Xochitl Novella, Part 4
Arbitrage
_____________________________
Avery watched as Zooey compared the data on the monitors with that on her tablet, adjusting the figures to balance the allotted daily amount.
‘What happens if circumstances arise that prevent the sum from matching the allotted amount?’
‘A percentage of the total is set aside in a non-publicized slush fund, to cover expenses beyond normal requirements. It is set by the captain, and for her eyes only.’
‘But you know what this sum is … correct?’
‘I am a physical manifestation of the ship's AI, to service the captain of this vessel.’
A smirk formed on Zooey’s lips. ‘The ship is the de facto supply and financial officer, hence you.’
‘Not specifically correct. I am a physical manifestation but not the AI itself. I am governed by the AI, but answerable to the captain. I cannot obey an order from the AI that would violate an order from the captain, nor can the AI disobey or overrule an order from the captain.’
‘You didn’t answer the question.’
‘The answer is both yes and no. To answer your point question, the answer is yes, I do know the amount. By directive, neither of us can disclose that information.’
Zooey could see this was a no-win situation and changed the subject.
‘Looking at the provisioning tables, I am curious how this is maintained at its current levels. I was unaware of any trading taking place.’
Avery looked at the nearest monitor, which changed to reflect nearby systems.
‘We assume the role of chandler when regional market prices are commensurate with allotted funding. Though you should understand, we are provisioned for long-term space voyages, for an extended duration, thus not reliant on a fixed re-provisioning schedule. This is done to keep current stocks at their peak, to insure we are capable of performing long duration tasking, at a moment's notice.’
Zooey studied the monitor. ‘To insure reliability and efficiency.’
‘Exactly. The captain will be pleased with your progress.’
‘So she hasn’t forgotten about me?’
‘My directive is to insure your educational requirements are a priority. You are to be trained to ensure you will be a well-balanced and knowledgeable commander.’
‘Couldn’t this be accomplished by my being out there with her?’
‘My directive is to prioritize your educational requirements. The captain is committed to training you to become a knowledgeable and well-balanced commander. By prioritizing this ship, she's also prioritizing you.’
‘There is no winning with you– is there?’
‘Pity party is three decks down. That begins this afternoon, with your physical conditioning session.’
‘Ouch. I was being facetious.’
Avery tilted her head, looking at Zooey. ‘Yes.’
Zooey shook her head as Avery changed the monitor in front of her.
‘Now, let me give you a lesson in market finance. The concept of market finance is based on the idea of supply and demand. In simple terms, it means that if the demand for a particular commodity or service increases, its price will go up, and if the demand falls, its price will go down.’
‘How does this apply to what we were just discussing?’
‘Good question,’ Avery replied. ‘Consider the many factors that can influence demand, such as changes in economic policies, political events, or even natural disasters. These factors are often unpredictable, so it's hard to say for sure when demand will increase or decrease. However, there are certain indicators that you, as a commander, can use, two being traffic and factional influence trends.’
Zooey studied the monitor. ‘So, you are using the historical influence trends as a forecast model?’
Avery nodded. ‘That's where the real skill comes in. It's my job to use this information to make informed decisions about purchasing and trading. I have to balance the needs of the ship against the conditions. It's a delicate balance, but with experience and knowledge, it's possible to make smart and above all, profitable decisions.’
Avery changed the monitor’s information again, into a historical pattern. ‘Realize that sometimes it is best to play the difference between two or more, profiting from it. This is called arbitrage.’
Zooey divided her look between the monitor and Avery. ‘Arbitrage?’
‘Yes, arbitrage. We will cover it more in-depth at a later date once you have learned the nuances of the markets. In its simplest form, it is to take advantage of and profit from the difference between two or more markets. The way the captain profited from filling this ship and another, banking the difference to the ship’s account, was a form of.’
Zooey shook her head. ‘I had no idea.’
The monitor changed again. ‘You will learn,’ Avery stated.
***
That evening, Zooey sat in her quarters. Her arms were almost too sore to carry a to-go tray from the galley to her quarters. The physical assessment regime the security team put her through was grueling. She was glad that none of them found humor in her suffering. Instead they remained professional, grading and encouraging her to push just once more, but knew when she could do no more.
What was worst wasn’t the pain she felt, and not that she had to be back in the gym, next rotation, but that Avery had given her homework. She was still trying to wrap her mind around arbitrage, and now Avery threw the concepts of risk management, quantitative methods, financial planning, and analysis. Add to that the navigational information she learned from her time on the carrier’s bridge, involving fuel calculations, gravity, time dilation, gravity wells, and weight management.
