8. Blooded Dagger’s Will
Serengeti’s Fortuna operations are focused on the import and planetwide distribution of vistrite. The cartel’s largest Fortuna customers are the stellar transport construction enterprises located in the plains beyond Fort Rimon. The Grey Spear logistics and supply function is the primary commerce on the planet, with Blooded Dagger and Iron Hammer providing sufficient technologistics support for maintenance and installation. The security-privilege, legalistics, media management, and other ancillary functions are organized in the same manner as at Serengeti’s Crevasse City headquarters. ~ excerpt from Serengeti Fortuna Operations, Serengeti archives
Sevenday 40, Day 1
The bright sun streaming through the tall windows of Monsignor Lucius’ conference chamber did nothing to dispel Fletcher’s sense of foreboding. After his cotillion conversation with Clarice, he considered sending an alert to Nickolas and Captain Raleigh but thought better of it. A vague warning would cause concern with no ability to act. It was better to wait until he knew what the Blooded Dagger preeminence willed.
It was not yet tenth bell, and he was summoned to Blooded Dagger on the matter of Farstar’s ties to Captain Raleigh’s cooperative. It could only mean that Monsignor Lucius considered the matter of the utmost importance. Seigneur Herman and Clarice looked up as he came in. Her tense smile warned that what was coming would not be in his favor.
Taking a seat by the seigneur, Fletcher asked, “Has the captain been notified?”
“Not as yet,” Herman replied. “Monsignor hopes we can discover a solution that will not bar Farstar or other Serengeti cooperative members from the vistrite continent.”
As if summoned by the seigneur’s words, Lucius Mercio strode in, Lilian at his side. The Serengeti preeminence was a tall man, taller even than Chrys. Taking a seat, his shoulders covered the edges of the chairback. His dark hair, eyes, and dark olive complexion were all marks of the Blooded Dagger preeminent line. To Fletcher’s relief, Monsignor Lucius’ expression held none of the harshness that appeared when he was angered or displeased.
At his side, Lilian offered an encouraging smile. As Serengeti’s vistrite conservator, Lilian had operational oversight of all the vistrite crevasse “It was well you mentioned the sharing of laborers to Clarice. Had it been discovered after land tracts were awarded, it could have caused significant harm to the Serengeti cooperative members when their awards on the vistrite continent were revoked.”
Fletcher had not thought it possible. “Revoked?”
Herman answered, “The award charter stipulates that if the owner of the land acts against the interests of Bright Star or one of its three partners, the award can be revoked. Allowing non-Serengeti workers on the vistrite continent would be against Serengeti interests.”
“I knew of the provision but had not considered it in this context.”
Herman nodded. “If you did not, it is not a wonder it did not occur to Captain Raleigh.”
“Which brings us to our conundrum,” Monsignor said. “The simple solution is to exclude the cooperative members from awards on the vistrite continent.”
It was as ill as Fletcher feared.
“However,” Monsignor continued, “Bright Star and Serengeti are well aware that without the valor and sacrifices of the Nightingale captain and crew, the despoilers might have taken the Thirteenth System before the armada arrived. Nor do I forget, Fletcher, that you preserved my life at great personal cost.”
With each word, Fletcher’s spirit rose.
Lucius gestured to his consort. “The vistrite conservator has a proposal, but it will require reworking the cooperative’s charter.”
Lilian looked over to Herman. “As I understand it, cooperative membership provides access to shared resources. Some, like equipment, are owned by the cooperative and available to be leased. For other resources, such as labor, the cooperative acts as a clearing house, enabling members to lease from one another. Is that accurate?”
“Yes, Conservator. There are various protocols and strictures around the conduct of the transactions, but naught significantly different from standard commerce.”
She turned to Fletcher. “If the cooperative segmented the labor clearinghouse so that only Serengeti labor was available to the vistrite continent, then the problem would be resolved. But it would need to be in the cooperative charter, and the penalties for violation would be severe.”
It was not ideal. At least half the labor pool would be excluded. But Fletcher and Nickolas would retain access to the rest of the cooperative’s assets. “Would the Serengeti members be permitted to offer their labor to non-Serengeti members?”
She looked to His Preeminence. “Monsignor?”
“I perceive no threat to the vistrite in such actions. Seigneur Herman?”
Herman shook his head. “The requirement is to ensure that Serengeti controls the laborers in proximity to the vistrite. Those of Serengeti are at liberty to travel where they will.”
“How soon can you have the revisions to Raleigh’s charter? We have but five days until the bidding.”
Herman turned to Clarice. “This takes priority over the Fortuna requirements. Can you have it done by first bell after midday?”
“Yes, Seigneur.”
Monsignor rose. “Send it to me as soon as it is ready. I want the revised charter on its way to Raleigh by commerce end.”
