FINANCIAL FREEDOM
A Tech Infantry Novella
by
Edward Stasheff & Marcus Johnston
Copyright © 2011

 

Chapter 10: Business Affair

(click here for galactic map)

 

"…unconfirmed reports of a battle between the Republican Navy and the Imperial Fleet in the contested Wolf system.  K'Nes convoys in the Terran Republic are advised to detour through the commercial hyperspace lanes in the Wilke's Star Free State instead…"

Heth purred happily to himself, absently listening to Durmach Media's Evening Market Report in the background as he put the finishing touches on the meal for his "working dinner" with Miu.  She would arrive any moment at his suite (in the most lavish hotel he could afford, of course), and he was equal parts anxious and excited.

"…and on to our top story: The Ministry of Public Safety has merged back with the Earth Federation."

Heth froze for a moment in shock; raw fish tumbled from his claws.  Then he sped out of the suite's kitchenette to stare at the newscast holoprojection in the main room, horrified and fascinated.

"Fresh from victory in the Kalintos system, Federation Chairman Joseph Smythe announced today that he and Chief Minister Aisha Ramirez have signed a reunification treaty, bringing the Ministry systems back into the Earth Federation."

…meaning the  Federation's resources just tripled, Heth thought.   Oh, this is bad for us.  Very bad.

The holoproj display switched to a slim, unremarkable ape in an Earth Fleet Admiral's uniform standing before a podium; clearly a press briefing.  "I'm pleased to report," the Chairman began, "that Chief Minister Ramirez and I have peacefully resolved the differences between our respective nations.  Although I will retain the Chairmanship, former Ministry military and government officials will maintain a full fifty percent representation on the reconstituted Grand Council once the Senate is restored on New Madrid.  Together, a unified Federation can turn our full attention to our true mutual enemy, the so-called 'Holy Terran Empire.' "

Heth thought about Varrless's policies towards the Empire and its enemies.  If we go that route, we'll lose trade and peace with the former Ministry systems, he thought.  That will be hard sell to the Executive Board…

The holoproj switched back to the fluffy K'Nes announcer.  "Curiously, Chief Minister Aisha Ramirez could not be reached for comment, a move many have considered unusual.  Diplomatic experts speculate she may be preoccupied with the pro-Imperial revolt in the former Ministry system of New Tokyo."

"Trading will be fast and furious in the markets tomorrow.  Fear sells."

Heth jumped and almost yowled in surprise.  He spun around in midair to find Miu floating silently behind him.

"Miu!"  Caught off guard, Heth was reduced to incoherent stammering.  "But… I, uh… how…?"

"I let myself in," Miu explained, casting Heth a disapproving glance.  "I don't care how good the hotel security is, Heth, you should always lock your windows."  She looked back at the holo display, tail swishing pensively, and Heth saw on her face the same anxiety he felt.  "Well… this changes everything for the K'Nes, doesn't it?" she asked.

"Yes… I'm afraid it does," Heth agreed, trying to recover his lost cool.  "Until now, what's left of the Federation has been a concern, certainly… but only a distant threat."  He tried hard to sound causal.  "They had only half a dozen systems left—and they were half the galaxy away."

"Because the Ministry of Public Safety was between us and them," Miu agreed.  "And the Ministry had no fleet to speak of."

"Oh, some troop transports and patrol corvettes, I'm sure," Heth clarified.  "But invading us with a fleet like was cost-ineffective for the Ministry, given the orbital defense platforms our star systems 'inherited' when the humans withdrew after the Occupation."  He shrugged.  "Besides, we had a non-aggression contract with the Ministry."

"But now that they've reunified… the Federation is on our doorstep."

"Right across the border."  Heth nodded somberly.  "With the biggest fleet in the galaxy."

The news anchor continued.  "Durmach Media will bring you updates on the Fed-Ministry merger as they develop.  Meanwhile, on to sports news!"

"Ooh!  Fedball scores!"  Heth's eyes lit up at the welcome distraction.

