The stars were brilliant points of light in the night sky as Victor stood at the main gate to Mining Complex number One. The only sound was the wind whistling thru the gate and the terra forming equipment parked next to the landing pads. What would have once taken months to complete his team had accomplished in a day. The term shock and awe came to mind as he made his way across the landing zone to one of the new tunnels leading into the mountain side.
Donning a helmet to protect him from the dust of the newly formed tunnel he made his way to the first security post. A Stone Energy Security Guard stood at attention at heavily barred gate a hundred feet past the entrance.
“Good evening Mr. Stone, Security pass please.”
Victor nodded and passed his right hand over a scanner. The Bio Reader confirmed his identity and a small opening appeared in the gate.
“Good work Officer.” Victor nodded as he passed thru. “All quiet?”
“All operations are on maintenance cycle at the moment Sir. There should be no safety issues at present.”
Victor patted the man on the shoulder. “Very good then, I’m going to have a look around.”
“Yes sir.” the guard handed him an alarm button. “If you need anything. Sir.”
Pocketing the tiny button he nodded and headed down the long tunnel. Half an hour later Victor stopped and looked at the crystals protruding from the wall. Half buried in the rock his robot army of miners would have them out and being cleaned by morning. How many more carats of dilithium crystals lay buried in the mountain he was not sure. And no one could imagine, he didn’t really care.
Pulling out a tricorder from a shoulder bag he scanned the tunnel walls. Nothing unexpected showed on the readings. He sighed and looked around. It wasn’t going to be that easy, and he knew it.
A carry all car came up from deeper in the mine and stopped along side him. The robot driver asked. “Are you in need of assistance?”
“Take me back to the entrance if you would.”
“Certainly Mr. Stone.”
In a few minutes he found himself back outside the gate and as he walked up to his hover car he saw the lights of an approaching vehicle. It came up to him in a cloud of dust and when the door opened he surprised to see what appeared to be a very large….cat.
Robert Leo collected himself and walked over to Victor, standing in front of him without speaking for moment.
“Mr. Victor Stone?” Robert asked.
“Captain Robert Leo, I presume.” Victor answered.
The large Antican nodded. “I saw the lights on, thought I’d drop by and say hello.”
Victor looked up at the stars, “This late? So very thoughtful of you Captain Leo.”
Robert looked up at the immense wall surrounding the complex. “You’ve been busy today.”
“Yes…we’ve made pretty go progress so far.”
“Looks to be quite an operation. Huge investment I’d say.”
“Indeed. But you know the saying, Got to spend money to make money.”
Robert shuffled his feet, looking around the gate, and then turned back to look at the city. “Is that all there is here Mr. Stone? Making money?”
“That’s what I do Captain. I make no apologizes for it. And do a bit of good for the public along the way I think.”
“Yea, we’re all grateful for the power for the city Mr. Stone. Very generous of you.”
Victor opened his hover car door. “Just want to be a good citizen. Is there a problem Captain Leo?”
“No…..No problem. I just take notice when things don’t ad up.”
“And you don’t see things …..adding up here?”
“Honestly Mr. Stone. No….not just yet. But…..I’ve been wrong in the past.”
“Captain, if there is ever anything I can do for you, anything at all, just call me.” and with that Victor closed his hover car and started for the city.
Robert watched the car until it disappeared around a bend, then looked back up at the huge stone wall hiding the mine behind it.
“But I’m not wrong often…” he said under his breath as he got back into his car and headed back to his office in the city.
OFF:
Victor Stone
Stone Energy
Camelot
Robert Leo
ERT Leader
Camelot
