Tawn crossed her arms. “Well, that was rude. Can’t say I care much for Bob.”
Harris replied, “Sounds like someone is getting an earful. We’ll give him a few minutes before we walk. The next closest competitor is all the way down in Miamiville.”
Chapter 4
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Two minutes later, a stodgy old man walked out to the lobby. “What specifically are you looking for?”
Harris said, “We’re spinning up a complete mining operation in a dusty, hot, sixty-degree-C environment. I believe the humidity runs around 7 percent or less. We’ll need ‘dozers, dumpers, cranes, concrete pumpers, the works. All ruggedized for that environment.”
The man held out his hand. “Bannis Morgan.”
“This is Tawn Freely, and I’m Harris Gruberg.”
Tawn gestured toward a large sign on the wall. “As in that Morgan?”
Bannis smiled. “Yep. Family owned and operated for four hundred seventy-two standard years. And the equipment you’re looking for will require modification. We used to make a few military vehicles for that type environment, but nothing of late. I’ll need a list of what you’d like converted. How soon are you gonna need them?”
“Immediately if possible.”
Bannis Morgan chuckled. “Wish I could snap my fingers and have them ready, but last I checked my snapper wasn’t working, at least not like that. We’re probably talking three months for the first set.”
Tawn frowned. “We’re ready to begin colony construction today. How about if we pay for any development costs, including labor?”
Bannis asked, “What colony this for?”
Harris leaned in. “Eden. You’ve probably heard about it on the news lately. The Earthers are wanting to take control. We want to stop them.”
Bannis stood straight. “Eden? It’s a desert world. Nothing there. Who cares?”
Tawn replied, “New Earth needs titanium. Eden is rich in it. And please don’t spread that around as we don’t want the media all up in our business. We’re looking to do this quietly if possible, outside of the public eye. There will come a time when we’re looking for colonists and miners, but we aren’t there yet.”
Tawn turned. “Which reminds me, we should order biosuits for our people. Those are at least a six week lead-time.”
Bannis Morgan rubbed his chin. “I suppose I could take this project on myself. The grand-babies are all teens now and could care less about grandpa. I tell you what… what if I could have the first units available in that same six week timeframe you mentioned? I could even throw in a couple of the old military units we have sitting in storage. You can have those today if you’re willing to provide any feedback to us for producing any others.”
Harris said, “We can arrange for a pick-up, probably tomorrow. What kind of vehicles are they?”
“Climate controlled personnel carriers. They’re armored, but not armed. I know you don’t need the armor, but the other systems will be on whatever we deliver. How’s that sound?”
Tawn asked, “And what’s the price?”
Bannis asked, “Can I send a couple of my techs out with you? We could use the feedback during the modification process.”
Harris nodded. “Absolutely.”
“And you’re looking to purchase a quantity of at least a hundred such construction vehicles?”
“We are… as a starting point. Could go way bigger.”
Bannis replied, “For the cause I’d be willing to do the initial mods for cost, if you’re already purchasing the standard vehicles in that quantity.”
Harris held out a hand. “Mr. Morgan, I believe we have a deal. You wouldn’t happen to have any friends in the mining equipment business, would you?”
Bannis shook Harris’ hand. “I would. Peacock and Company. Owner is Beatrice Peacock. She’s my cousin. And I’m guessing you’ll be needing equipment to operate in that same environment?”
“At least some of it would have to be. Anything for digging and transport of the ore. We could build indoor processing facilities. In fact, we were toying with the idea of constructing domes for the colony. My first mate said she saw some documentary of a domed colony that was under construction on one of the outer colonies. It went bust, but there must be designs and such for it still around.”
Bannis leaned back against a counter. “I saw that. Was an interesting piece. Wasn’t going on a hot dry world though. Nothing like sixty Celsius. That’s serious heat. I can make a few calls if you’d like me to ask around about it.”
Tawn nodded. “That would be great. Looks like we came to the right place.”
Bannis sighed. “You caught an old man with time on his hands is what you did. And a patriot. News says New Earthers are becoming active in the truce worlds. If true, Domicile needs to be doing something about it.”
Harris nodded. “We’re trying. Can’t be any government involvement though. Both sides have people watching.”
“I employ a few of your kind here at Hosh-Morgan. Can’t say I was happy to see how you were treated when the truce was declared.”
“For what it’s worth,” Tawn replied, “we did get slightly more compensation than the regulars who were put out, but most of us had no training or experience for living in a civilian world, so those benefits didn’t last.”
Harris added, “And people are scared of us. Most of us aren’t the best at normal conversation. We’re crude, blunt, and quick to temper. Add in the distrust from fear of us and most Bios have had a rough go of it.”
Bannis replied, “I’ll admit to being frustrated at first with the few Biomarines I hired. Took some patience and a good bit of understanding. Now, though, I’d say they are some of my better workers. I’ve tried to hire as many vets as I could, and Bios.”
“Have I said I like this guy?” Tawn held out her hand for a shake. “When all this is over we might send a few worker candidates your way. At the moment though we’ll be needing their services for ourselves.”
