The Story of Richard Heidrich

[Xoria]

Chapter 4

I had been working for Republican Shipping as an independent hauler for several months when I was invited to meet with the Republican Vice President for the Hamburg Region at Alster Shipyard. I wasnt sure exactly what a Republican Shipping VP wanted with me, but I hoped that it involved putting a lot of credits in my pockets. I even bought a new suit for the meeting. Da always said that if you wanted to be rich, you needed to look the part when meeting certain people.

When I stepped into his office, I didnt exactly look rich, but I looked mighty well off for a 19 year old independent contract hauler. The VP seemed a little surprised that I was wearing a suit instead of greasy cover-alls, but he covered it up pretty fast. He got right down to business.

We have been tracking your contracts with great interest for several weeks now, Herr Heidrich. No other independent pilot we contract with fulfills his contracts as efficiently or as free from shrinkage as you do.

I smiled at the reference to shrinkage. Many independent haulers would make detours to pirate bases and sell all or parts of their cargo on the black market and then pay a pirate to fire some scorch marks onto his hull. Then the pilot could claim that the cargo was stolen under threat of death by pirates and collect the insurance pay-out on top of the extra black market premium for his goods. There were even rumors from time to time that the Republican Shipping owned transports that had security crews on board would sometimes suffer engine failure conveniently close to a pirate base and fall prey to looting. Naturally, engine failures only seemed to occur when extremely valuable cargo like diamonds was on board. Apparently water and oxygen cargo loads mysteriously boost engine performance. My ships were all purchased second hand and I had never once suffered an engine failure.

The VP continued, While you may be enjoying the young life of a independent pilot, Republican Shipping can offer you a lucrative career that you can only dream about as an independent. How would you like to trade in that Camara Freighter for a Behemoth?

My jaw dropped open, and I couldnt figure out what to say.

Before I could think of a reply, the VP continued, Of course, you couldnt start out in a Behemoth right away. There are a number of pilots senior to you at the moment. However, from tracking your work, I am confident that one day you will be one of Republican Shippings top pilots. There are a lot of perks that come with that, the least of which is flying the pride of the Republican Shipping fleet. As a matter of fact, just between you and me, he said in a whisper, the Board of Directors has been considering the construction of two new Luxury Liners for the fleet. Transporting filthy rich VIPs to their destinations in comfort as well as safety is a growing market sector and Republican Shipping doesnt want to be left out in the cold while Orbital Spa and Cruise takes all those credits for themselves. The designs are going to the shipyards as we speak for further assessment, and when the first Republican Luxury Liner launches, we will want a handsome, young pilot with exceptional skills and reputation to be its Captain. Right now, I think you could be just that Captain in a couple of years when the first ship leaves Alster. Spend the next couple of years proving yourself in the regular fleet, and I expect you will rise straight to the top of our pilot ranks. So what do you say to joining Republican Shipping as our newest pilot?

How could I have said anything other than yes?

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