Free The Star Cross: The Dark Invaders by Raymond L. Weil Page B

drink, and entertainment are well worth it.”
    “Captain
Randson is married and has a daughter,” interjected Keera, looking
disapprovingly at Grantz. “You also shouldn’t be spending so much of your time
in the entertainment area. A lot of people have gone missing visiting those pleasure
houses.”
    Kurt and Keera
were well aware that much of the black market activity occurred at those
establishments.
    “Ah, I’m
always armed,” said Grantz with a hefty laugh, patting the large handgun
strapped to his waist. “Besides, I know my way around the pleasure houses, and
I have a reputation to uphold.”
    “I’m sure you
do,” said Keera, shaking her head in disgust.
    “Let’s load
up,” Kurt ordered. “Grantz, I want you in the Humvee with me. We ran into a
situation with a Controller here at the Controller exchange which I need to
speak to you about.”
    “About your
run-in with High Profiteer Creed in the Julbian System.”
    Kurt frowned,
wondering how Grantz had heard of that. Knowing Grantz and who he associated
himself with, it was probably Dolman.
    Kurt reached
into his pocket, taking out a gold coin. He flipped it into the air and
casually caught it in his right hand. He noticed Grantz’s gaze never left the
coin, his eyes gleaming with greed. “Yes, let’s see if you can help us out of a
minor situation we find ourselves in.”
    Grantz’s face
took on a serious look as he watched the gleaming gold coin. “A one-hundred-million-credit
fine isn’t minor.”
    “Perhaps not,”
Kurt said, handing Grantz the coin. Kurt had an entire pocketful and more back
on the Star Cross . With the current exchange rate, each one-ounce coin
was worth about 1,200 credits. That was something else he had learned about
doing business on Kubitz. Bribes were expected, and the gold coins would work
very well to grease a few hands. “Let’s see what we can come up with to get
that fine reduced.”
    Kurt really
wanted to hear what the Profiteer knew about setting up the contract for the
area of space Newton had a vested interest in. Most likely he would have to
speak with Avery Dolman and pay a hefty number of credits to have a contract
drawn up that would cover Newton’s needs. Dolman would know the necessary
experts to ensure the contract was foolproof.
    Everyone
loaded up into the Humvees with both Andrew and Keera getting in with Kurt and
Grantz. The Marine escort divided themselves up among the two transports, and
they were soon ready to depart. The Humvees were soon rolling down the busy street,
which led from the spaceport to the city proper.
    “How come
you’re still alive?” Andrew asked Grantz evenly. “I would have thought, by now,
someone would have shot you for your conniving ways.”
    “This is
Kubitz,” Grantz said dismissively with a huge grin. “Everyone is constantly
scheming to improve their station in life. Besides, I have the right
connections and know who to speak to.”
    “We may need
those connections,” Kurt said as he recalled what Governor Spalding wanted him
to find out. “Once we get to the compound, there’s another matter I wish to
speak of.”
    Grantz
grinned. “Whatever you want, I’ll find it.” Glancing at the gold coin, he
placed it in a secure pocket.
    Kurt nodded,
knowing Grantz was serious. While Kurt might disagree with the Profiteer’s
methods, Grantz did produce results.

Chapter Five
     
    The trip to
the embassy compound took nearly forty minutes. The two Humvees drove slowly through
the outlying neighborhoods, which were not under the protective environmental
dome. Looking out the thick protective windows, Kurt felt the misery of the people
living in some of these areas. Along the streets, brilliant signs advertised various
services. Small shops lined the streets, selling everything one could imagine. Food,
clothing, household items, and even weapons. The other striking thing was the
number of people with handguns holstered to their hips. Even a number of the
women