TUELLER: Tueller turns, “My associate just wonders, as friends, if we can ask what the Trirubidium was for?”
TUELLER: “As former inhabitants of Sol, we have a certain curiosity.”
STORY: “You may not.”
STORY: “Thank you for asking.”
JENNY: Jenny nods. “Thank you.”
TUELLER: “May I ask what, if anything, you may share with us if we are able to find the Trirubidium that Proog was unable to provide to you?”
STORY: “My gratitude.”
TUELLER: Tueller nods, “Thank you for your time, your grace. We must leave now; the authorities gave us only 10 minutes to discuss with you. Is there an easier way to reach you than talking our way through the police cordon outside, for our further conversations?”
STORY: The Antaam looks you up and down. “Why would you desire an easier way?”
JENNY: Jenny nods. Under her breath, understanding Thasht a little better, “Ohhhhh.”
TUELLER: Tueller nods, “Indeed, your Grace. Until the next time.”
Chapter 56
STORY: “Your business partner, Sergio Ndrangheta.”
STORY: “I need him.”
TUELLER: Tueller perks up.
TUELLER: “In what sense?”
STORY: “Intact.”
TUELLER: “In what sense intact?”
TUELLER: “He’s already missing a limb.”
STORY: She looks at you patronizingly.
STORY: “He is CJH section chief on the Ark. I can’t simply send A-Sec to pick him up. I need you to bring him to me.”
TUELLER: “I’m not trying to be difficult. I’m asking…do you need him compromised, or just standing in front of you?”
STORY: “He’s already compromised. I simply need him present.”
STORY: “Will you help me?”
TUELLER: “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know our help was ever in question on this.”
TUELLER: “Of course.”
STORY: He makes sure there’s enough space between you two and Millie before lowering his voice conspiratorially. “I want to talk about how you blew it with the doc.”
STORY: “How bad was it?”
ALEJO: Alejo sighs in answer. Then shrugs. “Complicated.”
STORY: Tux throws back his head and laughs. “What isn’t with you?”
ALEJO: “Yeah. I know.”
ALEJO: “I’m trying to reform.”
STORY: “So does that mean…” He points to her and himself, questioning.
SWEET: “He’s asking if you mind if he takes a shot at it, buddy.” Sweet says as he walks past them.
ALEJO: Alejo does a double take as he walks by. “Uhm. I mean. . .” he hesitates. “Sure,” he finally says, unconvincingly.
STORY: Tux tilts his head to you. “That doesn’t sound like enthusiastic consent, Soto.”
ALEJO: “I mean, she’s remarkable. You’re remarkable. So . . .” He swallows. “Makes sense.” He keeps his gaze forward.
STORY: Tux tries to make eye contact with Sweet.
STORY: Pointing between Alejo and Millie, mouthing, “WHAT HAPPENED HERE?”
SWEET: Sweet points at Alejo.
Chapter 55
TUELLER: “How’s your loyalty to the family after this?”
TUELLER: “The people who turned you into a mass murderer.”
STORY: He rubs his temples. “Don’t make me think about that right now, Tueller.”
TUELLER: “You think you need a short vacation before you go back to work, then?”
TUELLER: “Take some time off on the pleasure domes of Ishtar before you come back to the team that builds pink gas and parks asteroids above cities?”
STORY: He looks up at you, his face white. “What the fuck are you even talking about, Tueller?”
STORY: “This is _your fucking family.“_
TUELLER: “Only technically. They’ve disowned me and I them.”
STORY: “Not mine. I don’t call these fucking shots. I follow orders and get paid and some piece of shit higher up makes a decision that turns me into this.”
TUELLER: “So, you want to go back to following those orders.”
TUELLER: “Hope you don’t have to press the pink mist button again. After all, the pay is so good.”
STORY: “Don’t pretend like you haven’t gotten to where you are on their backs, Tueller. You may not be a Ya’Makasi now, but you were one long enough to benefit.”
STORY: “You were one long enough to kill for them.”
STORY: “And you goddamn knew as well as I did they’d do something like this.”
Chapter 52
STORY: She puts a hand on her hip, examining you, Tueller. “You look familiar.”
TUELLER: “Oh finally someone recognizes me!”
TUELLER: “Yes, Tueller, excommunicado of the Ya’Makasi, and fledgling businessman on the Ark, at your service.”
TUELLER: A more energetic bow.
STORY: She raises her chin a little. “Ya’Makasi is the name on the deed here, if I’m not mistaken.”
TUELLER: “Yeah, my former family has their noses in all sorts of shit like this.”
TUELLER: “Through CJH. You may also know Sergio N’drangheta, also formerly of the CJH.”
STORY: She scratches under her chin. “Well, I hope you’re as excommunicated as you say, because if you help me get out of here the first thing I’m going to do is make sure that company is dissolved and every member of your family is bankrupt.”
STORY: She regards you coolly, looking like she’s ready to be attacked.
TUELLER: “Excellent!”
TUELLER: “I hope to see Esinam’s face on the feeds when it happens!”