She laid back on her sofa, staring at the dimly lighted ceiling.
‘I’m so tired, I don’t know where to begin.’
‘That is the point,’ a voice sounded.
Zooey’s eyes opened wide, as she moaned, trying to sit upright. Looking around, she saw no one. ‘Now I’m hearing things?’
‘No, you are not losing your mind. I am the ship’s AI. You talked with my physical representation, Avery, earlier. We gave you purposefully difficult homework with the knowledge that you would be overburdened.’
The cramping pains were setting in stronger, as Zooey laid back again.
‘Then why do it if you knew I would not be able to do it?’
‘You are able to do it, but not in the time frame specified, as you have not learned time management. That is the lesson you will learn, with the objective being the task set before you. You will not learn it now, nor by the next few rotations, but with repetition, you will have the concept of.’
Zooey closed her eyes, attempting to stretch out her sore muscles. ‘I know what time management is. I used to be a dredger pilot.’
‘Knowledge of does not equate to application. I know what a container is, yet cannot pick it up. This is why I have Avery. You do not have a separate entity to achieve this task for you.’
‘So how can you teach me how to manage my time and plan for things? That is time management … right?’
‘A crude conceptualization of a finite resource. Tomorrow we begin after your gym session. For now, you are physically unable and already task saturated.’
The door to her room opened, without announcement.
‘Ms. Barton?’ Sounded a human voice.
She was far too sore to attempt to sit up a second time. ‘Yes?’
‘I am one of the ship’s masseuse and medical technicians. I was ordered by the deck officer to report to your quarters.’
Zooey closed her eyes, sighing. Even my eyelids are starting to cramp now.
Loci
_____________________________
The following morning, Zooey was surprised when she was turned away from the ship’s gym, and sent to the spaceship hangars. There were various groups and couples, walking through the day's designated empty bay.
She was new enough to not have joined a group or have a walking partner, though she was not alone. The ship assigned one of the several android assistants—which worked onboard—to be her companion.
‘Ms. Barton,’ the android said as it approached. ‘I have been assigned to you, by the ship. You can address me by my crew-given designation, Axl.’
‘Axl?’
‘Yes, Ms. Barton. I was christened with such by the sub-engineering group, whose additional duties include surface vehicle maintenance. I often assist them in those tasks.’
Zooey was surprised to learn that each had a name, given to it by the crew of the ship, or the department to which the android was assigned. Though regulated and governed by the ship’s AI, each android had its own intelligence, and like their human companions, developed its own uniqueness over time. Those traits almost always were accompanied by their human crewmen giving them a name, corresponding to.
Zooey looked on confused. ‘If you work in maintenance, then why are you assigned to me?’
‘You have been designated by the captain and hence the ship as one requiring a complete educational and physiological series. To become a future commander. I have been provided with your complete schedule, and have knowledge downloaded of a full suite of skill sets which will be complementary toward those requirements.’
Zooey shrugged and began to walk, tapping the patch on her shoulder, that the medical technician placed there last night. To her surprise, she had felt surprisingly loose and rested, when her alarm sounded for her to wake.
‘So … Axl, you are to be my walking partner this morning?’
Axl strode next to her, maintaining a watchful eye. ‘I have been assigned to you– for the duration. I go where you go.’
Zooey chuckled. ‘I plan on going to the shower after this. You will not be going in there with me.’
Axl attempted to mimic her chuckle, sounding eerily like Xochtil, with her vocal modulator.
‘No, Ms. Barton, I will be in the main room, but not in the facility itself. If you should have a requirement, I will be near enough to accommodate.’
‘Won’t you be missed in engineering?’
‘No, Ms. Barton. There are several of us on board who can fulfill the tasking. You are designated as a captain’s priority, and thus assigned a personal assistant.’
‘It’s just Zooey.’
‘Ok, Zooey. Today you will begin learning time management.’
Zooey huffed. ‘I get it– I really do. Don’t multitask, break it down, organize, and prioritize.’
‘It is good you have a basic understanding, though once you learn the method of loci, you will maneuver through those basics, by muscle memory. This will aid you through basic management skills, before moving into unforeseen adaptations, and managing tasks under subjective time dilation.’
‘A method of what, and subjective time dilation?’
