Chapter sixteen

Wolf

Hovercraft

“Shemra control, can I get a course to the outside of the Patriarch’s residence,” asked Wolf?

“This is Shemra control, what’s your business there,” you asked Shemra control?

“I have to pickup one of the daughters outside the compound. So could you hurry up, I'm running late,” asked Wolf?

“The course has been sent to your computer. Have a good day, Shemra control out,” said Shemra control.

With that Wolf started towards the atmosphere of Shemra. Wolf followed the course and came to the Patriarch’s residence just on time. Because Wolf pulled in just behind the Matriarch’s hovercraft. Bebe got out of the hovercraft and walked over and got in with Wolf.

“How was the day with your mother,”asked Wolf?

“It was very good. We discussed you of course I didn’t say too much, I hope that wasn’t a problem,” said Bebe.

“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but if there was something I really didn’t want you to tell someone I just wouldn’t tell you either. So I’m assuming you mentioned the space station and gave your mother your impression of me. Which if you ask me your mother doesn’t need, she looks capable of figuring people out by herself. So I don’t really care much and at the end of the day you are going to be around now so you should be able to speak to your mother about anything,” said Wolf.

“Thanks, I really miss being able to speak to her. So what are we doing for dinner,” asked Bebe.

“I was thinking we would order room service and I will fill you in on the final plans for the space station. I made some small changes to the plan that I think will shorten the building time and cost,” Wolf answered.

Office of the patriarch

Calnor and his wife

“So how was your day with Bebe,” asked Calnor?

“It was very refreshing. I really missed her. It was a shame that the only time we spoke it was about her career. We went shopping for a wedding dress. We spoke about what she was going to do now that she was out of the military,” the Matriarch said.

“So what is it that Bebe is going to do now? If she needs a job I’m sure we could find her one,” said Calnor Shemra.

“She is going to build a space station for her friend Wolf. Apparently that’s how they met and he wants to build one. But doesn’t want to actively manage the project so Bebe will do it for him,” said the Matriarch.

“Space stations! I thought they were only in the research phase. I didn’t know there was complete schematics for a space station,” said Calnor.

“Yes well apparently they just came out and they were already bought. But Wolf has schematics for a space station that he wants to build,” said the Matriarch.

“Did Bebe happen to give you an idea of how Wolf was going to go about building a space station,”asked Calnor?

“I’m pretty sure the first thing they want to do is buy a shipbuilding company. That’s about as far as we got abou what Bebe plans to do with her future. She didn’t really want to talk abou Wolf. So from that conversation I don’t think she would be willing to spy on Wolf for us,” said the Matriarch.

“We thought it was a long shot and if we didn’t investigate then we would be the loser if the answer was yes. But still it’s not the end, maybe Wolf could still solve a problem for us. We will just have to see how the next few days play out,” Calnor said with a plan forming in his head.

With that Calnor called his uncle the head of his intelligence and told him to get the information about Wolf. He wanted to know it all whatever that was.

Wolf and Bebe’s suite

We came to the room and looked over the menu and ordered food. We ordered a half hour delay so we could freshen up. I used my time to wash my face and meditate. I wasn’t meditating enough and it always calmed me which was something I needed a lot more of. Especially since losing my connection with Jacob.

When there was a knock on the door I went out and waited for Bebe to let the person in since she was already heading to the door. Once the food was brought in we sat down and ate. I had meat and vegetables while Bebe had a surf and turf with vegetables.

Once we were finished eating it was when we got down to the reason for tonight’s dinner. “Ok so what are the changes you want to make to the space station,” asked Bebe.

“It’s not so much changes to the blueprints as much as changing the way it will be built. I want the building to be done off a modified ship. The reason for that is that you won’t be having to take crew down to the planet at the end of the day. They will be able to stay on the ship for the next few days and you will get more build time. You are also going to save money on paying for the workers while in transportation. So tell me what you think,” asked Wolf.

“Ok, I understand what you are getting at but you are going to have to build the ship that you are going to build the station around. Also you still don’t own a shipbuilding company. You are also going to have to move around the build progression of the space station to suit these new ideas. But you are going to leave soon to go find something or someone. Whatever it is that you are looking for. So all these changes are going to have to be perfect. But otherwise I don’t have a problem. But since we are talking, can I ask a few questions,” asked Bebe.

