Tyrant. Scrapper. Part 5. Damantha Makarova

they returned to the rented mansion, Kayla kept quiet, seeing how tense Serena was. Laneth scolded the girl for speaking too much, and they both knew that Serena could reprimand her as well – the woman looked very dissatisfied by the girl’s behaviour. However, she was silent all the way back to the mansion.

      The men were still deep in their poker game – with Cipher, Pher and Taliesin joined in the fun, although playing a simpler kind of poker, being humans and not capable of withstanding punches of Veluthian men and a cyborg. Instead, the three were heavily drunk – as each time they stayed in game they received a hefty shot of alcohol instead of a punch.

      Laneth took Kayla to her room and stayed with her to have a serious talk, while Serena headed to cool off on the beach, sitting on one of the seats there.

      Only an hour passed before one of the helper bots flew up to the woman and reported that there was a visitor at the door asking for her. Serena scowled and went to see who it was, wondering if the setting sun would help make this interaction as brief as possible.

      But when she approached and opened the door, she saw a handsome, tall, muscular and intimidating-looking man with cybernetic eyes aimed at her. She already saw him once before – when Elijah approached them earlier in the Entertainment Centre, he was lingering behind the man. She studied his kind expression and the honey-blond short hair, and then lowered her gaze, noting his well-trained body.

      «Miss Serena, Mister Elijah Winchester is inviting you to a business meeting.» the man stepped aside, half-turning and gesturing to a hover vehicle waiting at the road.

      «Right now?» Serena frowned.

      «If you need to change, you can, but I would advise you not to make Mister Winchester wait.»

      Taking a deep breath, Serena realised that if she were to get rid of the man, she would need to do it face to face. Looking down at her simple trousers and cropped top, she sighed and shook her head:

      «Give me five minutes to change into something more appropriate.»

      «Of course.» the man replied with a polite smile.

      She closed the door and went to her room, where she had a couple of clothing options at the ready, including her usual Captain’s outfit that she kept there just because she was always ready to leave the place at any moment. It took her less than five minutes to get ready.

      But as she was passing her crew, who still played cards, Hunter noticed her attire and stopped her:

      «Is anything wrong?»

      «It’s fine. I have a… business meeting, I guess. A man was inquiring if we could take a job after our vacation.» Serena answered calmly. «It won’t take long, don’t worry.»

      «Do you want any of us to come with you?» Lindon asked, seeing how tense the woman was.

      «Nah, enjoy your evening. I’ll be back soon.»

      She walked off, leaving them a little puzzled to her composure.

      When she walked out of the mansion, she noted the man bowing slightly, his eyes sliding down her body, and gesturing to the vehicle again. They approached the car that opened its doors, welcoming the two passengers. Once airborne, Serena glanced at her companion:

      «So Mister Winchester is really the owner of this planet?»

      «And some others.» the man replied. «He’s a very wealthy businessman and leads a number of profitable locations.»

      «Interesting. When I met him, he didn’t seem like it…»

      «He’s…» the man frowned, looking for a proper word. «Not as uptight as other people in similar position in the Company.»

      Serena tensed up. She didn’t know the Company purchased Essara.

      For the remainder of their short trip she stayed silent, watching the road they took.

      «You’re remembering the way?» the man smirked. «Is that because you don’t trust me?»

      «That, and a matter of habit. Being a mercenary, you tend to keep your eyes open and be ready for anything.» Serena replied, seeing the vehicle descending onto a private landing pod on top of a skyscraper.

      «Don’t worry, you’ll be transported back when your meeting will be over.» the man smiled. «I will make sure of it personally, as per Mister Winchester’s orders.»

      Serena smirked:

      «Got a name, big guy? Or should I just call you Eyes for those awesome implants you have?»

      The man chuckled, opening the doors:

      «John. Call me John.»

      «Nice to meet you, John.» Serena stepped out of the hover car and saw Elijah waiting by the doors that led inside the building.

      The man was dressed just as fine as before, only this time his trousers were black and the shirt he was wearing was made of black silk and half-unbuttoned, showing a fairly muscular chest and a simple orichum chain that seemed to change colours in the light. The metal was extremely rare and expensive, and one such trinket could easily buy a spacious house in most places of the Human Universe.

      «Mister Winchester.» Serena bowed slightly to the man.

      «Miss Serena.» he replied with a bow and smiling wide. «I am so happy to see you again.»

      He gestured her inside and the woman followed him, while John stayed back at the vehicle.

      «Straight to business?» Serena asked. «Or are you one of those who prefer to chat before discussing matters?»

      «I would prefer a drink first. And a bit of conversation won’t hurt as well, as I am quite intrigued to a Veluthian woman being on this lowly vacation planet.»

      Serena twitched her brow, entering a lavishly decorated hall, adorned with all kinds of areas that could be used for several types of things. There was a bar in the corner and a large empty space that could be used as a dance floor – with a small stage on one side and some tables on the other. A rounded sofa big enough for at least fifteen people stood in the middle of the hall, and around it were scattered several nooks and crannies with instruments, statues, trinkets and memorabilia that seemed though tastefully combined with the overall look of the hall, not very welcoming and spoke extremely little about the owner of these rooms.

      «What’s your poison?» Elijah asked, stepping behind the bar and gesturing to the wide variety of alcoholic beverages he had. «I have almost every drink in the Human Universe. Including those Veluthians have on their home planet.»

      Serena leaned over the bar and squinted:

      «And if I would ask you what would you prefer yourself?»

      The man smirked and leaned down, opening a small refrigeration unit and taking out two chilled bottles of beer. He offered one to Serena and she took it, glancing at the label.

      «Stargaze…» she read. «Never had one of these yet.»

      She flicked the cap off and took a sip, immediately surprised by the thick and pleasant taste this beverage offered.

      «A nostalgic drink. Guilty pleasure.» Elijah smiled, raising his bottle before taking a sip. «I grew up where it’s made. I take it… you grew up on Velutha?»

      «Yes. Though, I am still wondering how you got any of this information…» Serena tilted her head.

      «Ah, that would be because the Company’s reach is far beyond our borders. We collect information. Even on the far parts of the Human Universe. Your name has come up a number of times in some of the reports. Daughter of a prominent family, excellent warrior, great captain, very reliable mercenary…» Elijah squinted. «And all that together with having been imprisoned on your own planet… I would love to know what happened.»

      «I got sucked into