Hathor Legacy: Burn (2 page)

"But there are so many entertainment clubs already."

"Sure, but they come and go. As soon as people get bored, they're on to the next. You have to keep up with what people want. I know how to do that. Besides, I have the credits to invest." Jon
athan noticed that Ron had perked up a bit when he said the word, "credits."

No doubt Ron's standing in the company would go up if he could get the space filled with paying clients. The higher the pro
fits, the higher his standing. Jon knew enough about people like this to know that standing and profits were all they cared about--that and big chairs.

"Well, credits are important, aren't they?" Ron pushed up his sleeve to reveal a bracelet of precious stones, sapphires and di
amonds mixed with other Hathor-based crystals that Jon recognized. All this man did was show off his wealth.

"So, when can I take a look at the plans? I'm not going to pay for anything before I see it," Jonathan said.

"Patience, Jonathan. I'm only talking to prospective clients right now. I want to be sure we have the right businesses in place. The plaza is a very important project--and seeing how prominent my family is, I want to be sure it's impressive."

If he had to hear that one more time. Jon forced a smile to his lips. "Sure. I understand. Look, I've got another appointment. How about we link up in a couple of days." Jonathan stood up and reached out his hand. "We can talk more then."

"Wait. Don't rush off yet. Are you talking to someone else?"

"There's someone else a bit higher up who asked me come by her office. I can't mention her name, though."

"I want my project to be your priority, Jonathan. I'm going to be at the top of Nova Entertainments soon. Let's talk a bit." Ron jumped up out of his chair and approached Jon, his arms outstretched. "I can get you all the space you need. There's no need to look elsewhere."

"Have I missed anything?" A very beautiful woman wearing a skin-hugging white outfit entered the office and tossed her long dark hair back off her shoulders. She stood behind Ron's chair and smiled. "I'm Ron's sister, Karin. You must be Jonathan Keel."

2
Guardian Affairs

After she left the scene of the fire, Nadira headed over to the A
dministration building. If Brant wasn't going to tell her who the Deshtu were, she'd get the answers elsewhere.

The Guardian Affairs Office was on the first floor of the A
dministration Building. Though it held the main offices for the various Novacorp departments, it wasn't as sleek as most of the other office buildings that filled the city center.

Dull silver metal and tinted glass covered the structure, making it look like it was always slightly tarnished. Inside, the stone floor was a nondescript pattern of grey and brown tiles, occasionally broken up with the bronze-colored half-moon Novacorp logo.

Heading past throngs of grey and brown-suited company managers, she walked through the arched doorway leading to the GAO office.

Inside, a young man sat at a long desk facing the door. In fact, it looked long enough for five or six people to sit behind, instead of just one. Above him was the company logo with the words, Novacorp Galactic, Inc in shiny, bronze letters. 

There were two frosted glass doors on either end of the room. And over the doors, holographic signs displayed various company slogans like, "When we work together, we make Novacorp stronger," and "More profits for better living."

The man behind the desk stifled a yawn as he looked her up and down. "Yes?"

"I need information."

"Identify." He motioned to the glass desktop. A blue rectang
ular outline glowed where she was to place her hand.

Nadira pressed her left palm against the glass. It only took a few seconds for the system to identify her with a beep. The blue outline turned to gold and she lifted her hand.

Sitting up straighter in his chair, he scanned the clear desktop as her stats scrolled across. "Guardian Sentry Nadira, what is your inquiry?"

"I have a question about Service Houses. Why aren't they ma
naged by this office?"

"According to the corporate charter, the GAO only handles citizens with PSI abilities."

"Deshtu have PSI abilities. Why aren't the Service Houses managed through this office?"

"Sentry, perhaps my manager can assist you."

"It's just a simple question."

He stood up and smoothed out his grey jacket. "I'm not autho
rized. Perhaps the personnel manager can assist you. Or the city manager. Or perhaps the security manager--"

"Can't you check the database?"

"Not without authorization. Perhaps if you would have the Sentry Leader call my manager, and she can call the other manager--"

Was he serious? She'd never get an answer like this. "What's your name?"

"1st Level Manager Clark," he replied. "Why do you want to know that?"

"Please call your manager. I'll wait."

He tapped the desk with the tip of his index finger. "This is the front desk. Guardian Sentry Nadira is requesting assistance."

A few minutes later, the door on the right side of the room opened. A woman wearing a brown executive suit walked out. Her heels click-clacked across the floor as she approached. "Sentry, I'm 1st VP, Howell. Please allow me to assist you," she said, a smile on her pink-lacquered lips.

"Service Houses. I had a question about why they aren't handled through the GAO."

