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The trip down to the planet was uneventful. All the military personal were given orders to be cordial and polite. While there was a cold distance, everyone was playing nice. In Rick’s mind that was a good sign.
The shuttle landed on the largest building in the capital city. Rick could only guess that this was the administration building for the Rossom Corporation. Somewhere on this structure was CEO Ridges.
After coming out of the shuttle Rick was escorted to the lift. His escort pushed the button then exited the lift leaving Rick alone. It descended several floors and the doors opened. Rick was surprised to find that the entire floor was empty. The only things to be seen were the support columns for the building.
“Hello, is there anybody here?” A man appeared from behind one of the columns. Rick could tell this was a bodyguard. He had a large build and looked like he could rip Rick in half with little effort. The dark blue suite showed that he was an executive bodyguard. That seemed to be a universal standard across all corporations.
“Sir, are you Director Thompson?”
“Yes I am.”
“Before I let you see the CEO, I ask that you not reveal anything you see in this meeting.”
“Of course. You have my word.”
“Then follow me.”
Rick had the feeling that this man was neither in the mood or disposition for idle conversation. Rick followed the man to the back corner where he saw cubicle walls set up to partitioning off a small area. As they came close the bodyguard stopped and said, “Wait here.” Moving forward he went to the opening and said, “Sir, Director Thompson is here.”
In a voice that sounded like it belonged to a very old man Rick heard, “Show him in.”
As soon as Rick rounded the corner he was confronted with an old man lying on a hospital bed with two nurses watching over him and taking readings from machines that Ridges was attached to. Ridges looked at Rick and said, “Well boy, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Are you CEO Ridges?”
“Yes. Yes I am. But you didn’t answer my question. You went through a lot of trouble to see me. What are you here to talk about?”
“In short a cease fire.”
“Well, if that is the case you can just get back on that shuttle and take your happy ass back home. I’ve been burned too many times by Wilson.”
Rick thought he would take a different approach. “Sir, will you at least consider that I might have some information that could change your mind?”
“That will take a powerful lot of changing.”
“Then why did you agree to see me?” This was spinning out of control and Rick had to find a way to get it back on track.
“Because I wanted to thank you for what you did. It takes a lot of courage to go up against a CEO. The fact that you did save me a lot of problems.”
Rick knew that there was no way to change Ridges mind, so for now the only thing he could was find a way to agree with him. “Well sir, you are correct in thinking that Wilson is responsible but not in the way you think.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You know what Nash did. The conspiracy to take over the corporate structure of all nations. But that is only half the story. I came to give you the other side and ask for your help.”
“Help? Why should I help you?”
“Because we have a common enemy.”
“Who would that be?” said Ridges.
Rick could tell that the CEO was at least willing to hear him out. “That would be Steve Collier.
“So, draw one more breath and tell me why a Director of the Wilson Corporation is a wanted man.”
“He is wanted for seventeen counts of treason.” Rick was gambling that the Rossom spies were at least as good as Wilson’s.
“That’s an interesting number. What do you believe Collier has done?”
It worked. Ridges was at least willing to hear Rick out. “Well Sir, that is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Collier has raised an army of rebels. The goal it to overthrow the Corporate system.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard those rumors before. No one has been able to substantiate it,” said Ridges.
“It’s not a rumor. Collier himself tried to recruit me.”
“Why didn’t you arrest him then and there?”
“The truth is that I didn’t have enough evidence aginst him. You know how corporate law works. I need to be able to prove it. A conversation is not proof. It’s my word aginst his. You know how that would end up in the legal system. On top of everything else I was working on getting evidence on Nash. Collier was a low priority. In fact I think that is why Nash chose that moment to bomb the planet.”
“Why do you say that?” asked Ridges. It was not like he was questioning the statement, but more like trying to understand.”
“Think about it. Nash was in a position to know Collier’s where abouts at all times. He also knew that Collier was using Pacifica as a transfer point for stolen tech.” Rick left out the part about the tech going to Rossom. “So, by bombing the planet, Nash plugged the leak and tried to stop a rebellion. On top of that Nash planted evidence that would start a war with Rossom.”
“All of that has a logic I can understand. The real question is why would Collier do such a thing?”
