[Paradise-IV] SD: 970121.20- Drake Gates, CIV "Business Partners"

[Paradise-IV Logs]

The Vallum Aelium  was an impressive modular cargo carrier capable of hauling up to eight cargo pods carrying a total of fifty thousand tonnes of cargo. The slender cylindrical frame of the ship presently only had two attached cargo pods at its aft starboard and port sides. They held the mining equipment he had requisitioned, which was to be delivered to Paradise IV should the latter accept. Drake was fairly certain they would, but he would not be entirely surprised if they did not. It was clear the planet needed new equipment, but he was not sure if they were willing to be 'indebted' to him to get it.

He would know soon enough.

For now he was seated in the small briefing room of the Vallum Aelium alone although there were two familiar faces on the screens in front of him. One was that of an old Trill whose age was immediately evident in the wrinkling lines across most of his face, and the completely white hair he spotted with ease. There was an air of authority around him that commanded respect despite the deceptively frail condition of his external physical characteristics. The other face was much more youthful and belonged to a beautiful human female with a perfectly oval face, thin eyes, a slender nose, and thin lips. Her hair was cut stylishly short and featured an array of complimentary colours. There was a much relaxed air around her that seemed almost playful and innocent but Drake knew her to be anything but innocent and playful.

"I still consider this to be quite a bad investment," the old man spoke. "It is quite in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of a warzone."

"Nebu we've been over this," Drake replied as if tired of having the same old argument.

"Have you heard the latest report? Starfleet is drawing down resources from that sector of space."

"But they are also sending more diplomats to the area," chimed in the human female. "I also watched the FNS reports Nebu."

"My point is," Nebu continued undeterred. "If the Xeleucians press their attack to Paradise IV, and there is no reason to believe that they won't, Starfleet is not going to be in the best position to stop them. The 14th Fleet is a shamble of its former strength. Who is going to protect our investment on the planet in case of renewed conflict in the region?"

"You sound like a broken record," the woman added. "You had the same objections from the very start of this project."

"You both sound like a broken record," Drake replied with a slight smile. "Nebu, your objections were noted and I will still continue to note them if that is your wish. But the decision has been made and the offer has been put forth. As for you Tara, thanks for the support."

"Don't thank me yet," Tara answered. "I've been crunching some of these numbers and I am not liking what I see."

"Oh?" How so?"

"The colony has only five molten core heating drills. Well...ones that are registered anyways. The stars only knows how many illegal mining operations are in existence on that planet. But anyway, five molten core heating drills are a tiny fraction of the number of drills that is needed for a lucrative venture given the richness and diversity of the resources present on the planet."

"I agree with that assessment," Drake replied. "But my priority at the moment is to establish our permanence on this planet. After that, we will be in a better position to leverage and/or invest in an expansion in the planet's mining operations. I also have to consider the fact that the Vallum Aelium is the only ship I have in this sector for the moment. It certainly won't do anyone any good if mining operations are expanded and we don't have enough ships to transport the goods."

"And what of this ridiculous requisition of mining equipment you requested," Nebu continued. "Are we going to be getting some compensation from the colony for buying them essential equipment they should already have?"

"I doubt that very much," Drake replied. "As I said in my requisition log it is meant to aide in our negotiation with the colony's government."

"I have to agree with Nebu on this one," Tara said. "This was quite a costly purchase for a bribe."

"True, but I think of it merely as a kind gesture between friends. I assure you that it will be repaid back ten folds in due time."

There was silence before Tara spoke again. "What is your general impression of the planet? Any indication of the artifact?"

"It's too early to tell," Drake replied pleased at the change of subject although he took on a more serious tone. "I most likely won't be able to tell for quite some time. Without forging some sort of relationship with the governing body on the planet and establishing a more active presence here, we can't get the equipment and resources we need to conclusively determine where the artifact might be. But we've all seen the evidence. There is little doubt this is the planet. It is just a matter of time before we are able to locate the precise whereabouts of the artifact."

"The evidence was not conclusive so it better be the right planet," Nebu added. "We have invested quite a lot into this project of yours for it not to be."

"And most of that investment if you will recall Nebu is mine," Drake replied mildly angered by the older man. "You both have obviously been invaluable in terms of the resources and assets you have been able to bring to the table, but at the end of the day it is called Drake Enterprise, and I make the final decisions."

There was a lengthy period of uncomfortable silence before Nebu finally spoke. "I was merely trying to ensure that our time and resources are being invested efficiently and effectively."

"It is my judgment that they are," Drake replied coldly.

"Then I guess there is nothing more to do but to wait and see," Nebu replied. The expression on his face indicated that he was far from appeased.

"Took the words right out of my mouth," Tara interjected sensing the growing hostility between the two men. "I guess we can reconvene same time next week. You should know Drake that the Vallum Aelium is the only ship we can spare you for the foreseeable future. The other ships are being redirected to deal with the Erps-Kwerps mess."

"Of course," Drake replied. "Till next week then."

The screens went blank revealing a splendid view of the Paradise planet. The Vallum Aelium was in high orbit around the planet so Drake got a substantial view of the planet in detail. The planet seemed to be one giant hue of white reflecting the frozen tundra climate of the planet. For the most part it was difficult to disseminate land mass from the frozen body of water. To his right he could see one of the domes becoming visible as the planet ever so slowly rotated.

He was here for a reason, and somewhere on that ice planet hid that reason. He wondered how long it would take before he would be able to uncover it...

Drake Gates
Civilian