Within the beaconed expanse, data transmission was almost instantaneous. The Bright Star markers had a fraction of the capacity of Ayres’ beacons. It would take at least twelve hours for the revised contract to reach the Nightingale. If Raleigh requested adjustments, they could be well on the way to Fortuna before the matter was resolved.
Clarice said, “If Monsignor pleases?”
At Lucius’ nod, she continued, “It might be well to have Master Fletcher look at the revised provisions.”
“Sound notion. Fletcher, can you support Mistress Clarice?”
That Fletcher had a full day of commerce tasks to attend to mattered not. “Yes, Monsignor.”
***
Chrys was already within Lilian’s office when Clarice arrived with the sixth bell chimes. As soon as Clarice cleared the threshold, Lilian asked, “Is it done?”
“The revised charter has been approved by Monsignor Lucius and sent to Captain Raleigh,” Clarice said, taking an empty chair. “Fletcher found no fault with the new provisions.”
“Let us hope Captain Raleigh is of the same mind.”
Chrys looked at them in confusion. “What goes forward?”
Lilian replied. “Serengeti required a last-minute alteration to the charter for Captain Raleigh’s cooperative. The cooperative members intend to pool labor as well as equipment and we needed to restrict access to the vistrite continent.”
Clarice could not have asked for a better introduction. “The labor pool for the vistrite continent is why I asked to meet. Fletcher and Nickolas formed Farstar to combine their points as Thornscore has done. With the change to cooperative charter, their access to labor has been reduced. They might be open to leasing Thornscore labor to make up the difference.”
“Interesting,” Chrys said, expression thoughtful. “Our strategy of acquiring tracts with complementary growing seasons allows us to shift laborers with the seasons. If we come to an agreement with Fletcher and Nickolas, we further maximize our resources.”
Lilian’s eyes flashed. “Would that allow us to recruit more labor, sooner?”
“It could, or fund additional equipment.”
“We estimated twenty-percent idle time, even with seasonal shifting.” Lilian reached for her slate and made a few entries and then smiled. “If Fletcher and Nickolas can absorb half, using our current labor and equipment ratios, we could meet the fifty-percent productivity requirement a season sooner than projected.”
Chrys turned to Clarice, “Do we need a vote?”
“Not to execute a standard commerce contract. But for one with this potential impact, two of the three governors must agree. If you and Lilian wish to move forward, that is sufficient.”
Chrys smiled at Lilian. “I believe we should pursue leasing our excess labor capacity to Fletcher and Nickolas’ enterprise. Do you agree?”
“I agree. And since you and Clarice are bound for Fortuna with Fletcher on the morrow, you may have the task of approaching Fletcher and negotiating terms.”
***
Fletcher pushed back from his techno array, frowning when he realized it was nearing seventh bell. Taking the time to review the changes to the cooperative charter had put him behind, but it had been essential.
At least he need not pack. Even if Clyde had made a disaster of the packing, it was better than being up past dark of night. Shuttering the array, he rose and shouldered his slate satchel. He had promised to dine with Brianne and his parents. While Brianne and Father would forgive him for late arrival, his mother would be annoyed and quick to voice it.
No one waited at the riser bank. At this bell, the cartel had all but emptied for the day. It was not more than a few breaths after he touched the controls when a riser opened. Expecting an empty carriage, he was surprised to find Clarice. He was not alone in having his day extended by the morning’s conference with Monsignor Lucius.
“Clarice, well met.”
“Well met, indeed. You will be pleased to know that the revised charter was sent to Captain Raleigh soon after fifth bell.”
“With the Five Warriors’ grace, this will all be resolved before we reach Fortuna. I feared when we spoke at Katleen’s cotillion that matters might go ill.”
I feared it as well.” Her fingers toyed with her satchel strap. “So much so, that I sent an alert to Seigneur Herman yesterday morning even though it was Seventh Day.”
“He must have approached Monsignor at commerce start.”
She shook her head. “The seigneur contacted Monsignor yesterday. Anything related to the land tracts is of the utmost importance.”
“Then I must thank you. Even with Lilian’s plan, matters might have gone ill if we had lost even a day.”
A becoming blush suffused her cheeks. “It was my duty, but I am pleased at the solution.” She nibbled her lip, clearly considering her next words. “I expect that the loss of access to the full cooperative labor pool will be a challenge for Farstar.”
So very astute. It was no wonder Herman elevated her to protégé. “As you voice. But we will have access to all the other resources. It is a better outcome than I dared hoped for when I entered the conference chamber.”
“Yes, well. We, Thornscore that is, have a proposal for you and Nickolas. Chrys will present it to you while we transit to Fortuna.”
“That explains Chrys’ alert.” He had been curious when he noted it was under Thornscore’s seal. “I did not have time to review it, but I will respond before dark of night. Can you tell me the intent?”
The riser halted, the door opening. Stepping out, Clarice said, “It will be better to read Chrys’ alert, but in short, Thornscore may be able to solve at least part of your labor shortage.”