Witch Of The Federation IV (Federal Histories Book 4), page 3
This might be a party to remember the fallen and celebrate the surviving heroes, but it was also an opportunity for the movers and shakers to meet and speak without rousing too much interest.
It was a celebration. Who’d conduct business at an event like this?
Everyone, apparently.
“My son and your daughter—what could go wrong?”
“Them, if we don’t get their approval. Do you know how much of a hell my little girl could make your boy’s life? I’m not sure even he deserves that.”
“How else can we show the world our war is at an end?”
“What about a joint venture?”
“What did you have in mind…”
The two Meligornians moved out of earshot and Stephanie wandered on, looking for someone she knew. V’ritan and Brilgus had been appropriated the minute they’d stepped through the door, and she and the team were on their own.
The Standard Bearer had taken Bumblebee with him, but she wasn’t worried. The convention center wasn’t that big, and she’d know if he needed her. They passed a group of engineers speaking to three Meligornian Masters.
“We want to be able to control it,” one said, “and maybe use it.”
“Yes,” another agreed. “If we could find a way to draw it away from the engines and use it—”
“But it’s an abomination,” one of the mages protested.
“And yet the Witch uses it.”
“You will note she also lost her arm doing so.”
“But she grew that back—”
“Using pure MU, not that tainted stuff from Dreth.”
One of the engineers gave an exasperated sigh. “It’s not tainted. It’s merely different.”
“And now it’s been proven,” another added. “So, will you help us to discover what to do or not?”
One of the other Masters nudged the one they’d been speaking to. “You’d better help them, Olisfal. They’ll try it anyway and we really can’t afford to lose more ships.”
It was a discussion Stephanie wanted to hear more of, but she also didn’t want to disrupt what looked to be a delicate process. She forced herself to walk on and acknowledged another Meligornian’s bow.
Everyone was smiling but there was an undercurrent of purpose that gave the occasion more gravity than expected.
“You only have to meet with me,” one young woman told another family’s patriarch. “My family has exactly what your company needs and I can prove it.”
“This ‘proof’…you don’t happen to have it here, do you?”
As she watched the young woman’s face light up, she could only wish her luck. It reminded her of the time she’d approached Mr Martelle on her parents’ behalf and she hoped the girl achieved what she needed to. Everyone deserved a chance.
As on the previous occasion, the Federation Navy representatives were present. When Stephanie looked across at them, they were in deep conversation with several officers of the Meligorn Navy.
As she looked around, trying to find V’ritan again, she was interrupted by a slight cough. Lars and Vishlog stood in such a way that the Meligornian businessman who made it couldn’t approach any closer but he made no protest.
His own guards watched her and the team warily, with more than one cautious glance toward Vishlog and Zeekat. Their gazes took in the medals that adorned the front of the boys’ uniforms alongside the Inquisitor’s badge and their Dreth Talons, but they didn’t flinch.
The businessman’s gaze drifted to the single Ghargilum Modfresha she wore. She’d felt it would be too much to wear both and had chosen the one with the highest honor. The team had done the same.
The businessman raised his eyes from the medal and looked at her face, ignoring the tension slowly building between his guards and her own. “May we speak?” he asked, and his gaze flicked from her to the men beside her. “Perhaps somewhere private?”
Stephanie regarded him coolly. “And you are?”
He smiled, extended his hand, and took a step closer. Lars and Vishlog let him pass, but they did not do his security guards the same courtesy. Brenden, Avery, and Frog came up alongside and lowered their heads in a challenge.
Her team matched the man’s attendants glare for glare while she waited for him to answer.
“T’virilf Sanlir,” he said and extended his right hand and raised his left so his fingers touched his forehead. “Kaitel Gorniffula, Stephanie Morgana.”
“Kaitel Gorniffula, Sen T’virilf Sanlir. How may I help you?”
“May we speak?”
She raised her eyebrows. “We?”
He colored slightly and made a small gesture with his hand to indicate two other businessmen who stood a little away from them, their heads turned slightly to watch while they tried to appear as if they didn’t. “Hartuitus hycenthianum, I would be grateful if you would speak to us.”
“Then I would be happy to accept.” She caught Lars’s look of uncertainty and ignored it. Instead, she followed T’virilf to where the other two men waited.
Both were younger than him, although they had the long black hair, slender build, and lavender-touched eyes typical of most Meligornians.
“Hartuitus baskilor, Stephanie Morgana, kaitel gorniffula,” they greeted her.
“Kaitel gorniffula, baskilor nye myerda,” she replied. “How may I help you?”
T’virilf laid a hand on her arm and pulled her gently after him to where one of the younger Meligornians opened a door. Lars was at her side in an instant, with Vishlog and Zeekat on his heels. Brenden, Avery, and Frog followed, determined not to be left behind.
The other guards moved forward stiffly to ensure their presence as well.
The room beyond was small with three solid marble walls and no window, although it was illuminated by panels of glowing stone and the faux fireplace that filled one wall. A long table took up most of the room’s center and T’virilf drew Stephanie to it and offered her a seat.
