Declan pressed the hollow and sent in his purchase order for the first three and he received a response to all three promptly, Meeting dates were set for the next day, and representatives were told to have all documents ready for the purchase.

  For the triple M however he had something else in mind, He sent a message to the contact info provided and it reads as follows:

  Declan watched as the message was sent and he stood, work done for the day. “This was to be my new norm huh, no more dropping into planets fighting, killing and all around surviving shitty days” He was still working out how to feel about it all “No use dwelling on it” the thought came and went as he pressed the elevators door signaling its ascent to his floor.

  He stepped in and in a short blink he was on the roof as he stepped out tension racked his body, and he felt eyes on him, but he kept walking at his steady pace as he approached his ride off the building the door slid open, and a Taurian sat in his seat in a black suit motionless.

  Declan looked down at that man and asked him a simple question “Can I help you” The Taurians head slowly turned giving Declan an eye full of one and a Half horns, one of the man’s horns rose from his head and bent around reaching for his left ear and bent upward to the sky, the other was shaven down to a solid stump.

  “Get in Vanyork” the man responded but Declan made no attempt to move he lifted his head and eyed men both to the left and right of himself trying and failing at hiding. He knew Delacroix was monitoring him so; if he didn’t find it necessary to give him a forewarning then this might not be a viable threat. A deep sigh left him, and he step in and sat next to the man, and the doors shut. “Boom, Boom; Take off” the Taurian shouted but no response came, and the hover car did not move an inch.

  Declan looked at him with a quizzical look and in turn, so did the man look at him, the man pulled out what seemed to be a data pad of his own but was slightly taken aback “What did you do Vanyork, why can’t I reach outside to my men” rage seemed to bloom in the man’s tone.

  Declan paid the man not one once of attention, but he spoke out loud “Delacroix is everything under control here” For a moment no response came but faithfully came the Drakorians response “Yes young lord all is well” Declan looked over to his unwanted guess and shrugged.

  So, he repeated his first question again.

  “Can I help you with something” The Taurian lifted a fist and cocked it back but before he could let it fly the barrel of Declan’s Mazza Pistol touched the stub of the Taurians shaven horn. “Calm yourself or I will open up your skull for the world to see” The arm came down slowly as the man's eyes locked onto the pistol. “Let's start over then since it seems you know my name; Give me yours.”

  The Taurian nodded slowly fearful of setting off the gun currently pressed to his horn. “Feodan” he stammered out and Declan nodded at that “Ok Feodan what brought you and your boys to my building and into my car no less” Feodan backed away slightly inching away from the gun and Declan allowed it “Well you see this building has been sitting in the Osaca territory and hadn’t had visitors for a while so the whole neighborhood below was… Curious as to why the lights and such were on and who was home, I didn’t want any surprises lurking in my backyard or my bosses might have killed me if something like that were to happen; so color me surprised when it turned out to be the Vanyork where everyone’s been talking about on the net, I thought the reported you dead!”.

  Declan nodded at that it sounded plausible but still “Why are you in my car” he asked pointedly aiming the gun directly center of his head “Truth I was hoping to lean on you for some credits, It’s not every day you get to be so close to one of the High families and a Vanyork; My gran use to keep that name in high regard but well you know... but still I was hoping to get lucky” Declan ruminated on that for a moment “An honest criminal huh” Feodan raised both hands as if the words hurt, Declan lowered his pistol but it still remains trained on the Taurian “Tell you what; Feodan the Honest Criminal we can work something out but it’s going to be done with an appointment next time so give me a week and come back and this time come through the front door below, Copy?”

  The taurian hurriedly nodded his head in agreement “Let him out Delacroix and set his men free” No response came but the door on Feodan's side slid open and the brute began to lumber out “Ohh and Feodan if you don’t show up in a week’s time, I’ll come looking for you, you understand me?” Feodan nodded as he stepped back, and the hover doors slid close as Declan holstered his pistol with a draining sigh...

  …

  The craft engaged its jets and lifted off into the skies of Drilla, “Young lord I know this a useless question but are you okay” Delacroix’s gruff voice came over the craft’s speakers, Declan sighed and spoke “I’ll be okay with some food and rest but if you're asking if I'm hurt then. The answer is no I’m fine on that front, thank you Delacroix for your watchful eyes” There was a pause and the “Always” as the line cut. Declan pulled his pad out and found Rieh Renalya's contact.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Hello who is this” Her aged voice came through the connection and that brought Declan a slight chuckle “She’s old” it proved his theory that she was one of the older Caelians. “Apologies ma’am for such a late call, It’s Declan Vanyork.”

  “Declan… Ohh Mr. Vanyork, sorry, sorry how can I help you at such an hour” Rieh replied, and Declan wasted no time with a response “I would like a bank representative tomorrow morning I intend to purchase a few companies and I would like the banks rep to be in attendance to smooth the transaction, would be capable of sending a competent rep over to my building.”

