**Author's Note: I had some trouble choosing a category for this story as it could fit in several. In the end I felt Mind-control was the most appropriate although as many mind-control stories are this could easily be non-consent. By the title you can tell it would also qualify for science fiction and as most of my stories do this could be anal as well. That said, I hope you enjoy. Special thanks to jen_litgirl for taking the time to proof-read and edit this story.**
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What kind of society was it when bribed officials didn't stay bought?
That was the thought in Captain Michael Anderson's mind as he was being intercepted by the local authorities' cruiser.
Captain Anderson was a freighter captain/smuggler and he had been doing cargo runs for well over a decade, having inherited the ship from his former owner/uncle. His uncle had made him a virtual slave on board this ship ever since acquiring him from his parents. One night Michael had enough and there had been a decompression 'accident' in his uncle's bedroom.
Captain Anderson was a firm believer in honesty despite his smuggling or perhaps in consideration of that, if someone was paid-off they were supposed to stay paid-off. This delay would be an annoyance and if it took too long then it was a business cost he didn't much care for. The question was whether the Captain of the cruiser he had bribed had been stupid and had been caught with their hand in the 'cookie jar', had a guilty conscious, or was greedy and wanted an additional pay-off? Which ever of the three would be answered quickly, as he was already being hailed.
"What can I do for you Captain?" Captain Anderson asked noting that the captain was Captain Williamson so Captain Anderson quickly discounted both of the first two options so it was greed motivated.
"Captain, this is a random inspection. You will need to prepare your vessel for boarding."
"Captain, I have no trouble complying but considerable portions of my cargo are 'no eyes' classification per the purchasing specs of my customers. I cannot have people just poking through cargo which may endanger my customers' proprietary rights."
"Your position is understood Captain but this is a mandatory inspection."
"May I request top security clearance officers for inspecting specific holds then?"
"You have that right Captain. I will come aboard myself. Prepare for boarding."
The screen returned to displaying the star field and the cruiser in front of his ship and Michael grumbled to himself.
God damn greedy bitch! The fact that she was coming over instead of one of her other officers sealed it that she was just looking for more money, how much more remained to be seen.
Michael greeted his 'guests' at the entry hatch after their shuttle had docked.
"Here is a ship's schematic, and the highlighted holds are the secured ones, anywhere else you are free to inspect." Captain Anderson said as he handed over a handheld to one of the crew not the Captain. "And if you will come with me Captain I will show you to the secure holds."
Captain Anderson led Captain Williamson to the rear cargo holds, then reaching the security panel he entered his code, the door opened and the two of them stepped through, with the door closing and securing behind them.
"I thought we had a deal Captain." Captain Anderson states quietly.
"I am changing it." Captain Williamson says with a smile.
Captain Williamson was young for a Captain but that was because she was from one of the most powerful families in the galaxy. She kept her red hair braided back and her green eyes sparkled with a combination of greed and power. Her body was perfectly sculpted but that was expected from a member of the families they were all genetically crafted to perfection.
"The point of a deal is that it doesn't change once it has been agreed upon." Captain Anderson says.
"I am changing it, and you should just pray I don't feel I should change it further than I currently plan."
"What is your proposed change?"
"You are going to need to pay me triple what you've already paid."
"On what grounds?"
"After our agreement I did a bit more research and found you can easily afford to pay twice the bribe you offered me, and as punishment I am increasing the amount necessary to pass through enough so you keep in mind that when you are dealing with me you are better off being upfront with me."
"So it is my responsibility to be sure you don't feel cheated by a bribe?"
"Careful with your tone, I have a full division of Marines at my immediate disposal. There would be no questions if something happened to either you or your ship."
"Yes, but those Marines are not here are they?" Michael said with a slow smile.
"Are you threatening me?" Captain Williamson asked with a disbelieving laugh. "Besides the fact that you are puny even for a non-engineered human and I am fully trained for hand-to-hand combat, I'm armed. You are not."
"But you are on my ship, in my cargo hold. Your weapon is useless here."
The captain pulled her sidearm and squeezed the trigger to find that the battery was entirely discharged. "What the fuck?"
"Nano-bots, my ship's security system, sort-of-speak. Disables any weapons brought onboard. And don't bother trying to call for help as your communicator is useless as well."
"I'll kill you with my hands then. You should have paid the price." Captain Williamson said with a cruel smile as she took a step towards Captain Anderson.
"Nano-control, Stand." Michael says without changing his expression.
Captain Williamson stopped mid-stride and came to stand at attention, her eyes opening wide in shock.
"No, you should have remained happy with the original deal."
"What's going on here?"