The guards arrayed themselves around the room. Some appeared to lounge while others stood at ease a few paces away from the wall, but all remained alert. She honestly wished they’d all simply stand the fuck down but didn’t say it. Instead, she turned to T’virilf.
“You said it was an important matter?”
He lowered his chin and studied her carefully. Finally, he took a deep breath and began.
“I represent Lorel Engineering. Perhaps you’ve heard of us?”
She frowned and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no.”
“I have,” Frog interjected from his position at the door. He leaned on it, held his tablet in one hand, and tapped it with the other. After a moment, he tilted it to show the results to Lars. The team leader nodded.
Satisfied that her guards were happy with the businessman’s claims and his identity, Stephanie shrugged. “And your two friends are?”
The man flushed. “I am sorry. This is Rillif Galaris of the Borellan Consortium, and this is Storisil Kaflaran of the Eltani Conglomerate.”
In his corner, Frog tapped his tablet madly. He still leaned on the door but Lars actually kept watch. The team leader nodded twice once his teammate showed him the display, caught her eye, and gave her another nod.
T’virilf saw the exchange but did not let it stop him. “Together, we represent the three largest firms in the Meligornian shipping industry.”
Frog shook his head, his only movement, and she heard his correction over her comms. “Own.”
If the man opposite her saw her reaction, he showed no sign of it. “Lorel Engineering specializes in shipping and the building of ships.”
He indicated the youngest-looking of the three of them. “Storisil is one of my main rivals in the industry.” He smiled. “And we have quite a history between us, but his other realm is mining and he wishes to expand the asteroid fields.”
For a moment, the younger Meligornian’s expression showed surprise before a mask of pleasant professionalism slid onto face and he smiled politely.
T’virilf continued and gestured at Rillif. Stephanie tried to place his age but failed. The best she could do was that he was older than Storisil and younger than their host—and that only because he had no silver in his hair and his face was slightly more drawn than Storisil’s.
The spokesperson’s smile was almost fond when he looked at him, and Rillif met his gaze. As soon as they caught each other’s eyes, though, a smile tugged at the other Meligornian’s lips and both men chuckled.
“We’ve had interesting times, haven’t we?” T’virilf asked, and Rillif nodded.
“I have to admit that I’m curious to see what working with you would be like, rather than against you.” His smile became a little wider. “I have trouble shifting my world view.”
T’virilf sobered. “As do I.” He turned to Stephanie. “Rillif is my greatest and most challenging rival. His father and I built our businesses at the same time, fell for the same woman…” He sighed. “Well, you can see how that turned out. Rillif the elder has a wonderful son and I am still without a guiding star.”
The other man colored, but T’virilf hadn’t finished. “Borellan went into power supplies and shipping in a big way, specializing in colonies. It’s been a pain in the ass ever since its conception.”
“You could have bought in,” Rillif reminded him.
He smiled. “Would you?”
The younger Meligornian shook his head. He glanced at Stephanie and changed the subject. “While it sounds as though our businesses complement each other, they overlap in many places. Lorel fights us for market space in the power generation and communications sectors as well as shipping.”
He indicated the third man. “And Eltani vies not only for mineral resources but interferes with our supply, and they steal our shipping contracts.”
Storisil spluttered and his eyes sparkled with purple mischief. Rillif continued. “We’re trying to put that aside, however. Having your homeworld attacked makes you look at things differently.”
He glanced at the third man, clearly passing the conversation to him. The younger Meligornian took it up. “We’ll consolidate our businesses in the long term. In the short term, we’ll work together.”
He looked at T’virilf, who continued with the explanation. “We want to build a new kind of ship. Our world needs to advance into a true Space Age, one in which it doesn’t need to worry about meteoric bombardment and can defend itself and its territories effectively from spaceborne threats.”
Stephanie looked at each of them in turn. “And you need me because…”
“Because the idea we have is to make something that would enable us to pull the energy in space…the gMU, I believe you call it. Anyway, we want to engineer something to enable our ships to draw it in and use it as a power source.”
“We need something to allow us to operate away from Meligorn without having to worry about running out of fuel for our technology,” Storisil clarified and the mask slid from his face to show excitement.
“Something we can market and make available to all Meligornians,” Rillif added.
“And you want my help?” she asked.
“We’d like to partner with your company, the one you work for—One R&D, isn’t it?” Rillif asked, and she nodded. “We heard they were looking into magical technology.”
Stephanie frowned. “That’s not something I can discuss here,” she told him and gestured to the room around them with one hand.
T’virilf looked disappointed, but he nodded as though he’d expected her response. “I understand.”
He shifted as though to stand and leave, and both Rillif and Storisil moved with him. She held one hand up.
“What I am prepared to do, however, is take a representative from your venture back to Earth with me to discuss it with the appropriate parties in a more secure area.”
Around them, the security guards shifted uneasily and T’virilf gestured reassuringly as he settled into his chair again. “Go on.”
“Who you send is up to you, but they must have the ability to make decisions on your behalf. He, or she, will have to be able to speak for all of you.”
The three of them exchanged glances before T’virilf cleared his throat. “If neither of you has any objections, I’ll go.”
