"Shyla?" Edan called from the cockpit of the mining frigate.
"Edan? What do you need?" Shyla flexed her fingers and watched the schematics of the base open up.
"I want you to open several accounts, one in the name of each of the directors, and buy up as much of the Rodham Enterprises stock as you can lay your hands on. It should start falling in value soon." She frowned.
"Why would we want it then?"
"Elias Rodham designed most of the drones in use today. He holds patents on all remotely operated VR drones for mining, and most for the UMMC as well. The devaluing has nothing to do with the value of the company, but some back room deals meant to take it over discreetly."
"And you wish to help that along?"
"No. Elias is the reason I'm the person I am today. I want to take their takeover out from under them, but to do that, I need a foot in the door. Once I'm in, I'll take it a piece at a time, and protect Elias from those he doesn't yet see, or know exist." She smiled.
"Understood. Discreet purchases. Small blocks. Stay under the radar. Got it." He smiled.
"I knew you would. That's why you're a director. You can outsmart anyone they have." She smiled and blushed. She was only twenty years old, had a rough childhood, and no formal education, but the brains she possessed easily outpaced most in her field of expertise. Technology, and engineering.
"EDAN!" Shyla smiled as Kat's voice opened up on the speaker. "Why you no mine? Hold not full yet!" The light flashed off.
"She's working like a demon, Edan." Shyla quickly opened the link to his rig.
"Yes, she wants to get to the depot as quickly as possible. Those bullies do not know who they pissed off when they turned their attention to her Smiles. Her reason to smile."
"I know, but I don't want her to get in trouble, Edan. What if she gets hurt? Or hurts one of them too badly?"
"Acknowledged, but I trust her, Shyla. She'll only go as far as she has to." She also heard the unspoken words at the end, when he closed the line.
"I hope."
LATER CHAPTER - random idea
"Father, please! You have to do something! You can't just sit in this office!" Connie heard the grunt of acknowledgment, the link then closed, and several authorizations passed through her terminal. The month's allotment for drones and ship modules had their approvals, which was something her father never did. He only approved the allotments week by week, in order to have an accurate picture of his company.
"He's retreating further and further away." She closed her eyes sadly. "Edan, why did you leave? You were here for only a short time, but you've taken my father's will with you! Why did you have to come here and shake us up like that?" Her fist landed solidly on top of her desk, and made her metal cup rattle. Like her father, she was powerfully built, but she had the curves of her mother to soften the edge.
"I never thought I would ever have to care for you like this, father. Not with this hole Edan left." She remembered that powerful stare he had, the restrained strength in his hands, and the blunt way he spoke. She also remembered that soft look in his eyes whenever he looked at her.
They had never kissed, or been intimate, but that is what hurt the most. She had never allowed someone to get that close before, but she wanted him to. Now, that lesson was learned. The ones closest to you can hurt you the most.
It wasn't the physical that harmed. It was the connection you made, and once it was severed, it left scars and wounds far too deep.
"Shyla, what do you think of the Boulder?" She frowned.
"That drone is rock solid, Edan. It could use some tweaks to make it run smoother, a few enhancements to the VR interface, and a larger hold, but its one of Rodham's earliest models. Why?" He pursed his lips, then ran a hand over the stubble on his chin.
"Well, that's part of the plan. The first drone he made, which will be the first one we acquire. Get to work on improvements, as though you expect we will have use of the original schematics. What is the next model you would go for, both for military, and commercial use?" She frowned, then her fingers flashed over a holographic keyboard, and pulled up two different models of drone.
"Their base sentry unit was designed to withstand direct impacts from mini asteroids, and tank shells. The armor is top notch, but its slow for targeting and firing its weapon. It could use some work to make it a more versatile sentry unit. Then there is the Driller. Mr. Rodham used pretty basic terms to name his designs, but they were also accurate." Edan nodded at the assessment. It was true. He wasn't imaginative with names, but his designs were impressive, and thought out for the long term.
"The Driller is a more aggressive mining drone, used for deep space operations, and deep within the crust of larger moons. It was said that the Driller was sent on a long range scout mission, out past Saturn, to probe for mineral content for the UMMC. If any unit could handle it, the Driller could. Its not their most impressive model, or their top of the line, but its functions are simple, and sturdy. Great for long term use."
"That's quite the assessment. In your free time, if you have any, make any modifications to those models as well. I would like to see it updated to commercial specs when its time." She frowned.
"Why the interest?"
"Those drones made Elias the power he is today. They will also be the ones that fry his competition to dust when the move is made against him." She bit her bottom lip.
"I've heard some disturbing rumors. The last time we went back to the UMMC depot, they were talking about Mr. Rodham, and how he didn't have that spark anymore. There was also talk about dumping his stock. Is this really the time to buy it up?" He nodded.
"I can't tell you the whole story, Glasses...." He saw her wince and frown at her nickname. Kat did so love to give nicknames to those she cared about. "Sorry, Shyla. There will be a time when all the cards will be on the table, and the story will be out, but until then, this plan is only a skeleton. There is no meat on it yet." Her fingers flicked over the keyboard again, and she scrutinized the Boulder schematic again.
"Then I'll have to give you something to chew on. The Boulder will be completed in a few weeks, around the schedule for the docks, and repair bays."
"Don't forget to work your labs in there. The Director of Technology and Engineering should have an appropriate place to work. And plan for a large staff. We are only small right now, but eventually, this will become a cornerstone, and fortress for those who need protection." She smiled.
"Got it. Labs for the grease monkeys."
"They got him, Edan." Shayna's voice on the com made him frown.
"Got him?"
"Elias. A bomb was set to go off, but it malfunctioned. It only took off his legs mid thigh. The problem is mental though. He lost his spark long before the bomb tried to do him in." He growled.
