"The Junker Marauders are a completely different issue. Johnny come lately while I was trying to enjoy retirement. Oh well, I guess that's an issue that comes with the new job. I have some ideas for that. First I want to ask you what you really think of the project in Inverness. Here's why I ask.
First, I know this is a risky venture. Back when I was Chief Arbiter, I viewed Inverness as something that would be our last stand of a Gallic Invasion of Bretonia. That may or may not happen. It does however make what Bretonia is doing all the more foolish. They are worried about a group that is trying to forage a last stand against their enemies and in doing say they are taking forces away from a front that desperately needs attention. What the rip are they thinking over there anyway?
Second, I don't even know if they can pull this terra forming project off. However, if they can, it will beneficial to us all. That will give us a reason to bring the Marauders into the fold.
If nothing else I can speak to them about what's going on and about Zoners in general. My own business interests are going to suffer if they keep hitting Zoners so it's going to come to a head at some point. Have you had much contact with them personally?"
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"My knowledge of terraforming is weak," answered Doc. "I spent a few weeks on Crete seeing if it was possible, even asking the Sairs if they would welcome it but they never answered. Since I assume they didn't care, I left."
He took a deep breath and thought a moment, "I don't know Iverness well enough so I'm afraid I'll be useless as far as terraforming goes but what I CAN do is provide some medical staffing wherever you or Mr. Ashford see fit. I can provide staff or even send a Med Force ship there."
He leaned back a bit, "You know something, I think fate has brought us back together. We think so alike in so many ways. We share many of the same ideas and values. Admittedly, I'll be shuttling between Iverness and Cassini. I've made some promises to the Padua Rogues that I intend to keep."
Jack sipped his drink and stared back at his friend. Yes, we do definitely think alike in many ways. I'm curious about your new project with the Padua group. What exactly is involved in this project...........and do you need help?
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Doc looked at him sharply. He didn't know if Jack was on to him or just that good at interrogating but now was the time to see how good a friend he really was. Doc re-filled his glass and then topped off Jacks before sitting back in his chair with a couple bobs of his head. He then took a sip to wet his palate before going into a speech.
"Foster base in Cassini," he started, "a short time back I landed on it looking for a new trade route. It was abandoned but still had function to it. I liked it as I walked through it only to find the Padua Rogues around me as I went to leave. To make a long story short and it's not a done deal yet, I offered to fix the place up with the possibilities of a bio-dome in exchange for being able to do my research in it's lower levels. So far, negotiations have been positive but are still in work."
Doc thought a moment before continuing, "You see, Jack, when I stepped down as administrator in Baffin, I got a case of conscience. For years I looked the other way as Cardamine and slaves passed through without disruption, all in the interest of peace with my Outcast neighbors."
Somber, Doc stood up and began walking towards a window, his drink in hand, "Thousand of men, women and children who were guilty of nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time were taken and sent to die in the fields of Malta and I did nothing about it."
He now stood before a window overlooking Manhattan in the distance, "And that cardamine, used by the Outcasts to force loyalty, servitude and to drag people into slavery became something I despised. I mean, if someone WANTS to use it then so be it but I've had countless people come to me, wanting to be free of it. Some even took their own lives rather than be a slave to it."
He then turned to Jack, "After watching people die, some violently with seizures, trying to break free of it, I began researching how to help. I've had limited success and eventually abandoned the idea. But now, with my conscience tearing at me, I decided to try again."
He took another sip, "I'm not out to rid Sirius of it but if someone wants to be free of it, I just want to be able to help."
He then gave the same sharp look to Jack that he started with, "Now you understand why I'm reluctant to mention this to you considering the clientele on Rochester."
He turned back to the window, "Jack, I have to do what I feel is right even if few agree. If you really want to help, I need goods to build a bio-dome in Cassini.......but I would really like some help for Doreen getting re-established when she has to close Canaria Medical."
Doc sighed, took a sip and stood by the window, figuring he was about to get it from Jack.
Jack took a long pull off his glass and sat back in the chair. This was fast becoming one of those conversations where answers given too quickly could soon be regretted. He stared across the table at his old friend.
"I'm sure you know I made a good part of my fortune off cardamine. I was dealing in it at home before I ever went to space. I'm not all that proud of it at this point, but I'm not completely ashamed of it either. I'm just at a point now where I don't need to take that kind of risk to keep a business going. Back in the days when Tinkerbell recruited me, I had one ship and I was barely keeping it space worthy and my crew fed at the same time. Risky cargo has a great appeal in those conditions. I'm not there anymore."
Jack thought for another minute. "The Outcasts are an unruly bunch and they can be quite ruthless in their methods, but they definitely have their uses. I'm sure you're finding something similar in those Padua boys at the moment. I've never allowed cardamine to be used on any of my ships........except a few rare exceptions when we were dealing with some lovely ladies from Ainu, but I'm not trying to eliminate it either. I think you and I have the same basic opinion of the houses and their governments, and it doesn't distress me too terribly to see them enslaving themselves to something like that while claiming to be so superior to the rest of us at the same time."
Jack set his drink down and his eyes got a little wider, "Here's what I can do. We've been doing patch and upgrade work for the Rogues for some time, helping them keep things running. When it comes to building bases, and especially things like bio domes, your people have the true expertise. I can get supplies in there though. The people who do it will want to get paid though. It's the same deal. When you're trying to keep your ship in space and your crew happy, there needs to be profit. The good part of that is that the Padua boys can probably help there. You know how much cargo they tend to "find" on the lanes up there and they need someone to move it out of there. My guys bringing supplies in will be all too happy to help them with that. There's still plenty of profit in it for them, without too much risk, so I'm sure they won't be too offended by your project there."
As Jack finished saying this the door opened and a Junker walked in and handed him a message. He looked back at him. "JT isn't going to give me a beak is he? Tell Stephen to get the ship ready to leave immediately." He looked back at Doc, "It looks like I'm going to have to bow out of this little discussion early. I'm being summoned to a meeting with the head of the Junker Marauders. I'll definitely be in touch. Tell me what Doreen will need in the immediate future and I'll see what I can do. I've got Lije lurking in the shadows in this system right now as well. He's available to fly up to Cassini if you need any help."
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"Jack, I'll cover the expense of shipping and such," Doc answered, "I'm not that broke yet." He turned and walked back towards Jack, "At least you understand me then in my thoughts albeit I'm a ways from digging into it."
Doc's datapad buzzed and he read the message. Smiling, he looked back to Jack, "It seems your mechanics finished my ship so I can continue. Just do this for me, have the Marauders and Junker base clientele Sirius wide leave Zoners be and I'll be available to help with terraforming in Iverness and helping Dr. Naggar set up medical there in the future."
He thought a moment, "And lastly, let's keep some regular dialogue. I can't help if I don't know what you need." He then offered Jack a hand shake to end things on a positive note so that both men could go about their business.
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