‘A method of loci is a memorization technique, which will aid you in your management through the creation of a mental map of tasks and their unique timelines. Once I teach you the techniques, and you have achieved enough familiarization through practice, visualization, and prioritization will become second nature.’
Axl lead Zooey, across the corner at the far end of the hangar, turning to walk towards the center, where they could see the groups moving around.
‘After you are comfortable with your loci, I will teach you how to incorporate it with subjective time dilation. This is where you, as a human, are placed in a stressful situation, generating a heightened state of awareness, and faster cranial processing of information, giving the appearance of subjective time slowing, while in reality it does not, you will only process the information faster.’
Zooey looked at Axl, who motioned around the hangar. ‘These people will appear to move at a different rate. You will be able to prioritize each, understand their individual positions, their level of threat or need for assistance, and make informed decisions, subconsciously. Your actions will be instinctive. This will fulfill the base requirements for you to begin advanced ship procedures.’
Zooey took a step back from Axl. ‘I’m not too sure about all of this. Look, I almost went into a mental meltdown last night, with being over-taxed. I’m not too sure about any of this. Heck, I can’t even repeat most of what you have told me, and frankly, I don’t understand most of what you have said.’
Axl looked around at the walkers, then motioned towards the far side hangar elevators. ‘Follow please.’
Zooey followed Axl to the elevators, where they went down passed the quarters level, to the recreation deck.
‘What are we doing here?’ Zooey asked, more confused than she was on the hangar deck.
Axl motioned toward her forward.
‘Our captain was correct. You will be the perfect student. First I will teach you to relax. It is important to balance work, learning, and play. Without relaxation, you will become ineffective, and I will have failed.’
Zooey chuckled, as they entered the ship's reaction area, with various crew lounges, and game rooms, were situated. ‘Well we can’t have that,’ Zooey said, looking toward a bar at the far end, ‘but I should let you know, I’m not much of a drinker, and I have never really played games much.’
Axl stopped at the entrance. ‘What makes you relax?’
Zooey motioned back toward the elevators. ‘I never realized it until I left it, but I often miss the simplicity of dredging.’
Axl nodded, as if in conversation, then turned and walked to the elevator. ‘Follow me.’
Common reserves
_____________________________
Art maneuvered the Python around the chunks of floating rocks, to get a clear line of sight for his abrasion blaster. Limpet drones raced around the various pieces, collecting the minerals floating free of their granite restraints.
Xochitl sat in the right-hand seat, watching and guiding Art in his work, among the asteroid rings.
‘I noticed we always change systems and rings, and never go for the top-paying items,’ Art said, lining up the blaster’s sight on a piece of rock, with a visibly exposed mineral sample.
‘Yes.’ Xochitl responded, taking a sip of coffee from her zero-g thermos. ‘How well has it paid?’
Art activated another limpet, sending it out to take the place of one that collided with a rock.
‘Dang good, I’d say.’
Xochtil sipped on her flask, booted feet propped on the dashboard, watching Art maneuver the medium ship around, to get a clear line of sight on another grouping of samples.
'What I am trying to say is, while you have been teaching me to become my own commander, you have shown me a lot of things I have never heard of others doing. I guess I am wondering about the thought process behind it.’
Xochitl turned her head, looking at Art, whose attention was focused on a particular rock sample.
‘The process is simple. Find that which few others care about, or consider, that still pays, and don’t get greedy.’
The Python class ship pirouetted around a large rock, positioning into a clear line of sight on several floating fragments.
‘We have started most of our days like this. I was curious as to why.’
Xochitl sipped on her coffee, looking out the bridge window at a large nearby rock.
‘When you get your own ship, your focus will be on what is required to keep it operational. Fuel, food, maintenance, the regular expenses are easy to maintain. As your profit increases, so will your financial considerations. You will buy more modules, and expand your operations and thought processes, to include a wider capability, which increases your requirements exponentially.’
Xochitl motioned toward the rocks outside.
‘Common and major reserves are as good as any other. What we seek is always there. When you learn to not follow what is meta, your horizons expand, and managing expectations become profitable if not easier.’
Art looked over at Xochitl, while limpet drones raced to and fro outside.
Art chuckled. ‘It has been profitable … no doubts. I was curious for my own future knowledge.’
Xochitl nodded. ‘As a commander, your focus will be on your account. As you grow and take on more roles and responsibilities, your focus has to shift to the accounts of others. When you get a proper crew of your own, you will learn then that their success is tied to your success.’
Art flew the Python between two rock halves, reversing and rotating around to face them, as he passed through.
