by S. H. Jucha
“While the unloading at Haraken is in process, personnel can be changed with a minimal loss in production time,” Cordelia enthused. “It’s a most efficient use of resources.”
“I take it the contract with the Assembly was favorable to Omnia Ships?” Alex asked.
“Most favorable,” Julien acknowledged.
“So does Haraken or the Exchange own the Our People?”
“Neither, Alex,” Cordelia replied. “The directors proposed that the Assembly sell the Our People to the Exchange, but they were loath to agree to that. The only reason the Assembly representatives offered for their refusal was that they preferred not to sell a government asset to a bank. However, they had no problem selling the city-ship to you.”
“You mean they wanted to sell it to Omnia Ships,” Alex said.
“No, Ser, the Assembly sold it to you,” Julien replied.
Alex stared hard at Julien, and Cordelia hurried to defuse the confrontation evident on Alex’s face. “It was a good price, Alex,” she said. “You own a second city-ship for a mere credit.”
“And how many workers are aboard now?”
“The city-ship carries 2,131 workers, Alex,” Cordelia replied.
“Let me see if I understand this deal properly,” Alex replied. “The Exchange is underwriting the cost of this venture with a loan to the Assembly, which I imagine is substantial. Furthermore, the Exchange, and consequently the directors, will reap rewards from its share of the traveler sales, as part and parcel of our agreement. Meanwhile, I’ll be stuck with an aging city-ship, which is in desperate need of a refit, and a captain and crew I know nothing about.”
Alex waited for a reply, but apparently the SADEs were either anticipating a specific question from him or thought it better to say nothing, at this point. Alex set down his empty cup and stared at the SADEs. “No, thanks,” he said tersely.
“Oh, dear,” Miranda said softly, “I imagine none of you anticipated that response.”
“Could you amplify that statement, Alex?” Cordelia asked cautiously.
“No, thanks,” Alex repeated. “I don’t like the deal.”
“And, yet, I didn’t authorize this agreement,” Alex replied. “I requested a comm be sent to the Haraken-based Exchange directors, authorizing them to negotiate a deal on behalf of Omnia Ships for a share of the sale price of completed travelers based on our delivery of completed frames and shells. I authorized nothing more.”
“That was the starting point, Alex,” Julien replied, reviewing again the lengthy negotiations among all parties on Haraken. “However, it quickly escalated from there. The directors believed they were operating in your best interest.”
“I think the directors were operating in the Exchange’s best interest,” Alex replied. Then he added, “Don’t you think so?” He carefully looked Julien, Cordelia, and Z in the eye.
“And on another point,” Alex continued, “I didn’t agree to buy a second city-ship, which is another reason I choose not to approve this agreement. Captain Cordelia, it looks like you need to comm the Our People’s captain and tell him or her to sail home.”
Julien was bombarded with queries from the three other directors, but he cautioned them to wait. Quietly he said, “Would amendments to the original arrangement with the Exchange entice your participation, Alex?”
“Possibly,” Alex agreed, and leaned back in the chair to wait.
Alex caught Miranda’s smile and the twist of her hips, displaying a shapely leg through the slit in her emerald-green dress, and could guess what probably gave rise to the anticipatory display.
“Would you like to begin?” Julien asked.
Alex could see the opening of a critical poker hand, and he wasn’t about to lead the betting.
When the silence stretched out, Cordelia volunteered a place to start, “It would appear that the condition of the Our People is a sticking point. Should a refit be part of this negotiation, Alex?”
“Yes, it should be,” Alex agreed.
“What if the Exchange were to extend a loan to you to secure the refit?” Cordelia offered. “Each time the Our People returned to Haraken, supplies could be taken onboard, and, when it returned to Omnia, the Daelon Independents could work on reconditioning the ship. It might take several trips to accomplish the process, but you would have your refit.”
“We could offer the loan long-term and at a modest interest rate,” Z added.
“Not interested in acquiring the debt,” Alex replied. “I think our positions are too far apart to make this work. It’s probably best to return the city-ship and cancel the agreement.”
“We have a conundrum, Alex,” Julien said. “With only four directors present in system, we haven’t the authority to change the terms of the Exchange’s agreement with you for the Freedom or the one between Omnia Ships and the Assembly, concerning the Our People.”
“And there I absolutely disagree with you, Julien,” Alex replied, his tone shifting toward his old command voice. “First, I submit that the agreement between Omnia Ships and the Assembly isn’t in force until I approve it. Second, how did the four Exchange directors on Haraken negotiate a different agreement than the one requested without the approval of a majority of the directors? As you said, Julien, the other four of you are here.”
In one of those rare moments, time ticked past without communication among the SADEs.
Z sent.
Miranda sent,
Alex observed the SADEs enter near-fugue states. With their sophisticated display algorithms, it had been years since he had seen that degree of catatonic appearance, which indicated they were in deep communication and giving no priority to their appearance applications. Obviously, I made my point, Alex thought. He believed the SADEs, who sat in front of him, would understand the root of his displeasure, and he was betting Rosette would be sympathetic too.
“We have reached a consensus on a new course of action, Alex,” Julien said, when the SADEs returned their focus to the room. “If you would allow the agreement between the Assembly and Omnia Ships to stand, which we believe is quite favorable to you, we’re prepared to offer you an auxiliary agreement.”
“I’m listening,” Alex said cautiously.