Bannis crossed his arms, leaning forward. “I know a number of industry leaders who are Domers to the core. If you like, I could act as a sort of liaison for you. They are powerful people and would readily enjoy being involved in any effort to keep the Earthers from gaining a foothold on the truce worlds.”
Harris scratched the back of his neck. “Ordinarily I would be gushing yeses for that kind of assistance, but I have to warn you, we are being watched closely by the DDI. Any assistance you attempt to give us will be known to them.”
“Last I checked we were on the same side. Is there something I should know?”
Harris leaned forward. “If you want to do this, I’m all for it. I just wanted you to be aware of the risk you’re taking by doing so. Should you provide assistance beyond what would be considered normal business, and if something were to go bad or wrong, you would be on the hook for answering to the DDI.
“That could be anything from confiscation of your business to imprisonment to an untimely accident. You’ll want to be discreet and put confidence in only a trusted few. The fewer the better.”
“You make it sound dangerous, Mr. Gruberg.”
Tawn said, “You have to look at the bigger picture, Mr. Morgan. We’re talking about preventing the Great War from restarting. There are those on either side who want it to return. And they would kill anyone they feel is interfering with their plans. You’ll be poking your head into a big tent with a lot of bad people who won’t hesitate to chop it off. We’d like your head to stay attached is all.”
Bannis nodded. “I understand. I’m old, I’ve accomplished all I could desire. My life is complete. There would be no higher honor than to give it in the service of protecting my fellow Domers.”
Harris shook his head. “It’s not just you you’re putting at risk. It’s everyone you know. As I said, there are very bad people involved in this effort. If you’re willing to risk involvement, you need to fully understand what that means.”
Bannis smil
ed. “Are you trying to get me excited about joining your cause?”
“Just letting you know what you might be getting yourself into. People are already dead over this. As things heat up, more deaths will likely follow.”
Bannis stood. “How can I get in touch with you, Mr. Gruberg?”
“It’s best that you don’t. We’re being watched. We’ll make contact with you next time through this facility. After that we’ll have to figure something out.”
The meeting ended with a handshake. An effort was coordinated with the crew of the freighter to retrieve the two armored personnel carriers from a Hosh-Morgan warehouse. The Bangor next flew to the city of Post London, where meetings with several colony companies were to take place, the first of which was at the Gregor United Settlements Company.
A spokesman from GUSCO was waiting in the lobby. “Mr. Guber?”
Tawn laughed.
Harris shook his head. “It’s Gruberg.”
The man held out his hand. “Alphonse Duane. My apologies. Our receptionist must have entered the name wrong. Please have a seat.”
Alphonse walked to the other side of the table and sat. “How can we here at GUSCO assist you?”
“We’re building a mining colony on one of the truce worlds,” said Harris. “Eventually we’ll want to staff that colony with miners. We’re looking for a partner, or perhaps even a buyout if necessary, to make sure we have the personnel we need when the time comes.”
Alphonse frowned. “We aren’t in the business of purchasing mining companies, Mr. Gruberg. However, I may be able to assist with the partnership.”
“We aren’t looking to be purchased, Mr… Duane. We would be doing the purchase if we find a company that matches our needs. Can you tell us how many colonists you’ve placed in the last year?”
Alphonse slowly rocked his head back and forth in thought. “Across all colonies… close to two hundred.”
“What about for the truce worlds?”
Alphonse smirked. “We haven’t had any clients asking to be placed out there. Nor have we had any colonies from there requesting personnel. We deal strictly with the free colonies, and most specifically with Havron V.”
Tawn asked, “Would you know of any of your competitors who deal with the truce worlds?”
“I believe there are only two who are registered to do so, Falston Company and Middleman Enterprises. I want to say each operates a colony on New Mars. Middleman had a colony on Jebwa. You might have heard about the massacre there. It was thought to be because of some killings on Eden. Either way, you’ll want to talk to one of those two outfits. Middleman is right here in Post London.”
They looked up the business address and an air-taxi took them to the location. In the front of the office a heavy woman, smoking a virtual pipe, had her feet propped up on a desktop as she watched a local video broadcast.
“Got an appointment?” she said with a raspy voice.
Harris shook his head. “No. Just dropping in. We’d like to discuss making arrangements for settling personnel to a new colony if you have someone available.”
The woman had a short coughing fit as she set her feet on the floor.
When her throat was clear, she reached out for a button on her desk. “Fritz, you got people out here.”
Fritz Romero was an extremely thin and yet tall man. His black hair stood in contrast to a pale complexion. As he came down a hall to the front office, his gate was more of a lumber than a walk.
“Good afternoon.” Fritz stood with an impish smile, tapping his fingers together. “What would be your pleasure?”
Harris stared for several seconds. “We’re building a colony. We’re interested in staffing it in the near future.”
“Superb,” Fritz replied. “Please come this way.”
The group followed the lanky salesman into his office, a small room with a single chair and a short bench. “Please have a seat.”
Harris said as he sat, “Before we get started on our needs. Can you tell us about your placements? How many people have you moved and to what colonies?”
