Chapter 38
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TIME:
1 WEEK LATER
LOCATION:
ZETA ZEPHARII
GARNET STATION
I.S.C.A GARNET STATION BRANCH
POV:
Lilith Runethari
I smiled at the surprisingly fearless receptionist who I believe served me last time. I think her name was Clare? Regardless, after asking if Temlic Garcia was available, without even giving my name I was led to an empty meeting room.
After waiting 2 minutes I finally heard an approaching pair of footsteps, one heavy with discipline another was light and almost hurried. I looked over just as the door opened and the stern faced Richard wearing a suit that clearly had a bulletproof vest under it. Then a moment later he was followed in by the person I wished to speak to who hurriedly walked to the couch in front of me.
Just as the door clicked shut I looked directly at Temlic only to briefly pause in confusion for a moment, only now noticing he was wearing a face mask. I quickly shoved the sneer off my face before it could form and went into the necessary pleasantries. I had some news for him and I would rather he be in a good state of mind for it.
"Hello Temlic it has only been a two and a half months but I'm glad to see your doing fine. I would ask how your doing Richard but I'm afraid I'm a little short on time, but don't worry about Aria she is doing just fine."
I watch as Richard slumps in relief; it seems he was awfully worried about our resident ward. Looking back towards Temlic I notice that he also seems rather relieved for some reason.
"I am glad to see you're in good health as well, Lilith, but I doubt you wish to keep going with this small talk, so what do you wish to speak with me about?"
I nod, "Yes, well you see I have made an order with the ISCA, and I thought I should let you know of the large fleet that will be heading here. You see I have made a rather large purchase for industrial equipment alongside the core of a new station, so I thought you'd like to know that my operations will be beginning soon."
I take a moment to look back towards Temlic only to see a face that looks oddly concerned. Though he seems to be trying to hide it he's failing thanks to his heart, among other things, like his face having a slightly sweaty sheen.
I tilt my head slightly not wanting to voice the question, "Ahem I think you picked a rather poor time Miss Runethari. This system has been dealing with a rise in crime lately. I was concerned that you may have not put much thought into security."
I feel my eyebrow twitch as I am once again reminded how far out in the middle of nowhere I am. I also can't believe crime has somehow gotten worse. I mean don't system governors hold a lot of power?! Like how difficult is it to just hire more security officers and get them trained, surely they have the facilities for that.
"You don't need to worry about the security of my shipment. I have made sure to hand over enough money for proper security. It also helps that the ISCA branch in Orenthia went through the efforts of allowing me to insure it. Now may I ask a question of my own?" I watch as Temlic nods his head with a resigned expression as if he already knew what I was about to ask. "How in whatever higher power is out there's name did the situation get this bad?! I have been gone for 2 fucking months, and you make it sound like there is a rather high chance that pirates will attack my shipment. Last time I checked there wasn't a suspicious vessel in the system and that was 4 months ago!"
Temlic was now firmly shoving his body deep into the couch with a look of growing fear on his face. Just then I heard the air cycler in the room turn on. I glance over to see Richard with a frustrated glare tapping repeatedly on some sort of wrist terminal.
"Well um you see this station has had a rather... unfortunate head of leadership. Mix that with 2 investigators quitting suddenly and now things have gotten bad. People are fearing the strange murders will return any day now. I am truly sorry for the state of things in this system. I have already sent complaints to the capital. We can only hope they send someone better to lead this system."
I stare at Temlic who seems to be rather annoyed himself though he was still rather anxious from my outburst. The situation seemed awful in this system, and my system might be even worse. I'll have to do some cleaning before I even think of beginning development. Though I hope I can convince the lot to just cause problems elsewhere, tungsten railgun flachettes aren't cheap.
"So, any other news from Orenthia or Amber Station I should know about? And please tell me it's good..."
I make a show of thinking almost smirking as he starts rubbing his head from what I imagine is a rather bad headache. But eventually I shrug and just shake my head but then I remember the major agreement I signed.
"Nothing negative but I did sign an agreement with the Orenth Family. We will be trading weapons soon once I start selling to the military in the next few months if all goes according to plan. If not I'll need some help, I have people after my ship and a court martial in Orenthia in 8ish months."
"YOU GOT COURT MARTIALED HOW?!" It seems I might have caused a few troublesome things as I make an act of wincing from Temlic's sudden shouting. "We had a situation where the Astro Dawn flew over uninhabited land without authorization and the Military is throwing a hissy fit. Honestly I was also hoping that I could ask if you can pull any strings. If you can I'll focus on getting the Crimson Progenitor MID on the market by 6 months; I'd rather hate to become an outlaw for crimes of necessity."
