Aboard Syracuse Station, the comm device on the secretary's desk started ringing. She answered it through her neural net in-ear interface.
"Cryer business office, how may I help you? Oh, they're already there? I'll dispatch a shuttle immediately."
She hung up and opened the door into Donnel Bucksworth's office.
"Mr Bucksworth!"
"Yes, dear? What is it?"
"Dr. Holliday and Dr. Xi from Med Force Enterprise just arrived at Salt Lake Station. Get ready to leave in five, I'll call Dr. Felcher."
"Oki dokes, time to do some business then."
He rose from his desk and went to the cabin, then put on his favorite business suit. The one he'd usually use when he feels lucky enough to close a great deal. Bucksworth went out with a grin on his face, as if he's about to close the deal of a lifetime even though there's no real money involved. A feeling he hasn't felt for a long time.
Mr. Bucksworth and Dr. Persimony Felcher met at the docking bay and boarded the shuttle for a short 10-minute ride through the tradelanes.
Dr. Felcher, having his workflow rather unpleasantly interrupted, wasn't told much about that meeting. As a man of science, he has a rather pessimistic approach. He calls it the "realistic approach", but in truth, he's just bitter that not all research bares fruit.
"Say Donnie, you know I don't like this kind of stuff. Why drag me out of my lab like this? Who are we even meeting?"
"These guys are Med Force Enterprise, a non-profit who use our products and want to cooperate on research. Dr. John Holliday and Dr. Jill Xi"
"Dr. Xi? Rings a bell or two. Maybe I'm just thinking about Omicron Xi. I really hope it's gonna be worth it."
"Trust me on this one, buddy. I have a great feeling about this. We have a lot to gain from cooperating with them."
"Isn't that what you said about Atka?"
"Oh come on, it was Vespier's idea, not mine..."
"Well, as long as they're not Gallic, I'm fine with it."
"They're Zoners."
"Good."
The shuttle docked at Salt Lake Station and the two neatly-suited men were escorted out by a stewardess into the docking bay. They walked onto the reception deck; Bucksworth proudly with his chin up, while Felcher slightly lagged behind.
"Excuse me, sir, we've scheduled a meeting room here to meet with Med Force Enterprise."
"Ah yes, you must be from Cryer. You've arrived just in time, the pair from MFE are being escorted to the meeting room from the other docking bay as we speak. Allow me to show you the way."
As they walked through the hallway, approaching the meeting room, Bucksworth grew a bit worried that Felcher's mood could ruin the day. He nudged Felcher and whispered:
"Hey, buddy, I know you don't like these kinds of meetings, but I really need your expertise. Please, try to be nice."
"I'll do my best, Donnie. Sure hope things will go in our direction."
