Chewing Rocks

by Alan Black

  ‘This’ was a claim marker beacon.

  Lee continued, “What next, Ortiz? You’re the mastermind who picked this particular corner of the solar system to hunt rocks. You said that no one would have ever been out here. Now we have wasted all of this time and we have nothing.”

  Ortiz said, “Well, we just look around at some of these other asteroids. This is the only one showing a beacon. The others are free for the taking.”

  Lee snorted, “Yeah, but you and Doc said we want this one. It’s got the best alberto, right?”

  Doc replied, “Albeito. And yes, it is the best in this cluster.”

  Lee said, “Then let’s take it anyway. Who is to know? It’s not like anyone out here is going to call the cops, right? So who is with me?”

  Doc said, “No. I don’t think so. Look, gentlemen. That is a Whyte Mining Corporation beacon. We are contracted with them right? So let’s not start off by biting the hand that feeds us.”

  Lee said, “Okay, so it is Whyte. I don’t care. I’ll bet these guy’s just go around slapping beacons on every valuable piece of rock out here, just to keep independent miners from getting any good pay dirt.”

  Doc answered, “No. It doesn’t work that way. The beacon will only hold for a year and then it shuts down. This one has been broadcasting for only a few months.”

  “I know that, Doc. So does Oritz and Steadham, and even Joey. But they aren’t supposed to drop a beacon without at least starting some mining operations. I don’t see anything, do you?”

  Oritz answered from the Nod, “Yes, I do. Near the beacon are four netting pitons clamped into the surface. It’s not just the beacon. There isn’t much work done here, but enough to hold up in claims court on Ceres or Io. Look, this may be the most promising asteroid in this cluster, but if my sensor readings are right, there are enough good asteroids in this small cluster to make us a tidy profit.”

  “Come off it, Ortiz. If I wanted a tidy profit I would have stayed home in Kansas City and sold barbeque ribs at the ball stadium. And what cluster? There isn’t another asteroid within a thousand kilometers of here.”

  Doc said, “Lee, actually the next closest asteroid is about ten thousand kilometers. How close did you think these things are packed together? In terms of space, anything within ten thousand kilometers is practically on top of each other. We will just have to chart a course to the next closest rock.”

  Chapter 6.1

  Evelyn Queene looked up from her ledgers as Wallace slid into the room.

  “Well?” She asked.

  “It was almost a bust,” he replied. “The young lady in question has already undocked and headed for parts unknown.”

  “She is already gone? Wait, you said ‘almost’.

  “Yes, Miss Queene, almost,” Wallace replied. “It seems she was attacked by some toughs in a bar fight. Miss Whyte must have felt it prudent to skip town before being questioned by the authorities.”

  “Did you have time to get our little task accomplished?”

  “Yes, Miss Queene,” Wallace answered. “It was touch and go as to whether it would get done it time. The fortunate side effect of Miss Whyte’s rapid departure is that neither she nor her father had time to do any checks that might bring any, shall we say, imperfections to light. But, with the bar fight and all, it was close.”

  “Do we know who attacked her? Was she badly hurt? We don’t want any suspicion coming back on us at this point.”

  Wallace nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, Miss Queene. It would be the wrong time to be scrutinized publicly. There were four men who attacked Miss Whyte. She was uninjured, it seems.”

  “Four?”

  “Yes, Miss Queene, there were four. Unfortunately all four men work for you. Most unfortunate also is the sheriff is in the lobby even now waiting to speak to you about the incident. Fortunate or not, three of the four are in the hospital, minor injuries from what I gather. They shouldn’t require more than a few hours in a medbox.”

  Queene thought for a moment and then said, “Wallace, here is what we do.” After she outlined her plans she nodded more to herself than Wallace, “I think that will cover things, don’t you, Wallace? Our young Miss Whyte should be in quite a pickle. With her out of the way, we can pick up Whyte Mining for less than a song, maybe just a chorus or two.”

  Wallace did not answer. He knew this was one of those comments not directed at him.

