Business of Conquest

By Tom J. Maurer

How does one corner the real estate market in the universe? To dismantle entire governments, to render military regimes helpless, to corrupt the political machine of an alliance with over a thousand planets strong, to manipulate the galactic markets? To turn entire planets into privately owned rental properties?

Meet universally renowned entrepreneur Babe Gismo Swinewright. He knows. In polite terms, it's called universal expansion.

Add sci-fi action, air war, a detective, murder, betrayal, revenge, and plenty of humor. Add a physicist, a beautiful young woman who just wants her piece of the pie and a young human politician struggling to save his home and indeed his own soul from corruption, and you have the rolling saga of Business of Conquest.

The story takes place in another universe in a future time. Man is a minority species populating a colony planet. Representing their planet in the Parliament Congress is Taylor Cage. Soon he is up against the all-powerful Babe Swinewright and his vast monopolies of companies that span galaxies. Including learning of a plan called Project Relocate.

The Babe will stop at nothing to control the universe at his whim, including blowing up a few moons along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 2, 2002
• ISBN: 9781403345806

Tom J. Maurer

Tom Maurer was born and resides in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. If you have any comments or opinions about this book, we would like to hear from you. E-mail the author at [e-mail].  

Book preview

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

Taylor Cage stepped, slid his leg around and mounted the horse.

From the hilltop view, he looked out over the rolling green valley. A creek was weaving its way across the terrain. The current crackling against the rocks. The morning sun was low but bright. The sky was a clear blue with puffs of scattered white clouds.

He leaned forward and patted Skyrider on the shoulder. I’m going to miss you, he said.

He looked back out over the countryside. What a beautiful day, what a pretty planet. This is what earth is like. Although he had never been there, he heard his grandfather talk about it many times. He was going to miss this too.

With a yank, Taylor turned his friend around and they began the trot home.

It seemed like a thousand thoughts entered his mind. So much had happened in the last week. It all began when Representative Herman died of a heart attack while in bed with a prostitute. All planets in the Morvant Republic had representatives in the Parliament Congress, even colony planets like this one. And guess who got the job to replace him.

Taylor leaned sideways in the saddle, looking at the side of Skyrider’s head. Do you believe all this? he asked.

Actually, it was quite easy to see why he got the job. There were only 35 thousand people on the planet. The only human planet in the Republic. He was one of the few with a higher education; he graduated from Majestic University in Majestic City on Emperor Planet. Home of the Parliament Congress. It gave him a head start on any other candidate. It made the choice easy for the Planet Mayor and his council. Taylor, he said, the job is yours. Pack your bags. You’re going to Emperor Planet.

So in the last few days the swearing-in was done. Speeches were made and tearful goodbyes were said. That is, most of the goodbyes.

Taylor pulled up and halted Skyrider. There down at the bottom of the path was his ranch home. About a hundred yards off into the field was a spacejet supplied by the mayor and his council for the journey.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

He gave the horse an affectionate tap on the shoulder. Then, with a thump of his heels sent him into a full gallop down the hill. Yeah! Faster. Go! The click, click, clicking of the hoofs. It was their last ride together. Make it count.

His family must have seen him coming because as he neared the front lot, his grandfather, mother, and little sister came out the front door.

Taylor shouted his sister.

Taylor dismounted from Skyrider with a single graceful motion. Hi Becky, he said as his feet touched the ground.

Well did you take one last look at the place? asked his grandfather.

Yes sir, I did, said Taylor with the small talk. He could feel their eyes looking right through him. No one was saying anything. It was understood.

It was time.

I have to leave now. This morning like it was planned. We all knew this was coming. He knelt down on one knee and hugged his eight-year-old sister. Take care of Skyrider. I’m counting on you.

I will Taylor. I’ll brush him every day. I love you.

She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

He returned it with a wink.

He stood up and took a step towards his mom.

