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  “I have a meeting later today with Sasha and Admiral Sato,” Cole said. “They want to discuss where this navy we’re building fits into everything…and then, there’s the inevitable meeting with Paol. Yes, I want Beta Magellan to have a system of laws and governance, but why does it all have to be so boring?”

  Sev chuckled. “Just think what it would be like without those laws and governance. You can survive a little boredom if it protects your citizens in the long run, right?”

  Cole laughed. “Yeah. I suppose I can. So, want to tell me why you built twenty construction bays for battle-carriers?”

  Sev’s expression was unreadable. “Wait till you see them. Then, you tell me.”

  Cole frowned. That response didn’t really make a whole lot of sense, but he’d see soon enough.

  The shuttle was most of the way through the fifteen cruiser bays when the furthest ten bays appeared on the sensor feed. They were massive—way too massive for battle-carriers—and inactive. Cole blinked as he stared at the sensor feed, his mind locked. His jaw worked as if he were trying to speak, but no sound came.

  “Dreadnought bays?” Cole asked at last. “You built ten dreadnought bays? I can’t imagine circumstances where one star system would need one dreadnought, let alone ten. A fleet of battle-carriers would allow me to conquer Human space. Dreadnoughts would just add insult to the injury.”

  Sev shrugged. “We discussed it, and I felt it was better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. You’re correct. Right now, we don’t need them, but it’s impossible to predict what operational requirements you might find yourself facing. I’d like to think I’ve come to know you fairly well over the last year and the months before your trip to Centauri. You seem intent on defending people, especially those who would have trouble defending themselves, and the day might come when you’re faced with a threat that requires building dreadnoughts. You have no idea how much I hope I’m wrong, but I wouldn’t be doing my job as your Head of System Infrastructure if I didn’t consider the possibility.”

  Cole nodded. “You make a very good point. Thank you for looking out for me.”

  Sev chuckled. “It’s one of the many reasons you pay me.”

  “How are we for the jump gate defenses?” Cole asked.

  “They’re coming along nicely,” Sev replied. “Citadel Station also doubles as a defensive emplacement for the planet, and by the time we’re finished, Beta Magellan will be one of the most heavily defended systems in known space.”

  “Good. Once the system defenses are in place here, start moving the construction teams out into the space we’ve claimed. In addition to the system patrols, I want all of the jump gates in systems we control to have defenses in place.”

  “You know,” Painter said, “there are some who would say fortifying the jump gates will lead to escalation between other star powers.”

  Cole chuckled. “They’re welcome to build system defenses around the jump gates; I don’t care about that. Honestly, it makes perfect sense to do so. They’d just better be sure they don’t try to control who uses them; the jump gates aren’t theirs to control.”

  Coleson Interstellar Engineering had a reputation for the most ironclad, draconian legal contracts in known space. The penalties associated with breaking the contracts or violating their terms were such that the offender would be better off committing suicide than trying to survive them. Even worse, the contracts spelled out in no uncertain terms a level of corporate warfare CIE would levy against whoever committed the breach of contract that would make hostile takeovers look downright friendly. In the almost three-quarters of a millennium the company had existed, no one had chosen to test the contracts.

  Cole nodded, gazing out the viewport as they passed over the inactive dreadnought bays, saying, “You and your people have done well, Sev. I appreciate you, and please ensure all of your people know I appreciate them, too. We should probably be getting back, so Sasha and Admiral Sato can have their time with me.”

  “You make that sound like they’re going to torture you or something,” Painter said, grinning.

  “I have a sneaking suspicion they’re going to come at me again about formally organizing something like a Department or Ministry of Defense, and they’re not wrong. I just don’t want us to get bloated with all kinds of bureaucracy. I want Beta Magellan’s government to be as light and agile and flexible as possible.” Cole’s voice trailed off for a moment as he swiveled around to face Painter. “Have you given any thought to my promise of building you a new freighter?”

