Project - Prometheus Ch. 25

"Those are Doothalians. They hail from a high gravity world where they initially evolved. They have a small but stable piece of the galaxy and are more business and service oriented. They're not much for conflict or expanding their influence, but more about being part of the galaxy as it is over trying to control matters. They are shrewd business practitioners but are always fair in their dealings," Inari informed Alex as they neared the storefront.

"Ah, welcome humans to Nachal'Derm Mining company!" one man greeted as he ambled over. "My name is Rahldan. How may I assist you on this fine day?"

"Well, as it turns out, you are one of the few companies here that offer the materials we are searching for," Inari told him.

"Ah! Did you have a general idea of what you needed or are you looking for something specific?" he rumbled, his deep voice booming in delight.

"Pree, you have the list from Nats?" Inari queried.

"I do! We need at least two hundred and fifty kilos of refined thorium, one hundred kilos of samarium...," Priya started listing off the items they needed. The Doothalian listened intently, his smile becoming wider with each material listed. It only fell when the last material was stated, and he huffed in discomfort.

"Unfortunately, Trinium is something which we have precious little of. The amount you are asking for is the amount we do not possess to sell," the man replied.

"How much of it do you have for sale?" Alex wondered.

"Approximately sixty-six percent of what you require, as much of the Trinium we do find is set aside to fill our orders," the Doothalian informed them.

"I see. Is there a way to set aside anything that is mined to fill our order?" Inari queried.

"Well, that would depend on who exactly your financial backer is, as I know that few people have the money to spend to acquire such materials in the amounts you are asking," Rahldan hummed.

"What if we were to pay you sixty percent up front, with the other forty percent handed over upon delivery of the materials?" Alex asked.

"That... would be convincing enough to set aside what you need," the man replied, the promise of credits up front convincing him. "With everything you need, the price of it would be... just under seven million credits."

"Isn't that a little steep?" Inari wondered.

"It is because we take great care to ensure that metals and materials we sell are of the highest quality and purity. That way, they may be used for whatever applications you see fit, without needing to worry about flaws or impurities in your materials," the man stated.

"How exactly do you manage to extract the minerals and refine them to such levels? I thought such processes were nearly impossible," Alex questioned.

"I apologize, but such processes are company secrets, and I am not at liberty to discuss how we do so. What I can say is that we follow the guidelines that the UCW has given us to extract the materials, without damaging the environment. We are one of the few companies who are capable of managing such processes," Rahldan stated pridefully.

"I would also assume that means that your employees are well paid?" Priya asked.

"In order to operate here on Veldhern, our techniques, as well as employee satisfaction, must take the highest priority. It's the only way we are allowed to operate here on Veldhern. The scrutiny keeps those who would suck their employees dry away from here," the man explained.

"Well, that is heartening to know!" Inari chuckled.

"Might I ask why you need to purchase so much material?"

"Well, when the Federation hands you a lucrative delivery contract to deliver these materials with no questions asked, you do as they say. Especially since tensions with Confeds are at an all-time high," Inari half lied.

The lie was that they had a contract with the Federation, which they didn't. Being a former soldier in the Federation, Inari knew that sometimes they needed things done outside of the normal channels. So, freelancers were often brought in, given cash, and were told to deliver the goods to specific places and times. With the Confederation spying and trying to gain any advantage over them, they sorely needed outside sources.

"Oh! I see!" Rahldan murmured, humming to himself. "Well, in that case, I think we can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement for all parties involved. I might be able to work in a discount for these goods."

"That would be much appreciated! Thank you!" Alex told him with a smile.

"My people have always had honest and good dealings with the Human Federation. They are one of the few human centric groups that deal honestly with us and that is something we wish to see continue," the Doothalian told them.

"We are thankful for your generosity in this matter. We would be especially grateful for your discretion," Inari told him quietly.

"Of course," he nodded, beckoning them to a terminal where they could carry out the transaction. He entered the materials they required into the kiosk and tallied up the total price.

"To whom are these materials being made out to and to which ship are they being delivered?" Rahldan asked.

"Inari Sunara is my name. My vessel is the Darkstrider, berthed in docking bay thirty-one," she told him.