‘Ever regret taking on so much responsibility?’
Xochitl watched three limpets race past the window.
‘Yes, at first. Since then, no. We have repaired seventy-seven ships since I purchased her. At a modest 5% tariff, that is a bargain.’
Art smiled, watching Xochitl’s eyes take on a distant memory look.
‘You miss being there. Turning the wrench yourself.’
She smiled. ‘Yes, but insuring a future for others, is just as rewarding.’
‘Ah, thanks,’ Art laughed, causing Xochitl to laugh too.
As the last limpet finished its duty, Xochtil jostled the stick. ‘I have control.’
She flew a few meters above the height of the rings, turning the ship upside down to it, and turned off the night vision.
Art looked over at her with a curious expression. ‘We can’t really see the rings without night vision assistance.’
Xochtil nodded toward the window. ‘Sure we can. We can see better than night vision. You have heard of old Earth bats? We use the pulse wave analyzer as a form of visual echolocation. With everything else darkened, the faintest objects will appear, whereas, with night vision on, you would no see them.’
Xochtil sent a pulse across the rocks, with a few distant glowing returns appearing.
‘Now take a look,’ Xochtil said, turning the night vision on, and sending out a second pulse.
‘I don’t see them anymore,’ Art said, squinting.
Xochitl turned the vision off once more, sending out a third pulse.
‘For the remainder of this journey, we will only use the night vision when we are exploiting a rock of interest. Until then, you will fly through the field, using only the pulse analyzer. Take it slow at first, and in time, it will become second nature.’
Art put his hand on the control stick, as Xochtil smiled, reaching over to her right-side panel and selecting a music playlist. ‘Remember, we are in no rush. Take it slow, and enjoy the experience.’
A short breath
_____________________________
It had been several days since I stayed aboard my own carrier. The business of providing for its needs kept me away and busy most of the time, with my only visits being to either change ships or modules for other missions. Art was relieved to have the day off from training. He had learned a lot over a short amount of time and was doing nicely. He would make a good commander of his own.
I was tickled to see Axl. He was the android assigned to Zooey by the ship’s AI. She was amazed to learn that this carrier had a complement of small dredger-class ships used for clearing the operational area around the carrier. In her years working in a minor system for a small outpost station, she had never had the opportunity to work near a privately-owned carrier.
During my short overnight stay aboard my own space-faring home, I decided to make the rounds and at least show my face to the crew, most of whom had never seen me before. I know my appearance can give the uninitiated a moment of pause. Even though cybernetics had been in use for centuries, many had not seen someone as extensively modified as me.
I did not take offense at those who paused or stared. It was the usual reaction when confronted with the unknown, especially when the unknown is the ship owner. If only my neural processor could read their minds, imagine what I might learn.
Zarathustra, my chief of security, was put back a little by the twenty-three occupied pirate escape pods I delivered to her. She already had her hands full with the previous donations, and I know she was not happy about being given more to manage. I would take them off her hands soon enough, once they had been properly processed and sorted.
The worst of the bunch would be sold to whichever major power wanted them the most. The minor offenders would either be sent to one of the regional security centers for their bounties to be collected. Either way, it would be a win-win for everyone. Zarathustra would get a little free labor out of them, then the powers that be would get their criminal, and I would collect their bounty.
The carrier’s new redemption officer, Janis Stevenson, had already settled in and was operational on the same day, bringing in eighteen million credits in business before her bags were even unpacked. She would do well and would keep her boss, and my bridge officer, Rex, on his toes. Janis was a well-seasoned officer and hungry for action.
Rex sat across from me on the couch in my quarters as we went over the weekly tally for the ship. Overall, every section was doing well, and there were no disciplinary issues for me to deal with. Of course, there would always be disagreement between individuals, but it was nothing either Rex or Zarathustra couldn’t handle.
My android assistant, Avery, brought up the various information on the wall monitors around my front room. All was as it should be, with each section showing positive growth. I still had not become used to the idea of being a business owner, yet here I was. According to both Rex and Avery, I was doing alright. Without real conscious thought, I settled into the role and went forth to generate revenue for my crew.
It was hard to believe that this was my second week since purchasing this vessel. Though I had downloaded its complete layout to my neural processor, I had yet to walk through the majority of it. One of the things I had looked forward to was putting my chief of engineering to the test, but honestly, I had not had the spare time to engage in that luxury. I did make sure that my crew received a healthy bonus, even if I wasn’t around for them to look at it.
