The Space Wizard and the Istar
Business as Unusual
Thuri Mil was a practical man. Like all other Selmorthi, he was a little bit ruthless. An evolutionary holdover from their time as plants, it was said. He, perhaps because he was a businessman, was a maybe just a bit more ruthless than most. But he liked to think that he was an opportunist.
When he learnt of the attempts that were being made to open a portal between universes, he had offered his services immediately to Phalrn Durni, the genius who had made such progress. After all, there was evidence that it would one day work, there was excellent pay, and he would inevitably get other offers once he was done, and even before, by a few jealous business owners.
But he was a cautious opportunist. He knew that there were times in life when an opportunity just wasn't worth it any more.
Which was why he was here, discussing business with his bosses' rival.
"Thuri," greeted the old man with mock politeness. His head and fingers were beginning to yellow; his head was even red in some places. Autumn was catching up to the old man – his time wasn't far away.
"Friult," greeted Thuri in turn, with the same fake politeness. Neither of them was particularly happy to see the other. Just interested in doing business. "Glad you could make it. Would you like some cod sprinkled with a bit of caride?"
"Certainly," said Friult.
They summoned a waiter and placed their orders. Then Friult said, "So, you're thinking about joining me, eh?"
Thuri nearly smiled. Straight to business, as he liked. Their planetary neighbours were never so direct. "I do. I want to take up your offer as chief resource manager."
"As recall, you weren't exactly jumping at the opportunity to join me last time I asked," said Friult. Thuri shrugged.
"Well, I didn't have an incentive then, did I?"
Laughing, Friult said, "What, twice your original pay wasn't incentive?"
"Compared to the fame and prestige I'd get if this damn portal worked?" asked Thuri. "Compared to the offers I'd be getting once this thing is done? No, no it wasn't."
"So, what changed your mind?"
Thuri hesitated, then shook his head. "That's not important. All that matters is that I want to join Star-tree's inc. Isn't that enough?"
Friult sat back, judging Thuri. Thuri knew he had spies in place, trying to uncover every secret he could. Phalrn knew as well, and had been removed from the public eye for two years now; indeed, he had been removed from his own workers for a year and a half now, working in his own personal laboratory.
Then Friult smiled. "Well," he said warmly. "Who am I to pry? Of course, that's all that matters! You are certain then? You'll join?"
Thuri shook his head. "Not yet. I'm yet to receive my next paycheque. Once that is done, I'll give you a call."
"I have more than a few interested parties, Thuri," remarked Friult, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If I find someone more worthwhile than you, or maybe just less difficult, I might have to reconsider."
Thuri smiled tightly. Friult would never find anyone as good as he. "That's alright. I'll just have to find someone else willing to take me on board. If you can find anybody more worthwhile, do call me. Here's my card, if you need it."
He handed over a card, and Friult got up to leave. "I'll be sure to call if I get a better offer," he said.
"You're not staying for dinner?" asked Thuri, almost cheerfully.
"Ha! This place would know how to cook a decent cod if their life depended on it," said Friult as he left. Thuri shrugged. He didn't care about those 'finer' things. Cod here tasted brilliant, as far as he was concerned.
As the door swung slowly shut, he saw a strange old man. At least, he guessed he was old. He never could tell with these non-plant lifeforms. The man had white hair like snow, and a similar beard that went down to his chest. He wore a grey hat, and a grey cloak, for some reason, and carried a walking staff, taller than he was, whiter than his beard. And... good heavens, was that a sword‽
He looked like he was apologising to someone, maybe even Friult. He turned and Thuri swore the man looked straight into his soul. In an instant a host of terrible things he'd done came up; memories of people he'd betrayed, thrown to the wolves, abandoned. People he'd trapped in legal hells, wrung dry for ever luer that they had. Businesses, small, innocent businesses, laid to ruin because he wanted some land. What a waste! How cruel and deplorable! How petty, how terrible he had been. How terrible he still was.
And Phalrn. He would abandon him, just like the others. Things were heating up, getting tough, and he was about to abandon ship once more.
And then it was over. The old man looked away; barely a second had passed. But the memories remained. The guilt remained. All those people, so many of them, begging for scraps because of him. And there was blood on his hands. He knew there was. Not everyone could bear the idea of poverty. To them it would be worse... worse than...
No! He dared not even think it.
He put a hand to his head and felt a layer of sweat. He dabbed it with the napkin. Who... who was that man, who could summon such memories. Slowly, he regained his composure. The things he did, they were necessary. The businesses he ended, the people he'd betr—left, the people he'd left behind, it was all necessary. Friend, family, ally, it was all necessary. That's how things worked on Selmorth.
And Phalrn was going mad. His plan would kill Thuri, and many more. Phalrn would work them to the heartwood, without a care. Thuri would have no part in it. After tomorrow, when the test was finished, and his paycheque handed over, he'd submit his weeks' notice.
After all, what was he? A therapist? A psychiatrist? No, he was a businessman, a business manager. A practical man. And that was the extant of it.
And yet, a part of him whispered to him.
A coward.
Hello all. Here's the next instalment in my story, I hope you enjoy it. Please review, it means a lot, and please leave any critiques you might have, it's invaluable.
Archangel Xirion Chaos God: Thank you! I don't imagine I'm the first to come up with the idea, but so far I'm the first to write the idea down.
Crimsoinsunlightblade: I'm glad! But don't worry, I'm getting way too invested in this story than I should.
I have another chapter coming up that should explain things, it's almost finished.