Fate of Frailty Chapter 13
By Karen Hart
Jr. winced as he passed by the Foundation's shipyard, ears offended by the onslaught of noises. The past six months had been a slow blur as he was introduced to the Foundation's residents as Gaignun's adopted son, an announcement that had sparked countless debates, mostly of them logged in tabloids and held over lunches. What they had hoped would stall questions had instead invited a deluge of them.
Yet despite the constant noise, the redhead couldn't help but view the Durandal's progress. It'd been his idea, and he couldn't help but feel just the slightest bit possessive of the craft. He stopped near an orange-garbed mechanic, and coughed to get the man's attention. "So how's it coming?"
The man turned to look at the speaker and grinned. McCall had grayed a fair deal in the past two and a half years since he and Gaignun had met, and had obtained a few new scars, but he was still as amiable as ever. "Hey! Started to think you weren't gonna come by today." He glanced over at the mess of scaffolding and machinery and workers. "I'd say we're about done with the stress tests on the engines and once we get the final design for the hull we can start putting together the lifesupport and various filtration systems. Until then…" He shrugged expressively.
Jr. smirked. "It should be ready fairly soon."
McCall's eyes rolled slightly in mock disbelief. "Yeah, you've said that before."
"Hey, I just want this to be perfect, you know?" Jr. commented in an attempt to defend himself.
"Yeah, I know. Oh! Tell Gaignun he's about to get hit with another bill. Seems the metal shipments got screwed up and they sent double. So, the price bounced."
Jr. sighed, his face contorting in aggravation. "God damn it," he growled under his breath. "All right, I'll let him know. Thanks for the warning."
Hey, Gaignun, I've got some bad news for you…---
"Tell them I'm flatly refuse to pay for their mistake."
"I'm very sorry, sir, but company policy clearly states that—"
Gaignun cut the woman—a realian—off. "From what I can tell, your policy is to first hurt your clients through gross error and then to profit off of them. This is the third time this has occurred, and believe me, this has gotten me very worried. However," he added, his voice softening just slightly, "I'm certain that we can come to some sort of a compromise."
The realian had managed not to recoil in shock, her programming and indeed years of experience at her job effectively steadying her reactions, though her expression turned apprehensive. "I'll speak with one of my superiors. Please wait one moment." That said, she cut the line, her image replaced by Shijima Steel's logo.
Hey, Gaignun, I've got some bad news for you… Jr.'s voice echoed across his mind, the redhead's tone tinged with a combination of worry and regret.
Would it have anything to do with Shijima's shipment increase?
Oh…so you know already. Gaignun could practically hear Jr. wincing.
It's currently being taken care of. But thanks for the warning.
A mental grinned flashed across Jr.'s thoughts. Hey, thank Warren. He's the one who told me.
I'll be sure to—one moment. The logo on the screen flickered and transformed into the image of a gaunt, thin-lipped elderly man. Gaignun ignored the man's openly contemptuous expression.
"So I hear you want to discuss compromises. I really see no reason for it." Scorn colored the man's voice.
All right, be calm, don't let him use your youth against you, Gaignun told himself inwardly. "I assume your secretary has explained the situation adequately?"
The man snorted. "What we've asked is well within our company's policy and contract. Again, I see no need to make an exception, especially not for an upstart—"
So it comes out… "Upstart I may be, but extortionist I'm not—" he paused while the man on the screen did recoil, unlike the realian before him "—and yes, our contract did in fact state a clause regarding price increase should this situation arise. However, it was made abundantly clear that such an event would be highly unlikely—and yet we've been in this same situation a total of three times in the past two months." Green eyes narrowed marginally. "Now, I don't particularly enjoy placing blame, but this is starting to look suspicious."
"Fine, fine," the man grumbled. "I'll speak with the company." If only to shut you up, he didn't add.
Gaignun nodded, expression suddenly amiable. "My thanks, Mister…" He trailed off, allowing the older man to fill in the name.
"Ishii." After that, the screen went blank.
---
Not longer after relaying McCall's message to Gaignun, Jr. found himself back at the suite, looking through hull designs and layouts. Not this one…too bulky. Not that…That'd strike laughter in anyone who saw that approaching. He sighed and turned his attention away from the program. Damn it.
He stood up and paced the room, body taught with agitation. Why couldn't he think of a design? A moment later he plopped back into his seat, a gusty sigh escaping his lips. I didn't think this would be the hard part.
The chime of the hotel's communication system broke through his thoughts, and the screen flared to life. "I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but I felt you should know that someone's on his way to your room," the receptionist informed him. Jr. nodded his understanding and thanks, and the screen darkened once more.
Who the…?Moments later the buzzer sounded, heralding the impromptu visitor's arrival. Jr. strode over to the door, hit the open switch and waited as the door slid up. What it revealed was the last person he expected to see.
"chaos?"