Judge, Jury, & Executioner Boxed Set (17-21): Crime Spree, The Mob, Torch the Sky, Frenzik, Messiah by Craig Martelle & Michael Anderle

Author:Craig Martelle & Michael Anderle [Martelle, Craig & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2024-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Wyatt Earp, in Orbit over Tempran Silver

“No blood, no arrests, no punching. You’re losing your touch.” Grainger stared at Rivka through the screen.

“I hear the line on swearing has closed. That has to count for something.”

“Not your fastest by far. Not your slowest, either.” Grainger smacked his lips. “What did you want?”

She took a deep breath. “Both parties want to destroy the planet because both negotiating sides are unhinged.”

“Business as usual, then.”

“I want the Federation’s commitment to deliver two atmospheric generators to Tempran Silver, along with the Bad Company in mechs. I know they showed an extraordinary ability to operate underground. We need to kickstart these negotiations, and that means I need to offer something, like reopening the mines without the miners having to do work they’ve already done once.”

Grainger stopped making faces. “We can’t do any of that.”

Rivka stared at him, and he stared back. “Then you set me up to fail, High Chancellor. Moving this needle is going to take a titanic effort unless you’re willing to write off Tempran Silver and the mineral they provide, bolarium six. I know this sounds like a trite argument, but when you have a single source for something, you do what it takes to keep that supply train rolling. I hope you’ll be able to convince the powers that be to take action on this. I’m calling Terry Henry to see what he might be able to do.”

“Good luck. The Bad Company is dealing with pirates who tried to invade Butternut Crinklefries or whatever that damned planet is called.”

“You are a strange man. Stranger than the danger of Grainger.”

Grainger rolled his eyes.

Rivka reinforced her point. “Atmospheric generators. Two.”

Grainger nodded once and signed off.

“C, get me Terry Henry Walton.”

Clevarious was quick. “War Axe is engaged at present. Are you willing to wait?”

“Engaged? Are they fighting someone?”

“Yes, they are fighting off space drones. Would you like annoyingly boring music while you wait?”

“Why would I want that?” Rivka scratched her head. “Are you okay, C?”

“I am fine. My research suggests this type of music makes people happy after their call is finally answered. The feeling of relief results in an overwhelmingly positive experience.”

“Waiting to get your call answered results in a positive experience?”

“Not at all. It’s the relief from being aurally tortured that is uplifting. You should try it sometime.”

Rivka looked at where the annoying sound was coming from. She was upset until she realized she was being trolled. “Nice one, C. Now turn that bullshit off. I’m calmly in the moment, dropping some oms while enjoying life.”

“What in the fuck are you doing?” Terry Henry sounded annoyed. “I blew up a ship just to take your call and find you waxing Buddhalistic. Don’t be a nutbag, Rivka. What did you call me for, and don’t say to assess my calm. I’m in the middle of a glorious ass-kicking, and the jury is still out on whether it’s mine or theirs. Do you like that? ‘Jury is out?’” He laughed uproariously.

“Can you provide

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.