Feodan sat in his makeshift office the same office he’d been appointed to for the last three years, as a Taurian he had many choices compared to others. Drilaten gave him opportunities and being born on its soil just amplified that, He had made one wrong choice and his life took a worse turn.

  The inquisitor that had caught him refused to see reason when he tried to explain and still booked him, “I was but a pup back then”, he lamented as he sank deeper into his chair. The comm on his desk rang and he calmed his stagnant mind “How did it go Yanosh” The voice asked and Feodan didn’t keep him waiting for an answer “It was a High Family, I’ve extended the olive branch and I’m waiting on them to make their choice”.

  There was a long pause before a response came “Do not let up, we don’t want any surprises; Do you understand?”. Feodan subconsciously nodded his head although no one could see him, but he caught himself “Understood” he replied as the line got cut. Feodan leaned back and observed the room, it was dingy and dark if he had sun augments to compliment his natural born strength, he could have risen higher.

  “Fucking Void Lotus” his tone laced with resentment and hate, he was tired of being stationed in the back and wanted more from this life.

  …

  Rieh sat across from her colleague Kent as he narrated the events of yesterday, the whole thing seemed detached to Kent and he described Declan as “Cold and a bit unfeeling” but Rieh thought that was typical of a High born and Lord of his family, they weren’t known to be warm and cuddly individuals.

  “He bought all three of those companies without batting an eye, each of them seemed to be on their last legs and need cash fast, I don’t understand why he is basically eating scraps if he had the money to get a whole meal”. Kent ended with that as a look of exasperation spread over his features when he finished his rant to Rieh.

  Just like she had done many times before she smiled and gave him a reassuring smile, “It is neither our job nor our business to question his actions as G.D Bankers we are to protect the what we are given charges of”. Kent found himself and calmed down “Yes boss” he rose to his feet and slipped out of her office.

  …

  Conner and Nora sat together as they were locked into discussion while Delacroix sat across from them waiting. “Are you sure Conner even though Big Brother left these as selections for you are you sure this is what you want”, She questioned him with concern dripping from her tone. Conner paid her no mind as his eyes locked onto the images that cycled through the hollow.

  “Sentinel Order” softly whispered and that caught the attention of both people present, Nora shook her head they had been at this for a good while now, but Conner wouldn’t budge. Delacroix sighed audible and both siblings looked at him, “The young lord knew you would pick this, but I had hoped you wouldn’t, I had tried to get as many of the schools mixed in, but He said you would choose the order; but what I don’t understand is why”, He questioned.

  Conner smiled at that the feeling of knowing his brother knew took a burden off his shoulders; he glanced at Delacroix and said his peace “It’s not for me” and that was all. Nora could only shake her head at her brother’s stupidity, The order was one of three military schools on the continent, and it was one where at the end of the cadet’s graduation they could choose to go to the military fully or into other sectors while retaining any augmentation gifted to them while enrolled.

  Delacroix made no comment on the young one’s reason instead he continued “Young miss, your choice” Nora stared at the hollow and swipe away while a bored face she just didn’t see any of them as interesting. “I’ll go with that Dusk one, that’s the only one that piqued my interest”. Delacroix nodded at that and stood he began sending over the necessary details for enrolling the siblings into their respective schools, For the young master Conner her will be living on the Academies campus for the next 5 years.

  …

  Declan rose from a restless night of sleep on his 5th day of being on Gliese and dressed and headed for his office like he had done the previous days. As the elevator doors slide open, he was greeted by noise, Of the 50 people he interviewed he ended up hiring only ten, and as he gazed around the open floor office.

  He saw all 10 newly employed managers scurrying around the room with data pads and hollows flashing with information, he slid to the side of the elevator and stood there and observed them all. He pulled his pad up and began reviewing their collective information.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  They were all a stacked deck, each individually sharp in their field and wanting more for their lives. Declan looked up and spied Amelia his new Human Resource Manager running back and forth from the conference room to each of the individual manager's desks, they were preparing for the opening interviews, and by the looks of it they were keeping their heads above water “Barely but that is to be expected, He had sent the memo to them shortly after he had sent their acceptance letters.

  He turn and head back into the waiting elevator, motioning for his office on the tenth floor, as he stepped off into the hall a comm connected “Sir, according to your schedule you are leaving in 10 mins, but I have someone down here claiming they have a meeting with you” The voice of Alex Petrov came through, “Who are they claiming to be Mr. Petrov” Declan asked as he crossed the threshold of his office.

