[Paradise-IV] SD: 970328: "New Bodyguards" Drake Gates, CIV
Paradise-IV Logs
"Who is this guy?" Drake asked glancing at the image of a youthful human
male.
"Chip Emerson Goodyear the 12th. He is a prestigious and shrewd
businessman. He once successfully led the corporate takeover of three
rival mining companies in the span of one week."
"He is also a spoiled brat...born into wealth, privilege and status.
He's not failed to flaunt it either. He's gotten into fights with
superior officers while he was at Starfleet Academy, has been arrested
for assaulting an Admiral and arrested for fraternizing with a
diplomat's wife. And he notoriously fired his entire Board of Directors
and replaced them with key allies."
The last sentence picked Drake's interest. "Did he now? I like him already."
"The bottom line sir is that your Board of Directors believes him to be
a significant threat to Drake Enterprises' continued business operations
in this region."
"And what makes them think that...uh...what was your name again?"
"Spike," the man replied. He stood about Drake's height though he was
quite muscular and had a scar running across his left cheek. His eyes
was hidden behind the dark shades he had on. "Well for one sir, Billiton
Mining Company Inc's financial holdings is such that it could buy Drake
Enterprises five times over and he'd still have enough change left over
to buy a small moon."
Drake frowned at that. He could see how that was a significant problem.
No wonder Tara had dispatched two ships to Paradise so soon. This new
guy could potentially monopolize all business opportunities in this
system leaving Drake Enterprises with nothing. But it was not only
Billiton that he had to worry about. The commercial interest in Paradise
had steadily been growing since his arrival here. Billiton just happened
to be the largest competition.
Turning to Spike, "Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's not the size
that matters...it's how you use it?"
"I hope we are still talking about business and not something else,"
retorted the third person in the room. Like Spike, she was also tall and
slender but that was where the similarities ended. Raine had a fine
feminine facial feature that was more angular with thin lips and nose.
Her brown eyes glared intently at Drake unamused even as a hand
effortlessly brushed through her cropped bright orange hair, and a
playful smile tugged at her lips.
"And you must be Raine," Drake replied similarly unimpressed.
Raine bowed and thus revealing the hilt of a sword buried in the back of
the black leather jacket she dawned on. At the same time, Drake could
also see two strange looking side arms holstered at each side of her
torso. They looked antiquated, and not like the typical phasers. "At
your service," Raine said.
Drake rolled his eyes and sighed. "So why exactly are you two here
besides the pathetic excuse of trying to protect me?"
Raine shared a look at Spike before turning to Drake, "Despite what you
think we are actually here to protect you...and gather intelligence on
the competition."
"Being Billiton Mining Company?" Drake asked.
Raine nodded.
"Which brings me to my next question...who do you work for?"
"Drake Enterprises," Spike replied matter of fact.
"That is very doubtful," Drake replied. "I am Drake Enterprises and I
sure as hell did not hire you guys to work for me."
"Mr. Gates," Spike replied coolly. "I am sure you are aware by now that
there are certain members on your Board who are dissatisfied with your
business approach. There are also certain members who are perfectly fine
with your business approach. You can think of us as representing the
latter. The nature of our presence here is to guard against any and all
threats to the status quo. Suffice it to say, your allies believe that a
threat against your life is very real and it may come from within and
outside the company. Our presence here is to ensure that you are
protected while also ensuring Drake Enterprises maintains a dominant
business presence on Paradise IV."
"So you are not going to tell me which board members other than Tara
sent you?" Drake asked. The tone with which Spike spoke though was a bit
disconcerting. There apparently was credible evidence that his life was
in danger by his fellow business partner. Tara may have been
sugar-coating things during their last communication. Perhaps she did
not want to give away too much over an unsecured channel.
"I'm afraid not sir," Raine replied. "It's for your own protection."
Drake frowned. "So what happens now?"
"Business as usual," Spike responded.
"With some improvements," Raine added with a smile.
Drake Gates
CEO Drake Enterprises
Paradise IV
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