Brisbane stepped out onto the landing pad, awaiting him stood Ronaldo surrounded by his men. He was unsure if he'd be welcomed or dragged into a cell, the warm welcome eased the apprehension slightly though the hairs on the back of his neck began to rise.
"Senor Benitez, thank you for such a warm welcome and for your hospitality. I am somewhat overwhelmed by your generosity, to think I brought you aboard Barrier Gate it pales in comparison to this beautiful villa."
He walked toward Ronaldo and shook his hand as he would an old friend. Brisbane could feel the eyes of every marine upon him and was pretty sure he saw some of their hands twitch towards their weapons as he approached.
"Since I am a guest at your home please, call me Edward or Eddie, which ever you prefer Senor. Would you allow me a tour of your estate before we resume? Whilst the trip was comfortable, my many thanks to Senor Trueno, I do have the urge to enjoy a bit of fresh air."
Ronaldo's attempt at pronouncing Edward didn't go that smoothly. But his generous smile was bright as the Cretonian sun.
" A tour? But ofcourse senor. We've got our visit the the quarries planned for tomorrow so today is completely free for leisure. Hecktor will take your bags to your room."
A short but broad shouldered man in what appeared to be a butlers outfit took several paces forward towards Edward and the Shuttle as Ronaldo turned and slowly walked down the stairs.
"Please allow me senor, I will put them in your room."
" Lets start with the gardens and then continue through our on site hangars and then the main house."
The gardens might not be very green but they offer enough relaxation for our soldatos, the majority of wich actually live in appartements on the ground. The entire estate is quite large and houses the population of several hundred."
Ronaldo pointed out several rows of several doors with numbers next to them near the top of the hill as they walked towards what looked to be an outdoor pool.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
Brisbane relished the gentle breeze rolling down from the hill where Ronaldo was pointing. The hot Gamma sun had begun its climb, even at this time of day he could tell noon on Crete would be scorching, making the cooling waters of the pool all the more inviting.
Being born and raised on one space station or another, Edward had come to see normal planetary features such as wind and sun as incredible. Natural is supernatural when you've lived a lifetime in an artificial environment. Walking required slightly more effort than usual, he made a mental note to visit the gym more often.
"Any garden, no matter it's size is something of a marvel, so much time spent in space with nothing but hydroponic plants makes you appreciate nature all the more don't you think?"
He slows for a moment to admire the garden, paying close attention to a thorny vine dotted with colourful buds.
"If I didn't know any better I'd think this is a species of rose...Oh I do apologise Senor Ronaldo, botany is a small hobby of mine. Please continue."
Looking at the small bush of Cretian roses Ronaldo Laughed
"Haha, amigo, it is a native plant, this is only a small one. We've got large schrubs of over 2 meters at the drive-way to the main gate. You'll see them later. The guest wing overlooks them."
The duo passed the pool and went into a corridor with a slight decline. Arriving at two large doors with a key card restricted access. The doors opened when Ronaldo swiped his card.
A short corridor followed which opened up into a huge underground Hangar area with two huge doors at the far end. Several Titans and Pretorians stood in what appeared to be a flight-line. In the back several caverns housed what looked to be private vessels
"Our local Hangar, large enough to house a full squadron of fighters and Bombers as well as the local collection of ships for several residents of the villa. Crete spaceport has two larger hangars housing the rest of our Local fleet. If you ever happen to buy a house on a planet si, I suggest putting something similar in. Easy escape if needed and shortens the commute si!"
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
Brisbane surveyed the hanger, his eyes lingered on the fearsome looking line of fighters. The private ships were far less imposing, a few racers, a handful of luxury craft and one or two freighters.
"Indeed, indeed. From what I've seen so far a house here would be a great retreat, perhaps a summer home, so to speak. An interesting idea Ronaldo, one that requires some serious thought."
An image of a sunbaked villa nestled in his mind, a water fountain and pool with plant-filled pots dotted around. He could already see himself in a panama hat pottering in his private garden, tending his piece of Eden.
"We still have negotiations to complete and I have yet to find out what we can offer your family. Senor Trueno asked for some difficult items during our dinner, my people are working to acquire them still but he was rather vague regarding more obtainable commodities.
I would still like to continue the tour Senor, perhaps we can walk and talk?"
"Trueno is one of our true heroes when it comes to wheeling and dealing with the majority of our suppliers. The downside of dealing with my family directly is that we hardly need a true continuous supply of most goods.
Most of our demand comes from our projects. On the up-side we're willing to pay more for them then your average merchant on Crete. "
The two walked up a set of stairs and through a short corridor. Meanwhile they passed by what seemed to be a small arms locker next to a fire extinguisher. Ronaldo halted in front of two doors.
" Ofcourse other parties and free merchants in the empire have need for supplies. What ever you bring to crete there is always someone who is willing to pay a fair price for what you bring. "
The Doors opened up a round hall with a dome.
" Ofcourse, just about any quantity of artifacts in just about any quality you want. We can deliver. Either through our own production sites or through our connections. Oh and welcome to the Office wing. All Benitez elders, have an office for themselves and a joint room for their assistants. Not sure if they all use these rooms though. This wing was added in the time of Don Quixote as there was a need for offices to coordinate the first boom in exportation. The main Building was build by Don Esteban as a residence. "
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
"I see, then I'm glad I had the pleasure of meeting Trueno, though in the future I'll pass on his private reserve of rum. Admittedly I'm not much of a drinker so you can imagine the effects."
He glanced about the hall, the style was slightly different from the other areas he'd seen on the tour.
"You must value your history greatly, I doubt half the sector could remember such detail about a simple office wing, with the exception of the Kusari. They too have the utmost respect for their ancestors, on the rare occasions that I've visited their planets I had trouble distinguishing old buildings from the new."
" Si, well spotted amigo. This is Don Quixote, you can tell he's the true patriarch of the Benitez. The Firm jawline and receding hairline is something that can be traced to even the younger generation family members in the true bloodline, as you can see with me. Bloodline however is no longer important for la Familia."
He smiled as he thought of the stories about Don Quixote.
" The flghtsuit he's wearing in the portrait is the one he wore on his last flight, his remains are still missing. He was a proud, wise and courageous man with a good sense for business. Story has it that he was as stubborn as a mule and turned somewhat Loco at older age. "
The duo slowly walked through the corridor in the direction of the main house.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
"A great man indeed. You must tell me more of him and his role in the exportation boom over dinner some time, I get the feeling his story deserves far more than a polite mention during a tour.
Now then, we seem to be approaching the abode of Don Esteban."
The corridor ended with a set of doors quite different from the set in the office wing, more decorative and ornate.
"How far back in history does this doorway take us? Judging by the finery Don Esteban was a man of great wealth who wanted everyone to know about it."
He laughed lightly as the pair approached the entrance of the main building.
"Quite absurd to judge a man by his front door, I do apologise. Please after you."
" There are great stories about the majority of my ancestors. Not sure if they we're made up or slightly altered in the past but they're quite entertaining."
They stood before the two doors and Ronaldo laughed at the comment of senor Brisbane.
" Well, this door does show the personality of Don Esteban. He was one of the first true artifact tycoons on Crete and he was not afraid to show it. The house itself is only a few Decades older then the office wing but it was decorated more decadent. Besides building the main villa he also funded several projects for the less succesfull population, the projects include the continued Benitez funding of the local school system. "
Ronaldo opened the door to enter the main hall way and he continued onwards to the main sitting room.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