  “Declan… You know you can do all of that digitally” Rieh didn’t mean for her tone to sound so condescending, but she couldn’t help it. Declan ignored it and continued “As much as I would like it to be a contactless transaction it’s not for me it’s for sellers, It seems the notion that a Vanyork on Gliese is a broke and creditless man, I wonder where they got such a thought”. Rieh didn’t hesitate with her reply “I will have one of my best sent over, you don’t have to worry; Have a great night”. She cut the line which left the craft in silence, Declan shook his head at that.

  As the craft crossed the threshold of the estate grounds a calm washed over Declan’s body, a breath he hadn’t known he was holding flowed away, and tension in his shoulders left him cleanly. In moments he was out and up into the main building of the estate.

  Quiet greeted him; the lights were on but no voice and movements no work either, He found that the guards were in their regular post but other than them no one was about the place. He found his feet had carried him to Nora’s room and he found her there fast asleep “slept the whole day way; Huh” that brought a smile to his face a true one as he closed her door gently. He was back on the hunt for the second one and what surprised him was he found Conner outside by a tree sitting gazing at the distant sky, He slipped up and sat down trying not to startle the boy too much.

  “Whatcha searching for Conner” The boy didn’t much move at that question he just stared at the sky with a distant look in his eyes, Declan peered around his brother looking into his eyes. He had seen this many times when frustration turns to Anger a man enters that place where the hurt is all they want to visit upon the world. Declan scooped the poor boy up in both arms and marched him back to the estate.

  “Brother, why am I so weak, I couldn’t protect sis Nora when she needed me” Conner suddenly spoke as Declan passed the doors, this, however, took him aback he chose not to respond to that until he was at the top of the stair “Conner weakness is a small thing, in the face of fear you tried, I don’t think you weak, I think you're just not ready yet, Would you like to be strong,” Conner said nothing as Declan pushed the door in and headed for the boy's bed.

  “Yes, I would like to be strong; strong enough to protect you and sister Nora”. The young boy drifted off to sleep and Declan nodded his head at those words “So be it, baby brother, just don’t hate me for my choices in allowing you to be so” Declan thought to himself as he headed out the door and down to his room.

  …

  Delacroix met him in the hall however and waved him onto the office, as they entered Declan found a seat and Delacroix found one across from him. “Young lord” Declan held up a hand and stopped him “Give me a moment Delacroix” He closed his eyes and let out a breath “It seems becoming a parent and a caring one at that was more taxing than he had anticipated.

  “Go ahead Delacroix” The Drakorian pulled his pad up and began his report “They are from a local syndicate called the Void Lotus, the man you encountered is Feodan Yanosh he controls the Osaca Territory which falls under the Void Lotus Syndicate they tend to specialize in illegal gambling and organized fights. They run underground casinos, betting rings, and fight clubs where participants wager on both human and alien combatants”.

  “Hmm, how high would you say their threat level would be” Delacroix took a moment to think about it and responded with “Compared to other Cartels, Triads and Gangs they fall in the low to middle rank, but they do have the potential to be a hindrance.”

  “I have a plan I will handle them, thank you, Delacroix, I need you to book me a trip to the Ferriday System, I’m heading to Ferriday for an Auction this will be after the interviews so be prepared for my absence” Declan rose to his feet and head to bed as the night came to a somber mood.

  …

  Chancellor Veridian Darkrune, is a captivating figure with a unique heritage, hailing from a lineage that combines the blood of Drakorians and Humans, With his distinct mixed heritage, Chancellor Veridian possesses a captivating physical presence that seamlessly merges the refined elegance of the Drakorians with the resilience and dynamism of Humans. His piercing gaze, adorned with golden irises, reflects an unwavering determination and a mind brimming with unexplored possibilities.

  As the esteemed Chancellor of Drilaten stood gazing out at his lovely city with a sense of pride, “Sir” the soft tone of a female pulled his attention away from the view. “Yes Ryco” He turned his head gazing over his shoulder at her. Sinai Ryco was a human woman and the close aide to Veridian Darkrune, she stepped forward and handed the man a transparent pad.

  He took it and gazed at the flowing data and with a scuff handed it back to its owner. “Was it easy getting into their security” He questioned, and she nodded “They have truly fallen far, another dust mite to his ever-growing planet and system. “Pay them no mind after today, How are the Academies graduates fairing”, Ryco straightened her back and began her report “Of the 100 graduates of class 628 of the N.G.T, a total of 15 of them have been elevated to that status of a squire to a few of the orders in the city and 2 of them have been accepted as a confederate inquisitor and is scheduled to ship out promptly, The rest have been gearing up to join different sectors”.

  “Acceptable” Veridian nodded and waved his hand dismissing his aid.