"Oh, is that all?" Howell scowled at Manager Clark, but when she addressed Nadira, she was smiling again. "The GAO only ha
ndles Guardian affairs, of course."

Nadira waited for the VP to say something more, but she only continued to smile. "And?"

"And Service House workers are not Guardians. According to Novacorp directive 1990-45 in the corporate charter, no verified Guardian can be registered as a Service House worker. If anyone knowingly commits such an act, it is a violation punishable by detention or long-term imprisonment," she replied. "Is that what you wanted to know? I hope I've helped you. Would you mind filling out a customer service survey?"

Gritting her teeth, Nadira stopped herself before she could tell the VP what she could do with her survey. Instead she took a deep breath and tried again. "So that means that even though the House workers have abilities, they can't be protected by this office?"

"Protected? From what?" The VP's eyes grew wide. "I don't understand. Service House workers are registered, like any worker."

"There was a fire today. It was arson. Didn't you hear about it?"

"It's a large city, Sentry. There are so many things going on, I don't have time to watch every news report. Besides, why would anyone purposely set a fire and damage company property?"

"Maybe as a threat? Or revenge? Will anyone look into it?"

"No one has to threaten them. They sell their services to whoever has enough credits. And no one is allowed entry to Hathor if they don't have credits to spend, Sentry. Surely you already know this."

"What I know is that the GAO doesn't help people who need it."

The VP's mouth dropped open. It took a moment for her to regain her composure, but when she did, the smile was pasted back on her lips. "Please, allow me to clarify." She went over to the desk and placed her hand on the desktop. "Computer, what Guardian levels are under jurisdiction of the GAO?"

"Sentries, Protectors, Watchers, Administrators and Trainees," the monotone computer voice replied.

"And Service House workers?"

"Not applicable. Please query the Novacorp HR database."

"Thank you," the VP said, clasping her hands in front of her before turning back to face Nadira. "You see, Sentry, there is nothing my department can do for you. That's the HR department. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

Did she really want an honest answer to that question? "No, VP Howell. There's nothing else."

"I'm so glad I could assist you today. Please remember that the GAO is always open and ready to support all Guardians. When we work together, we make Novacorp stronger," she said, patting Nadira's shoulder.

The VP walked back to the doorway and paused as the glass door opened to admit her. With a small wave back in Nadira's d
irection, she walked through; the door shut behind her and locked with a loud click.

Manager Clark was watching her warily, his chair pushed back so that it was touching the wall. Maybe he thought she was about to blast him or something. When she approached the desk, he jumped, but managed not to fall out of his chair.

"Tell me, I didn't hear Elders listed under the Guardian levels. Aren't they protected by the GAO?" she asked.

Clark shook his head. "Guardian Elders are a separate entity outside of the GAO."

"So, you're saying they don't have to follow company directives?"

"Not--not that I'm aware of. All I know is they're not under our jurisdiction."

"That's perfect."

"What?" Clark asked. "I don't understand."

"I know. Thank you!" If the Elders could do what they wanted, then she knew the right person to go to. Elder Dakar could authorize an investigation.

It didn't matter what the GAO or Novacorp decided. Something could be done and she had no doubt that Dakar would support her decision.

3
Flawless

"So tell me, why are you so attractive?"

Jonathan gulped his drink, his attention on the woman sitting across from him. "I thought we were talking business."

"We are. But you didn't answer me."

"You'll have to ask my parents," Jonathan said. He'd agreed to have a drink with Karin at one of the restaurants in the building, but now he was wondering if it had been a good idea. She'd spent most of the time leering at him, making sure to show the very ample cleavage that was bursting out of her one-piece outfit.

"Let's see. Your father, Brandon Keel, is CEO of the most pro
fitable mining installation in the system. Your mother's identity isn't in the database. Did your father use a surrogate? Sometimes that's easier than going into a contracted relationship." Karin leaned across the table, her violet eyes shining.

"Where did you get that information?" Jonathan knew his mother's history had been edited from the company records to pr
otect her, but that wasn't a point to bring up now. "Why were you investigating my father?"

"After the theft at his mine a few months ago, there were news alerts broadcasting things about both of you everyday. I suppose you'll be fortunate enough to look like him in another twenty years. His grey hair is incredibly sexy," Karin smacked her lips. "Men who are naturally attractive are so much more appealing. Surgical enhancements can only do so much."

"So you check up on every potential business partner that Ron talks to?"

"When my brother mentioned he was meeting you, I did some background checking. We can't just let anyone invest in his pr
oject. There's too much at stake for him." Karin leaned back against the cushions, her tongue sliding across her lips. "No doubt you've noticed he's not exactly intelligent enough to figure things out for himself."

