“I guess I should have listened when they wanted to send me home.” Despair was in his voice as he spoke. “I’m just going to slow you down, at worst I’ll get somebody killed.”
“Buck up Rollins, just because you have a bad day is no reason to be morose,” Lewis said, helping him up. “Hang in there until this journey is over and we’re back here, then we can decide if maybe you should return to Ascore and open us an office there. Or just enjoy the beach if you want.”
Lewis walked back to town with Rollins and they had a good meal at a dockside diner amid looks that were not entirely friendly. They went to Koker’s office to check the status of the real estate they had requested earlier. The house was ready, but the warehouse was not.
As they walked through the house with the restoration company’s representative Lewis saw that it was spotless. The appliances were all functional and clean and the floors, which looked like vinyl tile, were all polished. The woman who was guiding them also gave them a pamphlet with places to buy furniture and other household items. Lewis accepted the paper work and keys.
“I have an idea, sir,” Rollins’ voice echoed in the empty house, more startling because he wasn’t often conversational. The representative had left already and Lewis was alone with Rollins in the three bedroom house.
“What’s that?” Lewis queried, walking into the bedroom where Rollins stood, hands behind his back, looking out of the window.
“I was thinking I could open an office here for you. We could offer security, bodyguard and investigative services, and employ some of the local people,” Rollins said.
“That’s a good idea, but is it what you really want to do?” Lewis replied.
“Well, yeah, if you want to start a company on Andar. I’m a liability to the team, and I don’t want to get anyone killed.”
“I don’t see that as a major concern yet. But let’s see what Gomez says. I’m not opposed to the idea in principle,” Lewis said. “First we need Lenon’s permission to spend his money on this. And, we should open his office first. This house has room for two offices, but it’s also supposed to be a crash pad for employees and visitors.”
“I have a few suggestions, Lieutenant.”
“I’d like to hear them.”
“OK, first of all, do we work for DeLeah Ventures directly? Because it feels like we’re subcontractors. Secondly, we need a name for our group along with bylaws, a mission statement, uniforms, insignias and so on.”
“Wow, It sounds like you have already put a lot of thought into it,” Lewis said, wondering how far this line of thinking could go. “I think we’re part of Lenon’s crew, however I also believe he would understand and approve if we said we wanted to expand our scope. I’m not talking about quitting the DeLeah’s, just being able to take on other clients at the same time.”
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“So you need a base for recruiting and training. Also a headquarters, it would make more sense to have it be in Ascore,” Rollins gave him a look to see if he was out of line. “Also we’ll need supplies if we’re going to have recruits. I have some ideas as far as the business end goes.”
Lewis raised an eyebrow and said. “Write me a proposal, and keep in mind we don’t have customers, recruits, or resources yet, so let’s take it slow. What I would like to see is, recruiting here, training in Ladzoo and head office in Ascore. All this depends on what the DeLeah’s say, of course.”
“May I buy a desk and chair so I can work on that here?”
“Yes and why don’t you go to that Brotherhood of Labor office and hire somebody for secretarial duties.”
“Yes sir.”
“This person will be an employee of DeLeah Ventures, and I will draw up a list of duties. When they are not busy, feel free to use them. And be economical when furnishing the house.”
“Yes sir.”
Lewis returned that evening to find the house bustling with movers, guided by a man his own height and as skinny as a stick figure. When the man saw him he excused himself and came over to meet him.
“My name is Locke,” he said very formally. “You are Lieutenant Lewis, is that correct?”
“It is,” Lewis informed him.
“Sergeant Rollins hired me to manage the office for DeLeah Ventures, Shipping Division. He informs me that the office will be located in this house until we are able to move to a more appropriate space, perhaps in an office building,” Locke spoke with no expression whatsoever. “I have also been informed that I might be asked to help with your Romeo project.”
“Where is Sergeant Rollins?”
“Applying for a license for Romeo Company to conduct business here.”
“Welcome to the family, here’s a packet of instructions from the DeLeah’s. As for Romeo Company, Rollins knows what to do and has the authority to do it. Is there anything else I can do for you?” Lewis inquired.
“No Sir, I think I’ve got it. Thank you, Sir” Locke said.
Upon his return Captain Churro informed him that they would be ready to leave in the morning. Lewis explained to the team what Rollins was doing in town.
Rollins and Locke came to see them off in the morning. Both ships flawlessly pulled away from the dock. On the way out of the harbor they saw the laborers working on the dock that was for the submarines that would someday come to Port Mist. By early afternoon they had left Mist Bay. The sea was high and dark. The wind would have blown them far away from the land if not for the skill of the sailors and their ship masters. In four days of battling the elements, they saw only one other ship. It was a Defender’s long ship far off to the west. The first sign of Dontil was a massive smoke plume that blew northwest across the sea. As they drew closer they could see first a vast graveyard of industrial ships, then a great jumble of buildings, mostly demolished, tanks, domes, and smoke stacks. Smoke poured from some of the stacks, and it even billowed out from between buildings in a few places. It joined together on its way to the sea, roiling and striving without success to rise above the surface of the water. The harbor was a maze of floating walkways, bridges and derelict ships.