“I don’t know for sure. I’ve talked to the man, and he said that he wants to end corruption. I’m going to guess that he is just power hungry. He has a powerful personality. I was ready to follow him at one point. Once Nash put him in charge of the ghost project, Collier found himself in possession of a weapon that would let him achieve those ends. With all of that said, we believe that Collier is attacking any lab that is working on the ghost project.”
Ridges looked like a man that was evaluating the information. After a long moment he said, “It fits together but how do I know that I can trust Wilson?”
“You don’t. But you do know you can trust me. If you didn’t trust me you would never have agreed to meet me. You know that I am a man of integrity. I tell you that CEO Hobbs is a man you can trust. I’ve work closely with him during the whole Nash affair. On my word of honor, you can trust him. He is not Nash.”
Ricks final words put everything into perspective. Things had changed, and viewpoints and opinions had to change with them.
“So, what is you want from me?” said Ridges.
“First; we need a cease fire. We need to stop shooting with each other long enough to fight the real enemy. Next; we need to find Collier. I figure that if we capture him the rebellion will wither away.”
“Cut off the head sort of thing?” said Ridges.
“Exactly. His powerful personality I think that’s what is holding the rebellion together. Finally, Wilson would like to send in diplomats to negotiate a treaty. If we can work something out, I think it would go a long way to stopping hostilities across the galaxy.”
“You aren’t asking for much are you?” Ridges paused a moment. Rick could see that he was working out how to make things happen. “All right, I agree in principle that we should have a cease fire. And that we, I mean me and my allies, will be on the lookout for Collier. Yet I can’t let diplomats in until we get the Collier matter settled. You must understand that I need proof that you won’t attack after we sign the treaty. After what Nash has done the Board and stockholders will not trust Wilson until I can show them the truth.”
“Then you do believe me?” said Rick.
“Let’s just say that I’m open to the possibility that you are telling the truth.”
“Understood. I’ll leave you now to make the necessary arrangements. I’ll get back to Anteagen and make sure CEO Hobbs holds up our side of the cease fire.” Rick stuck out his hand but really didn’t expect Ridges to take it. “It was good doing business with you Sir.”
To Rick’s surprise Ridges shook his hand. “Likewise young man.”
Rick was escorted back to the lift. Rick wondered if he could truly trust Ridges. He felt that he could, but with all the tragedy and mistrust that had happened of late he wasn’t completely sure.
As he got back on the shuttle his mind turned to the future. The biggest question on his mind was how the stations were destroyed without a trace. Rick was hoping that the debris would give some kind of clue, but that would take time to collect.
In the meantime, it was more important to find Collier. Rick wondered how someone so famous and important could just disappear without anyone knowing where he was. Collier had to leave a trace somewhere. The Question was where?
Then a thought struck him. Collier would not leave without having something set up for money. The only person Rick knew that could follow a money trail, no matter how convoluted, was Bannic.
Rick was certain that Collier wouldn’t just give up on the comforts of life. He was cold and calculating and should have seen this day coming. He had to set up funds somewhere. Bannic could trace the money and then they had a place to start looking for Collier.
For the rest of the trip on the shuttle Rick was making a mental list of things to do.
As he stepped off the shuttle he was greeted by Captain Jennings. “Welcome back Director.”
Jennings was in full military mode. While technically Jennings worked for Rick, Jennings was master and commander of this ship. All decisions were made by him, and all responsibility fell on him. Out of respect Rick thought he should observe military protocol. “Request permission to come aboard Sir?”
“Granted,” said Jennings with a smile.
“Let’s go have a conversation,” said Rick.
In a heartbeat the smile dropped from Jennings face. “Yes Sir.”
Rick could tell that Jennings was expecting bad news. The truth was, as far as Jennings was concerned, nothing but good news. Rick understood that the military truly didn’t want war.
They entered the captain’s office and with the hatch closed Jennings said, “Alright, let’s have it?”
“Well, there is two things. First we got the cease fire. And we have to find Collier.”
It was obvious to Rick that Jennings was confused. “I can understand that finding Collier is important. What does one have to do with the other?”
“Because the cease fire won’t last if we can’t prove who is doing these attacks,” said Rick.
“Do we know for sure that it is Collier?”
“No, but all circumstantial evidence points to him. I need proof.”
“So, what do we do now?”
“We get back as soon as possible so I can report to the CEO. Then I follow other avenues of this investigation.”
“Yes Sir. I’ll give the orders.” Jennings turned to leave the room, but Rick stopped him.
