Altap was not always wasted money on exploration, but they never had the capital to do much with their findings. They were always looking for investors, and, after several failed investments, Jadis was done with the company. Others were hunkered down in the sure bet, which were the moons that his power stations were aligned to provide for. None of the other companies were willing to release equipment for an independent venture. Not to mention the fuel and personnel needed.
“There’s always Betta’s Station,” Tylen said.
“You mean the derelict being rebuilt?” Jadis asked.
“Yes. If you look over their inventory list, you’ll find they had some mining equipment that was originally stored on the station.”
“Why am I just hearing about this?”
“The list was made public with the sale. If you could convince the owner—”
Jadis swiveled his legs over the side of the bed, fighting a wave of dizziness with the move.
“Easy Jadis. I’m told the new owner won’t arrive for another decade. She’s in stasis en route.”
“She has to have someone in charge while she’s out. I’ll speak to that person.”
“Slow down,” Tylen said, easing him back onto the bed with a hand on his shoulder. “They aren’t going anywhere. You need your strength to make a deal like that.”
“If the feds don’t find those kids—”
“Then you won’t have any luck either. Get your strength back and then head to the station.”
With a weary sigh that drained what strength he had left, Jadis gave up his efforts to climb out of bed and slumped back in a heap. His breathing came shallowly and pockets of sweat released from his torso and nether regions, though his forehead was dry.
Tylen activated the holo interface above his head.
“You have an urgent message waiting. It’s been in the queue for a few days now.”
“D’yanna?” Jadis asked weakly while attempting to force himself back into a semi-sitting position.
Tylen nodded.
“I’ll watch it alone. Anything else?”
“Formalities. We have some authorizations for a power increase and the Miner’s Holiday is a few months away. Many are asking if we are hosting.”
Jadis felt slightly relieved. The Miner’s Holiday came once a year and usually led to some profit. In the past, he had a better inventory to supply them with all types of pleasures, but now he was reduced to what was in storage. It would take care of the next two holidays, but he’d have to figure something out for the remaining.
“We’ll host this year. I’ve lost some friends in this sector, but I doubt they will all avoid me when presented with the right opportunities. You know who to contact?”
Tylen frowned. “You don’t have many marks to work with, Jadis.”
“Then ask for credit—” Jadis began.
“Your credit rating is now on the questionable side,” Tylin interrupted.
“Then tell them I’m calling in all my favors from over the years.”
“That might work this year,” Tylen said, “but I don’t know about the next.”
“You are not cheering me up. In fact, you’ve been nothing but a dark cloud since you came in here, Tylen. Are you worried that your credit rating will drop by association?”
A finger brushed Tylen’s left mustache in irritation. “It already has. I’ll forward you the authorizations.”
Jadis watched the tall man rise silently. For years, they’d plotted together, stolen together and shared illicit inventory together. And now, because of his damned bleeding hearts, it was all over.
“When do you leave?” Jadis asked.
Tylen barked out a laugh. “You’d think I’d abandon you now? Our fates are tied together, Jadis Ter. No, now we rebuild, and this time we’re partners. Fifty-fifty. If it gets too dirty, you put my hands in it from now on. Got it?”
Jadis lowered his head, blinking away something wet in his eyes. “Just no kids, Tylen.”
Tylen quietly sauntered away.
Jadis lifted his head after some time. “Play messages.”
D’yanna’s reptilian façade appeared above his head. The focus pulled back and revealed her laying prone while small reptilian pups suckled at her nipples.
“Hello, my friend. As you can see, I’ve had the litter. My little princes are all strong. There were no fatalities, and my husband is proud.”
A small smile lifted his features without his permission. “At least you’re happy.”
D’yanna’s sharp grin receded. “I’m sorry, Jadis. You know what I would have wished for, but that I cannot say in this message. Even so, I believe this is the best we could make of the situation. I have my pups and a good male. He will do well if Father ever decides to pass on his throne and die.”
Jadis laughed, thinking of the muscular behemoth that was her father. Unless there was foul play, the king would live for a few centuries more before even weakening in the slightest.
“I hope you are doing well. I hear rumors. Well, I hear reports that you have become famous for your ability to turn a quick profit. It is best if you keep a low profile. Father still has influence in that sector and though it would take a few years, he would cut off his… support… rather easily if needed. Be careful, my friend.”
There was a squeak from one of the pups suckling and a burp from another. This was followed by a gasp from D’yanna as she cupped all six of them in a single forearm. Her forked tongue flickered over their wet scales.
“They are really very rude, Jadis. I will teach them their manners before they meet you. Be ready to chastise them.”
For the second time, Jadis blinked away the wetness beneath his lids.
“Be well, my Jadis,” D’yanna said softly.
The image faded from the dark room. Jadis kept his eyes on the ceiling where D’yanna had once been before giving into the weakness coursing through his body. His eyes fluttered shut. A single tear made its escape down his cheek as he took up a raucous snore that echoed against the walls of his clinic.
Recovering to full health was not something that happened to Jadis overnight. There were days when he would be able to keep awake and energized for nearly two hours before he collapsed. Once he even fell into a full hibernation for two weeks. When he awoke he found himself secreting a strange black fluid from one of his glands. His instincts told him to devour it quickly before anyone could see, but he’d learned as a child to ignore such impulses. Instead, he called in one of the janitorial staff with the offer of a few extra marks if the job was done quietly.
A woman in an environmental suit appeared an hour later and vaporized his discharges with a few laser bursts that left ash and the smell of burning flesh. Jadis nodded his approval with a fearful smile when she turned to him, the laser tool pointed in his direction. The last thing he needed was to die by unintentional laser fire. He wasted no time transferring the marks to her account.
A quick check of his account revealed he was nearly out of funds. Sorting through his messages, Jadis came across several maintenance requests and sign offs from Manager Tylen as his proxy. Jadis gave his final approval to the transactions, then began slumping through the less immediate requests. He only passed out twice during this review.
The next day, he was feeling himself again. All that he craved was a swim in his pool. As he opened a window in his mind to authorize usage of his vessel, he was hit by several federal quarantine warnings. With a groan and a curse, Jadis Ter rose from his sickbed and decided to meet the universe head on.
Jadis was fifteen pounds lighter, though his heavy boots struck the floor with the same intensity as they had when he was in perfect health. Employees that walked the halls, gave him a wide berth and bowed respectfully as he passed. Ignoring them, Jadis made his way to the federal level.