She looked at her son’s lean six-foot frame. Thick black hair, brown eyes and those handsome features. And that shirt and jeans. You’re going dressed like that? she said with a quiver in her voice.

Mom, I have all my clothes packed in the ship. I promise I’ll dress up before I go to work.

She hugged him and kissed him. My baby, she said.

Mom, I’m 24. I’ll be all right.

And be careful with that ship. I don’t trust space travel. You never know what will happen.

I’ll be careful.

He took a step toward his grandfather.

They shook hands.

My grandson in politics. I’m very proud of you. His eyes started to water.

A representative from a colony planet has the least power of anyone in the congress grandpa. It’s not that big of a deal.

Oh yes it is Taylor, yes it is. The Sonic Line wants to abandon their spacetrucking routes to this planet. They need permission from the congress to do it first. Don’t let them do it Taylor. Without those routes, this planet will go into a depression the likes it has never seen before.

I’ll do my best grandpa.

I know you will, and always remember…"

I know grandpa, cover my ass.

And what else?

My word is my bond. Don’t say it unless I can back it up first.

And what else?

Out think the opponent. Know his next move before he makes it, then counter with appropriate measure.

This is very important in intergalactic politics. You’ll meet beings that’ll conveniently rationalize at every turn to protect their agendas. Others will look you straight in the eye and lie. You’re going to learn a lot of lessons son. Make sure you only have to learn each lesson once.

Taylor put his hand on his grandfather’s shoulder. I will, he said.

Taylor took a step back and he looked at the three of them. The Parliament Congress goes on holiday break in eight months. I guess I’ll see you then. He took another step back and slapped his hands to his side. Emperor Planet, here I come.

Taylor ran out about a hundred yards to the ship in the field. He stopped on one wing and looked back. The three of them were just standing there looking at him.

Taylor waved.

All of a sudden they all started to wave back.

He gave the thumbs up sign and opened the door of the ship and went inside.

Moments later the spacejet’s engines fired up. Taylor taxied the ship and positioned it for take off. He picked up his clipboard and went over his preflight. Everything looked good including hyper-light speed and air supply. Then the roar of the ship’s twin cylinders came to a pitch and Taylor sent the craft into a take off.

Goodbye, shouted Becky.

Be careful, said his mother.

There goes the new representative for Rambis-6, whispered his grandfather.

Coming back around flying low, Taylor circled the ranch home once. Then he aimed the nose up and started his climb. As he looked down, he could see the three of them waving with determined enthusiasm. They became smaller and smaller and then into nothingness. Taylor felt a lump in his throat. Goodbye, he whispered.

He sent the craft into supersonic.

On the ground, the Cage’s watched the ship dwindle into the horizon. Becky looked up at her mother. He’s gone mom.

A whipping sonic boom cracked the distant skies and then faded.

Nancy Cage looked down at her daughter to her side. She had her hand over her shoulder and she stroked her hair. Her eyes were moist and she smiled. He’ll be back honey, he’ll be back.

Taylor had the nose aimed up toward the heavens. The spacejet soared. Higher. Higher. He broke into the thick white vastness of the clouds.

… And into the blackness of outer space.

He looked to his left. There were the two moons of Rambis-6. What a sight! What a feeling!

Ok, let’s get to work here. First things first. Plot a course to Emperor Planet. Because of the constant orbit rotation, it was very important to get this right. Punch in the wrong coordinates and you could be sailing in space forever.

The ship was an older model, about thirty years old. It was government property to be used by government employees like he was now, but colony planets were last on the Republic’s list of priorities. So they got stuck with the older stuff. Which meant the computer guidance system was older.

He rechecked the logs. Everything was looked at, checked over, and tuned up just a few days ago. That made him feel better.

Let’s do it. Hit that switch, that one. Punch this one here. Flick this, flick that, adjust this. And there you go. The computer was plotting the course. It would be in the middle of a hot summer when he landed in Majestic City.

