D'Mok Revival 1: Awakening Read Online Free

Be’Inaxi would like to present you with  this . . .”
    A tiny hatch popped open in one of the bot’s beetle-like wings, and two minute, fleshy blobs rose on a small pedestal.
    “Simply place these in your ears,” Bob said, “and this neurotransmitter will translate any audio-visual sensory stimulus to Coalition-standard communications.”
    Mencari took the blobs and worked them with his fingers. They felt as fleshlike as they looked. Somehow, that didn’t reassure him. Yet the robot had the same markings he saw on the outside of the station. A friend, not likely a foe. But what guarantee was that?
    Bob chirped, “In the event no Coalition-standard equivalent exists, you will hear or see the communication in its native form.”
    Was that a tone of impatience in the bot named Bob?
    Okay, Mencari thought. Maybe he could try one. How bad could it be?
    He eased the mushy blob into his ear. It came to life. “Hello . . . Hi . . . Yo . . . I see that Death has yet to take you! . . . Greetings, sack of mostly water . . . Light to you . . . Heeeeeey Gurl!”
    Mencari looked at the bug-bot and wondered if it had just blown a circuit.
    “You have just heard equivalent translated greetings in seven of the 3,000 standard languages provided.”
    Mencari smiled. “I get it. I guess it works.”
    “Do you have any interest in particular I can direct you to?”
    He thought a moment. “Where can I learn about other races here?”
    It chirped with what seemed a hint of pleasure. “The Antar Deck, three levels up, has numerous species with which you could converse to freely obtain information of interest! In addition, I’m sure as a wise customer interested in value that you’d appreciate the cultural repository, which has data cards on countless worlds that you can purchase for a fair price. Or—” again Bob had that quick shimmer of delight, “if you’re in need of exotic or rim-galaxy languages for your translator, you can quickly and easily purchase expansion matrices from the communication gallery.”
    Mencari nodded, then caught himself. Bob was so friendly, he’d forgotten for a moment that the cockroach was a bot. “What about making money?”
    Bob chirped out the answer, each sentence separated by at least one click. “The Derator Deck, two levels below, offers numerous ways to earn funds. Check the Wanted Boards for items others are willing to barter or pay for. The Add-Ur-Skills Board can be used to advertise your skills, for a small fee, to those in need of them. Please refrain from posting illegal skills.”
    With a double-click of disapproval, Bob added, “Warning: Prostitution should be relegated to the Pleasure District four decks above.”
    Mencari couldn’t help his snorted laugh. But apparently his reaction offended Bob’s sensors; the bug’s tone was less cheerful as it continued. “It is also common for independent solicitors to frequent the common areas with unlisted jobs. To this, our policy is ‘Buyer Beware’ and caveat emptor, and so on, and so forth.”
    Yellow sensors along Bob’s back flashed, then turned blue.
    Its voice noticeably cooler, Bob said, “A weapon has been detected on your person. All such devices must remain in a cool, inactive state. Any violation will result in armed expulsion from the station.”
    “Wasn’t planning on using it,” Mencari said, impressed at the detection of the device on his hand.
    “Very good. May I be of additional service today?”
    “No. Thanks.”
    “You’re very welcome! Have a beneficial and profitable visit! The Commerce Federation of the Be’Inaxi welcomes you again to the trading post. To obtain further help at any time, simply call out. Good day!”
    The bug-bot scuttled away, disappearing back around the corner. Mencari found the mentioned lift, entered and pressed the Derator Deck button. Even in artificial gravity, his stomach went to his throat at the speed of its descent.
    As the doors opened he saw hordes of aliens