My Other Car is a Spaceship Read Online Free Page A

his seat. “It appears we have a visitor.”
    “A visitor?”
    Kalen nodded. “A pirate. But the vessel is still hours from Earth.”
    Hal’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Isn’t that a bit convenient, them appearing as soon as I’m aboard? What better way to convince me of the seriousness of the situation.”
    The other man snorted. “There’s nothing ‘convenient’ about it. In fact, it’s most in convenient from my standpoint. You’ll understand better later, but this is a very real danger, both to this ship and to Earth.”
    “ Hmm. If you say so.”
    Kalen’s answer had done nothing to address Hal concern s, but the pilot pressed on. “As for that ship, shouldn’t you go out to intercept it?”
    “It’s best we stay here, in case it’s a feint to draw us away from the planet so another ship can swoop in while we’re occupied elsewhere.”
    Hal frowned. “Oh. Is that a common tactic?”
    “Not at a ll,” Kalen said. “Fortunately, the pirates tend to compete with one another for prizes. They rarely work together.” He frowned. “Still, we’re dealing with human lives here, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.”
    “Of course.”
    “So, to return to your question about embargoed systems: more than a hundred. The number varies from year to year, as new civilizations are discovered, while others are granted admission into the Unity. That’s why it’s so hard to patrol them all.”
    Hal whistled in surprise. “That many?” He paused a moment in thought. “Are any of these civilizations aggressive?”
    “Aggressive? As in ‘might want to attack Earth’?”
    Hal nodded.
    “No. As I said before, the Unity was formed as a peaceful trade association. Warfare is rather coun terproductive in that respect. So, we don’t invite aggressive civilizations to join.”
    “ If that’s the case, why haven’t we been asked to join this Unity of yours? I’m sure we’d love to get access to some of your advanced technology. We certainly have plenty of art and music to trade. Maybe even some technology no one else has thought of. Or are we too aggressive for you? I know our history hasn’t exactly been a peaceful one.”
    Kalen shook his head. “That’s not the issue. Your planet is no threat to the Unity or its members at this stage. It’s actually for your protection. I imagine you’re familiar with the problem of cultural contamination, advanced cultures stifling more prim—, well, let’s say ‘less advanced’ ones?”
    He waited for Hal’s nod. “Our membership laws require that a civilization achieve interstellar flight before it can be offered admission. Think of it as getting your driver’s license. Earth is still years away from that point.”
    Hal nodded. “Okay. Let’s say I actually believe all this flying-saucer stuff. Now the big question: You said you needed a pilot. For this thing? Are you crazy? I’m just a broken-down jet jockey, not an astronaut. Besides, your technology is way ahead of anything I’ve ever heard of, let alone flown.”
    “ You underestimate your abilities, colonel.”
    “ And what abilities might those be? I still don’t understand how I can help you. I certainly don’t know how to fly this thing. You must have other people who are a lot more familiar with the technology and could learn faster than I could.”
    “That ’s where you’re wrong. As you pointed out, our technology is quite advanced. In fact, the ship is controlled through an implant, a direct neural interface. This direct link to the brain eliminates all hesitation or uncertainty that might result from the hundreds of dials, switches, gauges, and other controls you’re familiar with. It also means that physical limitations, such as your bad hip, are not a problem.
    Hal ’s eyebrows shot up at the implications.
    “ The downside of this approach is that pilots are in short supply. Very few people have the ability to multitask both their own thoughts and the data input from