|
19 February 2254 The outskirts of the Hilak system
Bridge of the Centauri Warship 
Captain Taero was tall, fat and solemn. His stance and walk were highly self-assured and arrogant, even for a Centauri. But his eyes were sharp and intelligent, his voice rich and rumbling, and his speech fluent and refined.
"Welcome aboard, Major!" - he said with aristocratic smile. - "How generous of you to come all this way to meet me. I am truly impressed!"
"Greetings, Captain", - the Major replied with a frown, - "We both know why I'm here. Because you only take it in cash, right?"
"Excellent, Major!" - yelled Taero, shaking with laughter, - "This pickering is a priceless experience to me! I almost had a feeling of being back to the royal court!"
"Okay. Shall we talk business now?"
"Certainly! I can only hope that this little black case of yours contains all the good stuff that supposed to be there?.."
"You mean your bloody cash again", - scornfully replied the Major. "Yeah, it's all here. Hell of a price, by the way."
"Yes, it is! All good things in life don't come without a price, don't they? Not to mention the ten-percent share of Quantium deposits for my goverment. Everything for our mutual delightful self-delusion, of course! What a nice scheme of things, you know! Your superiors pretend that YOU have operatives in the Narn regime, and my superiors pretend that ten percent for the great Centauri Republic will suffice!"
"That was neither your decision, nor mine." - Rotane gave out a shrug, - "We're supposed to carry out orders and keep our opinions where the sun don't shine. You know that, and you've got your share."
"How diplomatic of you to remind me that!" - snorted Taero. - "Can I have it now?"
"All yours. Thanks for the information."
Within a few seconds, the small black case was opened and its contents studied by the sharp sight of the Centauri Captain. As everything seemed to be in order, Taero closed the case and looked at Rotane with a predatory smile.
"Is there something wrong?" - asked the Major.
"No, of course not!" - laughed Taero, tapping the case. - "Everything is perfect! Thanks for this finest of deliveries. You wanted to ask me something?"
"Yep. I've been wondering if your superiors are aware of this little *share* of yours? You know what I mean?"
The pause was intense and tight, as for a few moments the Major held the Centauri stare without a blink in the eye. Then, Taero's devilish smile was back in place.
"Let me tell you something, Major," - he began to speak, - "If you've at least heard something about politics, and I'm quite sure that you did, if you think of money, power and resources, imagine how they move, how they flow - then ask yourself, who will notice a ripple from a single drop of water on the surface of the ocean?"
"I think I got it", - the Major said tiredly. "No hard feelings, no questions asked."
"Good!" - Taero tapped the case again with happy expression. - "Now, I guess it's time for you to leave. Your people are waiting, and we don't want to make them nervous, don't we?"
There was no reason to remain here any longer. Major didn't want to leave his ship for long without personal attention in the middle of potentially hostile territory. Not that he didn't trust Downard, but: He didn't trust anyone. Old habits die hard.
"Right. I'd better move", - Rotane replied and turned around, preparing to leave the bridge. Two tall Cetnauri Guards were back at his side to show him the way back to the docking compartment.
BACK - Flying Blind
NEXT - Make A Fool Pray
|
|
|
|
A series of drabbles and short pieces
|