Perhaps tomorrow I would attempt to make a little free time, to visit some of the places I had yet to physically see?
That evening I took my meal alone, in my quarters, with Avery parsing the regional state and influence changes. Things that never mattered to me before were now subconsciously recognizable for their profit potentials. In a day I had changed modules more than I would have in a month. From planetary to mining to transportation to cargo, then back again. Intermixed with the occasional random planetary pirate settlement raid and/or a quick dash into Thargoid contested space to rescue a few stranded people on some lonely outpost.
I had to chuckle. Everything had become so automatic over the past couple of weeks, that I had not slowed long enough until now, to realize what I had done and was continuing to do, as I sent the order out to have my Imperial Cutter, Python, and Krait Phantom class ships reconfigured for their next purpose.
My self imposed daily goal was to make the carrier’s weekly payroll. Regardless of what happened the remainder of the week, if at any time that goal was met, then the week was secured. All other successes beyond that equated to the following week, and so on and so forth. I could do nothing at this point and a complete solar year was funded. I wasn’t greedy but I wanted to hedge those numbers to insure my crew was well funded, for whatever may come.
Transporting Follies
_____________________________
I slept in part of the morning, missing out on Rex’s morning meeting with the different department chiefs. Avery made a casual mention of this as I went to the bathroom to shower and get refreshed, from my more recent journeys.
Avery, as per her norm, sent an order to the galley, whilst I was occupied, and by the time I reappeared there was a plate of hot food and various beverages arranged on the front room table for me.
The monitors showed the various days' information, as I sat to enjoy a hot meal.
‘There are several messages waiting for your reply,’ Avery announced.
‘I’m not available today. Keep it to only matters of immediate concern,’ I replied, chewing on a piece of toast.
‘Replies sent that you are incommunicado to all but one. A representative for a neighboring ruling faction, requests you contact them.’
‘Pardon me?’
‘They want to know why you have been transporting for rival factions.’
My eyes rolled of their own accord. ‘Screw’em. I haul for whoever is the best-paying client. I don’t care about their politics.’ I took a bite of food, doing my best to not get emotional over trivial matters.
‘Let me guess, it was some underling flunky that contacted us?’
Avery looked at the nearest monitor as it changed to show the biographical information of their agent. ‘According to their lasted information, the person of interest is the second in command of their faction.’
‘It doesn’t change my opinion or position. List this under a no-importance, nuisance category. He thinks he can bully us into hauling for whomever they approve, and that isn’t happening. They don’t like it, I don’t care.’
I sipped on my coffee. ‘If he contacts us again, disconnect without answering.’
‘Your command has been entered into the log.’
I looked over my shoulder towards my room, where my flight suit was hanging. The more seconds that passed the madder I became, no matter how hard I tried not to.
‘Screw this, I’m going to go run a couple of missions today.’
‘Shall I notify Art?’
‘No, this is all me. I will be back before dinner. You just make sure to disconnect them when they call again.’
My first stop of the journey was at the main orbital station, which the ruling major faction called home. I was surprised to see that no one attempted to contact me, as my android attendants insured the paying business clientele were secured in their seating.
As per my habit, I always checked the boards to see if there was any additional cargo or data which needed transport to the same destination as my passengers. It was a simple good business practice to maximize one's profit potential.
By my third journey along my transportation route, there was still no contact or complaint, even though I had done business with the majority of the factions in the system of those who had complained. Yes, I was doing these specifically to needle them. I had intended to take the day off, but a point needed to be made, that I ran my own business, whether it was contrary to their politics or not. If the route was good and the pay was decent, then I would consider it.
At the end of my fifth and final journey, I returned to my carrier, where upon landing I had the hangar crew reconfigure the ship for mining operations. I liked to make it a habit to visit two or more rocks each day, adding to either the consumable Tritium storage or the for-sale cargo. Sometimes the random numbers would be in my favor and I would find a rock containing both, and other times not.
Overall it didn’t matter, as I was not picky, and would take most of anything that had a decent sale price associated with it. I actually preferred the lesser items, as those were not the focus of most, leaving a large and open market for me to work through. Let the majority be in competition with one another. My choice allowed for more freedom, while still ensuring a healthy profit for my crew.
As promised, I was back by the evening meal, with Avery taking my flight suit to be cleaned. The day's profit was decent. I liked to ensure that I could clear the weekly operational expense each day, allowing me to focus on other things, if I so choose, or to take a day off, like today was supposed to have been, before hearing the earlier message.
