Audacious

6

Three planets, Lorna Do, Pitts Hope, and Hurtford wanted to build the latest line of business computers coming from IBM loaded with the software that went with them.

The sales rep from IBM was most willing to deal…but at a price that was quite out of line for a similar sale just closed between Yamato, Europa, and Columbia.

Kris knew about that deal. A Nuu Enterprises company on Yamato had been involved. The three reps on Kris's side also knew of the deal from their sources. The sales rep had to know they knew. Still, she smiled cheerfully and set the higher price, and the other planet reps smiled just as cheerfully and began their own long-winded campaign to lower the price.

All Kris could think of was that this was another day she'd never have again.

So, had Grampa Ray sent her here to learn to waste time?

Somehow, Kris doubted that.

She set Nelly to doing a more informed search on this planet, and nodded along with the conversation while Nelly searched. And made reports.

Reports that were as useless as the negotiations.

KRIS, I HAVE TRIED RESEARCHING THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS OF THIS PLANET'S HISTORY BUT I KEEP COMING UP AGAINST BABBLE.

BABBLE?

YES, MA'AM. I TRIED SEARCHING THE ARCHIVES OF THE THREE MAIN MEDIA SOURCES ON EDEN. HOWEVER, ALL THREE HAVE THEIR DATA STORED IN A DIFFERENT, NONSTANDARD FORMAT AND I CAN ONLY ACCESS THEM IF I APPLY FOR A SUBSCRIPTION AND AM APPROVED. THE COST FOR ANY OF THEM IS UNBELIEVABLY HIGH.

HOW HIGH?

Nelly quoted a price, and Kris barely suppressed a whistle that didn't fit into the bargaining. News archive subs would set Kris back the price of several of those overpriced dresses Abby occasionally added to her royal wardrobe.

YOU HAVEN'T APPLIED FOR A SUBSCRIPTION?

NO, KRIS, I DO NOT SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY WITHOUT PERMISSION. I AM NOT ABBY. ALSO, I WAS NOT SURE YOU WANTED IT KNOWN THAT YOU WERE APPLYING FOR SUCH A SUBSCRIPTION.

Which was Kris's second thought. While getting the straight skinny on this planet might not be easy, she somehow doubted keeping anything a secret was all that easy, either.

''Kris, you have a call coming in,'' Nelly whispered softly.

''I'll take it,'' Kris said. While the actual conversation would take place in the privacy of Kris's brain, it was common courtesy to let people in business meetings know that one of their members was going to be somewhat distracted for a while.

Around Kris, the conversation did not pause. That only confirmed her suspicion that while she might be in a Navy lieutenant's uniform, she was here to keep up royal appearances.

HELLO, Kris said, using Nelly's net connection.

THIS IS LIEUTENANT MARTINEZ, CALLING ABOUT YOUR WEAPONS PERMIT.

YES, LIEUTENANT, THANK YOU FOR GETTING BACK TO ME SO QUICKLY.

WHAT MY SPEED MAY BE REMAINS TO BE SEEN. I WOULD LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU FOR A FEW MINUTES. PREFERABLY ALONE AND SOMEWHERE WE WON'T BE INTERRUPTED. ''Or overheard'' seemed to be hanging there unsaid.

Of course, anywhere that filled that bill could also be setting her up to be gunned down by any shooter walking by.

COULD YOU MEET ME HERE AT THE EMBASSY?

I'D PREFER NOT TO, came back very quickly.

WHY DON'T YOU MEET ME IN FRONT OF THE EMBASSY AND WE'LL SETTLE ON A WALK FROM THERE. SAY IN FIFTEEN MINUTES.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT LUNCH.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT NOW. This at least would let her keep control of part of this potential bit of target practice.

As soon as Martinez rung off, Kris informed Jack.

NO SURPRISE OUR WALLS HAVE EARS. Jack agreed. I AM A BIT SURPRISED THAT A LOCAL COP WOULD NOT WANT TO TALK TO THEM.

I'M DISCOVERING LESS AND LESS ABOUT THIS PLANET, JACK. MAYBE I CAN FIND OUT SOMETHING IF THIS FELLOW FEELS FREE TO TALK?

AND DOESN'T GET YOU KILLED.

AND ON THAT TOPIC, DO YOU THINK YOU COULD SCARE US UP A HALF DOZEN MARINES. IN CIVVIES. I DON'T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A PARADE.

I'LL GET THEM IN CIVVIES. NO GUARANTEE THEY WON'T LOOK LIKE A SQUAD OF MARINES, THOUGH.

MAYBE THEY'LL SCARE OFF MY NEXT ASSASSIN.

THAT WOULD BE A CHANGE.