He could already feel the ship swooping to the left. It would be overshooting the sun out of this star system.

Next step, put this baby into hyper-light speed. With hyper-light speed, he could make the journey in ten days. Without it, about a hundred years. Wouldn’t want that.

He began flicking switches above his head and across in front of him on his console. Then he punched a button that read hyper-light above it.

This is it. Here goes.

His hand was resting on the throttle to his right.

He slowly pushed it forward.

The ship went into violent jerking vibrations. For a second, Taylor thought he was going to lose his breakfast, but this was expected. Making the transition from impulse to hyper-light with an older, smaller ship.

The throttle was pushed all the way forward. It went into the locked position.

His eyes scanned his panels and console. All the gauges and meters were exactly where they were supposed to be. The words hyper-light was lit up on the corner of one of his screens. He looked out. The constellations of the stars were no longer standing still. They were now blurring on by against the blackness of space.

The transition was complete. He was on his way!

Taylor unbuckled his seat belt and stood up behind the two front seats. He looked behind him at the small cramped living quarters. Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, all rolled into one. It was home for the next ten days.

Did he have any idea on what he was doing? No, not really. Could he match up against the cool, cold representatives from the other planets who played hardball for a living? True, he was educated. He could speak seven languages and do six different kinds of math. But, he was only 24. Not worldly in his ways.

Worldly. How about universal? That’s the league he would be playing in now.

The ship shot past the sun.

What in the worlds had he gotten himself into?

CHAPTER 2

Babe Gismo Swinewright tapped and rolled his fingers on his desk, and he looked around at the personnel in his office. Lawyers, ick! Accountants, bla! And vice-presidents, he wasn’t even sure what the hell they did. Puke! No, make that double puke!

Are you sure Galactic Trust can’t be traced back to me? asked the Babe who wanted to be reassured once again.

We’ve got it all under control, said one of the lawyers. As far as anyone is concerned, Galactic Trust and the Sonic Line are two separate companies.

That’s right, added another lawyer. This thing is buried so far deep that no one could find it if they dug all the way to Evera, referring to a province on the other side of the planet.

You’re sure, said the Babe. His purple eyes rolling back and forth between the two lawyers.

Absolutely, said one of the lawyers. Officially, you’re president and owner of the Sonic Line Spacetrucking Company, but you have no association with Galactic Trust.

None, said the other lawyer.

The Babe leaned back in his chair and put his hand under his chin. So far everything had been working out rather well. Almost too well. The key to everything was the colony planets, not the mainstream worlds. A colony planet usually started out as an uninhabited world in some remote galaxy far away from the center of activity. The planet, although uninhabited, would belong to the Morvant Republic if it were in Morvant Republic space. If atmosphere or conditions were right for a particular race of people, they could file a stakes claim with the Republic and move there. They would, of course, be part of the Republic just like the regular populated planets. And they depended on the fleets of the Sonic Line to send and deliver cargo. Their entire economies depended on trade and the Sonic Line was their link to economic survival.

The situation presented some unique opportunities and the Babe took advantage of it.

Every planet in the Morvant Republic of Planets had representation in the Parliament Congress. That body of government called the shots. The Babe would send his people to the congress and claim that his company was losing money servicing that particular colony planet. The Sonic Line was a vast monopoly in dozens of galaxies, but it was regulated by government. It would be explained that because of the sparse population, colony planets rarely had more than fifty thousand people. And because of the long distance of the journey, it was not worth it to have the planet on its routes. Too little revenue, too great of operating cost. You must allow us to abandon these routes.

The Babe always got his way. It’s easy when you have more than half the congress in your hip pocket.

What happened next was predictable. Without those routes, the planet would go into a depression. Trade would drop by 90 percent, sometimes more. The inhabitants were no longer able to pay their taxes to the Morvant Republic.

What followed was foreclosure.