  “Mavis something sir” Petrov resounded and that caused Declan to pause, “Send them up I’m heading to the Hanger pad I’ll meet them on top... Ohh, and next time Mr. Petrov get their full name”, The drakorian wasted no time replying back to his new boss sharply "YES SIR" he damn near shouted, Declan cut the line and grab his things and headed back towards the elevator, He pulled up his pad and found Delacroix’s contact.

  “Uncle Del, I’m heading off now keep an eye out for the kids and a thorough eye on the Business, I'll be gone for about a week hopefully I return with some proper help to take the load off, you’ve done enough and I’m grateful”. There was a pregnant pause and “Boy make sure you come back safe” The line cut at that.

  He stepped into the elevator and in moments it brought him to the roof, as he stepped out, he was greeted by a young female with what seemed to be an amputated arm and a mechanical prosthetic. Declan eyed her as he walked out and stood right in front of her.

  “I’m guessing you’re a Mavis, What’s your name?” Declan eyed the woman as he looked down at her, she stepped back slightly startled.

  “Yes... Yes, I am, It’s Natalie” she bowed her head slightly. Declan stepped passed her bowing form and headed for his waiting car, “Your time limit was up 2 hours ago Mavis, what are you doing here” Declan asked, and the young woman began to profusely apologize.

  Declan's voice was firm as he delivered the ultimatum to Natalie Mavis,

  "I have neither the time nor the patience, Ms. Mavis," Declan said, his gaze unwavering. "So, here's the deal: Either get in”. He pointed to the hover car a few feet away and “Tell me which one of your family members had the audacity to value your business at one full Galactic credit, or these doors close and my craft lifts off. In that case, you will have to return empty-handed."

  Natalie Mavis's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and realization crossing her face. She understood the gravity of the situation, aware that her family's business was in dire straits. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating her options.

  "You may think you hold all the cards, Vanyork," she replied, her voice tinged with defiance. "But I assure you, my family's business is worth far more than what was offered. I won't be swayed by any threats."

  Declan smile “Look at you putting up a fight, it must be in your blood,” he thought to himself as he leaned in closer, his tone lowering but the intensity in his eyes growing. "You underestimate the weight of the decision you're about to make, Ms. Mavis. The opportunity I'm offering you is a lifeline—a chance to salvage what you can and secure a future for your family's legacy."

  Natalie faltered, the realization sinking in. The desperation in her eyes betrayed her bravado. She knew she had to make a choice, and time was running out.

  "Fine," she finally conceded, her voice laced with resignation. "I'll tell you who undervalued our business. But remember, this is not an act of surrender. We will rebuild and come back stronger."

  Declan nodded, acknowledging her decision.

  "That's all I ask, Ms. Mavis. Trust me when I say that Vanhaven Industries can offer you more than you can imagine. Let's not waste any more time."

  With that, they both stepped into the craft, the doors closing behind them. The engines hummed to life as the craft began to lift off.

  …

  “Dear it seems my relatives are back on the planet; I had heard about the fool dying of some cause but paid it no mind” A woman in elegant garments lounged in a body chair sipping on a sparking drink. She stared at the back of her husband who was gazing intently at a hollow as he stood at the window overlooking a part of the city.

  “Will you be reaching out to them” his tone was flat and dismissive “I have no need, what could they possibly do for us, they can’t even touch the soles of our children’s feet’. The man nodded and looked at his timekeeper watch “Speaking of our kids how are Fin and my princess Mell doing in their studies” The woman averted her eyes she didn’t want to broach the subject of her kids being sent off to a military school for so long, it was a pleasure to find out however that her husband had a contact on the academy premises which was notoriously had to get.

  “Melanie is excelling in her field my love, She’s top of her class at the moment and shining as she should”, She paused her continence screwing up in disgust “The boy, on the other hand, is lackluster at best” The air became still and the man's eyes shot to her “Regardless of what you think Merribel, He will be the one leading this new generation and this family someday; So be careful how you speak about him less you end up on the wrong side” Merribel sat up straight and dipped her head “Yes dear, I will do a better job in guiding them”.

  "Not if Mell takes it first" The thought came and she threw it away quickly before it could show on her face.