First Flyght – Chapter 22

Okay, change of plans.

I return to my room, and instead of rage or sadness coming over me, I find something inside my heart I didn’t know I had. Pure, unadulterated coldness crawls out of my center infecting everything it comes across. When it hits my brain, I take a deep, cleansing breath, allowing myself to bask in the evil I feel. I am calculating. I am ruthless. I will prevail.

I’ve always been a kind and caring person. I watched out for my family and the farm. I took the time to understand the needs of my employees and their families. I put other’s wants above my own.

That’s over for now. Now, I have to think of myself.

I throw open my wardrobe door and pull out my bag. Where are those business cards?

We have two things we need to do in the next week, as far as I’m concerned, and they need to be done fast. First off, we need an influx of cash. I have to pay off our bills from space dock and fuel us up for the journey back to Ossun.

No, I’m not going home.

Because second of all, we have to find Tomu. He was last seen at Ossun’s Orbital Station One? Well, that’s where I’m going. I’m smart. I can put two and two together. Tomu is on the run, and not just from his family or from me. He’s on the run from someone else he stole from too. Those men who came looking for him are on his trail. I need to beat them to Tomu. Even if my fucking brother has spent every last credit he stole from us, I won’t rest until he’s back home, has apologized to our family, and then goes to jail for a very long time.

Let’s face it. With my plight out in the open and no reliable way to earn money, I won’t find husbands. Who would be interested in a ruined woman like me? Marcelo will leave because I’m no longer a desirable candidate, and he can make better money somewhere else. That dream is over, done, dead, finished.

My wristlet buzzes so much I take it off and toss it on the bed next to Frogger. I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.

Down at the bottom of my bag, I find the stack of business cards and flip through them until I come to Gai Reis. He wasn’t in his office last time I checked, but he may be there today. Do I call him first and find out? What if he’s already heard the news about me and ignores me?

Well, who religiously watches OEN anyway? People from the Brazilianos System — Ossun, Rio and Belem, and the few people trying to make a go at Neve. Ken Mata was mentioned in the newscast, though, so I’m sure gossip will travel quicker than usual.

I may have some time. Not a lot, but some.

I snap my wristlet back on and access the controls in Hecate. First, I turn off the buzzing alert for everyone but my crew. I can’t have this thing constantly calling for my attention. My stomach fills with bile as I see the inbox message count ping higher with every breath I take. It’s at one hundred and fifty-six and climbing.

My fingers flick through the air as I switch to my comm and dial up Gai Reis.

I fidget and rearrange my hair, thanking the powers that be he won’t be able to see the coffee-stained sweatshirt I never changed out of. Ugh, I still haven’t had breakfast, and there’s cold food sitting in the galley.

My comm pings with a quiet bell, and Gai’s face hovers before me.

“Good morning, this is Gai Reis.”

“Mr. Reis, it’s good to see you again. I’m Vivian Kawabata, Captain of the Amagi. We met about six months ago when you were on Ossun. How are you today?”

“I’m fine,” he says, his tone dubious. “I’m sorry, I’m not really placing your face. How can I help you?”

“You may not remember me because you were doing business with my older brother,” I say, turning on what charm I have left.

“Tomu Kawabata? I sold him some alpacas?”

“Exactly! You did. I’m in space dock right now at Palo Alto Orbital Station Two, and I’m looking to find contracts for livestock shipping. I was hoping you’d have some open time on your calendar today to talk about working together.”

“Hmmm,” he says, and his face slips from the projection field. “I have time available in about two hours, eleven standard time. Would that work?”

Yes!

I remain businesslike.

“That would work just fine.”

“Okay then, Ms. Kawabata. I’ll forward you my office address, and I’ll see you at eleven.”

The comm feed blinks off, and a message with his address pops into my inbox. I ignore it because I don’t want to see all the other people who are trying to reach me. I know where his office is, anyway.

