Intrigue & Murder on Planet Rogadice
Hope belongs to tomorrow
A dry mine pops us during a brandy night
“Ahhh, this Emerald Velvet Lounge is truly indulgent,” Rex Dodgers remarked, his athletic figure exuding an air of sleek elegance while his demeanour suffused with a refined charm cultivated through years of both physical and intelligence training in the dark world of interplanetary espionage. He settled better into the plush chair with a contented sigh, his posture exuding confidence as he leaned back. His brandy glass, half-full, rested on the luxurious green tablecloth before him.
Looking up towards the magnificent, dimly lit chandeliers, Jans Corbett, the distinguished Ambassador of the Ghost Federation, added, “A real haven of sophistication, wouldn’t you say, gentlemen?” Now well in his 60s, his stature and demeanour suggested authority and experience. After all he was the station master of the Ghost Federation in this planet that mainly served as a merchant and pirate sanctuary, hidden well within the Prokroustis Gauntlet.
In turn, Alex Reyes, CEO of Coppertium Import & Export Enterprises, raised his glass, the amber liquid catching the soft glow of the lounge’s subdued lighting. His figure exuded a confident aura, his features sharp and composed like those of a savvy businessman in a high-stakes drama. Well, after all he was actually a savvy businessman, “To the timeless pleasures of good company, profitable business... and fine brandy.”
Suddenly, Mr. Reyes’s mobile phone pierced the air with its insistent ringtone. With a courteous nod of apology to his companions at the table, he excused himself and stepped away to take the call. As the conversation progressed, a shadow seemed to cross his face, his features growing somber and his once lively eyes dulled with concern.
When he returned to the table, his two companions turned their attention to him, concern etched on their faces. “What’s the matter, Alex?” Rex asked while the Ambassador was observing with elevated interest.
“I just received a call from the mine on planet Lonaris. They’ve come up empty-handed. No copper, no silver, no gold—no nothing. If this continues, I’ll be ruined within two days.”
“What’s going to happen in two days, Alex?” inquired the ambassador, his tone weighted with concern.
“It’s the board meeting. I’ll have to present a report on the mine’s affairs. What will I tell them?”
“You think they’ll try and remove you from CEO?” Corbett asked.
“Damn right,” Reyes replied, “all four of them, Gerald Whitmore, Vincent Sinclair, Gregory Harrington and especially Winston Blackwood who wants openly wants to be CEO in my place.”
“But how can they remove you from your position?” Rex asked. “By vote, Rex. Then I’ll have to surrender the Coppertium stocks to the new CEO, that means 80%.” Alex’s voice quivered with anxiety as he contemplated the impending doom of his predicament.
“We have 20% stake in your company,” Corbett remarked, “but we enjoy handsome dividend returns because you are the current CEO. We also enjoy easy access to your excavation products, copper, silver, gold, platinum at a very good price, essential commodities to build ans sustain our space battle fleet.”
“And this will remain as long as I am,” Reyes confirmed.
“Listen, it’s still 2 days away,” Rex remarked optimistically. “Let’s sleep on it and tomorrow we’ll look better into this matter.”
“I strongly doubt there will be anything better tomorrow, Rex,” Alex countered bleakly. “You may as well kill me now. At least it will be by a friendly hand.” He turned to the ambassador, “Mr Corbett, if you’d like to cash out your holdings in my company I can offer this option right now,” Reyes exclaimed.
“Don’t say bull, Alex,” the ambassador intervened, his tone firm yet reassuring. “Let’s enjoy the rest of our evening, and tomorrow we’ll look into this mine situation with a clearer perspective.”
“That’s why I like you guys in the intelligence business,” Alex replied with a wry smile, “still, I cannot see a lot of hope.”
“Hope belongs to tomorrow,” Rex scolded him gently, while the ambassador, with a hint of determination in his voice, offered a toast, “To tomorrow!”
About an hour later, outside the EV Lounge
As Rex Dodgers and Ambassador Jans Corbett bid their final farewells to the enigmatic Alex Reyes, the neon glow of the Emerald Velvet Lounge Hotel & Casino cast a kaleidoscope of colours upon the night street. The soft murmurs of conversation and the gentle clinking of glasses drifted from the bustling establishment, providing a stark contrast to the growing unease between the two men.
Rex watched as Alex Reyes strode confidently into the darkness, his silhouette becoming a faint, indistinguishable figure amidst the shadows. There was something about the man that left Rex feeling unsettled, a sense of unease that lingered long after Reyes had vanished from sight.
Now an evident sense of unease settled between the two men. The day had been long and filled with difficult negotiations, but there was something else that lingered unspoken, a nagging doubt that refused to be dismissed.
“Well, Rex,” Ambassador Corbett began, his voice weary from hours of diplomacy, “There seems we have a big problem, if that sudden Reyes telephone call was real.” He rubbed his temples, as if to massage away the lingering tension.
“Yes, sir,” Rex replied, attempting to maintain his usual air of confidence. “If the mine is really dry, then we won’t be able to collect our 50% fees form the extraction of the ore.”
The two men strolled along the entrance of the hotel, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floor.
“Indeed,” Ambassador Corbett mused, “Alex Reyes is a formidable enterpreneur, and his organization’s influence should not be underestimated.” He paused, considering his next words carefully. “Do you believe we can trust him to uphold his end of the bargain about these important mines on planet Lonaris?”
Rex’s brow furrowed, the question giving voice to the very concern that had been plaguing his thoughts. “I have my reservations, sir. It’s clear that he’s driven by a desire for power and control. Therefore just maybe his loyalty may only extend as far as it serves his interests.”
Ambassador Corbett nodded, his eyes downcast as he contemplated Rex’s words. “A valid point, my friend. In our line of work, it is often difficult to discern friend from foe. Let us hope that our instincts will guide us in the right direction.” He paused for a minute, made an imaginary move as if smoking a cigar and then said, “Tell me, Dodgers, you are a competent intelligence agent. Do you think Reyes faked this dry mine incident?”
Dodgers saw the imaginary smoke movement and trying to hide a faint smile. They had both quit smoking about twenty, even more years ago. Then he remarked, “We will have to check up on this, Sir. May I suggest, first thing tomorrow morning?”
“Point taken, I suppose we should call it a night, Dodgers,” Ambassador Corbett sighed. “You’ll be staying at the Rogas Royal Plaza Hotel, correct?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be just a stone’s throw away if you require my assistance,” Rex affirmed, his loyalty unwavering.
“Very good then,” Ambassador Corbett replied, offering a tired smile. “See you in my office tomorrow morning, let’s say around 11 oclock. Good night, Dodgers.”
“Goodnight, Sir.”
With a final nod, the two men parted ways, Rex striding out into the cool night air while Ambassador Corbett retired to his chauffeured limousine. The engine purred softly as it pulled away from the curb, leaving Rex alone with his thoughts.
A gentle breeze rustled the trees that lined the quiet street, their leaves whispering secrets to one another in the moonlight. Rex glanced back at the imposing structure he had just exited, the Ambassador’s words still echoing in his mind. With a resigned sigh, he turned and made his way toward the hotel, knowing that the night would bring little rest for his troubled spirit.
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