The local government of the colony planet was now in violation of the stakes claim agreement between it and the Republic. The Morvant government had every legal right to do with the planet whatever it wanted.

And it did.

For along came the Galactic Trust Company with an offer to take the planet off its hands.

True, the government sold the planet dirt cheap, but that was better than having no money coming in at all. It was a good deal for everyone.

It was a VERY good deal for one Babe Gismo Swinewright.

For behind the army of lawyers, hidden deep in the endless maze of company reps and bureaucrats, the power was the Babe. HE was Galactic Trust.

The planet the Babe just bought was almost worthless; of course, he got it cheap. Now just suppose the Sonic Line reinstated their routes. Which he could do with the snap of his finger. After all, he was president and owner.

Why the planet’s value would go straight up through the roof overnight! Industry and trade would return. The economy would recover. The inhabitants would not pay taxes to the Republic, but rather pay rent to Galactic Trust. Very high rent.

And pay shipping costs to the Sonic Line!

Both controlled by the Babe!

Money, money, money!

Sir, said one of the lawyers snapping the Babe out of his trance. What is our next target planet?

Rambis-6, said the Babe as he rubbed his hands together looking straight ahead. He glanced at one of his VPs seated near the back of the room, Sliber, what do we know about the next target?

Sliber Cal put on his glasses. He then picked up some notes that were sitting on his lap and glanced over them. Fits the profile sir, he began. Typical colony planet, located in galaxy 17 in star system 9. It’s the sixth planet from its sun. The stakes claim agreement began 120 years ago. Atmosphere is oxygen, nitrogen, with light-B gravity. Populated by a species called man. Original descendants from earth.

Earth, I never heard of it.

A planet in the other universe sir.

Go on Sliber.

Population is 35 thousand. Main export is crops. Common human food.

Human, what is that?

It’s a term referred to the man species.

Continue.

Exports include corn, rice, potatoes. We have four spacetrucking routes there per week, coming and going. Estimated paid taxes to the Republic about 177 million currency counts per fiscal year.

Who’s their representative in the Parliament Congress?

Well sir, there’s been a recent change. The former representative, a Ned Herman suffered heart failure while engaging with one of our females of the night here in Majestic City. The new representative is one Taylor Cage.

What do we know about this Taylor Cage?

Nothing sir.

Nothing?

Nothing. He hasn’t even shown up on Emperor Planet yet. We haven’t had time to trace or study his past.

Well make the time. He’s going to fight us hard on abandoning those routes. I want to know all about Cage. His strengths, his weaknesses, can he be bought off, all of that. So, get to work on it.

Will do sir.

The Babe turned to one of the accountants. I’m going to need some cooked books here.

Accounting will take care of it, said the accountant with a nod.

What are the real numbers for Rambis-6?

Actually sir, said the accountant, the Sonic Line is showing a handsome profit. Last year, we were 41 million currency counts in the black. Quite remarkable for a planet with such sparse population. But don’t worry, we’ll change that. By the time we get done rearranging the numbers, it’ll look like we’re in the poor house. The congress will have to allow you to abandon those routes.

And erase all computer banks with information on Rambis-6, reminded the Babe. Then program it with false info. They’ll have someone checking into them. I want no trace of the truth to be left.

We’ll take care of it, said the accountant who knew the Babe wanted to be reassured.

Good, well that takes care of that. As you know gentlemen, I’ll be leaving for the Cardack System to observe the experiment for Project Relocate and…

Excuse me sir, said Sliber Cal.

Yes.

It’s already been done.

What!

About a week ago. I just found out about it myself this morning.

The Babe’s eyes turned into a glare of silent rage. He could feel his purple hair standing up on the back of his neck. Who was in charge? he demanded!

Nurt Dipo Swinewright sir, your nephew.

The Babe slapped his hands over his eyes. He slowly brought them down over his light gray face. His features were stretched down as they passed his eyes, nose, mouth, and chin. Then they went back into place.

