Terra sighed lightly to herself as she scrolled absentmindedly through her datapad. She had been reviewing these numbers with Danforth for weeks. She had spent hours upon hours upon hours reviewing the company's clientele and performance for the last two years with Danforth over the last few months. She knew what he was going to say without having to listen to him repeat it once more. Thus far, her mother and Kindred had remained silent as Danforth regurgitated the presentation to them as he had practiced with Terra while getting himself and them ready to meet with not only Beka and Kindred but the Empire representatives.
They had been on Arktos for three days. The working 'vacation' had been difficult thus far, at least for Terra. After a long talk with her sister-in -law, Terra had finally been allowed to spend time with her nephews. She spent time relaxing by the pool with Danforth. Her mother, Kindred and Tyr were all busy with work so she had spent very little time with them. She and Danforth had spent time working on the proposal to the Empire. She spent tense dinners with her family. It was apparent that Kindred was not ready to forgive her absence from their lives for the last two years. Her mother was a little distant especially with Danforth there. Terra and Danforth spent their evenings in Aeolian as Terra showed him the finer things Arktos had to offer the universe.
"So I have decreased the frequency of those routes," Danforth finished before changing the graphics on the holo projection. "And increased pricing ever so slightly. Clients have not complained about the fee hikes and the routes have shown an small increase in profitability."
"TriStar shipping has expanded into several areas once serviced by only small operations. They have been undercutting Hawkins and other small outfits trying to put us out of business. I have been warning clients that once Hawkins and other small operations are out of the way, TriStar will royally screw them," Danforth continued as he pulled up another image of historical data supporting his claims. "But right now … all they care about is saving a guilder. I could have lowered the fees and still make a few thrones; However, I am certain TriStar would just go lower."
"I sold off the rights to the route from Nephrus station to Ulrich," Danforth changed the view once more. He was explaining to Kindred and Beka how they were 'cutting the fat' on Hawkins routes to try to stay strong in their most profitable Commonwealth systems. It was later in the evening, after dinner. Tyr and Lex were a short distance away, talking, while the children played. "Then negotiated an extraordinarily good deal for the routes between Ulrich and Ganymede."
"It is best to just step out of the way and let TriStar and Maximus fight it out in Nephrus," Danforth continued as he looked in Terra's direction. She shrugged and gestured for him to continue. Thus far Kindred and Beka's silence seemed to be unnerving him a little. "Hawkins has not been profiting much there and …"
"When Terra said she wanted to get together to discuss business," Kindred cut Danforth off abruptly as he tossed his flexi on the table and leaned forward in his chair. "The … family owned and operated … business, I was unaware that you were going to be involved in the discussions."
Kindred looked Danforth over slowly. The man and his sister had been nearly inseparable while Terra had been on Arktos. Although his sister appeared content, Kindred couldn't believe his sister would ever get involved with someone like Danforth. Kindred assumed he was up to something and that something involved Terra and their company. He also found it suspicious and annoying that Danforth was presenting the latest state of the company address to he and his mother while Terra sat mutely to the side and allowed it. She had yet to utter more than a few worthless comments before Danforth had taken over.
"Unless … when Terra refers to you as her … partner … there is something more to your involvement with the company? Some arrangement on which neither myself nor my father were consulted nor made aware?" Kindred finished as his gaze remained on the man seated beside his sister. After listening to Danforth speak during their meeting, it was obvious he was more heavily involved in the business side of Hawkins than any normal employee.
"I have been assisting with the business," Danforth looked over at Terra who nodded her agreement. He looked back at Kindred.
"Would you consider yourself … an employee of the company?" Kindred posed the question after a short pause.
"I would consider myself more of a consultant," Danforth replied as he glanced over at Terra who nodded once more.
"As a part owner of the company, I appreciate your input and efforts," Kindred informed him. "However, at this time, I would like it if you would excuse yourself from this meeting. My sister and I will discuss your involvement, actions and proposals and come to final decisions on what further steps will be taken with OUR business. As well as how we will proceed with our meetings and negotiations with the Empire."
"Kindred," Terra started to protest. She put her hand on Danforth's arm to keep him from getting up.
"I believe your brother is right," Beka smiled as she looked at Danforth. "I, too, appreciate all you have done for Terra and the company while you have been employed. However, I think it is time for you to excuse us while we discuss and make final decisions."
"Of course," Danforth looked down at Terra for a long moment before he finished getting to his feet. "If you need anything further, I will be upstairs."
"I can't believe you," Terra looked over at her brother once Danforth headed up the stairs to her residence.
"I almost feel as if Danforth has been making all the decisions lately," Kindred looked over at his sister.
"I discuss things with him because he understands the business," Terra defended herself. "I make the decisions …"
"Good, then you don't need him, do you?" Kindred challenged his sister. Terra rolled her eyes and shook her head as she looked back at her flexis.
"Now, why don't you explain why you have been doing the things you have been doing. Educate us on any additional plans you have for the company," Beka suggested as she picked up her flexi. "Once you have finished, we can discuss Hawkins' next step forward in the apparent restructuring Danforth has been encouraging and enacting during his tenure at Hawkins."
"Danforth did an excellent job explaining our moves thus far. I see no reason to reiterate what has already been presented to you," Terra tapped on her datapad and the holo projection changed once again. "Mycilyx has been a troublesome route since the beginning …"
Terra picked up where Danforth had left off when Kindred rudely interrupted him and dismissed him from the meeting.