I jump into the pulse shower and get cleaned up. It’s been a few days since I bathed thoroughly, so I make sure I scrub every centimeter of skin. Standing in front of the closet, I need to choose my clothes wisely. This will be a business meeting, so I grab my black slacks and a pink wrap-around top. I should look polished but not too elite. This is livestock, not precious jewels from Laguna or life-saving medicine from Rio. I leave the Bomba-Farias where they sit. Those are for special occasions.

With my outfit in place, my makeup and hair on point, and my bag across my chest, I take a deep breath and open the door. No one is in the hall as I stride down past the galley and into the cargo bay. Lia is in with the pigs, changing out their hay and spritzing them with water.

“Hey, Captain,” she says, noticeably more subdued. I think everyone is in shock after the broadcast. “Heading out?”

“I am. I’m heading to the surface to find us some clients. Can you do me a favor and take care of the breakfast mess I made in the galley? I’m afraid I got distracted while cooking up those eggs we pulled from the coop.”

She smiles, relief relaxing her shoulders. “No worries. I already took care of that. Stella got a good meal this morning.” She pats my favorite pig on the head, and Stella nuzzles her snout against Lia’s palm.

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Have you seen Skylar? I wanted to let her know where I was going.”

“She left, actually. Not long after we were all together. Walked out the airlock and said she’d be back later.” Lia shrugs. “I assume she went down to Palo Alto, though I don’t know for sure.”

Maybe I’ll run into her later then.

“Okay. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I’ll be back in a few hours.” I wave as I head off.

It’s time to get to business.

—-

I scan my wristlet at the door to Gai Reis’s office and wait. It’s another gorgeous day on Palo Alto that I wish I could take advantage of. I hear the hiking trails north of the city are amazing, some of the best in the universe. But no, today, I try to put my life back together. The old man who was sweeping the sidewalks last time I was here eyes me from down the block. I smile, wave, and bow to him. His face is a hardened stone. Hmmm, I wonder what his problem is.

The door cracks open and then widens to Gai Reis’s smile. He seems less dubious than before. Good. I’ll take any improvement I can get.

“You made it! Hello, Vivian,” he says, bowing. “Please come in.”

Gai is exactly as I remember him from a few months ago when he came to the farm to chat with my brother about the animals we had purchased from him. He had shaken my hand, made a fairly banal comment about hearing good things about me, and went on his way. I’m not surprised it took him so long to remember who I was.

“Mr. Reis, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to see me today.” I’m sure to bat my eyelashes and be relaxed. He backs away from me at the door, his eyes traveling up to meet mine now that I’m standing beside him. I can see the undeclared “You’re so tall” in his stare, but he doesn’t say it out loud. Good. His wary smile rattles my nerves, though.

Marcelo thinks this is a bad thing for me, to always be the listener, but my role on the sidelines makes me a great observer. I do all the listening. I hear all the stories. I know more about people than they let their loved ones know. So I’ve seen the signs a million times of someone with a secret — the darting eyes, the restless feet. Gai Reis is nervous about something, though I’m not sure what.

“It was no bother. Your family has been a good customer of mine.”

I’m relieved he seems to have missed the news this morning or neglected to search my name on the duonet. The lag between the Duo Systems is down to only about twelve seconds now. He would’ve known all about my family’s undoing if he had checked.

“So what kind of business are you interested in doing exactly?”

I can’t decide if he seems shrewd or scared. I’m already regretting this decision.

“Livestock, of course. Like I said on the comm. Maybe plants or dry goods if you do that sort of thing. What else would we be talking about?” I raise my eyebrows at him, and he relaxes.

“Yes! Yes, of course. Please come into my office.”

Perhaps he has outstanding debts with my family? I don’t know, but it’s not our problem anymore, anyway. It’s the bank’s.

I follow him back through a long corridor to an indoor garden. Like most of the houses here in Japantown, and in Concord City in general, the mix of grass, water, and other green spaces, especially green roofs, help keep heating and cooling costs to a minimum.