"The Rios Cyborgs tied up with the Purrfang Cats at eight points each in the mid-season playoffs."

"Well, at least we didn't lose to the apes again," Heth sighed.  "That's something, I suppose."

"Off!" Miu growled, and the holoprojection winked out.  She turned to Heth.  "Watch the sports holocast on your own time, Miao.  I'm here for a follow-up meeting for the Impossibarium deal—or at least, I thought I was!"  She flicked her tail toward the low candlelit table spread with dishes and cutlery.  She narrowed her eyes at him.  "What are your intentions, Heth?  Business or pleasure?"

"Come now, Miu, you know I don't have time for pleasure," Heth answered, floating back to the kitchenette.  "So I prefer to mix it with my business.  Negotiations are more successful with a bribe… not to mention a full stomach."

"Good," Miu nodded, reassured.  "Because I'm not in the mood for another clumsy seduction attempt."

Heth stuck his head out of the kitchenette.  "Seduction?  Who said anything about that?"

"I, uh…"  Miu blinked at him, looking embarrassed.  "No one.  I just assumed… never mind, forget it."

That was odd.  Heth stared at her for a moment, puzzled, then moved on.  "My, my, you are in a dark mood, my dear.  Another rough day in the office, I presume?"

"Something like that," Miu admitted grudgingly.  "Not to mention a tough—and fruitless—negotiation with Varrless K'Pirr."

"Yes, I just had one of those myself.  We both seem to be on Purrfang for the same reason," Heth observed, opening a refrigerator.  "But money must be involved for you to be this bristly," Heth said, joining her at the table with two small bowls and a cold bottle of cream.  "MIRADI must be having more financial problems.  Dreadfully sorry to hear that, truly I am."  He poured her a bowl of cream.  "But for now, have a drink and relax."

Miu raised the bowl to her chin and took a few experimental laps.  It was thick and tangy.  "Buttermilk!  Why, Heth… you're not planning to get me drunk and take advantage of me, are you?"

"No, not really."  Heth shook his head.  "Not worth the risk, my dear.  Legal liability is far too great."

Miu's eyes widened.  For an instant, she looked offended, maybe even a little hurt.

Heth backpedaled.  "Of course," he purred, "if you signed a consent form, I wouldn't object to—"

"Ha!  You couldn't afford it, Miao," Miu scoffed.  She slinked down into a floor cushion and lapped some more cream.  "Although I have to say," she purred, relaxing, "I do enjoy your negotiating style, Heth."

Heth lapped his own cream silently, confused.  He's heard of females sending mixed signals, but this was more like a blender on purée.  He wasn't sure what to make of it—so he ignored it and changed the subject instead.  "Yes, I'm sure you'll find a meeting with me much more pleasant than one with Varrless.  It was an investment discussion, I assume—Varrless Financial is one of MIRADI's primary stockholders, correct?"

"Was," Miu corrected, "not anymore… and I'm not sure why.  Sky Father above, just a month ago Pirr was trying to buy a controlling interest in my company!"

Heth looked up sharply, surprised.  "You didn't sell your majority shares, did you?"

"Please!" Miu scoffed, dismissing the idea with a wave of her paw.  "I built MIRADI up from nothing, and I'm not about to sell it off now just because we're having a little financial trouble."

It was much more than a little, Heth suspected, but it would be in poor taste to inquire directly.  He tried a more subtle approach.  "I must say, I'm rather surprised to hear MIRADI is still having difficulties," Heth said.  "I thought the Jurvain Impossibarium deal would keep you solvent well into the foreseeable future."

"Oh, it did… at first."  Miu licked some cream off her nose.  "But then Varrless—our biggest investor, no less!—pulled all his capital out and sold off his shares.  And where Varrless Financial goes…"

"…everyone else follows," Heth finished, rising and returning to the kitchenette.