“Sure, ask what you want,”answered Wolf.

“How long do you see this project taking,” asked Bebe.

“It will probably take fifty years or more but it all depends on the shipbuilding company. But don’t worry I will leave you a pad with all the information you will need. Let’s head to bed now so we could go look for a shipbuilding company tomorrow,” said Wolf.

With that Bebe headed to her room and Wolf waited for room service to come collect the dinner service. Once that was done he headed to his room. Took care of what he had to and then went to bed.

Calnor’s office

Morning briefing

“Ok so what did you find out about Wolf,” Calnor asked his uncle.

“That he grew up in the emporium. Then went to college on Vikra which also happens to be the place that a working design for the space station was invented. There is not much else there are no photos of him in any of the schools yearbooks or on their websites. All I was able to find out is he spent a few years there and he was close to some college President. So he probably went to that school but that’s all I was able to find out,” said Calnor’s uncle.

With that taken care of, Calnor got his regular intelligence briefing.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Thanks for the briefing send in the Finance Minister. Have a good day,” said Calnor.

“Give me the rundown on the Magtayo shipbuilding company,” asked Calnor

“It has a lot of debt. They were hoping for some big contracts that fell through. If someone bought it they would scavenge it for parts. If someone bought Magtayo and wanted to use it for shipbuilding they would have to have some revolutionary ideas. For the debt holders not to come collecting. But they would need more than ideas; they would need contracts for products. They would also have to pay more than the debt that’s held.

“But in my opinion if that were to happen, most of the debt holders would want to get back some of their money and would sell their debt at a loss to one or two people. These people hope that by buying that debt they can leverage that into a part of the company which would in theory be more profitable. All in all what I think is most likely to happen would be a partnership.

“If you were to ask me for a recommendation. I would tell you that if you knew who was getting the company and you did your research on this person and it came back good I would buy up debt. The reason why I say that is because the simulations that we have running for the future show a huge increase in the population which will force more trade and more settlements on the planets that are in the Empire. With new planets being settled.

“All of this will mean more travel and that will mean more ships will be needed. Which will also mean that the military will need more ships for patrolling the trade corridors. My point is that it should be looked at as an investment with a huge upside and a small downside if you have the money. That’s my recommendation, I will leave you to ponder what to do next,” with that the Finance Minister got up and headed to the door.

Calnor already knew what he wanted to do. “Wait a second, I want you to start buying up as much debt that we could without running out of money.”

“So I should use the investment account only,” said the Finance Minister.

“Yes and preferably buy debt that is held off world,” Calnor said.

“Ok I will go and get right on that. With that the Finance Minister left to take care of business.

Wolf

Wolf got up and took care of what he had to do, which included checking how much money was available to buy the shipbuilding company. That was going up for auction this morning. With that done he left his room and picked up Bebe and they headed to the dining room for some breakfast.

As they exited the elevator they saw Bebe’s father waiting for them.

“Good morning, do you mind if I join you for breakfast? There is something I would like to discuss,” asked Bebe’s father.

“Sure it would be my pleasure,” answered Wolf.

After they ordered breakfast they started talking. “My wife mentioned that you were looking to buy a ship building company. Is this by any chance still the case,” asked Calnor.

“It still is, do you know of one that’s for sale,” asked Wolf.

“I do and that’s why I’m here. I have a proposal to make if you are interested in a partnership,” asked Calnor?

“I’m not opposed to a partnership, but I would have to know what it is first. So give me an idea of what you had in mind,” said Wolf.

“The split I was thinking of was 80, 20 in your favor. I will buy up debt that can be repaid at the company's convenience. So what do you think of the deal,” asked Calnor.

“My question to you is why would I want to take you as a partner if all you offer is debt acquisition. I could find someone else who would offer the same thing. So what else are you offering,” asked Wolf.

“I am offering my expertise as Clan Patriarch as well. By that I mean my expertise in managing large enterprises. As well as advice when asked for it. In essence what I’m offering besides debt acquisition is to help guide the company. Which you are probably thinking isn’t enough. Which is why I will also only allow your space station to be built around this planet. So is my offer good now or do you still have questions,” asked Calnor?

“Your offer is compelling but there has to be more to the last part of me being the only space station. So tell me about that,” asked Wolf?

