THE ALL-PRO (50 page)

WITH THE SEASON
three-quarters complete, only one team remains undefeated. In a rematch of last year’s Galaxy Bowl, defending champion Wabash (7-0) won a surprising close 17-10 cross-divisional contest over the New Rodina Astronauts (3-4) to remain in sole possession of first in the Planet. Wabash defensive end Col-Que-Hon recorded a GFL-record five sacks on Astronauts quarterback GK Parish, anchoring a Wolfpack defense that didn’t give up a single offensive touchdown. Wolfpack fullback Ralph Schmeer scored two touchdowns, one on a 2-yard run and another on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Rich Bennett.

The To Pirates (6-1) stayed just a game out of first in the Planet, thanks to a 20-7 win over the Themala Dreadnaughts (4-3). Ionath (5-2) was on a bye-week, allowing Isis (5-2) and Yall (5-2) to move into a three-way tie for third. Isis beat the Orbiting Death (3-4) by a score of 31-28, while Yall hung a 31-3 pounding on Alimum (2-5).

In the Solar Division, Neptune (6-1) and Jupiter (6-1) both notched victories to remain tied for first. The Scarlet Fliers’ 24-14 win over the Bartel Water Bugs (3-4) let them bounce back from their first loss of the season last week to the Vik Vanguard (4-3). Jupiter won a 24-21 overtime thriller against the D’Kow War Dogs (3-4). Vik had a bye, but losses by Bartel, D’Kow, New Rodina and Bord (3-4) left the Vanguard alone in third place in the Solar Division.

In relegation watch, the Texas Earthlings (3-4) pulled two games ahead of Sala (1-6), who fell 21-20 to Coranadillana (2-5). The Jang Atom Smashers (2-5) had a bye. Over in Planet Division relegation, Lu (0-7) was off with a bye, as was Hittoni (1-6).

Deaths

No deaths reported this week.

Offensive Player of the Week

Neptune quarterback
Adam Guri
, who completed 22-of-30 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensive Player of the Week

This week the GFL announced co-defensive players of the week. To Pirates strong safety
Ciudad Juarez
, who victimized Themala quarterback Gavin Warren with two sacks and two interceptions. Ciudad Juarez also had three solo tackles. Wabash Wolfpack defensive end
Col-Que-Hon
was also named defensive player of the week for his GFL-record five sacks in one game.

PLANET DIVISION

5-2 Ionath Krakens (bye)

5-2 Isis Ice Storm

5-2 Yall Criminals

4-3 Themala Dreadnaughts

3-4 OS1 Orbiting Death

2-5 Alimum Armada

2-5 Coranadillana Cloud Killers

1-6 Hittoni Hullwalkers (bye)

0-7 Lu Juggernauts (bye)

7-0 Wabash Wolfpack

6-1 To Pirates

SOLAR DIVISION

6-1 Neptune Scarlet Fliers

6-1 Jupiter Jacks

4-3 Vik Vanguard (bye)

3-4 Bartel Water Bugs

3-4 Bord Brigands

3-4 D’Kow War Dogs

3-4 New Rodina Astronauts

3-4 Shorah Warlords (bye)

3-4 Texas Earthlings

2-5 Jang Atom Smashers (bye)

1-6 Sala Intrigue

THE NEXT ROUND OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
brought a significant difference — this time, Gredok was coming to Danny’s office.

Quentin sat in the meeting room, watching Danny Lundy pace on his metallic legs. The Dolphin looked anxious.

“Danny, you okay?”

“I’m excited, delighted and ignited,” Danny said. He didn’t stop pacing. “I’ve been in the agent game for ten seasons. This is the first time a GFL owner has come to
my
office.”

“So that’s good?”

“Oh, it’s good, guy,” Danny said. “It means Gredok is on the ropes. He’s coming here to give us a counter-offer, hoping that he can pretend to be a nice fellow. He’ll say something like
we just can’t afford it
to get us to drop our price.”

“Will we?”

“Of course,” Danny said. “But not as much as he hopes, buddy. You’ve proven yourself this season, Quentin. The entire galaxy knows that you’re the real deal, blue twisted steel and sex appeal.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know,” Danny said. “A Human phrase I picked up somewhere. Doesn’t matter. What does matter is getting Gredok’s offer, then taking that to Kirani Kollok, who will top it for sure. Then, Gredok gets one more chance to beat it. Today is his
final offer
, my tail-fin. We’re going to put the screws to that little black-furred owner of yours, guy. I can’t wait to see him squirm.”

That talk made Quentin uncomfortable. Gredok was just trying to do what was best for the franchise. Sure, he wanted to land Quentin for as little as possible. That was just good business. But the higher Quentin’s salary, the less Gredok had to spend on other high-quality players.

“Danny, this is supposed to be about a fair deal, not making someone
squirm
.”

Danny’s high-pitched, rapid-fire laugh filled the meeting room. “Oh, Quentin. I know you’re a big bad-ass and all, buddy, but sometimes
cute
is the only word for you.”

Quentin was about to ask what that meant, exactly, but Danny’s stunning secretary walked into the room. “Mister Splithead is here.”

Danny scurried to his chair. He sat next to Quentin. His blow hole opened wide to draw in a deep breath. His chassis let out a short blast of fine mist to wet his rainbow-white skin, then he nodded.

“Bring him in.”

Gredok the Splithead entered, followed by Messal the Efficient and Bobby Brobst, one of Gredok’s well-dressed bodyguards. Messal carried a contract box. Brobst, a Human nearly big enough to play tight end, quietly walked to a corner and stood. Messal set the contract box on the table, brushed an invisible piece of dust off of it, then pulled out the chair for Gredok, who sat.

