumed it was closer than it appeared and was actually a plasma ring to smelt the asteroids. Steve filled him in on the operation and confirmed Shilo’s guess then proceeded to test Shilo on the crushers system. Shilo failed flying during his time at the pilot’s seat. The controls were much newer than he’d expected. Steve didn’t show anything through his face which seemed to have only two facial expressions. The large happy smile full of teeth, intimidating but came across as genuine happenings and the other one. The happy smile Steve had at the diner had been gone the moment he’d ordered the convey to head out to the field. The other facial expression was a stern look that Shilo couldn’t decipher which made every test or question about asteroid mining nerve wracking. If Shilo had intended to make a career from this, Steve's evaluation of him would have Shilo reevaluating his choices. As Shilo was more interested in fixing the high fuel cost and maybe picking up enough pay for a new hologram display in the process he tried his best to not be overly concerned.

  Steve showed him the jaws, the crusher, the funnel, and the arm. He had Shilo perform a space walk while they were under thrust and Steve had timed the walk to coincide with the ships deceleration, which Shilo found recklessly dangerous. Steve grunted when Shilo managed to keep his footing without any serious trouble.

  At the start of the asteroid processing lanes the two crushers stopped. The haulers moved on without Shilo.