Imperium Descent: Volume IV by Christopher Hopper

Author:Christopher Hopper
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Somnium Publishing
Published: 2023-06-14T23:00:00+00:00

Fellows

When the door dropped behind them, and the mag locks activated from the outside, Orelia strode halfway across the spacious luxury suite and then spun on her heels. “What was that about, Rim?”

“In my business, we like to call that a—”

“The way he looked at you… there at the end. He emphasized doing business with me, but seemed skeptical of you. Do you… know each other?”

“Me and stripy-face? No way.”

“Rim!”

He didn’t like how pushy she was. “Not directly, no.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That… maybe… I’ve done work for him before. But always third-party.”

Her face reddened. “You said someone on Cirra told you about Huroh!”

“Sure. Plenty of planets in this sector to talk about in a cantina.”

“So you lied to me!”

“No. Someone did mention Huroh, and I thought it was a good idea… which I’m sorely regretting now. I never said I didn’t know about the place.”

“Ohhhh, you’re good, Rim. You’re really good, you know that?”

“You sound like an Alurieth.”

“When were you planning on telling me?”

“Later. Honestly, I didn’t think there would be an issue over it.”

She paused. “Issue over what?”

“Nothing.”

“Rim!” She took several steps toward him. “What are you not telling me?”

“Eh… He may be slightly upset that a very small portion of his last parts shipment went… missing.”

“Unbelievable.” She spun away, hands up. “And you really didn’t think to bring this up before?”

“Like I said, we’ve never met face to face. Always a broker. To be honest, I’m surprised he recognized me. But that’s the least of our worries now.”

“Oh?”

Rim liked the Princess. He did. But he found her innocence aggravating. “If we don’t agree to his terms, he’s going to kill us.”

“And who do you think provoked that? Hmmm?”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” He crossed the room to a minibar, grabbed and sniffed a bottle, and then poured himself a drink. “You’re not pinning this on me, Princess. He would have boxed us in all on his own. I’m just mad at myself for not thinking of a counteroffer.”

“And if you had?”

He downed the drink and then sucked a deep breath between his bared teeth. “Maybe we’d have your funding, and Broal would have his market share. I take it you’re not interested in accepting his offer?”

“No! Are you crazy? But…”

“Yeah?”

“But what choice do we have? I didn’t come here to die.”

“You’re making some good points.”

Orelia turned around and started pacing. “I say we accept Broal’s offer and then you find a way to get us out of the contract once we’re off the planet.”

“Uh-uh. That’s not how these people work.”

“Says the man who’s been skimming.”

“It was one time! Plus, we’re talking about something way bigger than a few contraband runs. I’m afraid you’ve awakened the borra bear on this one.”

“Me? We agreed that I would—”

“Go off script and get revenge against High Family Oorin? Count yourself an enemy of the Supreme?”

“I was trying to be forceful.”

“You were trying to play in a league way above your pay grade, and he called you on it.” Rim poured himself another round; he’d need the whole bottle to get rid of the headache the princess was giving him.

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