Return On Investment

[Delta Mining Corp.]

Part 3


And Richard was making an effort.

At Dirks request, he made one of the best presentations on the status of a mining base you had ever seen. Great sales figures, costs well under control, a professional and efficient staff working away. Maintenance done on properly and on time , materials being stockpiled in preparation for the next phase of base construction. Everything was in its place, and in order it seemed. Dirk leaned back in his chair, enjoying his home planets finest cheap whisky, not really paying attention to any of it. He was listening for the nearly inaudible chime of his wrist computer, a signal from the Ganymede that his last order had been transmitted to its intended party and acknowledged by the recipient. Until then he would let Regan keep tripping over his lip convincing him that everything was normal. Indeed the station was being well managed, and Regan could talk all day about it. Dirk was almost certain there was a scam at play here. A poorly planned one, planned by somebody who was batting out of his league. A slight chirp came from his left wrist, letting him know it was time to play his hand. Dirk knew he probably couldn't get Richard to show his cards, but Dirk knew he was going to be able to trump him no matter what. Regan was wrapping up his top notch slideshow detailing the purchase of new asteroid miners and the way they had to bumble their was through the dense ice feild to the rich ore deposits within.

“So Mr. Danger, do you have any questions?” Richard stood before the now dimmed view screen with his warmest smile directed at Dirk. It was a thin veneer to the rot that lied within, but Dirk was not about to peel the skin off this onion. The only thing he had yet to determine was if Richard could still be used here. Marissa seemed like she probably did most of the work around here, and likely could take Richards place if necessary. Still, Dirk could use a man here with enough grapes to at least try to pull of a scheme in these circumstances. “I'd like to know more about the accident Richard.” Dirk said intently to Richard “That could have just as easily been me on that ship, had circumstances been a bit different.” This would just be another time waster. There wouldn't be anymore then the cursory investigation undertaken from the local authorities from Planet Yaren. Regardless of what really happened, Dirk did not get the sense that Regan was a murderer, an opportunist yes, but not a killer. Regans face became grim, as he pressed some buttons on a small terminal on the table, and an image of the space appeared, with the planet Tuvalu in clear view. This was docking port C's recording of the incident Dirk watched in horror as the small beat up shuttle hurdled towards the dock. A slight puff of vapor could be seen as the shuttles reverse thrust failed and the pilot jerked the ship to the left to attempt to avoid the station. Only a orange flash could be seen glowing from off camera seconds before the image began to sake violently, presumably from the other passenger ship colliding with the station. “Shame that was,” Tisked Reagan, “That young man was flying recklessly and is responsible for the loss of many lives and nearly caused the destruction of this station in the process. We have certainly taken measures for that sort of incident never to happen again, including the appointment of a safety officer specifically in charge of pilot training.”

The to the room opened suddenly and Marissa walked in. She briskly walked up to Regan and whispered something in his ear. Regan smiled and touched her arm, whispering something back. “Mr. Danger, you will have to excuse me. I have to attend to some business matters. If there is nothing further I can do for you?” Regan's sly smile had returned in spades now, nearly filling up the entire room. This was interesting, Dirk thought, and now was the time to play his hand. “What sort of business Richard? Something to do with those 3 transports hanging outside the station?” Dirk pointed out the view-port where indeed, 3 matching Boarder-world Transport ships were holding not far from the remaining docking ports, staying clear of the behemoth Ganymede, a ship nearly the size of the station itself. “Y..Yes Mr.Danger, these ships are here for their weekly load of ore. I will be personally over seeing the loading of the vessels Sir.” Regan sounded notably more nervous now. Dirk knew he had found his moment. “Well Richard, I'd like to watch if I may. I am a part owner here after all, I'd love to know more about my investment if you don't mind. I'm sure Marissa can find me an out of the way place to observe from.” Dirk was beaming, “That is alright with you Richard?” Richard looked at Marissa nervously. “You can come to ops with us... Dirk.” Richard was almost snarling now, “Watching auto-loaders dump ore down a chute is not exactly what I would call something of interest.” Marissa smiled at this, she had probably never seen Richard put on the spot like he was now. “Well Mr.Regan, you never know until you know. Lead the way.” Dirk gestured to the door. Regan glared at Drik. Richard was beginning to realize that this man was here to lay his plans at nines. The ships that had arrived were about to load up 10,000 tonnes of ore, and represented the first of his back door 'Cash Deal's' he had been making in order to get the cash to buy the company for himself. He lead the way for the trio to the stations operations centre. Ops here was a small clear dome placed ontop of the station in a central hub, to allow the controllers a clear view of the loading docks in order to observe the loading process with their own eyes. Regan walked straight to the comms station and proceeded to hail the lead transport, clearing it to dock and commence loading. Dirk had shifted over to a nearby info screen, and had brought up the stations manifest. Sure enough, these ships were not listed. Now was the time. Dirk pressed a tile on the screen of his wrist device. “Commander Drake,” Dirk said flatly, “Are you in position?” Regan spun on his heels. “Commander? Just who the hell are you anyways Mr. Danger and who are you speaking to?” Dirk ignored him. A female voice came from Dirks communicator, “Yes Sir. Cressida standing by for your orders.”