Gai’s desk is on the other side of the garden.

“This is a lovely office.” It’s not like Ken’s with the grand view of the city, but it’s still impressive. Gai has riches, and he’s showing them off.

“Oh thank you. It’s my favorite place to be.”

“Important for an office you’re going to spend a lot of time in.” I take a seat opposite his desk and cross my legs. His eyes follow my every movement. “So tell me a little about your business. Are your clients in need of shipping between the Duo Systems?”

“Uh, yes. Yes, actually. We’re always looking for new ships to work with. Livestock breeding programs here on Palo Alto, on Ossun, Rio, and Sonoma, all have an excess of animals and buyers, but not enough ships to move them. Most of my buyers end up waiting six to eight months for delivery.”

I almost jump for joy. This is the break I need.

“And now with Flyght closing their doors to animal shipments, my business has been in turmoil. I was just dealing with an angry client when you rang.”

Something metallic, possibly a metal plate or pot, falls in a back room and makes Gai jump. I lean to the side to try to peer down the hall, but I see nothing.

“Pay that no mind. It’s just my cat. When I’m not around, he knocks everything off the counters.”

I smile. “Cats are like that. Always testing gravity.”

The current coldness of my heart begs me to assess the man across the table. I can’t be made a fool of again. Normally, I would say Gai is a pretty handsome man. He may be about ten years older than me. With a full head of dark hair and hints of a Southern California lineage, he strikes me as a pleasant businessman, someone who has their shit together. But he could be three treatments into Athens Industries’ famous Hebe Program, for all I know. Between Aphrodite, their anti-aging therapies, and Adonis, their always-fit nanites, anyone could live to over 200 years and not look a day over thirty. If you can afford it that is.

He should be a fit and healthy man, but today, he’s sweating like it’s mid-summer on Laguna without a breeze. Maybe he’s ill?

“Anyway, I think we can do business together. My ship is friendly to animals and ready for hire.”

To this, he sits back in surprise.

“I haven’t been approached by an independent captain in a long time. Everyone wants the insurance of Flyght or Ampla.” He spreads his arms wide. “I don’t mind doing business with them, I’m just surprised you didn’t go to them first.”

“I did. It was their recent turn against animals that led to my change of heart. We still have an application in with them, in case they change their mind, but it was always my intention to ship livestock, and I don’t want to change that now. I have the right staff set up to take care of animals.” Good, good, Vivian. Way to spin it.

“Hmmm,” he says, leaning forward and stroking his chin. His eyes turn to stare out the nearest window.

I think I’m losing him, so it’s time for the hard sell.

“We’re asking competitive rates, and since we don’t have any current clients, our calendar is wide open. Is this something you’d be interested in?”

“Working, with you?”

I could cut his disbelief with a knife.

“Yes. Working. With me.” I try to keep my temper at bay. Why is everything so hard lately? “Have I offended you somehow?”

He almost lurches out of his chair. “No! No, not at all. I’m just surprised. Are you really the captain of a ship? I thought I misheard you. Last time I spoke to your brother, he said you were due to inherit the whole farm. What happened?”

I wave my hand to dismiss his concern. “Nothing. We’re looking to diversify, that’s all.” Yes, diversify. Sure. That’ll work.

“Who’s running this ship? You?” This time his question is a little less abrasive.

“Yes, me. I have the Amagi for a year during which I hope to gain as many shipping clients as possible.”

He sits forward with a smile on his face and taps an area on his desk to bring up his displays. “Okay then. If you send me your ship’s information, we can get started on a contract.”

My heart leaps, and the relief I feel is so complete, I almost cry.

But I don’t. Now is not the time. My crew is counting on me. I have to continue to be cold and calculating. This is only one small step in the marathon ahead of me.

“That’s great. I’m glad we can work together.”

He stands up from his desk and extends his hand to shake. I stand up and join hands with him.

“I hope you like pigs.”