Collateral Trade (4 page)

* * * * *

Outside, in the real world, a few puffy clouds floated in the distance high above the farmland below. A miniature town with miniature vehicles seemed contained within the squared plots. Jerome thought it was strange the boundaries never seemed so planned and crisply edged from ground level. The organization, simple and clear, was obvious from a high position, looking down.

Jerome closed his eyes, folded his hands across his stomach, and considered his evaluated list. He held the highest position, and the miniature towns and cities passing under his jet were insignificant. An hour later, the landing gear lowered and he stretched, glancing out the window to see the approaching airstrip.

He made hundreds of trips to this secret spot, hidden in mountains within the vast acreage of the secluded ranch he purchased ten years ago. This was the last time he would visit, and he stared over cliffs wondering if his latest young wife was engaged in her afternoon fuck with the ranch foreman. Within a week she would find she was penniless and that her wealthy husband had disappeared.

“Mr. Tanner, the other board members have arrived. I’ve asked them to wait in the meeting room.”

“Thank you, Grace. I’ve given the pilot instructions to take off as soon as I’ve disembarked. You should make it back to New York in time for your mother’s birthday dinner.” Jerome reached into his pocket and handed her an envelope. “Buy her something special.”

Grace smiled. Mr. Tanner was always so thoughtful. “Thank you, sir. If you don’t mind me suggesting, take a little time for yourself when the meeting is over.” Her employer worked long hours, traveling constantly to his different business endeavors.

“I think I’ll just do that, Grace.” Jerome watched her bottom sway back towards the cockpit. Five years as partners in the Mile High Club, Grace had outlasted two wives and still thought she was his only outside interest. The envelope contained ten thousand dollars, the last of his on hand cash. It was not much for her to lean on until she found another job, but Jerome decided he had given her plenty of other perks along the way.

Jerome watched his suitcase shuttled to the hangar and heard the jet taking off as he walked into the cavern. He entered the small elevator and inserted a gold pass card next to ‘O’, the Observation Level where the board members’ suites were located. He strode down the stone walkway to the boardroom, managing to conceal his excitement behind his ‘I’m in charge’ expression. Most of his guests were staring out the observation window, with a few speaking quietly at the table. Everyone’s eyes focused on him when he walked through the door.

Jerome stared back at them. “Where’s Marshall?”

“Some business problem came up and he’s asked me to fill him in.” Bruce sat down and sipped his coffee. “He’s making noises about increasing his payload, so I didn’t exactly stress the importance of being here this morning. Naturally, he assumes we’ll have the one-day jet lag meet and greet, and he plans to arrive tomorrow. I did a little digging, and I discovered he sold three spaces to recoup bad investments. I guess he cut himself a little thin for the year.”

It had taken Bruce six years to establish himself as Jerome’s right hand man. His ego could handle the blow of not being in charge, in case the whole thing blew up in their faces.
No thank you. Jerome can germinate the blistering ulcers over that one.

Seated down the length of the glass topped table were six of the wealthiest men in the world. They did not get that way without being ruthless and shrewd. “I see. Good call, then. The rest of you are ready?”

There were hesitant nods of anticipation. Jerome knew they had questions but would leave it to him to explain. They had formed their enterprise a decade ago when the space program folded. Visionaries, they could see things crumbling around them with financial markets wobbling and radical countries gaining access to equally radical weapons.

Twenty-seven men sifted billions of dollars through secret accounts to fund their project. With all their wealth and the trappings that went with it, Jerome offered them something money could not buy. Across the galaxy spun a clean planet, offering a lifespan at least double that they anticipated on earth.

Naturally, they all expected a place on board with a vote on the journey’s specifics. The confined quarters of the vessel would not support all the egos, and Jerome evaluated the list six months ago. He weeded out those who either contributed the least or just plain pissed him off. On Jerome’s word alone these six, and Marshall, had liquidated all but a couple million to tide them over for a year. Jerome had waited until the men were airborne to send them the message it was time.

These six at the table followed the instruction to settle their payloads (traveling companions) on board a month ago. Most of their guests were secretaries and mistresses; none were current wives. Marshall’s stashed twenty year old honey would be moved from his cabin to crews’ quarters, and his suite reassigned to someone of greater importance, probably Manny. Jerome had found Nika two months ago on a trip to Japan, and the petit Asian beauty waited in his private rooms.

Jerome looked through the observation window at the mammoth spaceship. Miniature workers scrambled around, reminding him of his view from the jet. The easiest part had been hiring experienced engineers and scientists from the defunct space program. After years of stagnating their abilities with the redundant shuttles, all of them were excited to be working on a project of this magnitude. “Bruce, you can you handle Security without Marshall?”

“It’s in place. I brought my own people in six months ago. Marshall’s ideas seemed a little lax for what we might need.” Bruce tapped his fingers on the polished surface of the table. “What about the work crews? They don’t go off schedule until three.”

Jerome turned from the window and smiled. “Manny has adjusted the shifts and these are the cream of the crop. We’ll need them until things are established, so they’re getting a free ride. Inform Security they might have their hands full after takeoff. If they take care of insurgents quickly, the rest should get with the program.” He shrugged with indifference at the prospect of effectively stealing people’s lives.

Those remaining behind, if they survived the blast from the engines, would discover the statements listing years of savings were fictitious accounting records. Manerea never planned on disbursing payroll funds they needed to build the spacecraft.

Scanning the hangar deck, Jerome watched two young women loading meal packs, oblivious to the fact they would be part of a launched crew in a few hours. His eyes narrowed on the tall brunette climbing into the cart and driving towards Security. “I figure we can use the extra manpower to get set up on planet, and a few extra women will keep the men content.”

* * * * *

Sharell walked out of the shuttlebay and looked up to see a figure standing at the observation window. “Damn, I’m going to miss the pay from this job.”