“The four Exchange directors here at Omnia will form a new entity to be called the Bank of Omnia,” Julien said.
“Not good enough,” Alex replied.
“We would welcome your input on this matter, Alex,” Julien said earnestly.
“I like your idea of the new bank,” Alex replied, “But I have some conditions for its formation. First, you’ll require a fifth director,” Alex said, glancing toward Miranda.
“Agreed,” Cordelia replied, receiving the approval of the others.
“Oh, you lovely man,” Miranda gushed, and she squeezed Z’s hand.
“Second, you transfer your collective wealth and all future income into accounts within the Bank of Omnia,” Alex continued.
“Agreed,” Z replied on approval.
“Third, Bank of Omnia pays for the refit of the Our People,” Alex said. “I presume your combined wealth can cover the expenses.”
“Not as it stands, Rosette, but I’ll get to that,” Alex replied verbally, knowing she was monitoring the conversation via Julien.
“Fourth, the Independents need a stipend, something similar to that being received by the Confederation SADEs.”
“For how long?” Z asked.
“Four years,” Alex replied.
“Two,” Z returned.
“Three,” Alex said, and folded his arms.
“Done,” Julien agreed. “Now, how do you expect our struggling new bank to pay for these lavish expenditures on your behalf, Alex?”
“With your increased share of Omnia Ships,” Alex replied, smiling.
“Which would be …” Cordelia asked, leaving the question dangling.
“You’re already getting a share of the profits via the Exchange agreement with me. I find there’s no reason to go overboard on this point. Let’s say 3 percent.”
“Let’s say 6,” Z shot back.
“I could consider 4 percent,” Alex replied.
“We believe 5 percent would be better,” Cordelia chimed in.
Alex shook his head in the negative, and Julien said, “Perhaps 4.5 percent would be an amicable meeting point.”
“Done,” Alex agreed.
“So, the agreement with Omnia Ships can stand?” Cordelia asked.
“Too early to tell yet,” Alex said simply, and got up to make himself another cup of thé.
Alex settled back into his chair, holding his fresh cup in both hands. “I think it would set a wonderful example for all involved, if there were a major infusion of accounts into the new bank — your accounts, my personal account, the Confederation SADEs, the Daelon Independents with their new stipends, and, of course, Omnia Ships.”
“Now wouldn’t that ruffle some kernels?” Miranda suggested, her smile adding to the enticing display she could create.
“Is that what you wish to accomplish, Alex?” Cordelia asked, closely examining Alex’s face. When he merely shrugged, she sent to the others,
“We can agree to the transfer of those accounts, which we control, and would be pleased to add both your personal and company accounts to the new bank,” Julien said. “The Daelon Independents and your people would undoubtedly follow your lead, Alex. However, we can only offer the Confederation SADEs the opportunity. It would be their choice.”
Alex smiled broadly at the foursome and pinged Trixie.
“Quite the fan,” Miranda commented.
“Have you ever examined Trixie’s background?” Alex asked. “Her ID is actually Lenora.”
Miranda accessed the ship’s controller and scanned the SADE’s history in ticks of time. “That was an incredibly lonely existence,” Miranda commented.
“We can isolate ourselves in many ways, Miranda, physically, emotionally, or merely by not listening to one another. We must persevere every day to prevent that from happening to any one of us.”
“Now can the agreement stand?” Z asked.
“We’re almost there,” Alex replied. “Who captains the Our People, and to whom do they owe their allegiance?”
“The acting captain is Hector,” Cordelia replied.
“This story gets stranger and stranger,” Alex grumped, but a twinkle in his eye said he felt otherwise.
“And what of his SIF directorship?” Alex asked.
“Hector resigned his position and was waiting on Haraken for transport here. Apparently, he wished to work for you, Alex,” Julien said, one eyebrow rising to emphasize the absurdity of the point.
“You’re telling me that Hector gave up a SIF director’s pay to earn a stipend working for me?” asked Alex, doubt displayed on his knitted forehead. “So, who wants to tell me the real reason Hector’s here?”
“It seems Hector and Trixie struck up an acquaintance, while on their trip from Méridien to Haraken,” Miranda said. “I believe he’s come here for her. Romantic, isn’t it?”
Alex couldn’t resist grinning, hearing Miranda speak of the romantic gesture of one SADE for another. He knew most humans would find it hard to believe. Those close to him knew it to be possible. Love, for lack of a better term, can be shared in many ways, Alex thought.
&nb
sp; “I’ll speak to Hector myself,” Alex said.
“I’m afraid to ask again,” Z said, anticipating another delay.
“If the conditions I’ve laid down are met by the directors of the Bank of Omnia, then the agreement negotiated on Haraken can stand,” Alex replied.
Rosette sent privately.
“A contract between us is not necessary, Alex,” Julien said sincerely. “It never was, and it never will be in the future.”
“Agreed,” Alex replied.
* * *
Jodlyne slipped off her wrap and climbed in bed next to Edmas, enjoying the feel of his body against hers. She stretched one leg over his, seeking to draw his attention to her and preventing him from falling asleep, until she shared some important news with him.
“Did you hear about the deal the SADEs struck with the Assembly?” Jodlyne asked.
“Mickey mentioned something about it, but I was buried in my work, attempting to design your concept, which, by the way, was brilliant. A double-membrane sleeve that can slide on and off a traveler frame will deliver a shell coating so much faster and cleaner than anything Mickey and I proposed.”
