UES SAFE TRAVELS
Cargo Exception 04-117

The manifest listed two percussion instruments, one suit of protective equipment, and one passenger.

I counted two passengers.

The smaller one stood beside the loading ramp with a helmet under one arm. The larger one was eating the corner of the manifest. Copper drums hung on either side of its saddle, polished everywhere a hand could reach. The armor had been repaired with fasteners that did not match.

I explained that we had no provision for livestock.

"Neither did the last ship."

I asked what had happened to the last ship. The passenger took the paper out of the animal's mouth and smoothed it against a drumhead.

"Where do you want us?"

They were assigned an empty freight pen pending review. That evening, security requested a demonstration of the equipment. I attended because the damage, if any, would come out of my allocation.

One mallet rose. The blow was almost gentle.

The sound went through my boots. A rack of empty containers slid backward until its restraints caught. The security officer opened his mouth.

Then the restraints snapped.

The mallet was already resting on the drum.

Our visitor steadied the horse with a hand on its neck. It had not moved.

I amended the cargo classification. Before I left, I asked why they had brought the polished armor. There was nothing ceremonial about this assignment.

"There might be, when we bring them home."

Additional requisition: feed, sixteen sacks.
Charge to personnel.