"Exactly," Miu nodded.  "Investors have been running like scared kittens.  Our stock price is down—a lot.  I've been pitching MIRADI to Varrless all evening, but he's just not interested anymore—and won't even tell me why!"  She paused, lapping her buttermilk.  "He did offer to buy the Impossibarium patent, though… and for a very generous price."

Heth stuck his head out of the kitchenette again, alarmed.  He had a financial stake in Impossibarium, too.  "I assume you declined his offer?"

"Of course."  Miu sighed wearily.  "Frankly, the only thing keeping MIRADI afloat right now are the Jurvain Impossibarium sales.  I'm not about to sell off our main source of income."

Heth turned back to the kitchenette, smothering a sigh of relief.

"But here's what I don't understand, Heth," Miu continued, gazing thoughtful at her cream bowl.  "Why would a bank want an industrial metal patent in the first place?"

"Well, Varrless the Younger is rather unpredictable," Heth replied, returning to the table with a platter of food.  "Perhaps he hopes to resell it for a profit later…?"

Miu stared at the white ovals with meat on top.  "Heth… what exactly is this?"

"Fish and rice," Heth said.  "It's an exotic human delicacy called 'sue-she.'  Surprisingly tasty, actually."

" 'Sue-she'?" Miu repeated.  "That's a rather… legalistic name for food."

"What can I say?  There's an aggressive species."  Heth reclined on a floor cushion across the table from Miu.  "And do you know what they eat it with?  Something called 'chop-sticks'… such a violent race."  Heth flicked out his claws, picked up a piece, and held it out to her.  "Good fish, though."

Miu stared at the alien food, skeptical.  "Don't the humans cook their fish?"

"Not the 'Jap-knees,' apparently."  Heth gave her a Cheshire smile.  "They eat their fish raw!"

Miu sniffed the foreign delicacy, whiskers twitching.  "It smells fresh enough…"

"I acquired the seafood from New Madrid myself," Heth assured her.  "Trust me, you'll enjoy this."

"Oh I will, will I?"  She smiled.  "Prove it."  Heth expected her to take it from him, but she surprised him by leaning forward and opening her mouth instead.  What's going on? Heth wondered… but he went with it, reaching through her fangs to place it on her tongue—carefully; he wouldn't put it past her to bite him.  She closed her eyes as she chewed.

"Oh my," she purred, "That is good!  Really, Heth, what will you put in my mouth next?"

Heth blinked at Miu, totally aroused and utterly confused.  Her behavior had completely reversed from  the last time they met.  Even when they were merged, Miu never acted this way.  It simply wasn't like her to think about procreation over profit… unless…  "Actually," Heth smiled, "I believe it's my turn for a little nibble."  He leaned forward and opened his mouth.

"Oh, of course," Miu purred, picking up a piece of sue-she. 

As she leaned forward to place it on Heth's tongue, he discretely sniffed her.  He smelled Miu's perfume, much stronger than usual, with something else beneath it… and there it was, almost drowned out by the heavy floral scent—the tiniest aroma of something musky and intoxicating.  Miu was beginning to go into heat.

That explains it, Heth thought.  Her behavior wasn't intentional.  She might not even realize how she was acting—this was her first mating cycle, after all.  And it wasn't personal.  Miu probably acted this way around every male—and it would only get worse as the mating season progressed.  The thought clawed at Heth's gut.  I'm running out of time.

"Try the shrimp, my dear," Heth suggested.  "As for MIRADI, I've been trying to steer some more business your way," he explained as he fed her another piece.  "I spoke with the LEO of Miao Mercantile about upgrading Nhur's planetary defenses with Impossibarium weaponry.  I don't suppose he contacted you?"

"He did," Miu nodded, "and placed a small order."  She ran her tongue over her teeth.  "He wanted more, actually, but we don't have much to spare."  Heth leaned forward as she picked up another piece.  "It takes almost our entire production capacity just to fill the Jurvain order."

"Why, then you'll simply have to expand production to meet demand, precious."

That broke whatever spell had been cast over Miu.  She looked at Heth like he was pissing on her carpet.  "Are you serious?  You know what that involves, and that we don't have the capital for it!"

