“I will try to be more proactive about our security policies,” Betta said.
“That’s all we can ask, Miss.” Agent Weaver saluted again.
Still, they were serious and their transparent caps glinted at some internal display of information that was part of their cybernetic implants.
As their attention seemed averted and they said nothing more, Betta turned to the three employees. “I’m Betta. Just your name and a brief summary of your responsibilities are enough.”
The man, tall with a square jaw, spoke first. “I’m Larry Tril. I’m on Human Culinary, and these are our chefs. I’ll let them speak for themselves.”
The brunette with shoulder-length hair and amber eyes stepped forward. “I’m Amber. I’m in charge of pastries and breads.”
The white-haired woman with young features that hinted at rejuvenation stepped forward. “And I’m Gretchen. Been working entrees for Humans in more than a few stations. Let me know if you’d like to try something, Betta.”
Betta inclined her head. “I’ll probably talk to you after this meeting. I haven’t had a decent meal in decades… no offense, Teena.”
Teena looked up from the tablet. “I’d hardly consider liquid sustenance a substitute to an actual meal. I have you scheduled to eat in an hour.”
“Wonderful.” Betta suppressed the squeal that threatened to bubble up from her stomach.
A high-pitch squelch interrupted their conversation, followed by the sound of a heavy bass drum. Most, the feds excluded, had their hands to their ears, but the drum continued unabated.
The two agents at the air lock merely exchanged a knowing look.
“Dammit,” Teena tapped at her tablet. “Sera Rankor! You told me you had him blocked this time.”
Sera Rankor’s high voice broadcast to all of them. “He’s using a very intuitive algorithm to bypass our security settings. I will have it soon.”
“Hey, Betta’s Station! This is Jadis Ter, your man of mystery, your supplier of all things rare, and the famous lover, no matter the species, no matter the sex. Prepare yourselves for the journey of a lifetime. Grab onto something secure as your swoon is about to readjust gravity and make you feel like zero gee is your home.”
“Is he serious?” Betta lowered her hands and stared intensely at Teena.
“He’s never that.” Teena shrugged. “He’s brutish and unprofessional.”
“Aww,” Jadis said, “don’t be like that, Executive Administrator. I bring happiness to sad souls like you all across this sector. Tell me what you need.” The heavy thump of bass slowed, and the sound of —was that a saxophone?— played in the background. “Is it the touch of a gentle man? Some soft words to help you along? Maybe you need a prosthetic to get you ready to receive me. I even have a few cybernetic men, or women, that can ease your nights and warm your—”
The music and the voice of Jadis Ter were abruptly cut off.
“Thank the stars,” Amber said.
“I’m kind of curious about what else he can provide.” Larry laughed.
“I think we might be a little under prepared.” Betta gestured to the sitting area with a shake of her head.
“I believe it’s best not to encourage his darker urges, Miss Reganta,” Teena warned.
“A man that puts on that much of a show is usually a disappointment, in my experience,” Gretchen said.
“You can try him out for all us, if you’d like,” Betta said.
Laughter filled the bay as the culinary employees enjoyed her joke. Teena only shook her head and returned to her tablet. The Federation guards at the airlock remained impassive.
“He’s fully docked—” Teena began to say, but was interrupted by a loud hiss as the airlock decompressed. Betta lifted her chin and gathered what strength she had for the challenge ahead.
“Remember, you’re good at handling assholes,” the voice inside her head added.
Chapter Six
Honey
The doors slid aside, revealing a tall man with a complexion nearly as dark as her own. He wore a black trench coat that reached below his ankles. A grey scarf ran around his neck. Black boots clicked on the titanium flooring. His dark eyes drank in those before him. A broad smile with perfect white teeth was revealed beneath a trimmed salt and pepper beard.
Agent Kim scanned him with a tool while Agent Weaver leveled the pulse rifle at him. Jadis Ter stood unperturbed by the intrusion.
“Everything he’s carrying is registered and tagged,” Agent Kim announced, and both agents stepped aside to retake their positions next to the airlock.
Jadis’s eyes fell on Betta and he bowed graciously. She in turn studied the top of his closely cut black hair that ran with flecks of grey to match his beard.
He rose to his full height again. “You must be Betta. I heard you were something to see.”
“I’m confused,” Betta said. “You offered me a bow to show respect, then you gave me a back-handed insult. What’s your business here, Jadis Ter?”
“I assure you, no insult was meant.” His smile lessened slightly. “I just meant that we’re the same. The dark skin. It’s rare on this side of the galaxy. You usually get normal brown or the occasional light tan.” He waved to the culinary employees. “Do you know that they’ve developed whole colonies just to preserve our complexion?”
“I had heard. I’ve also heard the old murmurings about racial inferiority, or superiority. Depends on which part of the nets you listen to. Where do you sit on the subject?” Betta asked.
Jadis paused, considering her, and, perhaps, considering her words. He crossed his arms in an easy fashion and ran a hand along his thin beard. “I am of the opinion that I am the best at most things, regardless. I have a talent for recognizing what is rare and has worth.”
Betta gestured a hand to the sitting area. “Then shall we have an in-depth discussion on the social impact of skin color in Human society, or did you come with another purpose?”
He followed her gesture and eased into the sitting area. He grabbed one of the small pastries before unceremoniously plopping himself on the grey couch. It looked to be synthetic leather and made little noise against the fabric of his trench-coat. Betta could see there were several hidden protuberances attempting to poke their way from beneath his coat, yet he sat comfortably.
Following his easy nature, Betta took a similar square pastry and sat. They ate silently and she suppressed a smile at seeing crumbs infest his beard as he munched.
The pastry was delicious. The crust was sweet with a sugar glaze that melted against her tongue. A further bite and she was enjoying apple jelly within. It was a credit to the chefs that silence was interspersed only with the sounds of chewing on both sides.
Brushing the crumbs away from his beard, Jadis cleared his throat. “You’ve definitely got me beat there. I could never afford the type of production you’re putting on here. I’ve tried for decades to get hold of this station, but I could never get the right investors.”
Betta said softly, “Not to mention, you’re already heavily invested in the power station. I doubt Pilo is willing to extend your loans.”
Jadis blinked. He stared at her in surprise, then laughed.
Teena was suddenly at her side, offering a napkin and gesturing at her chin.
Betta took the napkin and wiped away the yellow jelly. She was tempted to lick the napkin’s remnants, but she wasn’t ready to show Jadis, or anyone else in the room, how savage she could be quite yet.
“You do your research. Again, it would be difficult for me to compete with you. So, I came here to offer you a chance for profit. I do my research too, Betta. I know that you’re here to make a huge profit. What’s it for? Anyone else would be content just collecting the usual marks off a station like this for a few decades, but you make big ventures.”