Read Online Titanium Texicans by Alan Black - Free Book Online

right up until you get your next bonus payment.”
    Moffatt grinned, “That should be in about two days, so I don’t see our relationship needs to change.” Looking at Tasso over Bruce’s shoulder, he pointed back down at the name. “He’s named after his father? That correct?”
    “Tass was his complete first name as far as my sister knew. It could have been a nickname, she refused to say once the man disappeared. The ‘O’ is the boy’s middle initial. Document it as no middle name, just the initial.” He glanced at the document. “Yes. That’s good enough.”
    Moffat said, “The boy inherits the property according to your parent’s will.”
    “What?” Bruce bellowed. “I’m their son. That land should go to me.”
    Moffatt shrugged, “Your father filed his will with the courts. It’s adjudicated and recorded. Neither of us can do anything about it. As long as the boy is on the property on his eighteenth birthd … ah, I see the need for both sets of documents, family being what it is, and all. I need your signature. Not his, just yours.”
    The two men swapped dataports for a few minutes.
    “Done?” Bruce asked.
    Moffatt nodded. “Done and done. You have sole guardianship rights over the boy and full control of the land as guardian until Tass O. Menzies reaches the majority age of eighteen. If he is absent from the land, it will revert to you, or if not you, then it will fall to the government for back taxes.” He looked at Bruce. “Good land?”
    Bruce said, “It’s unusable rough backcountry scrap infested with stobors and jack-o’-lanterns. It’s all worthless except for one fair-sized patch of land perfect for chiamra growth.”
    Moffatt grinned, “Good enough.” Then he grinned even bigger. “I’ll have a couple of my boys escort your nephew to his new home.”
    Bruce walked out of the room without looking at Tasso or glancing back.

CHAPTER 8
    TASSO STARED at the city through the flitter window. He couldn’t see, hear, or smell the city as well as when he walked, but his escorts were driving past parts of the city he hadn’t seen before. He guessed he was wrong. Uncle Bruce must not live in the big building in the middle of the city.
    He noticed they were driving toward the spaceport. He still wanted to see a spaceship up close. He was really getting hungry, but he would be willing to skip a meal if they drove close enough so he could see a ship. “Sir?” Tasso addressed the driver.
    “Shut up, junior,” the passenger snapped back.
    Tasso decided to ignore the man and addressed the driver again. “I was wondering if we’re going by the spaceport, could we slow down and take a look? I’d like to see a spaceship.”
    The driver looked at the man sitting in the front passenger seat.
    The passenger looked back at Tasso. “You want to see a spaceship up close?” At Tasso’s nod, he shrugged. “Don’t that beat all! Okay, junior, we’re going to be nearby and we don’t have to rush back to the office, so why don’t we go see one up real close?” Moments later, they sped through the spaceport security gate. Other aircars were stopping and being checked, but the driver of Tasso’s flitter didn’t even slow down.
    “There you go.” The passenger pointed at a towering structure. The driver steered straight at what looked like a huge building snugged up next to another building. “The one on the left is a spacecraft. The one on the right is terminal G.”
    Tasso leaned forward and peered through the front windshield. He was disappointed. It looked like any other building. From this angle, it didn’t have enough windows to let in more than the barest slivers of light, but there were spots where it looked like massive shutters could open as necessary. There were no colossal engines, no enormous rocket packs, no huge gun ports, turrets, dishes, or antennae. “How close can we get?”
    The driver said. “We’re going to drive right up to the back door. You’re going to be