Heth was one of a pawful of people who knew that Impossibarium wasn't so much forged as grown... sort of.  The details were hideously technical and Heth didn't come close to understanding them, but he grasped the business implication: there was a limit on how fast new Impossibarium could be produced.  Expanding production to fill demand, although profitable in the long run, would be difficult and expensive right now.

"I believe you underestimate the value of Impossibarium, Miu… especially in military applications."

"Impossibarium is far too expensive."  Miu waved the idea away.  "It wouldn’t be cost-effective for military production.  No offense, Heth, but convincing the Jurvain to armor their fighters with it was a lucky fluke."

"It might be too expensive to armor warships with, yes," Heth said, refilling her bowl with buttermilk cream.  "But by now I'm sure you've figured out the Jurvain found other military applications for Impossibarium that require much smaller amounts."

"Casings for missiles, yes.  And torpedoes, and fusion shells," Miu said, accepting the full bowl of buttermilk and lapping thoughtfully.  "It was a good idea, I admit.  Impossibarium would make excellent shrapnel."

"And I'm sure you could find some use for it in power armor, too," Heth agreed.  "Has MIRADI considered adding a line of military products?"

Heth…"  Miu sighed.  "You know we just got done retooling for the industrial and consumer markets!"

"Yes… but the galaxy is at war, my dear, and war means war profiteering.  MIRADI was originally a military contractor for the Federation during the Occupation, I believe.  Your company is in an excellent position to re-enter the weaponry market."

"And sell to who, exactly?"  Miu lapped at her cream.  "The Jurvain are already buying all they can, and selling advanced weaponry to the apes—any faction of apes—would just be suicidal for the K'Nes."

"I completely agree."  Heth nodded.  "I was thinking of selling to K'Nes customers, actually."

"Yes," Miu agreed, but sarcastically, "and if K'Nes preferred warships than cargo freighters, that might work.  But we don't."

"I'm not so sure about that," Heth replied.  "Varrless and the Executive Board have been dragging their tails on rebuilding the Llan Fleet—balking at the expense, I imagine—and that's making a lot of K'Nes nervous.  Now that the Federation is at our doorstep, I imagine many corporate clans will be looking for quick, simple, and comparatively cheap ways to increase their defenses—and Impossibarium weaponry is perfect for that goal."

Miu looked away, thinking.  "Perhaps… with the right marketing campaign…"

"But personally?"  Heth picked up another piece of sue-she.  "I'm far more interested in building goodwill with the Federation apes at the moment.  You see, I've signed a contract with the Federation to smuggle their relatives out of Imperial space—a lot of relatives, for a lot of money, on a regular basis.  I'm overseeing the whole operation, actually."

"Really?"  Miu leaned forward to let Heth feed her again.  "And just how did an Assistant Vice Director manage that?"

"Oh!  Yes, sorry, forgot to tell you—I got promoted.  I'm managing the refugee convoys now," Heth said casually.  "Try the eel—it's delicious."

Miu picked it up and sniffed it.  "I thought you were overseeing the Jurvain Impossibarium convoys?"

"Oh yes, I'm managing those, too."

"Multiple convoys?  That would make you a… Director, yes?"

Heth nodded and indulged in a smug smile.

"A leapfrog promotion?  I'm impressed."  Miu gave him a look that boiled his blood.  "And how did you manage that… after breaking a contract?"

"Quite simply because I didn't break the contract.  The Empire cheated me.  I told you that at the time, of course, but now I can prove it.  So the Miao gave me back my old management position.  Oh, and my ship too, the super-freighter Avarice… one of our best ships, actually."  Heth struggled to keep his tone casual; there was a fine line between pride and boasting.  "I've also managed to earn back all my assets in the last few months.  I suppose Sky Father must have shined upon me."