"He seemed smart enough."

"Really?" She laughed, motioning for the waiter to come over to their table.  "Don't flatter me. He's a fool. And we both know it."

Jonathan didn't answer. She was right and obviously didn't need him to agree with her. But she did seem much more in charge than her brother did. It explained why her advancement through the hierarchy at Novacorp had been more spectacular than her brother's had been.

"Bring more champagne and your best appetizers. We'll start with that." She winked at Jonathan as though they were sharing some private joke. "And we want to see the list of your best li
quors."

"Yes, Ms. Luke." The waiter bowed, then scurried away.

"You come here often?" Jon asked. The view here on the ninety-fifth floor was even more impressive than it'd been below in Ron's office.

"Only when I meet with my brother." She sipped her drink, her gaze lingering on  his hands. "You've got very capable hands. I'm sure there are other parts of you that are just as…capable."

"Excuse me?"

"My investigation was very thorough, Jonathan. I found out everything before I met you. You own a club called, "The Answer" in the Port City on Astarte and you're thirty-two years old." She set her crystal goblet on the table. "Grey eyes, curly dark brown hair, and a body I'd love to see more of. And, you're living with a Guardian, of all people. Why aren't you contracted with her?"

"If you wanted to know about my personal life, all you had to do was ask."

"All right, I will." Karin flicked her thick, brown hair off her shoulder, exposing more of her cleavage. "You know that they use Guardians to do interrogations at the detention center. They have the power to reach into a person's mind and extract information."

"So?"

"Well, if they can do that, can they also put information in? You know, like fantasies? I imagine they can insert anything…in the right place."

Jonathan was about to answer when the waiter returned and refilled their glasses. The champagne bubbled up over the rim of Karin's glass and spilled onto the clear, glass tabletop.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Luke!" the waiter gasped, his voice shaking.

"It's nothing. Leave us now," she ordered, waving him off.

She dipped her fingers into the liquid, then eased her index fi
nger into her mouth. All the while, her eyes were on him, daring him to react.

Sure, there was a time when he would've responded without hesitation. Her deep violet eyes, the way her hair curved around her oval-shaped face, and her almost-too-perfect skin the color of burnished topaz would've driven him to distraction. He wouldn't have thought twice about taking her to nearest private place. Or, maybe one not so private.

But his desires were much different now.

"Guardians are so much more powerful than ordinary humans. I've heard rumors, but I've never met someone who is actually in relationship with one. You must be very powerful to be able to satisfy her."

Looking at Karin's cool, flawless beauty only made him want Nadira more. Even now he felt her consciousness through their connection. Her passionate energy like fire, burning through him whenever he thought of her. Her strength that yielded only to him, just as her body did when they were together. 

Heat rose up past his ears and across his forehead. If only Karin knew that her words were fueling his ache for Nadira right now. Good thing they were sitting and she couldn't see quite how much he was feeling it. "I thought we were discussing business, not my sex life."

"Well, here in Nova City the two intertwine so often that it might as well be the same thing." Karin ran her palm over the spilled champagne, smearing it across the tabletop. "Jon I've never met a man who didn't want to discuss his exploits. You almost sound like you're offended."

"I'm not. But it's my business, isn't it?"

Karin sighed. "If you insist. So, what other impressions do you have of my brother?"

Did she really want the truth? Might as well be diplomatic about it. "He's very industrious," Jonathan replied.

"When it comes to acquiring possessions, yes. We have the same mother, but that's the only DNA we share." She picked up her glass and cradled it in her hands. "When my mother's relationship with my father ended, she made sure that my inheritance was protected. So did Ron's mother. That's why we own most of his estate."

"Did your father have other children?"

"Yes, several others. He partnered with many women and men. But Ron and I have the controlling interest in all his property. My mother is an artist. She has a gallery in the Palatine.

"Not in the Artisan District?" Jon had only recently been there. Located next to the Entertainments District, it was where most of the artists and craft workers lived. For the most part the area was more of a tourist attraction than anything else.

"My mother isn't a laborer, Jon," Karin scoffed. "Why wouldn't she be where the other powerful people are? Speaking of that, why aren't you living in the Palatine? Aren't you in one of those old districts by the park?"

"Why should it matter to you where I live?"

"Appearances matter, Jon. What you wear, how you look--but then coming from Astarte I suppose you don't understand. You're used to associating with miners and laborers. That's not done here."

He'd heard that ever since he'd arrived on Hathor. Moving in the right circles with the right people was all that mattered. But not to him. He hadn't been raised to believe that and now wasn't the time to start. "If you don't think I associate with the right people, why are we talking?"