“My job as Patriarch is to support my clan mates. One of the ways that I help is financially. I own companies and I give the work to my clansmen first. But with the biggest ship building company going belly up a lot of my clansmen are going to be out of a job. A job that is my responsibility to replace. So if you tell me that you will hire mainly from my clan. Then I can make sure you are the only person to be building a space station around this planet. Now do you understand what this agreement entails,” asked Calnor?

“That might be a problem because I’m of the opinion to get the best workers for the job,” said Wolf.

“I understand, what I meant was that my clansmen should be offered all jobs first. If none of them could do the job then go elsewhere. But I think we both know that it will be better to take only from my clan since their silence is almost guaranteed. So do we have a deal,” asked Calnor again? Hoping it was the last time. He felt like he was dealing with a real business professional. Not someone who just got out of school.

“Yes, I would like to be your partner. May I assume that the shipbuilding company that you are talking about is the Magtayo shipbuilding company, asked Wolf?

“Yes, and I came to you this morning because it’s going up for auction in a few hours. So I do hope you have enough money. For the purchase because my money is being used to buy up its outstanding debt for cents on the dollar,” said Calnor. After he finished eating he got up and left Wolf and Bebe to discuss the auction.

“Well that’s a twist and maybe a very good one. How about you tell me what you think,” asked Wolf?

“Well I think it would be one of the best purchases of your life. The Magtayo Shipbuilding company was much more than just a shipbuilding company. They were at the forefront of some of the biggest inventions in the last thousand years. But recently they have been going through some issues. Which they never had before and I guess this is what it led to,” said Bebe.

“Well I wasn’t planning on buying Magtayo because it was so big and the name that came with it. The only way for it to truly succeed would be for it to reclaim its former glory and good name. Which would be difficult considering that most of the really talented scientists, engineers and inventors have left or gotten fired. But now it might be an option and a very good one. We will have to see how much it will go for. But let’s head towards the auction for now,” said Wolf.

Wolf was in a little bit of a quandary. On one hand the Magtayo company would be more beneficial to himself. But the question was would Bebe be able to run it properly. While he thought she could, he didn't really want to invest the rest of his money and not have a back up plan. On the other hand he could get a smaller company and he wouldn’t have a partner in Calnor. Which is something that he wanted, because he thought it was always good to learn from your elders.

They came to the auction house and Wolf was surprised by how empty it was. He did see Calnor there sitting in the back. Wolf sat down with Bebe.

“So how was the trip,” asked Wolf?

“It was very good, my sister said to tell you that if you need more money she has extra that she won’t be able to invest,” said Kaltor.

“How is it that she has extra money that she can’t invest,” Wolf asked?

“When the Zalendorions Krone was trading lower than the lycanthrope credit she bought a lot of krones. She hoped to be able to change it back but some politics left with a whole lot of Krones and nothing to do with it,” said Kaltor.

“Why can’t she exchange the Krones, aren’t krones one of the best currencies. If I remember correctly the last time it was worth less than lycanthrope credit was over five hundred years ago,” asked Wolf.

“I think you are right but still my sister said you should get rid of the Krones. I will go ask the auctioneer if they are accepting Krones,” said Kaltor. With that he got up and headed to speak to the auctioneer.

“Excuse me Sir,” said Kaltor.

“Hi, what can I do for you,” asked the auctioneer.

“My employer was wondering which currencies you accepted, particularly Krones,” asked Kaltor.

“You are talking about the exchange policy that went into effect recently. We still accept Krones; we have a partner in Zalendorion space. So the rule doesn’t apply to us,” said the auctioneer.

“What’s the exchange rate that you are offering,” asked Kaltor?

“We are valuing the Krones at four times the value of the lycanthrope credit,” said the auctioneer.

“If I had extra Krones would you exchange it for my employer,” asked Kaltor.

“Only if it came for a legitimate purchase. The extra that was charged would be returned in any currency you choose that we hold. Otherwise we would be breaking the new Zalendorion laws. Hope I was helpful,” said the auctioneer.

“Ok so what did the auctioneer have to say,” asked Wolf.

“He said he would count the Krones as four lycanthrope credits. Also if you purchase something he would take more and exchange it for you. So that would give you about two trillion lycanthrope credits,” said Kaltor.

“Good tap me on the shoulder when they are going to start the auction,” said Wolf.