Fritz nodded. “Close to ten thousand over the years. Many of those out to Bella III, but that was over half a century ago. Our latest venture was to a new colony on Jebwa. Unfortunately, that colony was the victim of a mass genocide. Retaliation for killings on Eden. It has been quite the setback for our company. I had to lay off my staff, move to this building, and hire the temp you saw out front.”
Fritz leaned forward in his chair. “I have a colony with thousands of homes, five dozen sizable farms, and a small mine that is sitting empty. You wouldn’t happen to know of anyone who would be willing to move there, would you?”
Harris shook his head. We’re in the business of looking for potential colonists. It sounds like your business is about to fold.”
Fritz frowned. “Only a few short months ago I employed close to a hundred people. The colony on Jebwa was about to undergo a major expansion. I had a half dozen large businesses lined up to build out there and close to five thousand colonists on my interested list. And then the massacre…”
“What if we gave you a contract to enlist colonists for a new colony?”
Fritz frowned. “Not on Jebwa I hope.”
Tawn replied, “Nope. On Eden.”
Fritz started with a low laugh that soon turned into a bellow, followed soon after by a coughing fit and a sip of a beverage. “Sorry. Sorry. You aren’t serious, are you?”
Harris nodded. “It will be a mining colony. With protection provided by former Biomarines.”
Fritz shook his head. “You aren’t going to get settlers out to Eden. With the troubles they’ve had… there won’t be any interest.”
“I don’t think that’s true. Look around at the unemployment. We’re two years out of the war effort. The vets are all seeking work. And at the same time the defense industry has been winding down contracts and shuttering factories. Eden and the other colonies offer opportunity. If we promise security, food, housing, and decent pay, I believe the colonists will come. We can even guarantee return to Domicile if they don’t like it.”
Fritz returned a half scowl. “I think it may be a tough sell.”
“What assets do you have stuck on Jebwa?” Tawn asked.
“As I said, housing for thousands of families. And enough farming and mining equipment to keep those families working.”
“Would you be willing to sell the housing interiors and the mining equipment?”
“Honey, I can’t afford the transport to bring it back here.”
“What would you estimate its value to be if you had it here?”
Fritz turned to his desk. “My guess would be 20 percent on the credit. I spent… three million credits on it. Would be lucky to get six hundred thousand if I had it sitting right outside here.”
Harris crossed his arms. “What if we give you six hundred thousand and we’ll transport it from there?”
Fritz laughed. “I’d close up shop and retire like I should have done a year ago.”
Harris placed his hands on the front of Fritz’ desk. “Would you have any interest in joining our company as a recruiter for Eden?”
Fritz sighed. “You give me a glimmer of hope for getting out and then you suck me back in. I suppose the purchase of the assets is tied to my coming aboard for a recruiting job?”
Harris nodded. “Yes?”
Fritz rubbed his forehead for several seconds. “You buy out my company assets and I’ll come work for you… for a year. Then I’m out.”
“Sounds reasonable.”
Fritz Romero took in a deep breath. “When do I start?”
Harris stood with his hand out. “Welcome aboard. First thing we need to do is get you a better office. Something with a little flash that says we’re a crack outfit. We’ll be looking for miners and support personnel, probably in the range of a thousand or so to start. We’ll need people for the actual mining, for transport, for processing, and possibly shipping.”
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Fritz nodded. “You’ll need bookkeepers, maintenance and service people as well.”
Tawn smiled. “I think he understands.”
“When will you want to start the staffing process?” asked Fritz.
“Immediately. Start with the coordination people, managers and such.”
“I’ll put together a list of colony jobs needed to support a mining colony of a thousand. The numbers will be rough, but I should have something for you in a few days. From there we can decide on priority. After that I will work to put together a marketing campaign. And there is the question of compensation.”
Harris replied, “How does twenty-five thousand credits a month for you and a staff sound? And give us a budget figure for a low-end, medium, or high-end marketing campaign. I’d like to have our first mining assets breaking ground in two months.”
Fritz tapped his fingertips together. “It seems you want the world. I can only promise that I will do my best to meet your needs.”
Tawn said, “You bring this together nicely and we might even make you the colony governor. Will eventually be needing one of those.”
Fritz stood from his desk and walked into the hall. “Miz Burritz? You’re fired. Get out.”
Turning back, Fritz Romero smiled. “I’ve been wanting to do that since they sent her to me. And I believe my old office building is still available. We should go and negotiate a lease. My demise was unexpected. The owners may be willing to bargain to get me back. I was a good tenant.”
Chapter 5
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The wheels of industry were quick to get rolling. Fritz Romero had the new office open and staffed three days after the initial meeting. A personnel plan was put forth and prioritized. A high-end marketing budget was funded and media outlets contacted. The human recruiter expected fruit from his first seedlings within two weeks.
A return trip to Juniper City and the Hosh-Morgan manufacturing facility saw two climate-modified personnel carriers loaded aboard a freighter and taken to the new colony on Eden. As a joke, the colony received the name Fireburg, which was registered at the government office at Dove.
ARMS Harris' Revenge Page 4