"I want you to have a space in the new development," Karin replied. "My family has a large financial interest in its success."

"What does your brother say?"

"Does it matter? Let's be honest, Jon. Your father is in the executive level and you know Matt Bento, which also doesn't hurt your standing." She reached over and touched his arm, her long fingers caressing him.

"You know Matt?" His father's former friend had been co
nnected to the woman who'd robbed the mine. As a former thief himself, Matt should've been sent away to a penal colony.

"I heard he made a deal with the company so that he wouldn't be sentenced to hard labor in the mines. That's why he was kept at the Hathor detention center. Do you know anything about it?"

That figured. Matt had always known how to save himself, even when he put others in danger. "No, I don't. I haven't talked to him since he went into detention."

The waiter returned with their food and drinks. Karin kept her eyes on Jon as the dishes were placed on the table. She picked up one of the vegetable appetizers and shoved it into her mouth, then she slowly pulled it out.

The fact that it was a long stalk was not lost on Jonathan. He knew what she was doing and the message she was sending. "You're wasting your time, Karin. I'm committed to Nadira, remember?"

She laughed, dropping the appetizer on her plate. "Committed? How quaint. Is that what they say on the frontier?"

"Astarte isn't the frontier. It's only a few days away by shuttle."

"Oh, it's farther than that," Karin said. "You're used to dealing with all those workers and farmers."

"What's wrong with that? They've also got culture and art and--"

"Jonathan, please. They had something in the news about an archeological dig and some research project." She reached across the table to pick up a slice of apple. "It sounded like a complete bore. There's nothing more boring than intellectuals. I just can't take it."

Stifling a sigh, he took another gulp of champagne.  It was taking more and more effort to remain interested in this conversation. But if he pissed her off, he could say goodbye to his ambitions here in the city.

"So, are you contracted?" he asked. It was time to turn the t
ables.

"Me? There's no need until I'm ready to have progeny to inherit my property. And then, I'll just get a surrogate. It's so much ea
sier."

"For who?"

Karin laughed. "You have so much to learn about life here. But I can understand why you haven't bothered to contract with Nadira. Guardians can't inherit property, so she has nothing to divide up. And when it comes to progeny, well, she'd be very lucky to have them inherit your property. Why else would you contract with her?"

"Because I love her."

"Love is fine, Jon. But it's hardly a reason to go into a contracted relationship. You can love many people, sometimes all at once."

Jonathan finished his champagne and set the glass down harder than was necessary. When he moved the glass aside to check, he expected to see a crack in the tabletop, but there was nothing.

"This time I think I have offended you, Jon," Karin said, as she picked up another slice of apple. "Really, I'd love to meet Nadira. I have so many questions for her. Guardians are usually so aloof. They don't interact much with the rest of us."

Like he'd go out of his way to bring the two of them together. Not likely. "We still aren't discussing business, Karin."

"Something you really must learn about Hathor is that it's all about business, Jon. The personal and the professional are one."

*****

When Jonathan got back to the apartment he headed straight for the shower. After his meal with Karin, he'd had the deep desire to get clean again. Maybe he was overreacting to her, but he was troubled by the subjects she'd brought up, particularly his relationship with Nadira. Why was it of interest to anyone other than that two of them?

The warm water eased his tensions and he felt himself relaxing as it poured over his body. All he'd wanted to do was open a club. And now he had to deal with being examined by people who felt they had a right to be in his business. Maybe he would be better off going back home to Astarte. But Nadira's home was here. If she left for an extended amount of time, she'd lose her telepathic abil
ities. He couldn't ask that sacrifice of her, could he?

As the water splashed over him, he relaxed against the tiles. If only Nadira was here with him right now. Of all the women he'd been with, he'd never felt what he felt with her. But for the first time since he'd come to Hathor, he wondered if staying had been the right decision.

"Jon!"

He heard Nadira's voice calling to him. He stepped out of the shower. "Be right out!"

Grabbing a towel he began to wipe himself dry. Her apartment wasn't modern enough to have a body dryer, but he had to admit that the soft towels really weren't so bad. He'd complained about them at first, but rubbing them against his skin felt good.

When he was done, he wrapped the towel around his neck and walked out into the living area. Nadira was sitting at the dining counter, staring into space. He could feel her emotions through their connection. She was down about something.

Leaning down he planted a kiss against her forehead. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"There was a fire today and I was called to the scene. I felt the energy of the people who died there…the fear and the pain. It was terrible."

"But why did they call you? You don't investigate fires."

"The fire was set. Or at least Lt. Lin seems to think so. She wanted me to try to pick up some impressions, in case I could see who set it. But I couldn't."