Kruger and Daumann leaders boarded one of Daumann's many luxury yachts at The Ring, and without troubling themselves much with the actual flight, proceeded immediately to conference room.
- Please, take a sit. Something to drink, directors? - Mittermeier said, while at the same time manually sending journey's destination through his comm link to the pilot cabin. In a minute, their hangar was depressurized, the gate opened and they felt but a gentle touch, the sign ship started hovered above the deck, and flew out into space.
New Berlin was almost entirely white. This side of the planet was yet to face half-year of darkness this season.
*After the meeting was over and the leaders departed and set course to Essen Station where Fred Schneider decided to take a beer.*
”Ulrich, it seems there is a huge party here again. I remember the last oktoberfest. It was quite amusing, I hope this bartender will be able to work tomorrow. Or we need to cut his salary.“
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”We all need to enjoy ourselves sometimes Fred, let us wrap it up with something to eat and let us fly to the Koeln system.“
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”Very well, let me drink this glass first and we find ourselves something to eat.“
Bartender prepared the drinks Kruger guests wanted, and returned to another room for beer snacks. In the meantime Mittermeier curiously studied both Kruger reps' faces, guessing what's so important for them to make him go on this unexpected trip.
As the bartender rolled in small bar table on wheels, full of small sausages, some cold, some still hot with steam above them, Daumann director sat on the opposite side of the table and asked:
- You're already hungry? - and after a while added with smile: - we just ate.
- What's so important, directors, you interrupt my daily tasks and give me this trip?
*With a snack in Fred his hand he started to answer herr Mittermeier..*
”Well Herr Mittermeier I have been told a good appetite is healthy. It is however better to show you the system and show a part of our possible plans, instead of talking in a room about it. I myself like field trips a lot more, because it shows perspective and we could make some big decisions. Especially since you mentioned Planet Saarbrucken.“
”Fred and Ulrich looks anxiously at Herr Mittermeier and are curious about his response.“
- Yes, I mentioned Saarbrucken. It's our planet, and we plan to colonize it. Tholey station was built in orbit thanks to the contract with Bounty Hunters Guild. We hired the hunters to keep area clean, and have our representatives on station...
But what do you have in mind? Don't use riddles directors, just speak out at once.
*Fred takes a look at Herr Mittermeier and he is convinced this is the kind of attitude that brings the Rheinland forward towards a future full of prosperity *
”It looks we are about to pass Planet Stuttgart and It will all fall into place shortly Herr Mittermeier. I was wondering about the benefits we would have if we would together colonise the Planet Saarbrucken. It would bring a lot of work and prosperity to the Koeln system. It would be a lot of work for some hard working Rheinlanders to their living. It would mean a huge investment, but it would benefit both Rheinland and our corporations as well. Kruger could use the Planet as a drop off point for the extracted Aluminium Minerals where the local salesmen could resell it for example. These idea’s are now mere suggestions, but it is a planet with a lot of directions we would be able to go. If we would be able to invest into a high speed tradelane network we might be able to pick up the pace and a higher traffic rate would occur then. More traffic means more profit, everyone needs at least to eat, rest or refuel somewhere.“
”Afraid of the answer of Herr Mittermeier, Fred takes all of his courage and shows no hesitations about his dream.“
- So you are proposing us help with colonization of Saarbrucken? Hmm...
Sly Rheinlander thought for a while, considering possible outcomes.
- We're already business partners, directors. Your desire to join us in Saarbrucken project is most welcomed. How else can we help you in Koeln? Join aluminium extraction? From your own words you and the ALG aren't that close anymore. You're not close at all, from what I can tell. But you invested in Wuppertal project. What are you going with your shares in the station, your men and equipment?
Mittermeier smiled. *screw Rheinland, we're going to get rich there* - he thought.
- Krugers, do you swear by all the Gods the New and the Old Sol Ones your plans here are real and in good faith with us? Because if the answer is yes, then I bow to your grand vision. Common mineral extraction, joint forces in Saarbrucken project...
Together, we can turn Koeln and everything within into Daumann-Kruger condominium.
*Fred closely listened at Herr Mittermeier and closely choose his words to respond*
”Herr Mittermeier, our investment in the Wuppertal shall never be a waste. It brought Kruger a lot of money back into our pockets and even with the ALG not having an expected outcome as we were hoping for... We cannot say it wasn't a success for our own pockets to fill. Sadly we have to look forward and act upon that. I fear the ALG will use their bonds with the IMG more closely and maybe even bring them more close to the Koeln sector. This is something no one wants. And who wants them to steal even more of our precious Minerals? “
*Ulrich smiled a bit*
”We could get very rich in these sectors, but we have to invest wisely. About the aluminium extraction, we prefer to do most of our own, still I doubt we can compete with the demand. Knowing the Daumann is the only competition, we could maybe even demand a higher price to sell. Do not worry Herr Mittermeier, we could make Rheinland strong again. Starting with our own and our own employees to treat to something special. For example a joint operation in a shipyard in the Koeln sector. I am sure we might need to produce more mining vessels and like mentioned before we could start there with the new ships to research..“
”Ulrich takes a look outside of the window. There it is.. planet Saarbrucken.“
"Saarbrucken, already? That was a quick travel, I must commend my captain."
Mittermeier shook his head, not finding what Ulrich said plausible.
"I don't believe our position here could be endangered. I think you are overdramatizing, director. Our own research outposts on Saarbrucken didn't report anything unusual. We're alone on this planet. So far our teams couldn't locate valuable resource deposits in their initial landing sites, we will move camps elsewhere soon. Do you wish to spectate the planet's orbit, moor to Tholey or go somewhere else? Personally I'd hoped you'd show me Kruger part of Wuppertal. "
After a brief pause, Daumann director continued:
"Make Rheinland Strong Again? We're not charity organisations, or is Kruger? What do you mean by our own employees? And another point, a shipyard? But there's no shipyard in Koeln. Or are you telling me some Kruger secret?..."
”Well herr Mittermeier, we can never be cautious enough in any investment. We have to prevent as much we can, however I don't think our position in the Koeln sector is compromised in any way. I would like to land on Wuppertal, there we could guide you a bit trough the station.“
*Ulrich paused for a moment, Fred was observing the area around Saarbrucken from the window.*
”A shipyard is something we would like to have, but it would be impractical since we are not planning to construct huge spaceships. Planet Saarbrucken would be sufficient for our needs.“
*Fred turned around and faced Ulrich and Herr Mittermeier again.*
”Well Ulrich you are quite right about that, it would be a huge capacity we never would be using. Thus making it cost more than it would bring to us. It would be a good alternative to use facilitate the planet and construct from there these ships. Or do you both plan to construct huge ships where i am not aware of? Huge plans, can be cut down to the needed resources without the big investments where one shall reach nothing. Excuse me a moment.. “
”Fred walks past Herr Mittermeier and Ulrich..“
”Hello miss, could you please bring us some beverage? I am getting pretty thirsty over here, maybe these two gentlemen over here would like to have some as well.“