contracts with other races for the corporation. You can then finish filling the contracts you have outstanding and start opening new contracts with the various governments,” Jon said. “All we want is a fifty-one percent share in the corporation for the first two years of operation.”
“Even if I believe you had the resources to pull this off, and somehow I think you just might,” Jao’uos said as he stood up and walked around his desk. “You’re asking me to hand over my corporation for two years to someone I don’t know and have only read about in vague reports. You’re asking my corporation to commit treason against the Eutharan Government by import and export, which is strictly forbidden. Yet at the same time I'll fill all my outstanding contracts to the government I’m committing treason against.”
“If you put it that way, yeah, I am,” Jon said. “Though, I don’t think it will be so complicated in the coming days.”
“Why would you think that anything is going to change in the next couple days?” Jao’uos said.
“Let’s just say I have the attention of the King and your government right now,” Jon said.
“Oh, you do, do you?” Jao’uos said.
“Yeah, it’s one thing I do really well,” Jon said. “I have this habit of getting people’s attention.”
“That I believe,” Jao’uos said as he laughed.
“Look, even if things don’t change, the ADF, as the controlling entity of your corporation can still fill the contracts on your behalf,” Jon said. “We don’t fall under any restrictions the Eutharan Government has in place. As such, if, in two years, things haven’t changed, we can retain control until they do change.”
“Do you have plans for every situation?” Jao’uos said.
“I like to think outside the box,” Jon said as he winked.
“I can see that,” Jao’uos said. “Think a way out of this one. Technically you will still be held under Eutharan law as the installations are in Eutharan space. How are you going to get around that?”
“I’ve done my homework,” Jon said. “Eutharan law only governs the home planet and the space that comprises the Eutharan system. The planets and moons are not governed by the same rules or laws. According to Eutharan Law, installations on a planet or moon are only governed by the laws of the owning race. These laws were lax so that it would encourage outside development and help the Eutharan economy. If the ADF owns fifty-one percent of your corporation, then our laws will govern those installations.”
“So you have,” Jao’uos said. “This will cause a lot of problems for me here on Euthara with the government. Nothing I can’t deal with though, as I still have some clout in those circles.”
“If it causes you too many problems the ADF will relocate you and your corporate headquarters,” Jon said.
“To Ghost Station?” Jao’uos said. “Actually, I might like to do that anyway. My family and the families of my staff might be better off there anyway.”
Jon liked this man, and it might benefit him to have Jao’uos close at hand. His little spy network might come in handy. Hell, he might even learn something from him. “Certainly,” Jon said not missing a beat.
Jao’uos slapped his hand down on his desk as he spoke, “I knew it! I wasn’t sure, but I had a feeling.”
“When would you like to leave?” Jon said.
“There will be time for that in a bit. What I want to know is, do you have any idea what it would take to get the installations back online and running?” Jao’uos said.
“I’m working on that now,” Jon said.
“You are?” Jao’uos said. “Never mind, I’m not surprised actually. You have a bit of clout around here, and I can tell that just by the information you have.”
“You control all the stock in your Corporation,” Jon said. “Am I right?”
“Of course, every stockholder I had sold them off when the collapse happened. By our laws I had to buy them back when they
Robert & Lustbader Ludlum