“You can be killed,” Brufan said and Luke wondered if he had misjudged the Bishari. Brufan seemed too calm to be terrified.
“So?” Luke said. “I don’t want to live forever. Do you?”
“Actually, yes,” Brufan said. “The Bishari have the option of immortality. Your actions are not those of an individual who wants to live very long. I can have you killed before you leave this building.”
“I’m okay with that,” Luke said. “I would welcome death. However, you might not know of the nuclear bomb aboard my shuttle. My death will trigger it and the yield will destroy this building and everything within two kilometers.”
Brufan remained silent and Luke suspected he was communicating silently with others.
“Of course if I thought you would kill me I might consider killing you first and finding out who is in charge when you die,” Luke said his pistol still not wavering. “I’m sure someone here will be senior enough to open negotiations with the Caleet.”
Slowly as to not provoke Luke Brufan turned to look at Nashfar’s remains, then the Bishari turned to look at Luke.
“Not everyone believes the Caleet should be treated as Nashfar did,” Brufan said. “You actions allow the rest of the board to find a more equitable solution. I believe this Corporation would now be more interested in working with the Caleet than against them. Their expertise in making their compact manufactories is well known. As allies we can go much further,” Brufan said. The Bishari looked around him at the other executives and they nodded almost imperceptibly.
Luke holstered his weapon without taking his eyes from Brufan.
“Thank you,” Luke said.
“Are you not worried we will renege?” Brufan asked.
“Do you want me to come back?” Luke asked.
“And if we kill you as you depart?” Brufan asked. “We did not detect any nuclear weapons aboard your craft.”
Luke smiled. Let them wonder if there was one, or they had missed it.
“Do you want other humans to come back?” Luke asked. “Perhaps a Topa response? My issue with Nashfar has been resolved. Do you wish to start hostilities against a Shoku?”
Brufan remained silent and still for almost a minute.
“I think this meeting has been very productive,” Brufan said. “The Brekala Corporation will need time to reorganize and prepare a new negotiation model for the Caleet. We would like to thank you for your interaction and actions.”
Luke stared at Brufan for several seconds, trying to figure out if the Bishari meant what he was saying. Finally Luke realized he wouldn’t be able to read the alien.
Nodding, Luke turned around and walked to the elevator door. Alfred and Gray fell in behind him, holstering their pistols but their hands didn’t leave the butts of their weapons and their eyes didn’t stray from the armed guards.
“That was an interesting lesson,” Gray sent. “I would have thought a long range missile attack to decapitate the leadership would be the plan. Did you have this planned all along?”
“Mostly,” Luke sent back after a delay. “Except I expected them to kill me.”
“They still might,” Alfred sent.
“That’s okay,” Luke sent back as they stood in the elevator to go down.
“I wish I had known the plan,” Gray said. “I don’t recall any nukes aboard the shuttle though.”
“Wasn’t one,” Luke said, not patient enough to send that he figured they would detect it before the shuttle landed. It had been a bluff.
“What makes you think Brufan will honor your agreement?” Gray sent.
“The data the Topa sent indicated Brufan was more amiable to the Caleet,” Luke sent. “He just wasn’t in command. Now he has the freedom to do so.”
“That was a very cold blooded and direct solution,” Gray sent. “It went well.”
Luke scowled. No, it hadn’t gone well. He was still alive, maybe the Topa would have another possible suicide mission for him.
“Did you know this would be the outcome?” Salan asked as the report came in.
“No,” Suresh said. “It was a possibility. I expected more violence directed by Shoku Kishi against the Brekala Corporation.”
“One life for such an optimal solution,” Salan said. “You weave well and do not waste any threads.”
“It is the threads that give the tapestry color,” Suresh said. “Each one is precious and unique. Any that are lost reduce the beauty.”
“I had foreseen more damage to the tapestry,” Salan said.
“The humans have potential,” Suresh said. “I plan to use them more if they will let me, but Shoku Kishi appears to be a cornerstone.”
“Will he ever heal?” Salan asked.
“Not for a long time,” Suresh said. “But I will help. I know his pain. He is one of my threads.”
The End
(and the Beginning)
Thank you for reading Threads of the Conglomerate. I really hope you enjoyed it.
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If you would like to read more about the Conglomerate Series check out the Conglomerate Trilogy, starting with book #1
http://williamsfrisbee.com/go/conglomerate-series/
Book 1: The Return
Only two outgunned and outnumbered pilots were there to hold the line against the enemy while the colony of New Alamo escaped. When the battle was over, the enemy fleet was shattered and Luke Kishi had lost the love of his life. She had made him promise to live, and he would keep that promise. However, on the other end of the wormhole the Conglomerate had other plans. It was a harsh and unforgiving society and Luke became a mercenary, fighting for the ruling Topa. Wishing for death, but honor bound to live; Luke receives a mission that sends him to a distant corner of the Conglomerate. The Topa have plans within plans, and Luke has to find something worth living for besides honor or the human race will executed.
Book 2: The Darkness
With his ship destroyed and his future uncertain, Luke is forced to return to New Alamo while Leonessa is forced to return to Athena to help rebuild her shattered home. The drums of war are beating as the colonies prepare to defend themselves against the religious fanatics of Earth, but there are other threats, lurking in the darkness preparing to strike and Topa Suresh has an even more important mission for Luke, a mission that could involve the death of the Conglomerate and the collapse of civilization.
Book 3: New Empires
With the Conglomerate shattered and burning, Topa Suresh missing, the Jupiter Alliance and Caliphate preparing for war, and death in every shadow Luke and Leonessa must take the battle to the enemy and build alliances against an ancient enemy intent on the destruction of civilization and peace.
Threads of the Conglomerate Page 4