  Queene said, “First things first. Let’s get the sheriff in here. Since the man is more media hound than law enforcement official this should be easy enough.” She pressed the comm button and asked that the man be escorted to her office.

  She stood to straighten her skirt and check her makeup. A quick twist of her bracelet brought a subtle change in the rooms lighting. A halo shimmered around her. Her makeup and clothes took on a delicate glow as the sensitive agents reacted to the change in light.

  Wallace retreated to a small corner chair. He all but disappeared in the shadows. His clothing blended into the colors of his chair as well as the surrounding wallpaper.

  Queene took a quick peak in a mirror. She shook her head, bringing every hair into submission. The cosmological enhancements in her hair cost more than most people could earn in a month, but she knew it was worth it to never have another bad hair day.

  She smiled, “Looking good. Not quite like a street whore, but I think the sheriff should get the hint. It doesn’t hurt to have the man thinking with his pecker. Right, Wallace?”

  She stepped from behind the desk just as the door opened. The sheriff seemed to swagger into the room. Her outstretched hand grabbed his in a business-like handshake, but she did not release her grip. She pulled the man into the room. Grabbing his elbow with her free hand, she steered him to one of the sofas in the office. Without releasing his hand, she seated him so close they could have been joined hip and thigh.

  “I am so glad we finally get to meet,” she gushed. “I have heard so much about you, even before coming to Ceres.” She slid the hand gripping his elbow up his arm until it rested gently against his bicep.

  “Yeah, I guess I should have been around sooner, but you know…business and all.”

  She smiled, showing her teeth with a lilting laugh. “Of course, all of the media says you are the toughest sheriff in the solar system.”

  The man seemed to regain his composure at the phrase. “It is not just the media, young lady. It’s not a brag, it’s just a fact.”

  Queene seemed to sag against him just a bit, giving his arm a slight squeeze. She was still holding his other hand, so she squeezed that for good measure. “And you’re also the most eligible bachelor outside of the Mar’s orbit. The media doesn’t say that, but I do hear it from all of the girls.”

  The man lost his composure again as quickly as it returned. He stuttered, “Well, um, don’t know about that.”

  “Pish. No false modesty here, Sheriff. Or can I call you Bob? You must call me Evelyn. Please?”

  “Of course…Evelyn…”

  Queene continued before the man could complete his thought. “Bob, it is too bad this isn’t a social call, maybe we can plan on something later when you are not so busy. See, I know you are here on business, right?”

  “Um…”

  “Of course you are here on business. I have heard of the nastiness at that bar. What is it called?”

  “Mario’s…um, Evelyn.”

  “Mario’s. Yes, that is what I heard.” At the word ‘yes’ she squeezed his arm. She continued, “I am so sorry we (squeeze) had some of our hired help involved in such a ruckus. Please let me (squeeze) assure you (squeeze) that we (squeeze) at Queene Mining abhor, simply abhor, such behavior. Our little family (squeeze) doesn’t tolerate such behavior.”

  The sheriff started to blush slightly as his pants began to bulge.

  Queene spoke before he could get his thoughts in order. “I really hope I can lean on you (squeeze and lean) for some advice.”

  “Yes, of course, Evelyn. What ever
I can do, you just ask.” The sheriff’s voice had dropped in tone and had taken on a damp timber.

  “Thank you, Bob. (squeeze, lean and a pouty smile) I have sent word that I want the four Queene Mines miscreants sent to my office as soon as they are released from the hospital. My hope (squeeze) is that their work contracts allow us (squeeze) to just terminate their employment and put them on the next earthbound shuttle. I (squeeze) hope that will satisfy you (double squeeze) and close out this whole upsetting matter.”

  “Actually, Evelyn, there hasn’t been any formal complaint by anyone. There has not been a complaint by Mario, nor even by your employees. So, I don’t have anything I can do against anyone at this point.”

  Queene’s face registered true surprise, “Really, Bob? No one complained? How surprising! How can that be?”