He shook his head back and forth in disgust. Nurt he said. It figures.

The Babe leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. All right he said, let’s at least look at the results. Sliber, do you have the reports?

Well no sir, he said meekly. He hated to anger his boss. Nurt forgot to send them. We won’t have them for another couple of days.

The Babe reached into his top drawer and pulled out a shot glass and a bottle of Lamripko.

He poured himself a shot!

With his head leaned back, he drank it with one gulp.

He slammed the shot glass down on the desk!

EVERYBODY OUT! he shouted.

They left as if they were in fast motion.

His nerves started to settle.

A couple of minutes passed. He was calm again.

Lord of the winged zapfires, the boy was driving him to drink! He was his only sister’s son. What was he to do with the lad? Nurt knew he wanted to observe the experiment. What was he thinking?

He stood up from his chair. Despite Nurt’s constant screw-ups, things were moving along well. Galactic Trust now owned dozens of colony planets. All of them prime. Just waiting for the Sonic Line to reinstate their routes. That made him feel better.

His finger touched a keyboard panel on his desk. To his right and on his wall, a screen turned on. There appeared a life size three decimal map of a solar system and the planets were slowly moving in their simulated orbits.

His fingers worked the keyboard again. He punched in galaxy 17, star system 9, the location of Rambis-6.

The map changed to a vacant blue. Then a new solar system appeared. It was star system 9.

The Babe picked up the bottle of Lamripko and he leaned against the desk. Let’s see, there’s eleven planets in this one. Oh yes, he knew this territory. The first planet was Rambis-1. Known to the natives as Eptar. The only natural populated planet in the system. It had been part of the Republic for about a thousand years now. A fairly modern world. Population five billion. Didn’t fit the profile.

Planets two through five and seven through eleven were uninhabited. Hostile atmospheres and many mixtures of deadly gases. Ninety-nine percent of all known races were unable to live there. These were deemed worthless. Didn’t fit the profile.

But the sixth planet, Rambis-6, was an air planet. There were thousands of races that were air breathers. Plus, it was a colony planet; plus, the population was sparse; plus, it had all the necessary resources. Now that fit the profile!

Soon it would belong to Galactic Trust.

The Babe took a hit of Lamripko. Soon now, very soon, he would be reinstating more and more routes.

The cash flow would be beyond belief!

He would control it all!

Galactic Trust stock would shoot up. Sonic Line stock would shoot up. He was the majority owner in both. It would just keep coming and coming. But, that was just the beginning. There was more, much more.

He closed his eyes and he thought of what was ahead.

A Babe Gismo Swinewright monopoly! A chokehold on the entire universe!

Finally, it was coming altogether. Slowly but surely, bit by bit. At last his dream was coming true.

He took another hit of Lamripko.

As for anyone who was foolish enough to stand in his way, simply put, he would smash them. Like a bug under his heel.

CHAPTER 3

Loud beeps from the spacejet’s cockpit!

Taylor opened his eyes. With a quick motion, he lifted himself off his bunk and dashed to the front. He leaned forward between the two front seats and scanned his panels and screens.

Oh, oh. There it was! The pre-interceptor light was flashing on and off in all its brilliant red. That meant only one thing. The time-reach-sensor-drives were picking something up. On this present course, the ship was heading for a direct collision.

But with what?

Taylor strapped himself in the pilot’s seat. Nothing made any sense. First of all, the coordinates said he was located in the outer reaches of the Cardack System. There was nothing out here, absolutely nothing. Second, if there were something out there, the computer guidance system would alter the course all by itself, and it wasn’t doing that. He would have to change it manually.

He looked straight ahead out the window. The lights of the stars were whipping by against the blackness of space. Whatever was out there was still out of visual view. It could still be millions of miles away, but at this speed, that could mean only minutes away.

