Dark Descent: An Oz Garrett Novel by Paul Rix

Author:Paul Rix [Rix, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: P&J Books
Published: 2020-11-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Andymo Rogonz was having a bad day. He was not the type of man who responded well to being summonsed. Yet here he was at the main spaceport on Drani III. While he'd traveled to this location many times in the past six months, those visits had been at his choosing to oversee his business transactions. But he was smart, and knew it wasn't wise to ignore an invitation from his hosts. What made matters worse was that the Brotherhood were over an hour late and had not informed him of their tardiness.

As his frustration built, all he could do was pace up and down inside the climate-controlled hangar. Outside, the steady rain had been coming down from the low clouds since before breakfast. It was now just after midday yet dark enough for the spaceport's landing pads to be lit by golden spotlights that shimmered through the rain. It really was quite dismal.

"I detest this world. Who would choose to live on a planet where it constantly rains? Everyone needs some sunshine in their lives. And the Brotherhood of Enlightenment are nothing but incompetent fools. All amateurs, attempting to be more righteous than the next person," he muttered.

Zebulon was the only person within earshot. Over recent weeks, he'd noticed the signs his boss was becoming more agitated and short-tempered. It was no surprise, Zebulon thought. Drani III had nothing to offer and the people they'd dealt with had no charm or intellect. It wasn't a pleasure doing business with any of them. "We're only four days away from leaving this all behind us, Andymo. You have to remember this is a steppingstone to greater opportunities. This planet has kept you safe while you establish your business interests. You’re going to return to the Stellar Cluster in a far stronger position."

Rogonz stopped and glared at him. "Just because you're right doesn't make the experience any easier. If these fools didn't have such deep pockets and an obsession to control their population, I would have been gone a long time ago. I want my comforts back. The trappings that demonstrate I'm a successful businessman. Skulking away on this dull rock at the butt end of the universe is not my style. Neither is being made to wait by pompous religious zealots in robes."

Zebulon nodded in sympathy, before lifting his head up and peering out toward the landing pad. "They're here."

Rogonz followed Zebulon's gaze and, sure enough, saw the Brotherhood's craft make a textbook landing less than three hundred meters from where he was standing. Steam rose lazily from the ship's hull and thrusters but there was no other movement from its passengers.

Zebulon received a message through a discreet earpiece. "They want you to go to their ship."

Rogonz shook in outrage. "You have to be joking! Who do these guys think they are?" If anyone else had dared make such a request of him, he would have had them killed along with all their immediate family.

He strode out toward the waiting Brotherhood ship, with Zebulon in close attendance.

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.