"Merchant credentials, please?"

Inari handed him her papers, and he went over them, nodding after checking them over. He then finalized the sale of the materials and processed everything in the system.

"Captain Sunara, your credstick please?" he asked, holding out his hand. Inari handed him the credstick, which she had loaded with ten million, and he slotted it into the kiosk. The credits wound down until it was at six point one million before it stopped. He then removed the credstick and handed it back to Inari.

"We have deducted the initial fee of sixty percent from your credstick and will have the metals ready in a few days," Rahldan informed them.

"It will take that long?" Alex asked.

"Sadly, we have just a little over sixty percent of the materials you requested in stock. We will be replenishing said stock in four days, so if you are comfortable waiting, we will have the full order ready for you by then," the Doothalian informed them.

"Well, we're not in any real hurry, are we?" Priya asked her girlfriend.

"We will still have time to make our delivery if we wait. Besides, didn't you say you were up for taking some R&R while we were here?" Alex asked Inari, playing along with her story.

"Yeah, we might as well. It's not everyday we get a contract that sends us here, smack in the middle of paradise," Inari agreed, going along with it.

After being handed their receipt and delivery slip, the trio left the storefront and headed off to the main concourse. Inari was at a bit of a loss on what to do, now that their business was concluded. She gave Priya a sidelong glance which her lover returned while quirking an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I just... don't know what to do with myself right now!" Inari admitted.

"Well, it's like you said. It's not every day that we find ourselves in paradise, so we should enjoy ourselves," Alex reminded her.

"I know, but I just... never expected this," Inari mumbled.

"I think I know what we could do while we wait, at least to start," Priya giggled.

"What?"

"They supposedly have some amazing spa therapy here! Why don't we see about getting ourselves a massage to start?" Priya suggested.

"That's... not a bad idea!" Inari nodded.

"Maybe I'll come with and see if they have anyone that help me out. Lord knows that what Nats and Kas do to me, I could use a little R&R myself," Alex chuckled.

"So could I," Priya snickered while Inari fired her a dirty look.

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Korsa and Natalya were busy browsing the various storefronts for medical supplies. Kasumi trundled along behind them, amazed at the various advancements in medical tech. Being from a time when there were still diseases and sicknesses that still had no cure, the woman stared at everything in wide-eyed wonder. Korsa often had to call Kasumi's name out to get her attention.

"It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" Natalya asked her friend and lover.

"Yeah! I mean, all of this advanced tech and it's all available to everyone?!?" Kasumi wondered.

"Well, this stuff is mainly for those who can afford it. But this place offers the best of what the galaxy has, so I can't really fault these people from wanting to make a profit from it," Natalya told her.

"And we can? Afford it?" Kasumi breathed.

"Check your credstick Kas. Whatever is there is for you to spend on whatever you like," Korsa told her with a grin.

Kasumi looked back down at her credstick and still gaped at having that much money. Though her parents hadn't been lacking for anything when she was growing up, having this much money was a luxury! She snapped her head back up and glanced around, looking at everything, until something caught her eye. She then moved, as though she was being pulled to it by an invisible rope.

"What is it, Kas? See something you want?" Natalya wondered.

"Yeah! It's something that you have too!" Kasumi replied, pointing.

The storefront she had stopped at was a high level clinic, specializing in body enhancements. Though Kasumi was at the peak of her physical condition, she still felt like she was lagging in some ways. The clinic offered a variety of enhancements, from faster reflexes, augmented muscle tissue, heavier skin weave and so on. There was also the one thing that she didn't have that Natalya did: an Aphrodite implant.

"Ah! So that's what you want, eh?" Natalya giggled.

"Karonis Medical Sciences. Among the best and one of the more trustworthy companies with medical tech and enhancements," Korsa murmured, approving of Kasumi's choice.

"A lot of choices to make! So many that I can't make up my mind! Well, except for the obvious one," Kasumi blushed.

"Why don't we go in and you can have a look around?" Natalya suggested.

"I'm not sure I have enough credits for some things I'm thinking about getting!" Kasumi breathed.

"I can fix that," Korsa told her.