“Cressida, de-cloak and intercept that ship. Knock out its engines with the pluse cannons if thats what it takes.” Suddenly an apparition of a ship appeared, solidifying in the shape of a Fearless class Crusier. The ship thrusted forward and cut off the approaching transport. “Mr. Danger!” Shouted Regan, sounding most appalled, “This is outrageous and illegal! Explain yourself at once!” Regan started towards Dirk, speaking through clenched teeth. Dirk had a puzzled look on his face and pointed at the screen. “Richard this must be a rare mistake for you. Those ships are not on the stations manifest. They might be pirates and I insist that you turn them back immediately!” Richard grabbed Dirk by the arm and shook him. “You don't give any goddamned orders around here! I don't know who the hell you think you are but your done on this station!” The door to the ops centre opened and in trooped a heavily armed security team from the Ganymede. “Sir!” Reported the Sergeant in the lead, “We encountered no resistance, the station is secure. Is everything alright here?” Richard let go of Dirk, stunned at what he was seeing. “Who am I Richard? I'm Dirk Danger, Senior Trade Officer of Phoenix, your new boss.” Dirk looked Richard straight in his eyes. “I forgive you for not really knowing who we are, but let me assure you when it comes to acquiring Zoner facilities, there are few more approved parties then us on this side of space my friend. The Cressida has just come here from the Freeport with all the required proof you need that we just bought out the outstanding liability in this base. Those ships are not on the manifest, so they are not docking here. Unless you have something to say about it Regan?” Richard face had drained of its previously beet red colour to a pale fleshy white. “You really don't think I would let this place get bought out by those loony Core guys over on Nauru do you?” Dirk put his hand on Richard shoulder, pulling him close to speak in his ear. “Look Regan, I'm going to cut the bullshit here, I don't know what I just saw here, and to be perfectly honest I don't really care to find out. Another thing I don't care to do is to bollocks around looking for some other bum to run this station, do you catch my drift Regan?” Richard stared at Dirk and nodded. “I really hope you do Richard, because I really think maintaining continuity of operations is very important to all of our successful futures together don't you?” Dirk was squeezing his shoulder now, and flashing his game winning smile. “Yes Mr. Danger.” Richard said flatly, “There is no issue here... Sir.”
“Well that's super news, let me relay that to the Sergeant for you and we will be on our way, for now. The only thing you need to concern yourself with Richard, is the continued obviously top notch administration of this facility. You wont notice much of a change. Some of the ships might get renamed, but nothing the effects the real operation of this company. As far as Phoenixes involvement goes, you can consider yourself a most junior grade officer of our merry little band and we will never be far away. Commander Drake out there in the Cressida will be keeping an eye on the station for all of us, and you can call on her should you need any little thing at all. She will also be keeping an eye one who comes and goes from this facility. Now Richard, you don't have any reason to leave the station anytime soon do you?” Richard was almost shaking now. “No sir.” He almost mouthed at Dirk. “That's Great Richard! I knew you were on board! Now, I'm going to get out of your way. Please have Marissa find some quarters for about 40 security personnel that will be staying with you for the time being. And please don't forget, I'm never far away Richard.” Dirk patted Richard on the back, “You take care now Richard.” And with that Dirk returned to the Ganymede, leaving the agape Marissa and the shocked Richard to their new, old jobs.

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