Miu stared at him with wide blue eyes, perfectly still and utterly silent.  They were both thinking the same thing, something both of them were too polite to mention openly—his stock in life was back up, but hers was down.  Miu looked a little sad.  With any luck, Heth hoped, she was beginning to wonder if she'd made mistake by dissolving their merger.

Miu looked down at the eel in her claws, they held it out toward him.  "You never fail to surprise me, Heth," she said, feeding it to him and somehow managing to "accidentally" brush her paw against his whiskers, sending a shiver down his spine.  "So tell me… how did you do it?  How did you prove the Empire cheated you?"

They fed each other exotic seafood by candlelight while Heth told her the story about the faulty human power armor, about how he discovered it had been infected with foreign nanobots, and how he was able to trace the nanos back to the Empire sales representative, Zechariah McNeilly.  "That's actually what this business meeting is really about, Miu," Heth finished.  "I need to employ MIRADI's services—discretely, of course."

"Of course," Miu echoed, setting her paws on the ground and stretching languidly, arching her back.  "So… what do you want?  Other than the obvious, that is.  What do you need, and what can I do for you?"

Heth did his best to ignore all her double-entendres (and failed).  "I need to extract the foreign nanobots from the power armor," Heth answered.  "Miao Mercantile doesn’t have the right equipment or personnel… but I believe MIRADI does?"

"We do," Miu purred.  "As you said, we are a former military contractor.  But it will cost you."

Oh, would it.  Heth's heart was pounding.  He could tell this negotiation was going to go badly for him… and he was going to love every second of it.

"You'll be compensated handsomely, I assure you," Heth said, refilling their bowls.  "You can keep a few of the nanobots."

Miu narrowed her eyes as she lapped her cream.  "I would say that's a ridiculous offer… but I suspect you know that.  There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?  Come on, Heth, out with it."

"Your business instincts are as sharp as ever, my dear."  Heth lapped from his own bowl.  "You're right, there was a little detail about the nanobots I neglected to mention—they're Horadrim."  Miu's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but Heth beat her to it.  "And yes, I'm sure—they're partly organic and extremely advanced."

Miu's mouth closed.  She looked away as her eyes lost focus; Heth could practically see her mind running through the same chain of logic he had, and arriving at the same conclusion.  She had a look of awe—and naked greed.  "Sky Father above," she whispered.  "Horadrim technology!"

"And not just any Horadrim technology," Heth purred.  "I'm almost certain the nanobots came from a Horadrim Soul Web.  I was watching McNeilly when he inspected the armor prior to purchase.  We used K'Nes diagnostic tools, so never had the opportunity to implant them with a device.  I can only assume he transferred the nanos through his hands while touching the merchandise, meaning—"

"Soul Web nanobots!"  Miu's fluffy tail began swishing.  "Can you imagine how much those are worth?"

"No need to imagine," Heth said, "I've already looked it up.  On the black market, a single Horadrim nanobot can sell for hundreds of thousands—more, for a Soul Web nanobot; they're hardly ever available at any price.  And if MIRADI can replicate them, even partially?  We're talking millions.  Depending on production volume… possibly billions.  That should keep your company solvent, I imagine."

"Oh, Heth… I just love it when you talk money to me!"  Miu shivered in excitement.  "I have to admit, though, that I'm surprised Miao Mercantile is willing to share such valuable technology."

"Oh, they're not—but as only MIRADI and I will know how many nanos were extracted… well, I'm sure if a few bots went missing, no one would be the wiser."

Miu leaned forward, eyes bright.  "How many?"

"Five percent."

"Heth…" Miu pouted.  She slowly walked around the table on all fours, fluid and graceful, and sat down next to him.  "Cut a little kitten a break, won't you?"

"Well, perhaps…"  Heth planned to draw this out as long as he could.  "What did you have in mind?"

"Fifty percent of the nanobots."

Heth smiled.  "Surely you don't really expect me to agree to that, do you?"

"Of course not," she said, playfully batting him in the face with her tail.  "But it's a good place to start negotiations.  I'm willing to… go down… from there."