She then pulled out her credstick and entered a sequence into it, before tapping it on Kasumi's stick. Credits then flowed from Korsa's stick to Kasumi's, in the number of an additional two-hundred and fifty thousand. The redhead's jaw fell open at the amount that was now displayed on her credstick. Korsa repeated the process for Natalya, giving her the same amount.

"I know you've been wanting the enhancement for greater lung capacity and stamina. Now you are more than able to afford it!" Korsa grinned. "Oh, and see about getting your implant either updated or replaced. Some of those newer models look like they have fewer glitches."

"I might just do that mama. What are you going to do?" Natalya asked.

"Browse around and see about any new tech they have. We also need to stock up on some Khontaran medgel. Our supply is low and there are some other toys that we don't have that we could use," Korsa smiled. Natalya couldn't help but chuckle at her adoptive mother. The woman was like a kid at Christmas, and she had every reason to be.

"All right! Go and have fun, mama! Don't forget to rent a shopping drone!" Natalya stated, shooing her away. As the Khontaran woman left to browse the other stores, Natalya turned back to Kasumi and smirked.

"You really want to feel him unload into you without timing it, don't you?" the ebon-skinned woman breathed into her ear.

"Yes. I also like the fact that getting pregnant is now a choice, rather than something that is happenstance," Kasumi whispered back.

"Well, let's see about you going under the knife," Natalya stated, threading her arm in Kasumi's. The redhead let herself be led into the store, where a woman, not much older than they were and wearing the attire of a doctor, ambled up to them.

"Welcome to Karonis Medical Sciences! My name is Dr. Lilliana Vesper! How may I assist you today?" the leggy brunette woman asked in a cheery voice.

"Hello Dr. Vesper! We are both in need of some of the services you offer," Natalya replied.

"What exactly were you looking for?" the doctor wondered.

"I am interested in getting myself an Aphrodite implant! I am also curious if getting said implant would affect any other modifications I am interested in," Kasumi told her.

"I hear that question a lot!" the doctor laughed. "No, the Aphrodite implants we manufacture will not interfere with any and every genemod we craft for you. We tailor each mod for each individual, so they work together in synchronicity, rather than against each other. Especially for women who have opted for an Aphrodite implant."

"That's good to hear! What about updates to current implants? I went under the knife more than a decade ago for my current implant, and it's been a while since I had it updated," Natalya piped up, getting the doctor's attention.

"What version of the implant do you have?" Lilliana queried.

"It is a Mark Three, Embrace model," Natalya informed the doctor.

"Unfortunately, we stopped making updates for the Mark Three a few years ago. We now consider them obsolete but they should still work as intended. Have you had any problems with it?" Dr. Vesper asked.

"None that I am aware of. I'm guessing that an upgrade is in order then?" Natalya asked.

"Yes. Our most recent model is the Mark Six, Goddess model," the doctor told the women. "Given the fact that you still have a Mark Three within you and for such a long time, that makes you eligible for a free upgrade!"

"Wow! Really?" Natalya wondered, taken aback by the offer.

"Absolutely!" the doctor told her with a genuine smile.

"How long would it take to do the procedure?" Kasumi asked.

"Oh, not long at all! Fifteen minutes and you'll be all set up! However, we do discourage any sexual activity for at least twenty-four hours. The implant needs at least that long to adapt to your body's bio signature and rhythm. After that, you are good to go!" the doctor told them.

"Well, the procedure has evolved from the half hour long surgery it used to be," Natalya commented.

"Better technology and scanning equipment, which allows us to do surgeries at a much quicker and precise pace," the doctor told them.

"So, I am curious about some of the muscle and bone weave enhancements. How do they work?" Kasumi wondered, her interest in the mods obvious.

"Well, how it works is a little complex, so I'll try to break it down for you. It starts with nano stimulant injections along the major muscle groups...." the doctor started.

Kasumi and Natalya hung on every word, understanding what the physician was telling them. Everything made sense to Natalya, having received a great deal of medical training from Korsa. The women nodded and made their mod choices, making certain it was what they wanted. Both women had some ideas about how they would put them to use, both inside and outside the bedroom.

