Dr Elune glanced up at the knock on their door, pushing the AHOR schematics to the side, "Come in."

Francis stepped into the room quietly, glancing around as they made their way to a seat, "Evening, Sam. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?"

Shaking their head, the doctor grinned, "Not really. Judith wanted approval for some new tests on AHOR, and the only concern is the material costs. I think I will tell her not to worry... These things are to be designed for quality." Shifting in their seat, the doctor smiled softly, "Been keeping busy?"

Francis sighs with a nod, leaning back slowly, "Very. It is awfully taxing to try and probe these people for opinions on AI... Without giving an impression of genuine interest. Don't want to give oiurselves away quite yet."

Dr Elune opened a small fridge that had been moved next to their desk, for convenience, "Sounds like you are having trouble, then... I thought you would love the beaurocratic dance, though?"

Francis chuckled weakly, "Not in the slightest. Oh, you have any-" As Dr Elune held up a bottle with a smirk, Francis continued, "Heh, you come well prepared. Anyway... I am a good lawyer. Doesn't mean I enjoy it. There is some good news, though..."

Dr Elune raised an eyebrow as they filled a pair of glasses, handing one to Francis, "We have a potential sympathetic?"

Francis nodded after takign a sip, "Better - We have a powerful one. We already have some sway here from Ren's associates, but that will not win over the Haven... Let alone the inner triumverate."

Dr Elune giggled, "Yeah, out here by the fourth tends to get left out of everything. I remember one of my previous buyers not even knowing there was a fourth haven." Sighing as they put down their glass, the doctor shuffled through the papers, "I am fairly sure convincing them AHOr is great will be easy... Even with the worriers about identity theft. Alex is the only reason we need you here, in person."

Nodding, Francis tapped his glass in thought, "Indeed. That is why this... Potential backer will be good. Fought in the wars, on the front lines... Decent leverage in the inner havens."

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Dr Elune smiled slowly, "I am detecting a hint of concern, though. Let me guess: You like our chances of success. You just dislike what will happen if they change their tone." As Francis nodded, the doctor grinned, "Leave that part to me. May I suggest we invite them over to talk about the OHPS, let them meet Alex... Get a regulat visit going, before we let them know the truth?"

Francis blinked up at Dr Elune, "That, uh... Might work. I never thought of you as the political strategist."

Dr Elune nodded, holding up their glass, "I prefer to leave that to the rest of you. However... Do remember I got ownership of the station somehow. And, I have been able to maintain it."

As Francis raised his glass in kind, he chuckled, "As lazy and introspective as ever... But willing to work hard to get what you want."

Dr Elune laughed at that, clinking their glass as they both drained the remainer. As the doctor pulled the bottle back over for seconds, they hummed quietly, "I will probably reture from the public eye fully after all this... For better, or worse."

Francis raised an eyebrow, "What, you? Retire? And give up on your marvelous creations?"

Smirking, the doctor shook their head, "Not a chance. I will just sell the patent to others from now on, for a hefty price. The creation part will never stop."

Francis nodded in approval, "Hey, works for me. We will make less money overall, but it makes everyone's jobs easier... And there is the mining revenue as well."

Smiling broadly, the doctor nodded, and glanced up, "So, Alex, do you know who this mystery backer is?"

A little hologram of Alex appeared, making Francis jump slightly, "I keep forgetting Alex is still... Well, overseeing us."

As Dr Elune laughed, Alex bowed politely, "I am remaining discreet, to reduce any discomfort." Looking up at Dr Elune, the mini-Alex smiled, "I do have the name, in fact... And better yet, a date for us all to meet. It so happens Greg has already contacted them."

"Oh? How kind of him. But, why did Greg do that?"

Smirking, Alex smugly showed a small diagram of a floating satelite platform, "Why... To borrow a certain low-orbit shooting range, three days from now."