Janella lifted another box from the wagon. “If I had my degree, I might have been able to go with them.”

Sharell shivered. “God, would you want to? Even if this thing doesn’t blow up on takeoff, I’ve had enough prison living for a lifetime.”

“Being in space isn’t the same as living in the cave. I’d just like to experience it, and it would only be for two years max. They might even shuttle people back and forth more regularly once the secret is out.” Janella shrugged. “I guess I still have a while to work on Dr. Terar and convince him to put me up for a slot. I’ve heard rumors we’ve got another year.”

“I don’t know. With the full-system check this afternoon, they might not think they need it. It seems stupid to make us bring the food on board and get things setup in the plant lab. I can understand the engines and structural tests, but shit.” Sharell was exhausted from carrying boxes of meal packs onto the ship and up two decks to food supplies on three hours’ sleep.

“Tammy said they’ve ordered all of the medics on board, even the doctors. This little spaceship check-up must be costing the company a fortune.” If she could not get a spot on the maiden launch, Janella planned to go back to school and finish her degree. She had worked on the project for three years, and the pay she saved would cover tuition and all living expenses.

They were told the craft was supposed to launch and circle the earth for a few years. It seemed like an extravagant vacation for the rich men. A rumor started by Manny and carefully laced through Maintenance and Cleaning crews, stated the ‘true’ purpose of the investment. Excursions on the ship would be sold for enormous fees to people wishing to spend a few weeks in space. No doubt Manerea Industries would recoup their investment and make yet another fortune.

Sharell drove their cart to the Security post in front of the elevator. “This is such a pain in the ass. They’ve seen us coming back and forth all morning. Why the hell do they insist on a complete scan each time we pass through?”

Officer Metzer would have scanned them even if it were not her orders. Sharell was five-ten with black hair slung casually over her shoulder in a braid that rolled over full breasts to her waist. Gorgeous green eyes and a sensual mouth…
Yummy.
Unfortunately, Sharell had discouraged her advances. Sandy ended up forming a comfortable relationship with Cynthia, a woman in Navigation.

Her hands cupped under Sharell’s breasts, checking for contraband. “Officer Metzer, there’s nothing but boobs.” She was irritated by the lesbian’s continual mauling.
What part of ‘No’ did you not get?

Sandy passed her thumbs over erect nipples, and chuckled. “Pass.” She watched Sharell swing her long legs into the cart, and hoped the girl would not take part with the protesters after launch.

Two hours later, Sharell and Janella stood in the lab. They were told to head to onboard stations to answer questions from the board. “What the hell could they want to ask
me
about?” Sharell griped. Her assigned shift to Research was over in thirty minutes.

Janella shrugged, and looked at the other thirty botanists standing by tables. “Same reason they need all of us to explain shit they won’t understand about making squished meal packs.”

There was a rumbling beneath them and the floor vibrated. “At least the tests have begun. I wonder how far down the list we are from Engine Systems check?” Sharell asked.

“They’ll probably go through the Infirmary and Navigation after the Computer Systems pass. I have a feeling empty nursery tiers of dirt are not a high priority.”

The rumbling grew louder, and Sharell turned at the sound of the door sliding open. Two armed Security officers walked in, blocking the door after it slid closed. Officer Metzer inserted her red lock card into the panel. A fleeting internal fear warned:
Better run. Better let that dike get in a good squeeze, and hit the chute.
Sharell nudged Janella and glanced at the guards. “What the hell?” The lab shook and she grabbed onto the table. The blood drained from her face at the same time as her stomach dropped. “God, we’re
launching
.”

“Stand at your post,” Sandy ordered calmly, keeping her hand on her stun gun. “No doubt you’ve guessed we have launched. You have been honored to be chosen to join Manerea on their mission.”

Officer Metzer got to use her stun gun twice before the group settled down and stopped bombarding her with questions and shouts of panicked outrage. Sharell missed all of this while she stood quietly gripping the table. Her eyes glazed and she was silently crying, feeling squeezed again beside a beat-up bookcase and heavy drapes.
Don’t move. Hush and keep quiet. Stay invisible, and it will all go away.
Her mom’s soft drawled warning could not comfort her. Sharell knew how poorly
that
had worked out.

An hour later, Sharell followed the lab rats to the shuttlebay where the rest of the Maintenance crew gathered, staring at the platform. Jerome stood behind a podium with two other board members, surrounded by Security. Three workers rushed forward, and guards stunned them and dragged them to a room marked ‘C’ off the bay.

Sharell listened to Jerome’s statement, slowly coming to terms that she had been kidnapped. At least some of the researchers, scientists, and engineers dreamed of going into space. She preferred solid ground and detested flying in planes.
And now I’m on the damn space ship, headed towards Adam One. Some bullshit planet he thinks has an atmosphere and resources resembling Earth.
“If it’s the same, then why the hell leave? With all his money, his next idea is to rule a planet?” Sharell murmured to Janella. She had always scrambled to adapt to situations after learning at a young age there were things she could never control. She figured they were already in space, and there sure as hell was no bus coming to take her home. “At least we room together.”

“No way are we going to make it. He’ll miss his toys and money, and turn back to run his fingers through his coin chest,” Janella whispered. Two years was one thing, but exiled forever did not fit into her plans.

“I don’t know. I talked to a few guys putting stuff in the Engine room, and I guess this brainiack figured out something called a fusion engine. It’s supposed to put the ship into some sort of super drive. My bet is that we’ll either blow up or crap out half-way there.”

* * * * *

One of the brainiacks miscalculated fuel, and the fusion engine crapped out six months later. They floated in the general direction of their destination, aided by occasional bursts from the landing engines. Jerome remained convinced there would be a solution to the problem, and he refused to turn back towards Earth.