“Captain, please understand that with what happens next, I would like to keep you out of it for your own protection.”
“I kind of figured. But if you need anything...”
“I’ll ask for you personally,” said Rick.
Jennings nodded and left.
Rick was left alone with his thoughts. He wondered what avenues he really had. Somehow he knew that the energy signature from the debris would show that the ships came from Rossom. But could they trace the point of sale. Rick had the feeling that Rossom was not involved, yet could they prove that the ships that attacked the stations were sold to someone else. Maybe he could put Bannic on that as well. After all he used to work for Rossom.
The first priority had to be Collier. He could answer a lot of questions.
Rick hadn’t realized how long he had been working out the situation until Jennings came back. “We are only a few minutes until our final jump home. Do you want me to open a channel to the CEO?”
Rick thought about that. Maybe it would be better if he talked to Hobbs face to face. “No but I do need to contact my office. I need to talk to my assistant Tim. He can cut through the red tape faster than anyone I know.” Rick didn’t know why he had just told Jennings that. Perhaps it was because he was beginning to like and trust him.
“You can use my personal comm unit. It’s right over there,” Jennings said as he pointed to a small cabinet next to his desk. “The lights will dim and as soon as they get bright again we will have jumped, and you can make the call.”
“Thank you Captain.”
“You are welcome Director,” said Jennings and left the room.
After the lights came back on Rick punched in the code to the legal department. Rick felt a sense of urgency but kept his voice level. “This is Director Thompson. I need to peek to my assistant Tim please.”
The young lady that answered the call seemed flustered at talking to Rick. “Yes Sir I’ll get him on the line right away.” He really wished that people would stop doing that. A moment later Tim was on the screen.
“Good Tim, I need a meeting with the CEO as soon as you can arrange it.”
“Well hello to you too.” Tim smiled.
Rick had been accused of being an Atob. It was meant to be derogatory, but Rick took it as a matter of perspective. It stood for A to B. it was used to describe some one that doesn’t let distractions get in the way of the goal. In this case the distractions were simple manners. “Atob,” said Rick.
“Atob,” said Tim with a smile.
“Hi Tim, how are you doing?” in this case Tim was trying to help Rick with his social issues.
“Better,” Tim was referring to Rick’s reaction. “As far as the CEO is concerned, he wants to see you as soon as you return. So, when will you be back?”
“I don’t know. We just jumped into Anteagen air space. I don’t know how long it will take to dock or how long it will take to get to the planet.”
“Rick, just have the captain put you in a fighter and land on the administration building. I’ll let the CEO know you are on your way.”
“I can do that?” said Rick. “Tim, I don’t know if I’ve told you this but thanks for everything.”
Tim lowered his voice one octave and said, “Director Thompson, you don’t thank your subordinates for doing their jobs.” Tim meant it as a joke and smiled.
“Yeah, Thanks anyway.”
“You’re welcome. Now get going I have calls to make.”
“On my way, Thompson out.” Rick got up to leave and as he stepped outside the captain’s office Jennings was leaning aginst the bulkhead.
Before Rick could say a word Jennings said, “I’m going to guess that your next request is to get to the planet as soon as possible. I have a fighter standing by to take you wherever you want to go.”
“Thank you,” said Rick. “Oh, I’m not supposed to thank subordinates for doing their jobs.”
Jennings smiled back. “I think I’m going to like you being a Director, Sir,” he said as he showed Rick the way to the flight deck.
“Yeah, but I’m not going to like me being a Director.”
“And that is exactly the reason you should be. You treat people like equals. The quorum of Director’s treat people like bugs. Forgive me if I’m out of line, but I think the new CEO made the right choice when he picked you. You are just what the people need.”
“You know my assistant said much the same thing in a different way.”
“And he was right.” Jennings opened the hatch to the flight deck. They went inside and a fighter was in front of them. “Safe travels my friend, I’ll see you when I see you.” Jennings stuck out his hand.
“Then I’ll see you then.” Rick took his hand and shook it.
Rick turned and headed to the fighter. His reply was a common response to Jennings statement. Yet Rick never understood the phrase until now. It was used in uncertain times when friends didn’t know if they would see each other again. As Rick boarded the fighter he began to wonder when they became friends.
He put that thought aside and started thinking about what he was going to say to the Hobbs.