Food for Thought (standard:science fiction, 988 words)
Author: pjlawton	Added: Jun 19 2003	Views/Reads: 3418/2218	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Ever wonder where the food of the future would come from and what it would contain. This little story just might tell you.

Food for Thought 

By 

P.J. Lawton 

The colony was dangerously overcrowded; food was in short supply and
very expensive. The available food was pretty dreadful and consisted of 
a bland dehydrated ground meat protein substance called WonderFare. He 
didn't even know what made up the ingredients of WonderFare; he wasn't 
about to ask. It didn't matter how you prepared it, after it was 
re-hydrated it was still dreadful. Unfortunately, WonderFare was the 
main diet staple available to the colonist. Fresh meat and produce when 
available was extremely expensive. With his current lack of employment 
he figured it would be many cycles before he would taste real food 
again. 

As he left the Action Force Veterans Center he was more dejected than he
had even been. There was still no work available. Just what did a 
warrior due when there was no war? He was running low on credits; his 
pay from the last conflict was just about gone. He was a mercenary, a 
hired warrior, just one of many currently unemployed soldiers wondering 
around the colony. Somebody needed to start a war somewhere and it 
needed to be soon. 

In a feeble attempt to shed his depression he decided a visit the bar of
his old friend Jacos might do. There he could get a cheap sim-beer and 
hopefully the scoop on some chance of employment.  Maybe today was the 
day. 

*** 

He was about half way through his second sim-beer when Jacos sauntered
over. 

“Hey Capt, long time no see.” 

“Hey Jacos, what's happening? 

“Heard a little rumor you might just be interested in. Looks like the
Daygrus may be hiring.” 

“The Daygrus, you sure?” He didn't particularly like the Daygrus. They
were the scavengers of the quadrant. They would barter for or steal 
anything they could get their claws on. Besides, they were the most 
repulsive creatures. They had big hairy bodies, little beady eyes and 
razor sharp teeth and claws. “I haven't seen anything posted. Any idea 
why they would need mercs?” 

“Well, you know the Daygrus. They keep pretty much to themselves. Rumor
is that they will be down in sector 16 this afternoon.” 

“Normally I wouldn't even consider working for the ‘Grus' but work is
work. I'll check it out. Thanks old friend.” 

*** 

There were about 100 out of work warriors milling about the temporary
recruiting station. The Daygrus had hired a Terran mercenary recruiter 
to screen the soldiers. He stood in line and watched for a few minutes. 
Many of the warriors were being turned away but occasionally one would 
be sent forward to fill out and sign their contract. 

As he neared the head of the line one of the rejected soldiers stopped
by. 

“Hey Capt, don't even bother to apply if you have any family. The “grus”
only want unattached veterans. If you have a spouse, children, or 
parents they don't want you. I had heard that the “grus” were cheap but 
I guess they don't want the expense of paying veterans benefits it you 
buy it.” 

“Well, if they only want unattached warriors then I believe you may be
right. I guess that lets me in then. Thanks friend.” 



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