  Painter nodded. “I have, and honestly, I’ve come to enjoy my job more than I enjoyed being a freighter rat. The piece of bridge bulkhead you insisted I save from the Beauchamp? It’s now a plaque that lists the freighter’s name and years of operation, and it hangs on the bulkhead of my office. It’s right above another plaque that has my grandfather’s and father’s picture with an abridged history of the freighter. I’m happy where I am, and I’m grateful you gave me the opportunity. Who knows if I’d ever have found this if you hadn’t saved us from that frigate?”

  “Well, you’re very welcome,” Cole replied. “I know I certainly could not have accomplished everything I have without you and Sev and everyone else supporting me. I don’t ever want to forget all the contributions people have made to my goals.”

  Sev chuckled, saying, “Don’t worry. We won’t let you.” Painter broke out in laughter.

  Chapter Three

  Cole’s Office

  Citadel Station

  14 July 3003, 11:00 GST

  Cole welcomed Sasha and Himari Sato into his workplace. Like his office aboard Haven, the space was spartan at best. No decorations adorned the walls, nor did any personal effects color the space. It was a place of work, of pursuing goals. And besides, there was always the chance Cole would one day meet with someone who didn’t work for him, so there was no reason to give such an outsider any insight into his psychology.

  “Let me guess,” Cole said, once social preliminaries were satisfied. “You want to discuss a Ministry of Defense.”

  “You don’t have to sound so defeatist about it,” Sasha replied. “It’s not like you don’t agree with us.”

  Cole nodded. “You’re right. I do agree with you. I said that very thing to Sev and Painter while they were showing me the shipyard. You also know my objections. I do not want a government so inflated and bureaucratic that it cannot respond effectively to sudden concerns or threats. Some governments on Old Earth—before the jump gates—were so locked into their bureaucracy that they couldn’t keep pace with technological improvements. I will not have that. Yes…I want training facilities for new spacers. Yes…I want the ISA’s proficiencies and ratings incorporated into our promotion and compensation schedules. Yes…I want the families of any spacer or soldier who dies or is disabled to be taken care of. The problem is how we do it in a streamlined, flexible system. Get with Paol. Heh…pull in anyone you want for the discussion; I don’t care. Just find a way to do it without creating a convoluted military-industrial complex like what was so prevalent back on Old Earth.”

  “There are rumors that you’re considering taking Haven off on another trip,” Sato replied. “Will you be available for us to present any ideas we develop?”

  Cole grinned. “That’s the beauty of the quantum comms network. I could be in Zurich, and the comms lag would only be fifteen seconds or so…if that.”

  “Very well,” Sato replied, adding one nod. “There is another matter I’m reticent to discuss, but I have reason to believe you will encounter it soon enough elsewhere.”

  “Oh?” Cole asked. “That sounds rather ominous.”

  Sato’s expression quirked toward an almost-rueful smile. “Yes. It could very well be. A number of forward-thinking people have come to me, asking if you have any children or when you plan to have them.”

  Sasha jerked her head around to stare at Sato, her eyes hard and her mouth ajar.

 
Cole blinked. When Cole spoke, his tone carried a harshness most uncommon, especially with those he considered his friends, “Excuse me? What business is it of theirs? My life is mine alone.”

  If Sato felt any concern about Cole’s tone, she didn’t show it. “No, Cole, it isn’t…not anymore. CIE alone is an empire all on its own. Step back and consider what we’re building here in Beta Magellan. You personally own the system, the entire system. What happens to it, to all the people living here, when you die…especially if you die without an heir? What happens to CIE? This is something you need to be considering, and you need to deal with it soon, whatever course you choose.”

  “And just what am I supposed to do about it?” Cole asked. “Announce I’m seeking a wife and invite anyone who wishes to apply to present themselves before me? Just who—or what—do you think I am?”

