Dez seemed unusually energetic, parading about like a spring chicken. He stared hard at Regers. “Radioed into Caz, our security officer. The loading dock on bay E5 is all cleared for landing. Acquisitions building, R & D West tower, East wing. We can land at the heliport, and deposit the armature, then see to Xaromar’s repair. I said I owed you a ship, and I’ll keep my word.”
Regers peered at him through slitted eyes. “Not repair, a new ship. Hate to burst your bubble, Dez, but home may not be as rosy for you as you may think. See—” he wrapped an arm around the CEO’s shoulder “—I know, you’re thinking that here’s dumb fuck Regers, strutting around like some lame, sloe-eyed ox, sticking his nose into armed forces, security, E1s, tasers, pepper spray, electro-nets, lawyers, judges, you name it. Just giving himself up so easy here on Phallanor like a prodigal son. But been doing some thinking. Had Jennings do a little research on you while we were at the last station, getting supplies and all. Seems you have a pretty wife and daughter back home. Ain’t that nice. Alizia and Beatrix. Mighty fine-looking gals too. Be a shame if anything happened to them.” He let the thought dangle then held up a hand in reproach. “Don’t get all bug-eyed on me, Dez. I put the word out to a couple of associates of mine out in Veglos, no-nonsense types, to pay them gals of yours a visit, should I not happen to report in at a certain hour of each day. How long you think you can hide your loved ones, Dez, you being big, acting CEO? Vespasie and Furad aka ‘Dogfir’ are thorough fellows.”
Dez paled. He gulped, nodding slowly.
Regers patted him on the back. “That’s good, Dez. I like it when a man sees eye to eye with his superior and there’s no fucking about like a couple of cat-clawing bitches putting out each other’s eyes.”
Dez slumped. Events proceeded smoothly, more to Regers’ liking than Dez would have expected after the last disclosure. Regers and his crew were given royal treatment by Cyber Corp staff, ushered in as high-end VIPs, given luxury suites and unlimited booze, service and amenities.
Ramra blinked at the shag carpet, the crystal glassware, the cathedral ceilings, chrome fixtures and unlimited holo media channels. “Wow, never seen anything like this!”
Vincent flopped on a queen-sized bed with his boots on, loosing a contented breath. “At last, some payback.”
“Told you, I’d take care of you,” said Regers.
Jennings muttered, scratching his cheek with the heel of his hand. “I can’t seem to get Creib out of my mind. Poor bastard, frying out there in The Dim Zone with those locusts and that dragonfly. All some horrible nightmare.”
“Best you forget about Creib, Jennings,” said Regers. “An unfortunate incident, one that Dez’ll have on his conscience, fucking around as he was back there. This is in part, his way of making it up.”
Jennings grunted. “Keep on believing that, Regers.”
“I like to believe my lullabies more than any other knob’s bullshit. Tomorrow we’re hauling ass out of here, once we get our new ship. To Kraetoria, unless new leads crop up.”
Jennings shook his head. “This scheme of yours stinks.”
“Shut it, Jiminy. No one cares about your bleeding heart opinions.”
“Everything’s business first, pleasure after with Regers,” Deakes laughed.
“Hear, hear,” Ramra cheered, tipping his wine glass, spilling some on the carpet while he toasted Regers’ skullduggery in landing them riches and a new ship.
Jennings became irritated with the praise and clenched his fists, furrowing his brow, only another source of private amusement for Regers.
Vincent called up for room service—local surf and turf—giant turtle-like crustaceans of some ilk and yak meat straight from the choicest factory farms. “Too bad we couldn’t get some dames up here too,” Vincent mused.
“We probably could, Vincent, but I don’t want to push Dez too hard. The man might crack. Do something stupid like call the law on us, despite the warnings I’ve given him. Yes, it’s important to keep Dez focused and balanced.”
Regers frowned. The man was smart. Wise enough to know that once the bugs and squids crawled down upon Phallanor, there would be no Cyber Corp to speak of. An extra incentive for him to put special ‘efforts’ into putting the armor to good use, or financing an exit plan, or at least a strategy to defend this world. As for himself, he could give a rat’s ass who ruled the universe. Plenty of despots and shysters among the human race to go around ten times. Men who’d sell their own mothers, little rat bastards—and others, men and women included, who’d kill and torture for gain.
“Don’t like not having weapons,” mumbled Vincent. “Feel naked without one.”
“You and me both, Vince,” croaked Regers. “I’ve got enough leverage on Dez that he won’t get too cute too fast. As long as we don’t tempt him.”
Deakes harrumphed. “Is it true that you jammed up his wife and kid? Don’t recall Jennings doing any research on Vendrome.”
“What do you think, Deakes?” grunted Regers.
Deakes faced the engineer who had turned and was staring out the window. “Well, Jennings, what about it?”
Jennings continued to blink and stare at the hustle and bustle of magno-trams, hordes of pedestrians and air-speeders vaulting across the cityscape below. He just shook his head and lifted a hand toward Regers who flashed him a smug look.
* * *
Dez was, if anything, eager to see Regers off Phallanor asap, yet Regers would not be dismissed so easily. Two ships of Dez’s choice did not appeal to Regers who rejected them out of hand. “These are poor picks and inferior quality, Dez. I