Taylor flicked a switch above his head. The alarm was now turned off. Now he heard a beep. He checked his space radar. Sure enough, a flashing green dot was showing up on his screen. He looked straight ahead with intense concentration. Was he seeing something out there? Maybe. He wasn’t sure.

First things to do, take this ship off automatic cruise and then out of hyper-light. Because of the speed, it was very difficult to control it manually. His reflexes couldn’t possibly keep up, but all he had to do was slow it up somewhat.

Yes, he was seeing something now. A dot from this range, but it was there.

He started reversing switches, preparing to take the ship out of automatic.

What was ahead? It was becoming larger now. Whatever it was had to be thousands and thousands of miles in diameter. But, that was impossible. There weren’t any planets or moons out here.

And yet there it was!

Taylor had his right hand on the throttle. Time to slow this thing up, retake control.

He tried to move the throttle back, but it wouldn’t budge.

What!

He tried again, but it was no use. It stayed in the locked position.

The spacejet just traveled another 850 thousand miles. The planet ahead was much larger now. More distinct.

Taylor tried again. Nothing!

The ship was flying out of control!

A number appeared on one of the screens. Only 990 thousand miles from impact.

Two more warning lights lit up on his panel.

Taylor’s heart was racing faster and faster.

Oh no. No!

Don’t think. React!

Taylor cut all power.

Humming from the rear cylinders ceased.

The ship sailed onward.

700 thousand miles from impact.

He hit the impulse power button. Hopefully it would react as a reverse gear. Slowing the ship faster.

It did! The screeching of the engines made it sound like it was screaming in agony.

500 thousand miles away.

Taylor’s palms were sweating. His body tingled all over.

The gauges on his instrument panel were all in dangerous red zones.

400 thousand miles.

All alarms were ringing and beeping in full force. The tortured motors continued to scream.

The noise was pounding through his skull!

300 thousand miles.

What’s this? The planet looked like it was busted up in several pieces. Oooohhh!

200 thousand.

Taylor killed the impulse power. Hopefully these moves released the automatic lock. He could now control the ship. He was betting his life on it!

100 thousand.

The ship was heading straight for the center of the planet!

50 thousand.

His entire visual view was the planet. He couldn’t even see stars or space anymore.

25 thousand.

Now!

He restarted the engines.

The rear twin cylinders fired up.

Hopefully he slowed the ship just enough so his reflexes could control the turns.

Hopefully he had control.

He did!

He banked the spacejet into a deep turn. A full 45 degrees! Ooohhh!

Sideways he flew across the broken world. Another separate chunk ahead!

Taylor adjusted. He flew over it! Another piece. He flew under it! Scattered smaller chucks all around. Turns, a dive, a roll, another roll, a third roll. Another turn…

Open space. He made it!

His head whipped back and he looked at the giant debris. Then he looked ahead. The empty wide openness of space. What a relief!

Taylor leaned back in his seat and took a deep breath. Whew! What was that? He continued to slow the ship. As close as he came to it, he saw no signs of natural activity. It was a broken up planet. A destroyed world. A dead world. One hurled from its orbit. What could have caused such a thing?

A natural catastrophe or a deliberate explosion. An attack perhaps.

He continued to slow the ship down. What went wrong here? Why didn’t the ship respond? He did check the log and according to that, everything was fine. Perhaps he missed something. He checked again.

He opened the logbook and his eyes scanned all the checkmarks in their places. Yes, everything was looked at, and then he noticed who signed it.

Dale Vick!

Taylor slammed the logbook shut in disgust. Vick, that figures! He wasn’t qualified to screw in a light bulb, much less handle a spacejet. He recalled a time at a small party, an intoxicated Dale Vick boasted how he bought all his answers for final exam at the trade school on Zebtrod. Damn that Vick!

Taylor guided the ship to a complete stop. Then he let it float.

He unbuckled his seat belt and headed toward the back to get some tools. Oh, that Vick. When he sees him… well!