Perhaps tomorrow then? Bah, who am I kidding?
Dirty Hands
_____________________________
To say Chief Bowen was pissed would have been an understatement, as he cursed out everyone from his office to just shy of the hangar bay where I had been working on a customer's Type-6 cargo ship. He didn't curse me out, as I was the one who paid his paycheck, but the look on his face was priceless.
I couldn't say that I blamed him, as most chiefs of engineering didn't like others playing in their sandbox, even if that person was their boss and a rated mechanic. Regardless, he would have to get over himself, as this was how I worked my way up the rungs, and it is where I was most at home.
'You could have picked something simpler,' Chief Bowen almost growled as he looked up at the gantry with an attached and suspended frame-shift hyperdrive.
'They built them to haul cargo, not be simple to repair. I could have cut the bulkhead at the back of the power distribution bay, but that is too much of a pain. Easier to lift out its hyperdrive and slide the power plant back into its larger compartment and either work on it there or remove it.'
Chief Bowen turned off his magnetic boots and jumped up while holding onto the side of the ship until he reached the top where I was. Once he reached my level, he could see the damage an errant pirate's railgun had caused to the top of the ship.
'Have to give this ship's commander and the pirate props. The pirate was hitting where he was aiming, and the commander of this ship was able to escape and make it to us.'
There was a perfect jagged hole in front of where the frame-shift hyperdrive would have been, at the proper angle to slice between it and the power distributor, to the power plant underneath.
Pulling himself into the empty bay, he knelt down to look at the power plant I was attaching a set of snatch-blocks to so that the crane could pull it back before lifting it up.
Chief Bowen shook his head. 'Whew, this commander is lucky for that armor. Without it, it would have been a clean hit.'
'Yep, engineering saved him, but it still took some damage.'
'How did you scope it in there?'
I smiled, pointing at my right eye.
The chief laughed at missing the obvious. 'I forgot, cybernetics. So, what's it look like?'
'From just a cursory scanning, it looks like it will need some nano-welding on its casing and a couple of new micro-controllers. Figured I would go ahead and update its management system firmware since I have to remove it.'
'Why don't I send up a couple of my crew to give you a hand with it?'
I smiled, knowing what the chief was alluding to. The better part of managing crew morale was to sometimes concede the high ground and split the difference down the center.
'Sure, go ahead. I need someone to scope out the frame-shift drive and the power regulator since the hit was right between them. I will take care of the power plant.'
I understood the chief's position all too well and knew I had already kicked enough dust into his playpen. I would let him send his people to handle the majority of the remaining task, but he was learning that I needed to turn a wrench too, from time to time. It's a simple case of the nature of the beast.
right click and open image in new tab for 4963x version
Blueprints by: Velko Vidich
https://www.reddit.com/user/Velko_Vidich/
_____________________________
That evening, I decided to have my meal in the main ship’s galley, where the other crew members could see me, their boss, wearing dirty mechanics utilities and being among them. Yatziri joined me, along with Rex and several section chiefs.
Yatziri warned me that while there was nothing wrong with this moment, it should be a rare occurrence and not a regular thing. Rex agreed and added that while it was good to see that I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty, portraying myself as too common could have negative consequences.
Chief Bowen added to Yatziri and Rex’s assessment, that the captain of a fleet carrier had a larger position than the commoner and a greater calling to look after their crew. To be seen as being at the same level could lead to negative morale and disciplinary ramifications. Positioning myself to be not afraid of getting dirty would boost morale, it should not be a norm. If I needed to do this to relax, then it should be in privacy, and he would designate a hangar for me to use, to insure there would be no interruptions.
I hated politics but had to concede they were correct. My focus could not be just me, a decent ship, and a small like-minded crew. I was a proper capital ship owner, that couldn’t simply slip into a system and ply my trade and move on without notice. A fleet carrier was a locus, that drew attention wherever it went. It was its own source of gravity, both literally and economically.
I thought over all that they had said, eating my meal and watching some of the crew, who came and went. Their hushed whispers and cautionary looks at my table made me wonder if there wouldn’t be unintended consequences. It also made me wonder what those could manifest themselves as, and what type of example I would need to set.
It was distasteful to think about, but it was also an exclamation point that I was still not a proper carrier owner yet. Sure I had the physical asset and was making good credits for it, but my thinking still defaulted back to what I was and not what I had become, and all the baggage that accompanied it.