"They moved a bit slower then I anticipated. I am prepared, Shayna. How is Connie holding up?" He heard a short sigh on the other end of the line. "I see. Still not ready. Alright, I'm on my way." Shayna closed the link, and her eyes. She then felt a strong hand fall onto her shoulder.
"I expected something like this eventually." Talia patted her daughter's shoulder. "Your rooms will need to be altered to allow Elias more easy access, but it shouldn't be a problem." Shayna looked over her shoulder.
"Mother?" She was a little bit surprised.
"Shayna, remember the lesson I teach you every day? It applies to Elias as well. I don't have to worry though. Edan has his plans for those threats, and will take care of them on his own." She squeezed her shoulder gently. "He's family." Shayna closed her eyes.
"You surprise me, mother. I thought...."
"That lesson was never supposed to be taught to you!" She growled. "I built all this to prevent that, but my own mother went behind my back and became a threat to the very family she was supposed to protect!" She let out a slow breath. "She'll be under house arrest for the rest of her life, Shayna. Connie will be safe. There are safe guards in place all throughout Rodham to ensure that." Talia walked away, and left her daughter with the knowledge that she didn't have to be without her family all these years.
If she had only trusted the one who had never betrayed her.
"They got him, Edan!" Edan folded his arms around Connie's shoulders. She rested her head on his broad shoulder, and sighed. "They finally got him!"
"Bullshit!" She pulled back in surprise. "They may have bombed him, but it will take more then an ill timed explosive to take out Elias!" She smiled a small but sad smile.
"I hope you're right. He's been....empty since you left." Edan filed that bit away, not quite sure what to make of it. "Just prepare yourself. He's not the man you knew." They walked side by side until they approached the private suite of her father. She opened the door and closed it behind him.
Edan took in the reduced body mass, and slightly emaciated frame. He hadn't been eating well for a few months, if his appearance was any indication.
"Looks like they tried to take you out, Elias. Tried, but failed." He lifted his eyes, his stare less vacant.
"Edan? It is you. What do you mean failed? They got me!" Edan snorted.
"Did you move the drone schematics out of Rodham like I suggested?" The eyes registered his words quickly, and showed him that he was correct. "I thought so."
"Why are you here, Edan?" the heavily muscled man walked closer to the bed and held out a pad.
"I'd like to show you something. Its a set of legs, a chair that allows one of my crew to get around the complex without aid. Our engineer also built her an artificial arm that reacts as quickly as her real one does." Elias sat up and took the pad. His eyes grew intense.
"That's some nice work. Hm, yes, that could work. I'll transfer the payment for use of the schematics for a single run." Edan smiled.
"I'd like to do some business, Elias. Since you have control of the schematics, I'd like to purchase the originals for the Boulder, the Guard, and the Driller." Elias frowned.
"Those are some older models, but still reasonable income sources. Can you afford them?" Edan smiled.
"Check tab 2." Elias clicked on a button, and pushed a button on the side of his bed to make is sit up straighter.
"You have this much stock?" Edan chuckled.
"The ones who did this to you also expected to clean up on cheaper stock prices, and do a takeover. I've taken that out from under them. With your forty percent, and my thirty...." Elias smiled an evil smile.
"They don't have enough clout to waltz in. Alright, direct transfer of the schematics for the Boulder, the Guard, and the Driller for the stock." Edan smiled.
"You'll find the contract on tab 3. Just swipe your thumbprint to verify the transfer rights." Elias clicked a few buttons and swiped his thumb. "Now check tab 4." He frowned, but did as he was told.
"What are these?"
"Updated models for the Driller, the Guard, and the Boulder. All are now Mark 2's, with enhanced VR controls, and systems. If you wish, there is a contract on tab 5 where we can authorize Rodham to manufacture these models and pay the normal fees for use of the schematics." Elias chuckled.
"Using their plot against them, you've acquired three nice assets to keep building up your holdings, and protect Connie's inheritance." Edan shook his head. "No? What do you mean?"
"Check tab 6." Again, he flicked the buttons, and his eyebrows lifted slightly. "Belmand Enterprises? Ceres?" He started to flick through the information at a faster and more energetic pace. "That's some set up, Edan. Director list. Massive bays and hangars already, with future expansion plans already underway, and in the planning stages for beyond that. Where did you come up with all this?" He smiled.
"Tab 7." Elias looked down, flicked his finger, and stared hard.
"XO of the heavy cruiser UMMC Tokyo? No wonder you have excellent skills in security. And it also explains your plans. Training from the UMMC."
"Not just the UMMC, but Talia herself. I was ten when she took me in from the lunar facility." Elias looked up quickly.
"It can't be..." Edan smiled.
"Oh yes, Elias. It was me all those years ago on the docks. Talia never forgets someone who helps out a member of her family." He closed his eyes for only the briefest of moments.
"It seems only fitting that you have this plan then. Set up for the day when she leaves, and the solar system goes to hell again." He sighed. "And it will. Without her will to hold things together, they will tear each other apart to get to the top."
"If you and Connie chose to stay, there will be a place for you there. Connie is, after all, a director." Elias frowned.
"What do you mean 'if we stay'?"
"Did you think Talia wouldn't make some space on that ship of hers for her family? I have no doubt that she is already altering it to accommodate your new wheels. And before you say that you can't go unless Connie goes, Shayna needs you too. Connie will be safe with me if she stays, and safe with you if she goes, but don't let her choices change yours. She wouldn't want that." Elias sighed.
"It might be time for her to spread her wings on another project. I'll leave it with her. In the meantime, lets get your schematics start making us some credits so you'll have the capital to keep pushing forward with your complex. Think of a name yet?" He smiled.
"The Tribe." And to Elias, that felt beyond significant.
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