Since his humiliation, Frazer was a lonely lad. All his friends had
indeed deserted him, and he was at a complete loss of how to spend his time.

“What a mess,” he moaned.

He looked around at his parents’ home that was a bit larger than Candy’s.

“I’ll wander around the retail pod I think. See what is going on there.”

When he reached it, he wandered the floor, gazing at the well-stocked shops in awe.

“Here am I, no credit and no hope. It really is not fair.”

He saw a shop that he had been in before. It sold sportswear and was one of the most expensive on board.

“I wonder if those boots are still there?”

When he reached the stand, he saw that they were still on sale. He gazed at the price tag.

“A hundred credits. I’ll never afford that.”

He glanced at the staff, noting they were busy elsewhere. Smiling evilly to himself, he reached out and stuffed them beneath his thick jumper. He started whistling happily, as he made for the door.

No one had noticed of course, and he skipped his way back to his parent’s home.

“That was just too easy. Talk about lack security.”

He returned without incident, just as his sister stepped out from the bedroom.

“When did you get back?”

“About ten minutes ago. Where have you been?”

“Nowhere in particular.”

“I know that look.”

She slapped his top and the sports shoes dropped out. Snatching them up she saw the price tag.

“Thieving now are we?”

“I only borrowed them.”

“Take them back before someone notices.”

“I will not.”

She marched into the corridor and said sharply, “Security override, lock.”

“He’ll never get out of there now. Now I need a security guard.”

She headed for the security pod and found Mike having a break.

“Mind if I disturb you?”

He saw the expensive shoes and raised an eyebrow.

“By the look of those Esmay, I’d say that Frazer has been up to no good.”

“Shoplifting of all things.”

The guard shook his head.

“First bullying and now this. What’s wrong with him?”

“Just bored I suppose.”

“After a hundred days in the cooler he’ll be bored to death then.”

“Is there not another way to deal with this Mike?”

“Only if the retailer decides not to press charges. Come with me then.”

As they entered the retail pod he whispered, “What kind of punishment would you suggest?”

Esmay thought quickly.

“How about unpaid work?”

The guard shook his head.

“Too young for that.”

“Garden duty then?”

“That would mean working in the pet pod,” Mike told her. “He could cope with that.”

“If he’s smart.”

They entered the shop and handed back the shoes to an astonished
assistant.

“We never even noticed that they had gone.”

Mike smiled at her.

“Do you want to press charges?”

As she thought it over, Esmay suggested the alternative.

“Garden duty you say. That sounds punishment enough for me.”

“Thanks for your understanding,” Mike said. “I just hope that he accepts.”

Frazer was sitting watching television when the door slid open.

Without looking round he said, “I see you are back then.”

“I brought someone to see you.”

He glanced back and his face fell.

“Oh it’s you Mike.”

The grim faced guard walked over.

“Theft is a crime son. You know the penalty.”

“I’m not being sent there mate.”

“Resisting arrest now?” Esmay asked.

“That would be even more serious,” Mike chipped in.

“She took them from me,” Frazer countered.

“That won’t wash sonny,” the guard said. “You do have one
alternative to the cooler.”

“Which is?”

“Garden duty my boy.”

Frazer grinned.

“You must be joking. I hate cats anyway.”

The guard glanced at the sister.

“Sorry love I’ll have to take him in.”

He grabbed the miscreant roughly and hauled him outside.

“Can’t we talk about this?”

“Already tried that mate.”

The youth struggled and Mike pulled out his blaster.

“Perhaps I should try this on you?”

Frazer froze.

“Now move ahead mate. Perhaps this will sort you out.”

He escorted the prisoner back to the security pod and into the holding section. As the cell door slid open, Mike pushed him inside.

“If I were you I‘d sit here and think.”

He walked off, returning to his duties as the youth kicked the door.

When the parents returned they were none too pleased by their son’s behaviour. The irate father arrived at the security pod as Mike was
about to knock off.

“You can visit him if you wish.”

“Look, is there no way to sort this lot out?”

“He was given an alternative and rejected it outright.”

“Do you know what his ambition is?”

Mike shook his head.

“To be a doctor.”

“We have a droid for that.”

“That’s what I told him but he has set his heart upon it.”

“You can see him now. If you want I’ll talk to the doc for you.”

The droid had just seen a patient when the guard walked in.

“Can I have a word?”

“Go ahead.”

Mike explained the situation.

“I do not need any assistant you know. He is far too young anyway.”

“Is there nothing here that he can do?”

“Tending the patients is out of the question. He might kill a few.”

The droid looked around the room and said quietly,” Perhaps he could clean the loos for those hundred days.”

Mike smiled back.

“You know doc. That might not be a bad idea.”

When the guard informed Frazer, he was none too pleased.

“Why can’t droids do that?”

“There are some jobs that we do better my lad. Take it or leave it.”

The kid thought it over carefully.

“Only for a hundred days you say?”

“That is the term of the sentence.”

“Go on son,” the father said. “It’s better than sitting in here.”

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

Mike was pleased by this show of common sense.

“Your father can take you there now. The quicker you start the
better.”

As they left, Mike issued a warning.

“Just you remember Frazer. If you abscond its two hundred days in
the cooler without reprieve.”

Mike turned to the desk officer.

“That had better sort him out.”

“I doubt it mate. That kind never change.”

Mike glanced at his watch.

“Time for my rest period. I’ll see you later.”

The guard found his way to E deck and was nearly at his door when a
terrifying scream rent the still air. He whirled around and ran to
the door from whence it came.

The door slid open and a badly burnt woman fell into his arms.