Hortan opened his eyes and saw Azumi standing in front of him, a pair of black tears on her cheeks and a very serious expression on her face.
"Hrm, ehm Hi Ms Azumi."
He smiled, but stopped as she kept her serious looks.
"Hort, you have got to stop coming to Sedina with all those presents."
"But why can’t I do that? I mean you are always so nice to me."
"They put you and me in danger. And you have to remember, I am a pirate and you are a pacifistic miner, hardly a perfect match."
"I see you as a beautiful flower Ms, not a a pirate."
Azumi laughed, that was not what she had expected.
"Right. I have been called a lot of things, but never a flower before."
Hortan blushed and looked down for some seconds before looking up and replying.
"Well my mum always said that a rose by any other name is still a rose."
Azumi stopped smiling and lifted one hand to push the strand of hair that was falling down over Hortan's forehead out of the way.
"Yeah, I guess. But this rose has thorns Hortan. Many thorns, and she lives in a place that is very deadly. So please stay away?"
He could see that she meant it for his protection as well as protection for herself and her mates.
"Guess so Ms Azumi. I better get on home. They must be looking for me by now."
Swag man stood and intercepted Hortan.
"I'll walk you, I have something I wanna discuss with you anyway."
Hortan wasn't entirely happy with that, but the pirate wouldn't let go of his sleeve. He steered him along towards the launch bay, without giving Hortan a chance to say good bye. Probably the best anyway.
###
NP sent the siphoned data to Miexon and Surbius. He had done his job and could once more go back to sifting the information streams of the nets. He leant back in his reclining chair and turned the brainplant to active. The information started flowing immediately with some interesting trends especially regarding the revival of the terrorist organisation SYN. He did not choose where the data took him, but somehow, subconsciously he was watching for what would happen when the Senator crashed and burned. He smiled, victory even old tastes sweet. He received a message. Opening it he smiled even more. This felt even better than victory.
###
Waldoze was shouting in rage.
"What the hell do you mean she sues me for half my belongings? How can she do that? I mean we only dated for three weeks and we were never ever married or anything? And dare I say it, she left me! She isn't getting a single credit from me, that is dead certain."
The lawyer from the well known lawyers firm "Lector, Lecter and Shard" who had brought Waldoze the subpoena didn't flinch at all. As a matter of fact he studied Waldoze like a butcher would a piece of meat.
"She is entirely in her right as the papers you have just thrown so inefficiently to the floor would attest to. The law is very specific on this matter. Under the sub-charter 4, amendment 16-3d in the Valent civil code of law, a period of co-habitation for more than a week when it concerns a man and a woman, is either to be considered a lawful domestic partnership with all the normal rights of marriage or relationship between prostitute and pimp. In the latter case you will then admit to being a criminal with up to three years prison sentence and revocation of UIT citizenship."
"Ha, I am not a citizen of Valent, I am UIT through and through. So nyah!"
Waldoze pushed the two middle fingers extended towards the lawyer in a rather impolite gesture.
"We are quite aware of that Mr. Waldoze. However if you would care to read the relevant amendment through, you will see that if one part of the relationship is a Valent citizen, it pertains to both on the following jurisdictions: Valent, Axia and, need I say it? TPG. I'll see you in court Mr. Waldoze. Oh, and feel free to call our firm for a free offer on a defence."
The lawyer handed the stunned Waldoze his card, turned and walked away.
Waldoze slowly closed the door and stood for a minute before noting the guffawing from the sofa. John Eldritch was lying on his side laughing so hard that he had to hold his stomach and bend over.
"Knock it off man, this is serious."
That just made John laugh harder and louder, and after a little while Waldoze started laughing too.
"Guess I am fucked, eh hehe? Guess I'll better check with Gramps."
