Alliance: Book Three of The Channel Riders

pte

around the table. She hoped her polite smile had not h

family solidarity her grandfather craved seem like a distant dream. Beside her, Alexandro was practically beaming as he told the gathered family of Elena's new

ots regain their status and therefore increase the productivity of the Guild." Alexandro glanced down at Elena and smiled. She returned the smile automat

king to her. Elena looked left where she could see her Aunt Catherine rolling her eyes at her sister and niece's behavior. Elena smiled and looked away before the amusement showed too much. Next to Catheri

politics and let Alexandro run things. She knew he loved her Aunt fiercely though and Elena thought he had to have a great deal of inner strength to weather Alexandro's attempts to get rid of him. Her grandfather was not an easy man

plitting an order of sweet and sour pork shipboard while the rest of the family gathered. Elena had yet to make up her m

ome up with some way to mock Therese and break up the building tension at the table, even if it did irk their gran

earlier when the Council gave her trading rights on the newly opened planet they named it as well for the official records. Personally, she thought

as thought to be a reward for bravery since that pilot was essentially sailing into the unknown so that later pilots would enjoy a greater safety. Elena supposed it was a complement, but having a

table to offer congratulations. 'Word travels fast, ' she thought. She had the feeling that her grandfather helped t

nner was winding to a close and Elena was able to escape. Once out of Grazos she sighed with relief. The relief however was s

selling, but with thoughts of partnerships for whatever goods her new trade routes brought. Some sought to buy merchandise craft

nts." She repeated the sentiment many times before breaking free. Usually it was followed with an agreement for consideration, should her trade

e as the thought played out in her head. She pictured the sharp eyed, china doll looking councilor in her head and play

be. Nor would I want to do the types of things she did to be that scary.' While tales of Peter Baranov, her partner in busin

and nasty and gave Elena the cold shivers when she thought too much about it, but it at least had some sort of logic to it, ev

own to be vindictive if crossed, but unlike Peter, she tended towards the cat and mouse variety of retribution. Punishment c

am obviously insane. Maybe I'll at least get to figure out why they hate each other.' Through various interactions with them she learned the

ble to breathe a little more freely. The warm buttery light of the inset corridor lights

s part and parcel of being the Head of a House. She was no longer just a pilot who made the trade runs and outran the Matrovean raiders. She had to be the one making the deals for trade. Finding merchant's

ssibilities not actualities. She knew however that the bulk of what was found would prob

ort of thing, " she told herself. She frow

h deep wrinkles bracketing his eyes was wearing a shirt emblazoned with the official crest of the Librarians. They were viewed not only as a House unto t

he councilors was scary in a tightrope way; Working with the Librarians was more like dealing with a force of natur

greed to work with the Librarians as a means of establishing some sort of check on Riko, a f

n the same polite tone she used. "I

d suit." She suggested knowing that even though traffic in this corridor

lbeit at a statelier pace then she had been walking alone. She noticed however that people tended to shift out of their way wi

dispute or another. Even then they would leave their quarters, pronounce judgment and then leave again. Their judgment

chives were kept on a fleet of ships large enough to dwarf any channel rider. They circled the various galaxies the cha

for their knowledge. Even though she was a part of it, she still found the concept hard to grasp. The fact that Evan Greggs, Senior Lib

e, ' Elena thought. She may have hated politics, but

e worse than the Mat

ent. And I am more accustomed

them or outman

with a smile. She looked over to him.

hat would they do with all of the

. "I hadn't reall

w d

o they de

he questio

don't

that the Librarians h

"I won't tell anyone."

ned so that someone could plug it into a computer if they wanted to. Of course the disk would read full and the one file it looked like i

rsonal connections, all of the Heads of Houses had suites containing a semi-public meeting room complete with a small kitchenette. Her personal quarters were further back,

ena asked as the door slid shut behind

d to be offered options, " Evan said

worth of grounds left, " Elena said with a smile. She took th

e Docking Facility this seaso

ards the seating area. She handed Eva

h. You will be h

I left on planet and make it through the Mar

lose to season'

eek before the season shallows out the Marta

ff season? You wi

busy off season. The team has collected various samples

l be enough to get started with our plans. We will of course need more details of the interiors." He tapped his forehead. "The brief glance I managed, wh

up my team is an archaeologist, and while Kiera does tend to concen

eyes were sparkling with

. But she will be reviewing the data over the off season and have a prelim

s good that you have your own archaeologist. Very

l enterprises of this nature have

que experience. But many of the Guild favor a 'commerce at

conceded, thi

Councilmember Inoue Riko's participation in this ven

no desire to let her pillage a plan

atement, "

tigated. I know that we are going to have to clear some out around the habitation areas and we will be doing so in such a way as to m

surprised look on his face. Elena nodded, it wa

out that the more ships built, over time would dramatically increase her profits, but that quickly built ships, no matter how well made, would flood the market and drop the price." Elena

nks of future Guild members

scared of the Librarians and I know that she knows

our dear councilor feels." Elena looked at Evan and realized the older man didn't much care for Ri

ly the amount of heat Peter's di

I have no right to ask of course and I will t

can ask but I do reserve

tly are you getting out

she asked.

ointment that I don't care for and at the time I didn't really think the venture would become something profitable enough for her to wa

an embarrassment and viewed as a personal shame to have contracted it. Elena was grounded with it and found that it wasn't a disease at all, but an evolution in

o be after my hide if she was not allowed to be involved

ust a little too much towards the innocent side to be believa

hat if you have developed these skills other pilots grou

id. "It could end u

routes can avoid raider

uld be a

Calling, your House will dominate the new trade routes. Especially in the beginning, setting pre

ied. The uneasiness in her stomach was a nearly constant presence at this point and she

ilot is of little use to the Guild. The Guild has

now have business ventures with

should they realize you have now surpassed your mother's

r was pronounced eligible for a Council seat; the first seat ever to be held by a pilot born of the Americas, both of her parents died in a rather suspicious accident. Being thoug

e that he didn't think it likely. They dran

pilots of my House, " Elena told him.

set the empty glass down on one of the coasters thrown randomly about on the coffee table. He

ooking towards. If you could keep that in mind as y

od and she followed suit, following

as well, " he said as the door slid open. "I will se

y, " she sai

Librarian's hall. Elena let the door slide closed and looked at the flash drive in h

she said to herself.