Danny stared at the contract box, his formerly excited mood visibly shifting to annoyance. “What is that, Gredok?”

“It’s a contract box.”

“Obviously,” Danny said. “Why is it here? We’re not done with negotiations, guy.”

“I’m afraid that we are, Dolphin. That box contains my final offer.”

Danny’s head started nodding a little, but Quentin thought it was an unwitting display of anger rather than a conscious gesture.

“Yes, you
would
think that,” Danny said. “You come here to give my client final terms? The Krakens are five-and-two because of Quentin Barnes, buddy. We have firm offers from the McMurdo Murderers and the Mars Planets. There is also a rumor of a franchise-level offer from the To Pirates that will be tendered at season’s end.”

“A
rumor
,” Gredok said. “Yes, of course. They wouldn’t make an actual offer, considering that we play the Pirates in two weeks.”

“Of course not,” Danny said. “That would be against GFL regulations, guy. Gredok, my client is red-hot. Teams want him badly and
you
come here to give
us
a final offer?”

Gredok leaned forward. A slight tinge of light green colored his eye. Quentin had never seen that before, never thought it could possibly dance across Gredok’s cornea. Light green — the color of modesty.

“Lundy,” Gredok said, “wouldn’t it be prudent to see what the offer is before you hammer at me with righteous indignation?”

Danny fell silent. His black eyes narrowed. Quentin knew that Gredok had just won that point, had made Danny look foolish.

“Fine,” the Dolphin said. “Let’s see it.”

Gredok leaned back. Messal pressed a button on the box. A holo flared to life above it, spelling out the contract’s main terms in glowing letters.

165 MILLION FOR 10 YEARS

“Wow,” Quentin said.

A short blast of fine mist sprayed on his face, making him jump back in his chair.

“Barnes,” Danny said, “you need to let me handle this.”

Thinly veiled talk for
shut the hell up and don’t make a sound
. Quentin tried to relax. He would let the heavyweights duke it out. But
wow
, that was so much money and it was
right there
.

“Those terms are unacceptable,” Danny said. “You are still twenty-five megacredits away from our latest counter-counter offer.”

Gredok leaned forward again. “I want Quentin Barnes to lead my franchise. I believe in him. He has won me over in a way that no Human ever has. He has discipline, intensity, loyalty and — something that I’m not used to in my line of business — integrity.”

Quentin felt himself blushing.

Gredok continued. “He is the sentient to lead my franchise for the next ten seasons and beyond, should his body stand up to the continued abuse of the game. The other players follow him without question.”

“If that’s how you feel,” Danny said, “then he is worth far more than you’re offering.”

“He is,” Gredok said. “However, I have a business to run. I am wealthy, Lundy, but my accounts are not infinite. I have to build a championship
team
, not sink all of my resources into one player.

We have many needs on the defensive side. I need money to sign the players that will help Quentin take us to a title.”

Quentin nodded before he realized he was doing it. He clenched his teeth, forced himself to stay still.

“Your financial woes are not my client’s concern, buddy,” Danny said. “The offers from both McMurdo and Mars are already higher than yours and that
rumored
offer from To is
significantly
higher.”

Gredok nodded, a Human-learned gesture that made a Quyth Leader’s entire upper body move back and forth. “I understand. But I am not here to argue any further. This is my final offer. If I leave this room without completing the offer, then at season’s end, Quentin Barnes is no longer an Ionath Kraken.”

Danny shook his head, hard. Drops of water flicked off to both sides. “We don’t accept.”

Quentin felt something in his chest ... was it ...
fear?
Fear that he’d have to start all over again somewhere else? He could, he knew he could. He’d learned so much in three seasons, but did he
want
to start over?

Purple swirled in Gredok’s eye — sadness, disappointment. He turned to face Quentin. “I realize that I have been ... difficult. Everything I have done, Quentin, was done to field a championship team. I had hoped I would build that championship with you, with Hawick, with the Tweedy brothers, even with Yassoud. But if your path leads you elsewhere, I wish you well — except when you line up against me on the football field.”

Gredok meant it. The ruthless crime lord actually
meant
it.

“Gredok,” Quentin said. “I-”

A single, high-pitched syllable cut Quentin off.

“Let me do the talking,” Danny said in a low tone of command. “Gredok, stop pretending that we have to accept your offer now. It’s only Week Nine.”

“Lundy, you are not the only one that can facilitate
rumors
of in-season offers. I can’t afford to start over with another rookie. I need a seasoned quarterback, a proven leader. If Quentin chooses to go elsewhere, I need to start some
rumors
of my own.”

Gredok wanted to start looking for another quarterback, even before the season was over? The thought simultaneously filled Quentin with rage and with admiration. Gredok wanted Quentin, but if he couldn’t have him, the crime lord would find someone else and he’d start hunting immediately. That made sense — it was exactly what Quentin would do if he were in Gredok’s position. Machinations and manipulations took time to develop. Player acquisition was a cut-throat business. Condor Adrienne hadn’t come to the Orbiting Death by choice. Anna Villani had forced that move. Gredok needed time to do something similar.

Words suddenly flashed through Quentin’s mind. A voice from his past back on Micovi, a memory of a limo ride to the spaceport, the words of Raiders owner Stedmar Osbourne:
What you’ve got to learn, Quentin, is that time always wins and there’s always someone to take your place. I won’t be able to replace you next year, or the year after that, but you know what? Someone will line up at quarterback for the Raiders. The team won’t shut down because you’re gone.