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The Artucian, along with Shazza and Taal'ani, were busy taking in the touristy bit of Veldhern station. They had learned much about the planet from the tour guide and its reconstruction efforts. The crew were eager for the station tour to come to its end. Mainly because at the end of the tour, for those who could afford it, a shuttle would be going to the planet's surface for the day.

On the surface, a small villa had been set up, catering to the tourists, along with all other sorts of amenities. There was a small restaurant which served all kinds of food, along with a souvenir shop, along with many other things they sold on the surface. The cost of the ticket came with a VIP package, which included dinner, drinks, beach time and a spa treatment for those who wished it.

The Artucian weren't the only ones eager to go, as both Taal'ani and Shazza wanted to go too. For Shazza, it was something she had never experienced, but was eager to do. She paid attention for when the tour guide announced that the tour was over. When the announcement came, the five of them got their credsticks ready, as everyone who was interested in going were directed to the gate where the shuttle was waiting.

Pretty much everyone who was on the tour was able to pay a minimum fee of three thousand credits for the day. The only exception being a small family of humans, a muscular black man, his blonde wife and their mixed little girl, who looked like she was maybe seven years old. The father was on his knee in front of his daughter, explaining why they couldn't go.

"Why can't we go daddy?" she asked, pouting a little.

"We can't afford to go, Maisie. I know this is our vacation, but even coming here for a few days was a lot. We can still see Veldhern from the station though and that's something few people can say they've seen," he told her, trying to buoy her spirits.

"OK, daddy. Maybe next time?" she asked hopefully.

"We'll see, baby girl," he said, drawing his daughter in for a hug.

Seeing this tugged at Shazza's heart as she knew about the level of lack the little girl was experiencing. Having known nothing but lack and having to fight for things her whole life, she knew what it was like. She came to a decision and approached the guide, who was waiting on her as nearly everyone was on board.

"Excuse me, I'm wondering if it would be possible to pay for their fare down to Veldhern's surface," Shazza asked quietly as she paid her fee for a full fare.

"It is possible. The base fare of three thousand, or the full fare of four thousand?" the guide asked, typing up the fee on her datapad.

"The full fare. I would also like to place ten thousand credits in spending cash on a voucher for them, so they can make it a memorable experience for their daughter," Shazza told her, as she also tipped the woman one thousand credits.

"Yes, ma'am!" the guide responded enthusiastically as she registered the purchase and voucher of credits. "Excuse me? Ma'am? Sir?"

The young family turned as the guide jogged up to catch them. Shazza watched their faces go from confusion to delight as they were told of what just happened. The husband spoke to the guide, and she gestured towards Shazza. The couple stared at her with thanks on their faces and Shazza smiled, nodding to them as she walked into the gate. She boarded the shuttle and found her friends, taking her seat with them.

"What took you so long?" Luminia wondered.

"Just doing something for someone, that's all," Shazza replied cryptically.

Not even a minute later, the family boarded the shuttle, with their tickets and voucher in hand. They quickly found their seats and buckled in, as the shuttle was ready to go. Taal'ani stared at the family for a moment, before casting her gaze at Shazza. The Xuul'khani woman shrugged and smiled, which left the cat girl grinning.

A few minutes later, the shuttle was sealed, separated from the dock and was on its way down planetside. Everyone aboard was giddy with excitement, eager to experience everything that Veldhern offered. The young family themselves were especially excited, none of them having experienced something so exotic. Shazza and the Artucian were eager to get down there and enjoy their time relaxing.

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The spiritual leader of the Ooantahl was deep in meditation, when he sensed something in his mind. It was something... powerful and... he didn't know what to make of it, as its energy was muddled. But he knew that it was something that he had to speak of to the clan leader about right away. He opened his eyes and stretched his wings and arms, as he'd been sitting in that position for hours.

He turned this way and that, getting the kinks out of his limbs as he smoothed his brown plumage. His people were more avian than humanoid, having talons and claws for feet and massive wings built into their arms. Because their plumage covered every part of their bodies, they had no real need for clothing. Their legs were powerful, allowing them to carry heavy burdens for long periods of flight, and eyes sharper than an eagle's.