Heth was breathing deeply now and struggling to think straight.  "Alright… ten percent, and a favor."

Miu gave him a Cheshire grin.  "What kind of favor?"

Oh, Heth was tempted, sorely tempted… but he had a few more objectives to achieve in this negotiation.  He pulled a datapad from the breast pocket of his waistcoat.  "My remaining suit of human power armor… I need MIRADI to reprogram it to these specifications.  As soon as possible, preferably.  It could be a matter of life and death—my life, specifically."

"Alright, not the request I was expecting…" Miu said, "but I'm flexible."  She glanced over the schematics for a moment in silence.  "You want the suit retrofitted for a K'Nes.  I can do that, yes, but… why?  Who's it for?"

"Me."  Heth smiled.

"You?"  Miu looked skeptical.  "You're a haggler, not a hunter.  What do you need power armor for?"

"Insurance, so to speak."  Heth's last trading voyage through human space had involved more potentially dangerous situations than he cared for.  "The apes have always been a rather aggressive and unpredictable race—doubly so, now that they're at war with each other—and many of the Miao's human business partners contain a certain criminal element that are even more prone to violence," Heth explained.  "Some extra protection seems like a wise investment, just in case negotiations with one of our less savory associates break down."

Now Miu just looked amused.  "And you don't think arriving in power armor will start the meeting off on the wrong paw?"

"You'll note I have rather specific requirements for camouflage parameters and stealth suite."

Miu cocked an eyebrow, curious, then examined the schematics closer.  "Why Heth, you devious little K'Nes… yes, it can be done," she nodded, "for forty percent of the nanos."

"Twenty percent," Heth countered, "and another favor."

"Another?  Perhaps…"  Miu's paw slid forward to touch his.  "What did you have in mind?"

"That list of yours… the bidders on your reproductive auction…"

"Yes?"

"Put me on it."

Miu smiled, amusement in her eyes, and suppressed a chuckle.  "Make it twenty-five percent of the nanos and you've got a deal."

"Sold."  They tapped tails on the agreement.  Well, Heth tapped… Miu didn't let go.

"You know what, Heth?" Miu purred, wearing a smug and mischievous smile.  "I just hustled you… chump!"

"Oh really?"  Heth frowned, confused.  "In what way, exactly?"

Miu reached up and ran a single claw lightly behind Heth's ear and down his neck, clearly enjoying watching him squirm.  "You were already on my list of bidders.  You just cut me an extra five percent for nothing."

Heth stared at her, stunned but delighted.  He could care less about the nanobots.  "Wha… when…"

"Shortly after the Jurvain contract," Miu answered.  "I didn’t think you could close the deal, but… you surprised me.  It ended up saving my company."  She leaned closer to him.  "I've also lost bidders as my stock has fallen, so you're currently in a very competitive position."  Her voice was low, soft.  "And at the rate you're building your assets… you might just win the auction."

"Miu…"  Words failed Heth.  He could see it in her eyes—part of her wanted Heth to win her reproductive rights.  Heth couldn't stand it any longer; he had to touch her.  He lifted a paw and stroked behind her ear.  She leaned into his paw, purring, and leaned closer.  They were face to face, nose to nose, sniffing, drinking in each other's scent…

"Miu!" her datapad squawked, "Miu, it's Aie!  We've got an emergency!"

They froze.  Miu dropped her head on Heth's shoulder and let out a huge sigh.  "I'm sorry, Heth… I have to take this…"

"I understand," Heth squeaked out, his voice tight.  "Business before pleasure."

Miu pulled out her datapad and opened the video call to her executive assistant.  "What is it, Aie?"

"You need to get down here. We just had another investor pull out—Horrath Industries!"

"What?  Why?  I'll be right there!"  And then Miu was off, inflating like a balloon as she jumped out the window.

Heth quietly scratched double claw marks in the wooden tabletop.  Screw the security deposit.  He had a sudden image in his mind of two enormous gas giants—with solid blue clouds.