Read Online Shepherd's Crook: Omegaverse: Volume 2 by G.R. Cooper - Free Book Online

player had as yet established a foothold in all of the various stations.
    Duncan re-entered his station control room and was startled. Waiting there was Phani, standing unmoving, with his arms crossed over his chest, his palms flat against it, angled toward the opposite shoulder. He reminded Duncan of a vampire in his coffin, only standing. That’s when Phani startled him again. He spoke.
    “Hello, Taipan,” he said in accented English, “there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, if you don’t mind.”
     
     

Chapter 11
     
    Phani Mutha looked to Taipan as the American stood in the station control room; the station now named ‘Shepherd’s Crook’. That had confused him. He didn’t understand the reference. He knew the ship, the Shepherd Moon, had been named for the station itself; disguised as it was as a shepherd moon in the ring around a blue gas-giant planet. But he didn’t understand ‘crook’. He looked it up online, and was startled. Concerned.
    “Are we to be villains,” he asked Taipan, “criminals or thieves?”
    The American tilted his head sideways, confused. “What do you mean?”
    “The name of the station,” Phani responded. “Are we to be ‘ crooks ’?”
    Taipan laughed, and Phani was glad the American was not able to see the flush of embarrassment that burned his neck and face, shaming him.
    “No,” he said, still laughing. “A crook is also a kind of staff. A staff with a curved end; used to control sheep. Used by a shepherd.”
    “Ah, I see,” said Phani, still embarrassed.
    “No,” said Taipan, suddenly serious. “I apologize. I didn’t consider that it might be confusing to others. I’m sorry.”
    Taipan seemed to realize Phani’s discomfort. “I’m sorry,” he repeated, “I only named it on a whim. We can change it.”
    “No,” said Phani, mollified. “It’s a good name,” he laughed, “now that I understand it.”
    “Good,” said Taipan. “Hey, I’m glad to finally hear your voice!”
    “Me too,” laughed Phani, “I found an inexpensive microphone and speaker set for my computer. I believe it will be beneficial to both our current and future business dealings. Which is what I’d like to discuss with you, if you have the time.”
    “Yes, please.”
    “Thank you,” began Phani, “I have been doing some reading. Some research. There are,“ he said, “at this point in the game, no full player colonies. At least not that I’ve found.”
    Taipan nodded, “I haven’t heard of any. Just a few feeder colonies that might one day grow into a full colony.”
    “Among the toolset available for colony administrators,” Phani continued, “are facilities for crafting. For creating not only the means to create standard weapons and armor, and other game items, but there is the possibility, with access to the right recipes, to create items that are not currently available. Being the first to market with these items would be, I’m sure you will agree, very profitable.”
    “That makes sense,” said Taipan. “And you think we should invest in some of those facilities for this station and go into business.”
    “Yes,” said Phani. “If you were to provide the capital needed to purchase these facilities, I would provide the labor and resources required to make the items. I would also handle the sales.”
    “And what would our relationship be, in this business,” asked Taipan.
    “Equal partners. Equal share of the profits. Does that seem equitable?”
    Taipan seemed to think for a moment.
    “Clive,” he said, “give Phani access to my bank account, as far as purchasing equipment for this station.”
     
    Phani entered the bridge of the Shepherd Moon. After he and Taipan had begun working out a purchasing plan as well as budgets, the American had left instructions for him then left the game. Phani would, on this run to Eta Bootis, scour the Canis Arcturus stock for any recipes that looked promising, and base his first facility purchase on