  Sato sighed. “I think you are a young man who might just be woefully unaware of the vast influence he has, and that influence is both increasing and spreading. It’s already common knowledge throughout this part of the galaxy that anyone who wants to be safe from all the upheaval right now should make for Beta Magellan. Why? Because of you and what you’re building. Yes…Haven and Srexx and the schematics he kept are how you’re building, but the fact remains that you are driving it. None of this would be here if you hadn’t chosen to pursue this goal, and planning for what happens to it once you’re dead is part of your responsibility. You owe it to all the people depending on you to have a plan and to publicize that plan.”

  Cole sighed and leaned back against his chair. “Well…this certainly isn’t how I expected this meeting to go.”

  “I don’t imagine it was,” Sato replied. “One downside to all you’re doing is that you’ve been the most eligible bachelor in Human space since you accepted your inheritance as the Coleson Heir. I don’t know if that has truly worked its way through the minds of the unmarried women in Beta Magellan, but when it does…well…I’m very conflicted. I don’t know whether to stay and watch or flee the system to avoid the mass of women who will descend upon you.”

  “That thought isn’t comforting at all,” Cole replied.

  “The way I see it, your only reprieve is that you’re not truly accessible. StationNet’s directory doesn’t register your comms code, so outside of someone seeing you, there’s no way to know exactly where you are. And if you are planning on taking Haven out on some kind of excursion, any interested parties will just have to pine away for you.”

  Cole scoffed. “You make an excellent case for taking Haven on some kind of excursion.”

  Sato’s expression quirked into a small, neutral smile. “Just don’t leave without setting up some kind of chain of command for the system’s defenses. I have no reason to believe we’ll be attacked anytime soon, but if we are, having no clear lines of command would be disastrous.”

  Cole nodded, sighing heavily before he asked, “Do you have any more bad news for me?”

  “No,” Sato replied, shaking her head. “I think we’ve covered all of it.”

  “Well, thank you for your time and concern,” Cole said. “If you’ll forgive me, I have a lunch appointment.”

  Sato nodded once and rose, Sasha standing with her. Cole also stood, shaking their hands, before Sato and Sasha walked to the office’s door. By the time they reached the door, Cole’s focus was already elsewhere, or he might have noticed Sasha directing an unsettled look his way before she followed Sato out of the office.

  The station’s commercial levels held a number of restaurants in addition to all the other businesses. These restaurants ran the gamut of styles, from the seedy places certain spacers preferred to upscale establishments even the most aristocratic person would appreciate. One such enterprise was the Sinking Ship, a mid-range restaurant featuring maritime décor from the ancient Age of Sail in Old Earth’s distant past. Aside from its excellent menu, the Sinking Ship prided itself on providing an undisturbed experience for its customers. While there was a general level of background noise, anyone raising their voice enough to impact other diners’ experiences received a warning from their server, with a second offense resulting in the manager asking the offender to leave and not return until they could achieve behavior more in line with the intended ambiance. One would expect the Sinking Ship to go out of business with such a policy, but it was uncommon to find the place without at least three-quarters of their seating occupied.

  Motion near his table attracted Cole’s attention, and he looked up to see his lunch guest standing in front of him. Cole grinned and stood, extending his hand in welcome. Amelia Obrist accepted the handshake, and Cole gestured for her to sit.

  “So…have you enjoyed your explorations of the station?” Cole asked.

  “I have,” Amelia replied. “It’s far busier than I expected. I even visited the freight docks, and I was very surprised that they didn’t have the dodgy, unsafe ambiance so common anywhere else.”

  Cole grinned. “We don’t have much of a criminal element yet. Everyone in the system wants to be here, and there are—frankly—more jobs than there are people. Until that changes, I highly doubt we’ll have much crime. I know I’ve said this at least twice, but thank you for accepting my offer. Leland Graf called me a few names the last time I was in Zurich, but he also complimented me on my choice. He said I couldn’t have found a better person to take over as Chief Financial Officer of CIE.”

