"Don't think you are keeping that," Tyr broke the silence when he heard Beka's door click shut at the end of the hall. He motioned for Tamerlane to give him the credit chip.
"I believe I saved the crew," Tamerlane looked at the chip he was toying with in his hand. "Beka is fixing your ship … actually improving your ship. She is offering to replace your supplies. You are out nothing." Tamerlane's gaze met Tyr's.
There was a determination there. Tyr had seen the defiance quite a bit since Beka had visited their planet. It appeared Tamerlane was beginning to exert his will on the universe. Tyr knew it was time.
Without another word, Tamerlane slipped the chip into his pocket seeming to dare Tyr to take it. Tyr nodded his approval of his son's action and his conceding control of the situation. It was an unspoken exchange that Tamerlane would need to understand and master as he began to move throughout the universe and interact with others, especially Nietzscheans.
Tyr could see his son visibly relax. Tyr would have to work on that. Never give away anything even after you think you have won.
"She would make a powerful ally," Tamerlane spoke up as he leaned forward to retrieve the flexi Beka had given him. He turned it on and began to make note of the supplies he had jettisoned.
"She is perhaps the most powerful woman on Golden Harvest," Tyr nodded his acknowledgement. Tamerlane scoffed.
"She is the most powerful woman in this area of the Known Worlds," Tamerlane stopped noting and looked at Tyr. "I dare say she could be the most powerful woman in the three galaxies."
"I wouldn't go that far. Beka has a great deal of power. She has the largest shipping fleet in the Known Worlds. And a security force that rivals many multisystem empires," Tyr shook his head. "However, there is more to power than that."
"She has allies," Tamerlane pointed at Tyr then smiled. "Powerful allies with warships."
Tyr scoffed derisively. "The fledgling Commonwealth? I am certain Beka still has connections within the Commonwealth but it is still weak. Too weak to be a threat to most. That is why the universe it still … wild."
"She has the Sabra-Jaguar," Tamerlane smirked when Tyr looked over at him. "The Sabra-Jaguar are still very much engaged with the Commonwealth and Charlemagne Bolivar is very much connected with Beka Valentine."
"Charlemagne Bolivar … that fop," Tyr laughed. Tamerlane shook his head in annoyance. He never really understood his father's disdain for Bolivar. Then again Tyr seemed to dislike most Nietzscheans he met.
"She would make a good ally," Tamerlane repeated again before looking at the flexi.
"She is an ally," Tyr's tone caused Tamerlane to look at him again. "She is my ally. Through me she will be your ally. There is no need to waste your … efforts … gaining her … loyalty."
"It's not her loyalty I desire," Tamerlane raised his eyebrows as he held Tyr's gaze.
"What is it you desire, son?" Tyr asked as he searched Tamerlane's face for a clue. He still hadn't unraveled Tamerlane fascination with Beka Valentine.
"She is a beautiful woman," Tamerlane held his father's gaze.
Their gazes met for some time, each trying to ascertain the others thoughts.
"About that list," Tyr moved his gaze to the flexi in Tamerlane's hand.
"I am well aware of what cargo I jettisoned," Tamerlane skimmed through the list. He had a complete inventory.
"Don't forget the two boxes of langoustines … Antares langoustines," Tyr said as he motioned to the list.
"We had no langoustines," Tamerlane shook his head. "especially no Antares langoustines." The food was only cultivated in one place in the Known Worlds these days and the supply had been overharvested leading to a sharp decline in numbers. A soaring demand for them by the rich and powerful made them expensive and hard to come by. Only the most powerful, influential people in this area of the KNowne Worlds could get them. However, Tyr did love them.
"Add it to the list," Tyr replied then began detailing a few of 'missing' supplies for Beka to replace.