  “Well, that was one of the purposes of my visit. Your workers are paying for all damages at Mario’s, even though it seems like they didn’t throw the first punch. None of the other Mario’s patrons thought it was any more than cheap entertainment.”

  Queene leaned back slightly and dropped her hand from his bicep into her lap. “Bob, that doesn’t sound right, does it? That was such a public disturbance and no consequences for anyone?” She slid her hand out of his and dropped it in her lap to fold her hands together primly.

  “Well, Evelyn, your workers have already declined to sign a complaint against Miss Whyte, so I can’t even go after her. I don’t like this anymore than you do.” The sheriff tried to put his hand on top of her clasped hands, but she shifted slightly causing him to miss her hands. His hand dropped on her thigh.

  “Bob, you are the expert here. I am sure you are tougher on such miscreants that I ever could be. What do you think I should do? How can I fire these animals if no one thinks they did anything wrong?”

  “Evelyn, don’t get me wrong. I am going to do my best to see no one gets out of this without hearing from me. I think it would be a good thing to get your four men off Ceres. They caused trouble once and I am sure they will do it again. They got roughed up pretty bad by Miss Whyte and men like that will feel like they have something to prove the next time around. I don’t want anyone to get seriously hurt.”

  Queene put her hand on top of his hand resting lightly on her thigh. With a quick squeeze of her hand she said, “Bob, if you think that is what I should do, then I will get rid of all four of them. Thank you for explaining it to me so clearly. I am sure Miss Whyte regrets what happened as well.”

  “No, I am not so sure about that. This isn’t her first public brawl.”

  “That poor girl has been growing up without a mother and all. I don’t know how Willem does it, being a single parent. Maybe Vittie will be a good influence on her. I wish there was some way I could help that poor girl. I feel so helpless.”

  “It is not your problem, Evelyn. You are too gentle and nice to have to deal with her sort. I am not the toughest sheriff in the solar system for nothing. I will take care of her as soon as she gets back.”

  “Now Bob, she needs help, not locked up in that chain link fence open air jail you have set up in the central park.”

  “Help? There is not much help for her on Ceres. Maybe if we were on Earth…”

  “How insightful, Bob! Earth has many anger management counseling places where she could be sent. How can we have a civilized social life if such things go on! But, how could you manage to send Miss Whyte to Earth if no one has signed a complaint?”

  “You leave that to me, Evelyn. I have my ways.”

  “Yes, Bob, (squeeze) if you think that is best.” She smiled at the sheriff. “I know you are busy, but I need just one more bit of advice…” (squeeze).

  “You just tell me what you need.”

  “Bob, my business advisors have suggested we issue a press release apologizing for anything Queene Mines may have done, and stating we are going to cooperate with you (squeeze) in everything. I will have them text you a copy so you can see if we word it right, if that is okay?” Without waiting for a response, Queene stood up, took the sheriff’s hand, tugged him gently off the sofa and guided him toward the door.

  She said, “And Bob, please call me after this nasty bar fight business is behind us so we can meet on a more social basis. With a final squeeze of his hand she ushered him out of the room and shut the door before he even knew he had been dismissed.

  “Well, that went better than I expected. He seems to be a media hound and a horn dog all at the same time. How do you think it went, Wallace?

  “It was very slut-like, Miss Queene.”

  “True, it was slut-like but effective. Now, let’s put together a press release that might throw some accelerant on the heat source.”

  Chapter 7.0

  Vittie called out across the office, “Willem, did you see that press release from Queene Mines?”

  “Yes, I did. Queene Mines deplores public brawling. They are cooperating with Sheriff Bob. They won’t tolerate that type of behavior from their employees. What about it? It all sounds right to me.”

  Vittie gave a rather unladylike snort. “You are too nice and trusting for your own good. It says right here they are planning on employee censure for their lumpers who were involved. Any censure might include termination of employment and immediate transport off Ceres.”

  “Okay, again, what about it?”