  “That was very kind of him,” Amelia remarked, blushing just enough for Cole to notice. “I’m looking forward to the job. I understand the company has been without a CFO since its relocation from Centauri?”

  Cole nodded. “Yes. I’m afraid I had to implement some personnel cuts. I consider myself a very open-minded individual, but I simply cannot countenance people trying to kill me or steal my family’s company.”

  “No, I can’t imagine anyone who would,” Amelia replied.

  “After we finish lunch, we have a board meeting, where I’ll announce and introduce you. Everyone should be on their best behavior—today and in the future—but if anyone gives you any problems whatsoever, I want to know about it.”

  Amelia sat for a moment or two before she shook her head. “No. No, I don’t think so. ‘Running to daddy’ every time someone gets out of line will only serve to undermine my authority, and I don’t think it would do yours any favors either. Besides, I’m no stranger to establishing myself. Anything egregious, of course, I’ll tell you…but unless whatever it is presents a physical threat to me, my coworkers, or the company, I’ll handle it.”

  “Have you met Garrett yet?” Cole asked.

  “Yes, I have,” Amelia replied. “Nice enough fellow, and he gave me a list of comms codes to record in my implant and then destroy. He called it ‘insurance.’”

  Cole chuckled. “He would call it something like that. For right now, Beta Magellan is not open to anyone who hasn’t been vetted by Kiksaliks. Eventually, that may change, and there’s nothing saying someone couldn’t go on vacation outside the system and be compromised. Those comms codes give you a recourse, in case worse comes to worst.”

  Their server materialized out of the crowd, asking, “Are you ready to order?”

  Cole looked to Amelia, and she nodded. Cole gestured for her to proceed, and after the server departed, conversation turned to less weighty matters.

  Chapter Four

  Conference Room

  Citadel Station

  14 July 3003, 13:00 GST

  Cole led Amelia Obrist into the conference room and held back what he was sure would’ve been a very gloating smile. The executive board of CIE awaited him, with an empty seat or two. He’d brought the C-level executives of CIE to heel back in Centauri, and ever since, not one of them had been late for a meeting Cole himself attended.

  Cole stopped at the head of the table and, gesturing for Amelia to sit at his left, assumed his seat. CEO Jefferds and the rest of the executives ran down the right-side of the table from Cole’s perspective, and Cole
nodded in acknowledgement.

  “I’d like to thank everyone for coming,” Cole said, his way of calling the meeting to order. He didn’t hold to all the pomp and circumstance claptrap, either. “The first order of business is to introduce you to Amelia Obrist, the new Chief Financial Officer for the company. I poached her from Credit Suisse, and I’ve been called some names for doing so.”

  Cole waited for everyone at the table to bid Amelia welcome and directed his attention to CEO Jefferds, saying, “And how goes the deployment of the quantum comms nodes?”

  Jefferds nodded once and said, “It’s going well, all told. The comms nodes have been added to every jump gate within one hundred light-years. I’m afraid we had to give those techs heading toward Coalition space hazard pay and war-time rates, but the roll-out continues.”

  Cole nodded. The Coalition evolved out of the old Aurelian Commonwealth (under the so-called ‘Provisional’ Parliament), the Carnelian Bloc, the Sirius Imperium, and the Eridani Corporation. Cole wasn’t exactly sure who the dominant players were in that convoluted relationship, and Garrett worked to obtain that intelligence…among other information.

  “That’s fine,” Cole replied. “Ensure our people know we will take care of their families if the Coalition decides to do something stupid, and if that does indeed happen, I will personally see to the Coalition’s education on why it should never happen again.”

  Heads bobbed in nods around the conference table. Each of them had seen Haven…and the ships coming out of Citadel’s shipyard.

  “So, what’s next?” Cole asked.

  The rest of the meeting progressed as an informative—yet thoroughly boring—status update on CIE and its various projects or initiatives. Cole felt his mind starting to wander at various points, but he gamely rallied to focus (mostly) on whomever was speaking at the time.