Torian Reclamation 3: Test of Fortitude by Andy Kasch Read Free Book Online Page A

response.
    Minutes later, they arrived in one of Governor Mip7’s new conference rooms. This was a smaller one meant for intimate, less-formal gatherings. Two aliens were seated at a round moriglass table along with Mip7. Off to the side was a minibar responsible for the smell of coffee and warm biscuits. Video screens on the back wall showed the space outside the station, which portrayed one moored ship that could only belong to the aliens.
    Brandon recognized one of the aliens. It was Trodenjo the Mparian, whom he briefly spoke with in the barter market outside the currency exchange on Amulen. What a stroke of luck. Now Brandon would have the opportunity to learn more about him.
    When Mip7 finished introducing everyone, Trodenjo confessed that he and Brandon had already met. Brandon laughed at the resulting cocked heads simultaneously appearing on top of Olut6 and Mip7’s thick leather necks. He explained their earlier encounter. That seemed excuse enough for Mip7 to retrieve a round of Redflower20 from the bar.
    When they had all taken their drinks, Trodenjo expressed a great appreciation for Redflower20. He lamented over its controlled supply preventing it from becoming a potential interstellar trade good.
    “You’re not the first visitor who wished for a supply to take home,” Mip7 said. “We can probably round up a case for you as a parting gift.”
    The visitors were thankful for the gesture. Trodenjo’s companion’s name was Shaldan. They both claimed to hold 100% civilian status on their home world, a fact they seemed oddly proud of. Shaldan held a device that looked similar to a Torian lightpad, apparently turned off at the moment as it was only an empty frame.
    Olut6’s interest was sparked upon learning that the visitors were civilians.
    “Governor,” he said, “in all your years as a foreign relations delegate, have you ever entertained pure civilians before?”
    “No,” Mip7 said. “In some cases, appointed ambassadors were former civilians, but their appointments changed their status. That’s one reason I wanted both of you to meet my guests. Mpar is embarking on a unique project I think you should be aware of.”
    Trodenjo then explained the nature of their operation. The Measure, the long v-hulled ship currently moored outside the station, was one of six new interstellar commercial ventures commissioned by their government. All six vessels were identical. Brandon found their design interesting, as they used two torus-shaped distortion drive generators positioned next to each other around the center of the ship’s hull.
    Olut6 was more concerned with what was on the inside. Trodenjo went over their staffing configuration. Each of the six commercial vessels was a civilian/military partnership. As such, private investors funded 60% of each project. The Mparian government contributed the other 40%, and, correspondingly, retained a 40% stake in the venture. Therefore, 40% of the personnel on board were also military, including navigators, fighter pilots, and defense technicians. The Measure carried fifty fighter craft in addition to formidable stationary defense systems. Trodenjo emphasized, however, that it was their sincerest desire they would never have to use any of it.
    “We typically find that the worlds we approach are not threatened by a single vessel,” Trodenjo said. “And the ship is intentionally designed to not have the appearance of a warship. We still come prepared for a fast exit, of course. Our communications systems are state of the art, so we can establish talks from orbit if necessary. When they learn we are mainly interested in purchasing their goods, they usually receive us and are willing to discuss business. After the buying relationship is established, we then let them browse our catalog of available trade goods and profile them as potential customers in our further product development. It’s a long process. We’ve been at this for a little more than a year now, by our