Lay of the Land - Part 6

Posted on Mon 8th Mar, 2021 @ 4:31am by Renato Solis & Sipov Boros
Edited on on Thu 11th Mar, 2021 @ 5:03am

1,641 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Business Not At All As Usual
Location: Deck 2245, section 221-B Renato's Office
Timeline: MD 2, 1940

Previously, In Renato Solis' office, Sipov Boros came clean ....

“Thank you. I’m sure my stubbornness for a more literal answer was at the very least annoying, but you’ll find I’m a man with little preference for generalization. I do understand keeping up appearances, however. But now that it’s just us, I’ll be straightforward as well. I’m not exactly here because I want to be either. I’m here getting away from something, too. But I’m looking to establish myself and am hoping to have a ship soon. How soon I couldn’t say. But if you know people who are willing to work and be paid a fair wage, I’ll hire them, per job at first.”

Can the two men come to a mutually appealing agreement?

The pilot took another sip of his drink before continuing. “And, yes, while I have addictive tendencies as well, I’ll run a clean ship on jobs. No alcohol, no drugs.” The fact of the matter was he’d only ever been somewhat in charge of a craft on the smaller charts transports where it was traditional for the senior pilot to ‘Captain’ the craft, but he did know standard protocol. “I’ll likely need folks with engineering and systems experience, possibly a medic of sorts just in case. I think the presence of Tannis alone will suffice for any possible security needs. Speaking of which if you need me to keep an eye out for any provisions or otherwise for your center here, let me know and I’ll pick things up for a nominal fee. Mostly to cover labor and transport costs.”

Running multiple jobs at once was always preferred, since it saved him time and money. The real question was how much business he’d actually get at the end of the day. “What’s your time typically worth, Renato?”

The offer was good, and his measure of the man told Renato it was genuine. Truthfully, the Center needed as many influxes of resources and materiel as possible. In the past, he'd had family who stayed here and called it a Ponzi Scheme race against the clock as Renato traded favors to keep the place running. That was years ago. Now he plied the currencies of the trade, more than mere money - secrets, favors, obtaining that item which is hard to find and selling it for twice what you paid.

A ship and crew meant he had reach, license to offer more goods and help people in a greater way. Tannis would cry with joy if he knew his career was being discussed. They could rescue people from their situation, take people to their new homes. This was the next step potentially for the programs Renato wanted to offer.

"I think you'll find money to be the least of what I can offer. I'd be delighted to check out your operation, recommend my best people in need of honest work. Pay them well, they pay me well, it works out. You and I can stay in contact, and if people need a place to go, we can bring them here, if they got a place to get to, maybe we can take them. The price? How much would a man dying of thirst pay for water?"

Another drag of his drink, and he was getting lippy, a sign of the liquor doing its work. "We can cover your costs, replace your expenses, manage the price to the point we all make out. I have dockworkers for discount repair stuff, Techs in M/AMA who can siphon fuel. I know when they do Baryon sweeps for the fleet and can slip you into rotation for free ... if it' just money you want, I may be a disappointment. Of course, every once in a while, a juicy prize falls into my lap, a bounty, a lost soul, tales of kidnapping and maybe a clue of where they are?

"As the Ferengi suggest in their Great Material River, all ideas and objects are commodities that float along with us. My side business didn't spring up out of nowhere. I listen, I learn, I find what I'm looking for. So for those services what is a fair price? Or shall we concern ourselves less with numbers and more with seeking to best the other in charity?

"Mr. Solis, if you can assist me to an extent with logistical support, and give me a tip every now and then about what's going on in the fleet, I'll run cargo for you all day long. I can't imagine how many ships come for support and how long it may take someone to get in. And while I may be able to line someone up for some work on what I'm hoping to acquire, the less latinum I have to pay out at the end of the day for labor, parts, or the occasional turn of a blind eye, the better. If it costs me a few extra bars, then I'm willing to shell it out.

"As for ferrying people. that idea hadn't crossed my mind, but it could be something worked out." The Vulcan learned a long time ago that information and someone who had connections was worth more than the currency that, quite frankly, he held in high regard.

He took a moment and polished off his drink before refilling it. While the private investigator was someone that he expected to have a great deal of knowledge about the inner workings of the station, he'd turned out to be much more than Sipov had first considered. The likely business relationship between the two men would be much more extensive than first considered.

"I think both of us can come to an agreement and make this work. I'll make sure everyone is paid fairly, according to the work they sign on for. If they don't meet their end of the contract, they'll be paid and sent on their way. But something tells me you'll do your best to make sure those willing to work are given the opportunity to do so. I can also see an opportunity for you to extend your eyes and ears out further, which is always good. Don't worry, I won't mind them doing any side work for you as long as they fulfill their contracts with me."

Pulling a couple of strips from his pocket Sipov placed them on the desk. "I'm not sure what you usually charge but I'm hoping this can cover our conversation so far?"

The sight of glittering currency would have made him snap to attention once upon a time, but for the rest of his life, he would only ever determine something worth by how much they were willing to pay for it. Two strips of Latinum was overly generous, the food and drink likely owing to the gesture. It was also a sign of respect, and he returned it in kind.

"That's excellent, more than. Thank you, it'll turn into replicator credit for the center if you care to know. I'll also get you Tannis's Comm codes so you can reach out, a few others, Sheri, Aooaaho, are dedicated spacers, Jaka is Tiburonian and the strongest biological entity I have ever met, You've met Tannis... those two will replace your lift loaders and I can recommend them for their sterling reputation, not so much for their wit or humor. Oh and Jaka can work a week straight but does not bathe, too large for most compartments and mammoth fur is just too coarse. Exo-Suit work is ideal."

He paused, wondering if it was too soon but felt bold given the activity. So Renato asked, "I've got a few projects running as well. I'll have to talk to the people on the other side but we can use a man like you and a good ship. For now leave it at that but I think I am very glad to you came by the shop tonight.

"It's good to know, although I believe a man should be allowed the discretion to do what he wants with the money he earns. You've been of much more service to me than I initially had thought and with the offering of personnel for a crew for a ship I haven't even acquired yet, well I'm very thankful. I'll make sure to let you know when I have one and when folks can arrange to meet with me or look over the ship one I have it. I'm always looking for work so if we need to contract runs every so often I'm all for it. As long as the crew works hard when I need them to I don't mind if they are able to carry much of a conversation or not, or if they bathe."

He'd make sure the filtration systems on the ship were adequate just in case. "I look forward to receiving their contact information and dossiers which I'll take a look at." Sipov placed his glass back onto the desk before standing and reached out to offer a shake.

Renato was impressed to see such steadiness, so to hide the shaking in his hand he clasped Sipov's quickly.

"I believe I've taken up enough of your evening, I should give you some time to unwind and I'll work on finding a craft. I look forward to our future endeavors Mr. Solis."

Renato was not used to drinking so fast, he had to get his chops back, he set his drink down though. With a slur he spoke loosely, "I look froward to working withyou too Spov."

Grinning, Sipov released the other mans hand after a few moments and turned to leave. Something in him told him there would be some interesting times ahead together.

 

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