Chapter 965 (1/2)
When Evan Crane’s phone rang, he was already in such a foul mood that he chewed in frustration on the end of his cigar rather than answering. He didn’t even glance at the terminal. How come I have heard nothing from the Zone Transportation Board? And Erickson Steel’s chilly rejection of the offer of Skill Engraving is ridiculous! How could they not covet this knowledge! Did they possibly not believe that we-
While Evan’s mind was racing, the second ring dragged his attention over to the monitor of his phone. Instantly, he paled and scrambled to pick up the receiver.
“Ahem, Senator Heathridge, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Evan coughed out, inwardly glad that the other party couldn’t sense that his words contained half a lung of cigar smoke. Still, he frantically waved his hand, worried that the Senator would have some way of noticing.
“Because you fucked up. That bitch Tatiana really pulled a fast one on ya.” The cool response came. “I’d wondered why they were being so passive the past few months… but to think they had taken such a long view of things… Basically, the ZTB is on their side now.”
“What?! The amount of money I pay them is-” Evan fumed, but he was immediately cut off.
“-is a fraction of what they gained from Erickson Steel, from what I’m told.” Senator Heathridge’s clipped and direct tone didn’t sound angry, but just like he was calmly reading a story from the front page of a newspaper. “Apparently, the new train car was provided by Erickson Steel, and the engraving used to power it is ingenious. Impossibly so. After connecting to the main transit system, this new care actually added energy. A significant amount of energy. So much so that the ZTB will rubber stamp Erickson Steel’s activities so long as they are allowed to inspect the engravings.”
That gave Evan Crane pause. Erickson Steel was sitting on an engraving that could revolutionize the Manatech railway system? Damnit, if he could only control the company and look at its secrets, with his money-
Releasing a calming breath, Evan Crane said, “Then we bring an official inquiry. Force the ZTB’s hand.”
There was a chuckle on the other end of the line. “Didn’t I already say it? You fucked up. But I’ll indulge you. What happens if we bring an official congressional inquiry?”
“We have the votes,” Evan said through gritted teeth. It was hard to take Heathridge’s casual arrogance, even now. But Evan Crane would still be a two-bit criminal if the Senator hadn’t noticed his potential and given him some seed money. “Even if they get Firefly and his cronies, we-”
Senator Heathridge sighed. “You truly don’t understand anything but money. I’m not worried about Firefly; I have him distracted with other matters. I’m worried about the ZTB.”
“The only thing ZTB can do is act within the manatech railways,” Evan said dismissively. “Other than that, their only power-”
Then Evan froze.
“...yes, their only other power is to unilaterally enter into a partnership with a foreign power and delegate to that foreign power the ability to expand the rails in their own territory,” Senator Heathridge said softly. “A law that was passed specifically with Donnyton in mind. A law that includes the ability for the designated foreign power to give out a not insignificant number of Tier I citizenships.
“And you have been pushing the foreign angle very hard against Erickson Steel. They are subject to numerous taxes due to that designation. It would be politically thorny, but it is difficult for me to see how we could win on both the tax issue and whether they could be designated a foreign power. We’ve already committed too much to altering the public perception of them.”
Evan blankly looked down at his desk.
Senator Heathridge continued to speak. “Whoever came up with this plan… well, it’s genius. I wonder how long they struggled in secret to create an Engraving that they were confident enough to tempt the ZTB with… well, no matter. The mastermind clearly has given this situation a lot of thought. Undoubtedly this is the culmination of months of preparation. And this might not yet be their final move.”
For a second, Senator Heathridge was silent. When he spoke again, his voice was filled with urgency. “We cannot let them control the tempo of this. It’s time to put our final plan into effect. Can I count on some extra cash from you?”
“...of course…” Evan Crane said, a vein in his temple spasming.
“Good. Send the funds to the usual place. And Crane… don’t take any more actions on your own.” Then the line went dead.
For several seconds, Evan Crane stared at the door, sincerely hoping that a subordinate would come through with bad news so he would have the excuse to put his cigar out in someone’s eye. Then, with his jaw still painfully clenched from this humiliation, Evan began making a few calls.
Every time someone picked up the phone as he called and answered ingratiating, Evan Crane grew a little bit more bitter. Because he knew, deep down, that the only reason these powerful people took his calls was due to his association with Senator Heathridge. Without his power, Evan Crane was nothing.
But that wouldn’t last. Once Evan Crane was the CEO of Erickson Steel...
Even if I have to go myself… I will get to the bottom of Erickson Steel and devour all of its secrets…!
*****
The sky was laid out before Vye like a painting, the mid-day sun peeking out behind towering storm clouds, sending brilliant rays of sunlight down to gleam against the stone and metal walls of Erickson Steel. Behind those rays, the long wall of black clouds cast shadows across the surrounding forest, warning of the rain to come.