  “Darling, it also says we can’t both have a decent society and tolerate this type of behavior. Between the lines she is saying that what is good for the goose is good for the gander; what is good for the stallion is good for mare; what is good for the dog is good for the bitch. She is saying that if she kicks her goons off Ceres then the same thing should be done to Sno.”

  “You keep saying ‘she’. I am sure Evelyn didn’t write this herself. Some backroom administrative hack put this together. She probably didn’t even see it.”

  Vittie shook her head. “I don’t like it. It reads like the first salvo in a set up to get rid of Sno. I don’t know if I trust Miss Queene anymore.”

  Willem smiled. “Sno would like that mistrust in you. It is a good spacer attitude. Paranoia is a good thing in space where trust can get you killed a hundred different ways. Besides, you’re not really paranoid if they really are after you. But, since Evelyn is on her way over here, be nice to her. Let’s not mention the press release and see what she has to say.”

  Vittie smiled, “Okay. You are the boss.”

  Willem laughed, “Yeah, and a darned good one too. Sno was calling me King Willem just before she left. Maybe you should think about that.”

  Vittie laughed, “Yes, your Majesty. I am sure your little chamber maid will be glad to discuss this with you later tonight.”

  “Maybe twice later if you grovel properly, wench.”

  Before Vittie could answer, the door swung wide and Wallace held it open allowing Queene to sweep into the office. The whole effect was only slightly marred as Queene stumbled slightly as she crossed the threshold moving from the city street’s standard ten percent gravity streets into the fifty percent gravity currently set on the grav-stat by the Whyte Mining office.

  She flowed around the counter, slid up to Willem and flung her arms around him. “Willem,” she turned and beamed across the room, “and Vittie, I am so sorry about all that is going on. I do pray your daughter is okay.”

  Willem said, “Sno is fine. She took the Sedona outbound a couple hours ago.”

  Queene replied, “I can’t imagine being confronted by four drunken brawlers like she did and coming out okay. I would have been so frightened.”

  Willem laughed, “Sno doesn’t really frighten all that easily. I haven’t been able to scare her since she was four.”

  Queene looked at Willem and Vittie, “I am so sorry. I am here to formally apologize on behalf of Queene Mines and myself.”

  Willem shook his head, “No reason for you to apologize.”

  “No, no, no, my company brought those evil men here. I should have fired
them sooner. Poor Miss Whyte could have been hurt. Then there was that dreadful press release coming from my office. Why, I just don’t know what to say!”

  “Please don’t fret yourself, Evelyn. Sno is fine. She went back to work without missing a beat. I understand Mario’s didn’t take more damage than it does on any payday night. The only ones hurt were your lumpers. Heck, from what I saw on the vid floating out on the net, they didn’t even throw the first punch.”

  Queene said, “And don’t you think I won’t be dealing with them as soon as I can get them into my office.” She hesitated for a moment and continued, “What video?”

  Vittie, recognizing the genuine confusion on Queene’s face said, “I know how you feel. I felt the same way myself once. I found it surprising coming from Earth, but people here record and take pictures of almost everything and post them on the local net before you could say ‘Tweedledum’.”

  Queene frowned, “But, what about an individual’s right to privacy?”

  Vittie continued, “Earth privacy laws aren’t enforced here. It seems almost everything gets recorded by someone, most of the time from multiple someones, so you get multiple viewpoints of the action. Everything can be downloaded and broadcast on the city’s open net.”

  Willem shook his head, “Earth laws don’t make sense. Why should I expect privacy when I am in public? So what if someone takes a video of something I do in public? The rule of thumb is that if you don’t want to be embarrassed, then don’t do anything embarrassing.”

  Queene looked surprised. “I hadn’t realized that. I mean, we record everything in the office, but that is for safety reasons and for employee training purposes. But, back home such a video would be frowned upon, it might even be cause for litigation.”

  Vittie smiled, “Good thing we aren’t on Earth anymore.”

  Queene gave a genuine laugh, “If we were still on Earth, I wouldn’t have stumbled coming in because gravity is the same on both sides of every door.”