Temlic takes a deep calming breath which actually works to calm him down despite my nearby presence. Looking towards me with a stern stare—that honestly would do better on Richard's face than his—he asks for me to explain why I had the Astro Dawn fly unauthorized in the first place.
"Well I'd rather not have but it's not like I had a choice when 20 people were trying to kill me and 1 competent bodyguard. I won't go into anymore detail as it happened while on a job, but just know the support turned out to be vital. Regardless, now I have an army colonel and who knows how many more are trying to use this circus as a way to steal the Astro Dawn from me."
I take a deep frustrated breath but remember I have one other option though I'd prefer not to use it. This option would involve me not doing anything publically illegal, I should consult Mom on this before I leave the station. Hopefully I don't need to go that far, but I would rather be safe.
"Well Temlic do you think you can help pull some strings and get people off my back?"
I smile pleasantly as I watch him groan and bend over. Finally with a sigh he nods his head with clear reluctance.
"Thats grand, now how many people do I have to safely install the MID into for me to sell it?"
"Sigh I believe if you have enough simulation data that we can verify as accurate and truthful you can get it approved with only 100 individuals tested. It would, however, take months to actually get it approved for sale in Garnet station. I would like 200 of your new MIDs tested just to be certain and the simulation data in 3 months if you wish to keep your promise."
I force a smile while I stand up and quickly agree to have the MIDs and data in his hands in 60 days at most. He seems to want to ask questions but he ends up not asking a thing.
'Temlic this is the part I like the most about you, you know when it's not good to ask questions. If he keeps this up I might have more opportunities awaiting him. While I'm here I should also try and find anything about his family. He seemed to believe he was from an important family, but if so I wonder why he's all the way out here. Do you have any early guesses Mara?'
'I believe he was sent here to make a name for himself before eventually returning to his family either in a bodybag or with a fortune to his name.'
'That must be a rough family situation then if that's the case.'
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TIME:
30 MINUTES LATER
LOCATION:
ZETA ZEPHARII
GARNET STATION
ASTRO DAWN
I take a sip from my cup but can't fight the urge to let out a sigh. I had things I needed to discuss, but our resident former assassin now thrall Adalyn was trying to be as helpful as possible. She was still a possible risk, so Mother ordered that confidential matters like my race and the nature of the ship wouldn't be discussed near her.
It felt so tedious to pretend there wasn't anything special about the ship, even the unheard of and mythological AI that partly ran it. She knew there was an AI helping me, but she was not privy to how far that help went. Overall I think Mom is over reacting but she did try to kill me, so she'll have to endure the mistrust I give her.
"Adalyn, I need to discuss something with the AI. Please leave the room. I know you dislike being reminded repeatedly, but don't bother trying to eavesdrop; it's pointless."
With a flick of my hands a door opened where it leads I don't care to know, but Adalyn quickly rushes through it without saying a word. Liza was also thankfully elsewhere probably exercising in the simulation room, or cleaning some hallway.
"...Mom, I want to speak about our plans once we reach Beta Charon and what we will do about the court martialing. I'd rather get everything sorted out so we have a solid idea of what needs done. What are some suggestions you have for the first let's say 90 days."
"Thank you Lilith for asking for my opinion on these matters." I wave my hand again, shaking off the appreciation. I know I'm a bit reckless when it comes to things, so it's a good idea to hear from those with more patience and wisdom. "It's fine Mom, you already know I'm a bit reckless, so I just want to consult you, this will effect both of us going forwards after all."
"You are correct about your recklessness, but that is beyond the point of this discussion. Now what are the things you're willing to risk and what are your goals."
I take a moment to gauge my feelings and what I plan to do going forwards. I'm not going to limit myself with morals, but I'd rather keep myself from having a price on my head. I'm okay with being seen as suspicious, but being labeled a threat is different.
"I'm willing to risk everything on this ship and all my assets and I never cared for morality in regards to humans. I am not willing to risk either of our safety to a reasonable extent, I also want to keep the listening post a secret. I would prefer to at least outwardly appear to lie on the legal side of things even if only slightly, but behind the scenes anything goes."
I take a deep breath after finishing my small declaration to both Mom and myself. The room goes completely silent, only the faint buzz from the Holo-table across from me giving the impression of habitation to this room. For a time as Mom is probably simulating countless futures the process would likely take at least an hour. I sat patiently not leaving my seat once this was important, so I didn't mind the wait.
"Lilith what you suggest is possible, but it would require risking an extremely valuable asset. Are you certain you're willing to risk everything you have? This could become extremely troublesome in the future if the worst happens."
"Yes I am certain, and what is exactly this asset you're speaking about?"
"Aria Vrit."