The twin expressions of shock were so funny that she had to bite back on the urge to giggle. He laughed.
“Why are you so shocked?” he asked. “It’s not as if we didn’t realize this was a possibility.”
“Well, I didn’t,” Storisil muttered, and Rillif murmured an agreement.
He shook his head. “Well, I did, so I hope the two of you will run my company like your own. I trust, from watching you for a hundred years, that you know what to do.”
Shock turned to surprise as they stared at him. He gave them a gentle smile. “Close your mouths, gentlemen. We’ll discuss that arrangement among ourselves. For now, let me know if you’re happy to run my company while I represent our interests on Earth.”
Storisil closed his mouth first. He licked his lips a little nervously, nodded, and glanced at Rillif. ‘I…I am honored by your trust, Sen.” He cast a second glance at the younger man. “We will try not to let you down.”
Rillif finally recovered himself. “Sen…” he began, “I…I don’t know what to say.”
T’virilf raised an eyebrow. “Well, I still need your authorization.”
The young Meligornian colored. “I…yes, of course. I would be honored for you to represent us. But your company, Sen…”
He smirked. “What’s the matter, Rillif? Don’t you think you can handle it?”
Rillif frowned quickly but it dissolved into a smile. “I can handle it. I’m merely surprised that you’d want me to after all these years of competition.”
The businessman’s smile faded, and he became serious. “I thought we’d agreed,” he said quietly. “Those days are behind us. If we are to protect our worlds from the Telorans, we will need to work together. I can’t do it on my own.”
“Then I agree. After all, it is your design.”
“But it’s your money and some of your IP,” T’virilf reminded him.
“And wouldn’t I like to know how you managed to get that,” Rillif retorted and immediately changed the subject. “If this is what you want, I back you with everything I have.”
T’virilf looked amused. “I thought you already had.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” The younger man gave him a toothy grin.
“In all seriousness, though,” he told him. “this lets me go back to doing what I love best without all the constraints of running a business. You boys can expect more ideas to come your way. All you need to do is run my company like your own.”
“About that…” Storisil began, but he cut him short. “Tomorrow.”
He directed a look at Stephanie. “I’m sure the Ghargilum doesn’t wish to sit in on a business meeting tonight.”
Zeekat chose that moment to yawn and show all his fangs, and he indicated the big cat. “See? Even he agrees that would be a bad idea.”
He rose and handed her a card. “Hartuitus baskilor for hearing us. I trust you’ll be in touch with departure times and other arrangements?”
Stephanie stood as well, and the security guards stepped aside to give them room to leave. Lars and one of each of those assigned to the businessmen exited first. The men thanked her and T’virilf motioned toward the door.
“After you, Master Morgana.”
V’ritan had, in the meantime, vanished from the party. The space station had alerted him to new arrivals and he’d extended them an invitation. Directly afterward, he’d spoken to the king and been given use of his majesty’s private meeting room.
At the same time that Stephanie sat with T’virilf and his partners, Brilgus stuck his head around the door, where Vʼritan waited impatiently. “They’re here.”
“Well, it’s about time,” the Meligornian grumbled but softly and ignored the look of horror on the Standard Bearer’s face.
“This is quick for them,” his advisor told him. “They only docked an hour ago.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That is quick. Do you think they’ll remember to apologize?”
“Ghargilum Afreghil,” Brilgus sighed. “Be nice.”
V’ritan pressed his lips together and scanned the room. When he was sure he was ready, he nodded. “Send them in.”
He was relieved when the man pulled the door shut and returned some moments later with the admirals of both the Dreth and human navies. It meant they had not been in the adjacent room when he’d suggested they should remember to apologize.
They apologized anyway. As soon as the six of them had come to a halt before his desk, one human and one Dreth stepped forward. The human saluted and the Dreth placed his fist over his heart and then, to his surprise, they both sank into a deep Meligornian bow of respect.
“We are sorry we did not arrive in time to help you in your battle,” the human admiral began, and his Dreth counterpart nodded. “As are we. We are truly sorry you had to face this foe alone.”
V’ritan returned their greeting with a brief bow but remained seated. He decided it wouldn’t hurt any of them to know he was unhappy with the support his world had received from its allies—and he was glad when none of them pointed out that they’d sent the Witch of the Federation or Dreth’s new flagship.
Of course, that was because he knew Stephanie’s presence had been pure coincidence since she’d come for upgrades to her ship, and the flagship had been there because Jaleck had defied her home world’s politicians and come to stand with Meligorn as soon as she could.
He sighed. Without them, the battle would have gone much harder.
Meligorn could not have stood alone against the Teloran fleet.
Ever the ambassador, he bit back the first angry reply to cross his mind and indicated the seats opposite him. “You are here now. Please. Be seated.”
They took their places before him and were about to introduce themselves when there was another knock at the conference room door. While he had an idea of who was about to arrive, the admirals did not. He tried to hide his amusement when Brilgus ushered Fleet Admiral Jaleck into the room, and the newly seated officers almost fell over themselves in their haste to stand again.
