Jaya was wandering down the streets of Serenity City where she always spent time looking in all the shops. Particularly when Tyran had other commitments and she was left on her own.
The street seemed rather quiet with only a handful of people wandering around. It didn't look much different than any other day, until she noticed a bookstore that hadn't been there a few days ago.
She saw the sign on the odd store with the blacked out windows. It said it was open 24/7 and yet on the door was a closed sign. This intrigued her, so she went to the door and pushed. It opened easily and she went inside.
Klaas was lying back in his chair flicking through a book about the Eugenics wars. He put it down hearing something at his door. Turning he saw a woman walk in. He threw the book aside and jumped to his fleet. "What!? How on earth did you find me? Are you a consumer, customer I mean, one of the two. Who are you? I though my door said closed?!"
She smirked. "Well, the large sign out front said you were open twentyfour-seven," she replied. "I thought I'd take a peek.
"What, oh alright then. I suppose you will want to buy books hey. Well I've only just set up so I'm not sure if you will find what you want first time. I think the far wall over there is history... and that case next to the door. Oh and this pile behind me. Well its sort of history, architecture and bird watching but you get the idea."
He gave a brief smiled before tidying the books of his desk. "Looking for anything in particular?"
"Actually, yes," she replied. "I would be looking for books on very ancient cultures. like the Feranaut or even from Earth. Like the Minoan culture or even Egypt."
He took a brief pause skimming through his mind. "Ancient civilizations. Well there's a whole pile behind you there, though there's quite a lot. Anything specific?"
She paused thinking. "There was this one book on Minoas," she said, "Though I can't seem to remember the title. It was written about the ruins on Santorini, probably written a long time ago."
"Santorini. You talking about Dr Walstrom's 2071 publication are you?"
"Yes!" she smiled, her green eyes growing bright. "That's the one!"
"No" He said quickly. "Let me guess you heard it was brilliant but you've tried everywhere and no one knows where to get it.
That book is gold dust, it has full accounts of the 2060's excavations before the storm wiped it away and there are only a few surviving copies. I have been trying to get it for years but you can't even get a computerised version, UFP doesn't have one to copy it from. One was bought by a Ferengi in exchange for his ship so he could put it on display. So no, sorry.
I have some more modern books somewhere round here though, not as good but far cheaper!"
She sighed. "Well, money wouldn't have been the object," she said running a hand through her auburn hair. "Ah well... anything else perhaps as interesting?"
He signed slightly flicking through the books on his desk. "Well if you do intend upon buying something, I do have a few original copies of 'The Last Raj' written by Marie Jones which talks about the final Raj of the Hindi empire before it was taken in by colonialism? Or perhaps This one talking about the source of the ancient Egyptian civilization being Atlantis. Tad old for reference but makes good reading."
She smiled. "I'll take them both," she replied. "I could use some good reading. I'll just consider this an early birthday present for myself," she laughed softly.
"Want them wrapped then?" He said smiling.
She laughed again. "No, that's okay," she replied. "But if you happen, by some miracle to get that book, let me know. Even if the chances are very small, there is always a chance it could happen. I believe in slim chances."
"There's a slim chance for a lot of things. So when's your birthday then?"
"Actually, it's August 27th," she replied. "Only days away."
"Oh, well if you don't by a book by then, happy birthday."
"Thank you," she smiled as she took the books. "I like this shop. I may be back again soon."
"Err, well don't feel obliged to spread the word. Well have a safe journey home and all."
She smiled and laughed softly. "All right," she replied. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Oh Klaas. Klaas Carmichael. And yours?"
"Jaya," she replied. "Jaya Bourne. It was nice meeting Klaas Carmichael." She smiled.
"Nice meeting you to Jaya. Do come again" He said smiling.
"Oh, I can guarantee it," she grinned as she left the store.
As the door closed Klaas sank into his chair. " 'Do come again'. What am I saying?! I need to paint over that 24/7 sign. Oh I'll do it tomorrow. Well Serenity might not be as peaceful as I wanted but it's certainly not bad."
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