“You wanted to talk to me? What about?” The challenge dripped from her voice.
Kat looked ruefully at an openly annoyed Cel. They were standing in a rocky hollow behind a waterfall on the outskirts of the terraformed asteroid’s outdoor perimeter. The hypersonic noise generator was already in place. “I’m sorry, Cel. I needed to make sure that I got your attention.”
“Well, you certainly succeeded. You probably also succeeded in revealing my identity to that crazy gray bitch. It wouldn’t surprise me if she could read sign and you certainly weren’t subtle about it. It was most unprofessional,” she tsked.
Kat bristled at the insult, but let it slide. “You’re right,” she admitted. “No excuses.”
Cel considered her peer’s response and visibly calmed herself. “It’s alright. Water under the bridge. Now, what’s so urgent that you needed to risk both of our identities?”
Kat exhaled before presenting her case. “As you know, my home world is still recovering from a decades-long famine. Even though the soil rejuvenation programs are bearing fruit, literally, my people are still heavily reliant on food imports. With this interruption in commercial transport shipments, the recovery is in jeopardy. To that end, my government is looking for ‘commercial agents’ to help take up the slack. I, naturally, thought of you.”
Cel smiled. “’Commercial agents’, hunh? I like that.” Turning serious, she continued, “Is this an official feeler or are you testing the water? Either way, Kat, as much as I’d like to help you, you know what kind of product we move. Bulk is not our thing. There isn’t enough profit in it. Besides that, we don’t have the movers that this type of effort would require. I’m sorry, Kat. I really am.”
“That’s ok. I understand. I had to try.” Kat paused before saying, “In that case, my government would like to officially notify you of its intention to requisition the 35 bulk ore carriers your organization has in its possession in the Chimera’s Reef system. You should also be aware that there is a new initiative to account for all imports to the home worlds in our jurisdiction. Unless, of course, you forgot about those ore carriers in the first place.”
Cel stared back at Kat, then smiled. “No. I knew about the ore carriers. But ore carriers make very poor food transports. Lots of cargo damage and contamination, that sort of thing. I was simply trying to save you the time and expense of hiring and extensively cleaning and modifying them for food shipments. Of course, if you have the coin, that’s you’re business. We are more than willing to maintain good relations with your government.”
It was now Kat’s turn to smile. “I’m glad you feel that way, Cel. My government is more than willing to pay you a fair market price for the use of those carriers. Plus, with all that money being spent to insure food shipments, the customs initiatives will have to be postponed. Some people back home might not like it, but I’m sure they like eating more.”
“I’m sure they do,” Cel chuckled as she signed ‘Nicely played’.
Kat winked back at her and chuckled as well.
After a minute or so, Kat asked, “So, what’s your reaction to all this relic business? You going to get involved in any of this?”
“Hmmm… probably not. Not unless our hand is forced. We’ll do what we can behind the scenes, but, until we know what we’re dealing with, we’re going to steer clear of the Mentath and Protean systems for a while.”
Kat nodded. “Prudent, as always. What about your personal involvement?”
Cel stood up a bit straighter. “As I’ve done before and since, I’m here for you all. I just can’t mobilize The Network for my own personal purposes. Not now. Especially, not now.”
Kat replied, “I know. I had to ask is all.” Checking her chronometer, she continued, “Let’s head back before our absence is noted.”