Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (red queen free ebook txt) 📗

topic that had already become ‘tired’. She leaned in close so she could reply quietly, “Shh! Ask questions like that too loudly an’ you’ll start them up all over again!” She jerked her head back and to the side to indicate the other customers. She continued in the same hushed voice, “It’s all they talked about for three hours after lunch. I had’a threathen ta stop servin’ ‘less they talked ‘bout sumthin’ else. Owner tol’ me anuther stunt like that an’ he’ll fire me!” Rukle smiled, “Then tell us, or I’ll ask again, real loud.” The waitresses knew she was being blackmailed and her expression of defeat told the rest of the story, “Awright. This mornin’ there was all nature of activity on that pier. Shoutin’ of orders an’ all. Sailors boardin’ that ship, an’ the two others near it. Looked like they was goin’ to war or the like. This went on fer less’n an hour. Then they jes’ cast off, no shoutin’, no big show, nuthin’. Then, when they got ta the middle a’ the bay, they lowered the flags along wi’ a bunch a’ the sails too, turned ‘round an’ came straight back. A bunch’a workers was already on the pier a’waitin’ fer ‘em and tied ‘em up quicker’n ye could tell about it. That’s it.” Rukle grinned and winked at Cooper, “That’s it?” The waitress set her tray on their table and placed her hands on her hips, and replied in a tone of finality, “That’s it. These layabouts spent the next three hours guess’n and arguin’ ‘bout why they turned round. Do as you will, I’m done talkin’ ‘bout it.” She picked up her tray and left them. Rukle’s eyes were dancing with amusement. He leaned back and took in a large breath in preparation to speak to the room. Cooper stopped him, “Don’t do it. We learned what we wanted, and there’s no need to bring attention to ourselves.” Rukle let out the lungful of air and prepared to reply. Cooper shook his head, “It might be funny, but she was helpful. Why torment her? Drink your beer. I’ve still got another stop to make.”

They finished their beers and stepped out onto the docks. In the darkness, at a glance, the Wharf City looked almost like a normal city, with lanterns glowing at most doorways; until you realized the lanterns were slightly raising, lowering, and rocking as the ships moved in response to the water beneath them. Mardon was sitting on the deck of his own ship, watching them approach. When they were close enough he bellowed, “Brought reinforcements? I thought our last meeting ended well enough, despite how it began.” The large man chuckled at his own jest. Rukle looked at Cooper for explanation. Cooper just shook his head and waved him off. They boarded the First’s ship and spoke in conversational tones. Mardon was the first to speak, “Before you ask, yes, we did that task you requested. We were a little worried, initially, but it seemed like eyes were everywhere except on my people.” Cooper nodded with satisfaction, “It might not be necessary, but we won’t know that until after. Once it’s all done, if what you’ve done hasn’t been discovered, go back and undo it.” Mardon’s eyebrows raised, “Undo it?! That might be next to impossible without being discovered!” Cooper’s shoulders sagged, “Alright. Afterward, I’ll come by. Lend me the tools, and I’ll undo it myself.” Mardon turned away grumbling, “Never mind… we’ll work it out.” Mardon turned back to face them, “Anything else?”

Cooper smiled, “There always is, isn’t there? There will be a ship arriving, might be tomorrow but certainly should be here in the next couple days. I want to have a meeting. My people, your people, all of them that have a stake in our plan anyway, and the crew of this ship. Since that ship will be a new arrival, and eyes will be on it, I’m asking you to host the meeting here. Nothing fancy, and certainly nothing ‘festive’.” Mardon nodded, “And if this ship doesn’t arrive in the next couple days?” Cooper shrugged, “We’ll wait five days. If they’re not here by then, we’ll still meet. Your people and mine. Except we’ll need double the number of your people.” Mardon squinted, “Then I can expect double the return?” Cooper considered a moment before answering, “The Guild will retain ownership of one vessel; you pick which one. The Guild will place a purser on that ship, the rest of the crew will be your people. Fair enough?”

Mardon sat down on a stool to think, “Ownership means you’ll keep owner shares, am I right?” Cooper nodded, but replied, “But, we won’t dictate routes, cargo, or crew selection. Only the purser, to look out of our interests. And it’ll save you from providing someone to tally the accounts.” Mardon didn’t appear pleased, “Don’t try to make that sound like you’re doing me a favor. Twice the people means twice the risk, but I’m getting a smaller return.” Cooper took a breath before he responded, “Actually, sir. It’s the same risk, except with double the people.” Mardon stood abruptly but Cooper cut off his response, “I understand what you mean, sir. You stand to lose double if everything fails. My point is that the risks don’t change.” Mardon shook his head, irritated with being corrected and interrupted, “It increases the risks of my involvement being discovered, in both the short term, and certainly in the long term, even if everything goes right. Have you considered that? Of course you haven’t.” The big man sat back down and lowered his voice, “Have you considered… just suppose one of the prisoners you release, just one, is discovered, captured, and made to confess. What do you suppose would happen? Our assistance could threaten the entire Wharf City community! Even if we take the time to segregate prisoners as we put them on ships, which would be impractical, Guild