Let’s see, this wrench here. Taylor sat down on one knee. Behind the seats was a five-by-five floor plate. Four corners, four bolts. He adjusted the wrench and started to loosen one of them. A tug, a pull, tight, but not too tight. Got it, that’s one. That’s two, three, four. Done.

Taylor lifted up the floor plate and he put it to the side. Then he laid down flat on his stomach and put his head down into the crawl space. There’s a casing along with cables, components, engine drives, over there was a panel. Wait. what’s this? One of the connections was hanging half way out. Talk about your spacejet maintenance 101.

Feeling both angry and relieved, Taylor dropped himself into the crawl space. Fixing this was a snap. With hyper-light he was only 72 hours out from Emperor Planet. Without it, he was 30 years away.

He started tightening the connection. As for what happened back there, that probably wasn’t a planet. More like a moon. That makes more sense. Whatever the case, something weird was going on.

CHAPTER 4

Diamond Irks knocked three times on the bedroom door. She then opened it halfway and took one step in. She looked down at the bed and the outline of a body under the covers. Nurt she said. Nurt, are you awake?

From out of the covers Nurt Dipo Swinewright’s head rose up and peered at her. His purple hair was a mess. His purple eyes were bloodshot yellow, and his light gray complexion was almost white. I’m still sleeping, he said. His head bounced back into the pillow and the covers went back over his head.

Diamond left the room closing the door behind her. She went across the living room, slid open the terrace doors and walked out onto the balcony.

There before her was the magnificent view of the Majestic City skyline, but she barely noticed.

She folded her arms and looked back into the condo with a hostile glare.

Nurt! He really pissed her off.

First, he leaves for the Cardack System for six weeks doing who knows what for his uncle. Then, on his first night back, he goes out partying with his friends till all hours. Now, here it was midday and he still wasn’t out of bed yet.

She walked up to the railing and leaned against it. In the distance, she could see the Sonic Line building.

Yes, she was an uptown girl now. Thanks to Nurt. But she had to deal with all the crap that went with it.

Diamond grew up in the slums of north Majestic City. The only daughter of a bus shuttle driver, her early education was how to survive being poor. She never forgot her lessons. Ones she vowed she would never have to repeat. As a small child, she would ride along on her father’s bus routes to downtown Majestic City. She would watch with great curiosity the rich and beautiful people. Even now, that memory was clear to her.

As Diamond grew into her teens, a curious thing happened. She didn’t just evolve into a good-looking woman, but rather a drop-dead-gorgeous one. Her body was slim, trim, athletic, but feminine. She had long thick shoulder-length purple hair. Her high cheekbones, light gray skin, and cat-like aqua eyes highlighted her pretty face. Aqua eyes were a rare recessive gene for the natural natives of Emperor Planet. Purple being the dominant. But that made her stand out from the crowd even more.

Ms. Irks soon found out what doors that could open.

And she used them.

Diamond’s climb on the social ladder began when she took a class a Majestic University. It wasn’t long before she was dating her instructors, and then some of the richest businessmen in the province. Being introduced to her new element came surprisingly easy to her. She was the talk of the town in some circles. Dating older men on the fast track sharpened her instincts. A street-smart education in an environment of luxury.

There was just one problem with all of this. Diamond couldn’t stand most of these men. They were either bores, perverts, or married. Then it all changed.

She met Nurt Dipo Swinewright.

Nurt was the same age as her. He was the big man on Majestic campus. And he would show up to class in a limo shuttle. Very impressive!

So Diamond did her homework.

Nurt was the nephew of the famous Babe Gismo Swinewright. A very rich and powerful family. The Babe never had a son. He had two daughters, Clawie and Purrfur. Since there was an unwritten rule on this planet for top management (no women, no minorities), Nurt was the heir apparent for the Swinewright empire.

Nurt had it all. Looks, money, position, a future…

And no brains!

The perfect prospect!

Diamond was in love. At least her version of it.

So, Diamond worked her magic and the